On The Subject with Mike Vilardo

In this episode of  On the Subject , we sit down with Christy Vehe, Director of Mathematics and Science at Valley View School District 365, working to disrupt the way we teach math and science. From her powerful reflections on building a culture of curiosity and productive struggle in the classroom, to her thoughts on engaging Gen Alpha students and embracing their evolving language and ident...

In this episode of  On the Subject , we sit down with Ava Gilani Jacobs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at UCLA Lab School, to explore how students as young as third grade are learning to break down bias, question what they read, and craft arguments rooted in ethos, pathos, and logos. From simulations on EV cars to real-world kindness curriculum, we dig into what it means to raise not...

What does it take to raise emotionally intelligent students in a digital-first world? In this episode of  On the Subject , we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Chatmon, Director of Curriculum, SEL & JEDI at UCLA Lab School—alongside her incredible team of educators—to explore the power of intentional social-emotional learning. From building conflict resolution skills in 4-year-olds to helpi...

What’s changed in classrooms between 2005 and 2025? A lot—and educators like Dr. Renata Gusmão-Garcia Williams are the first to notice. In this episode, Subject CEO Michael Vilardo sits down with the inspiring Principal of the UCLA Lab School to talk about how today’s students are navigating anxiety, tech, and emotional growth in a post-pandemic world. From her own journey—working full-t...

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with Nathan Bowen—former pro hockey player, co-founder of Total Package Hockey, and Executive Chairman of TPH Academy. From gritty roots on the ice to leading one of the most impactful multi-sport academic academies in North America, Nathan shares how TPH is giving student-athletes back their time, their purpose, and their co...

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo welcomes Kelly Cooper, Chief Secondary Academic Officer at Iredell-Statesville Schools in North Carolina. With roots in both business and education, Kelly brings a unique perspective to curriculum design, rigor, and instructional leadership. She reflects on the shift from recall-based learning to higher-order thinking, the importance o...

On the Subject  hits a milestone with its first-ever three-person episode, featuring two inspiring leaders from Tustin Unified School District: Diana Gebe and Ali del Castillo. Host Michael Vilardo sits down with these powerhouse educators to explore what it means to lead with empathy, foster innovation, and center education around trust and access for all students. From their early passion f...

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo travels to Chicago for the Subject.com Media & AI Education Conference and sits down with a powerhouse leader from the Southeast—Dr. Norris Williams, Deputy Superintendent of Lancaster County School District, South Carolina. As our first guest from the region, Dr. Williams shares his decades-long perspective on how education is evo...

For our milestone 50th episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with Dr. Nicole Howard, Assistant Superintendent of Indian Prairie—Illinois’ fourth largest and one of its most diverse school districts. From growing up with a brother underserved by the system to becoming a math teacher and now a district leader, Dr. Howard shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey roote...

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with the recently former Superintendent of Clark County School District and a champion for underserved students. From his early days as a 10-year-old immigrant to leading the fifth-largest district in the country, he shares the personal and professional moments that shaped his drive to prove all kids—regardless of background—...

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down in Monterey, California, with recently retired acting Superintendent and Chief of Human Resources Dr. Robert Martinez. With over three decades of experience across every level of education—from school psychologist to site leader, HR chief, and superintendent—Robert brings a deep and personal perspective on what’s changed (and...

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with Esmeralda Garcia, Director of Expanded Learning at Calexico Unified—possibly the southernmost district in California—to explore how she’s reimagining education outside the traditional school day. From ballet to credit recovery, Esmeralda’s after-school programs are driven by a vision to close opportunity gaps and bring r...

On this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with Tim Woody, Executive Director of High Schools and CTE from Iredell-Statesville Schools, to explore how CTE programs are redefining student success by building tangible, monetizable skills — and why early career guidance is key to unlocking real-world opportunities after graduation.

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo, CEO of Subject.com, interviews Dr. Ramiro Rubalcaba, Superintendent of Los Nietos School District, live from the ACSA Superintendents’ Symposium in Monterey, California. They discuss actionable strategies for K-12 district leadership—from building strong family-school relationships and implementing culturally relevant meals to empower...

In this episode of  On the Subject , Michael Vilardo sits down with Crystal Castaneda, Superintendent of Byron Union School District, in California. From teaching ABCs to her sisters in a closet to leading one of the most forward-thinking K–8 districts in the Bay Area, Crystal shares her journey through every level of education—and the innovation she's championing today. They dive into MTSS s...

On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo, co-founder and CEO of Subject.com, sits down with Jaime De La Torre, Director of Instructional Technology at Las Cruces Public Schools, New Mexico’s second-largest district. From growing up just 30 miles south in Anthony, NM, to impacting students across Texas and New Mexico, Jaime shares his journey into education, how his wife inspired his career path, and...

In this episode of  On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo heads to sunny San Diego for the third stop on our nationwide tour highlighting trailblazing educators. This week, we sit down with Dr. Maurissa Koide, Director of Secondary Education at Milpitas Unified School District, to explore her unconventional journey from aspiring ballerina to public school champion. Maurissa shares how her exp...

On this episode of  On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo takes the podcast on tour to San Diego, California, where he sits down with Leo Perez, Associate Superintendent at Shasta Union High School District. They dive into Leo’s unexpected journey into education, the power of community colleges, and how schools must evolve to meet the needs of Gen Alpha. They also discuss critical thinking, i...

In this episode of  On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with Erika Tejeda, Principal at Perris Union High School District, to explore her inspiring journey from being a first-generation student who once hated school to becoming a transformative leader in education. Erika shares her candid experiences with systemic barriers, the importance of representation, and how she’s pioneerin...

In this episode of  On The Subject , Michael Vilardo sits down with Kathleen Porter, a lifelong educator with 38 years of experience, currently leading innovation at Poway Unified in San Diego. From growing up in Phoenix with an inspiring mother who defied expectations to pioneering engineering programs and embracing failure as a stepping stone to success, Kathleen shares her journey and insi...

In this episode of  On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with  Patty Hurtt of Poway Unified , a dedicated educator with over 33 years of experience, to discuss the power of  alternative education  and how personalized learning can help students who don’t fit the traditional model. Patty shares stories of  student transformation , the importance of  internsh...

In this episode of On The Subject , where we explore the future of education through the voices of trailblazing educators. In this episode, host Michael Vilardo travels to New Mexico, the land of enchantment, to sit down with ValerieBrea, Executive Director of the Southwest Regional Education Cooperative (SWREC). Val shares her unconventional journey into education, the power of cooperatives in su...

In this episode of  On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with Michael Chavez, Superintendent of Hatch Valley Public Schools and a true innovator in education. From growing up as a quarterback to leading a district in the chili capital of the world, Chavez shares his journey into education, the impact of technology on today’s students, and why relationships are the foundation of lea...

In this special episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo travels to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to sit down with one of the state’s most innovative education leaders, Kim O’Byrne. Kim shares how she’s transforming agricultural education through hands-on learning, career and technical programs, and groundbreaking initiatives like hydroponic freight farms and student-run veterinary clinics...

In this episode of  On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo, co-founder and CEO of Subject, travels to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to meet with Todd Lindsay, Superintendent of Tularosa Schools. Todd shares his incredible journey from rodeoing and flunking out of college to finding his passion for education later in life. With authenticity and humor, Todd discusses the challenges of teaching, the im...