Mindy Sjoblom

OnYourMark Podcast

Education EN ↓ 9 episodes

OnYourMark is a mission-driven podcast exploring how high-dosage virtual tutoring can close early literacy gaps and expand opportunity for students across the country. Through conversations with superintendents, chief academic officers, and education leaders, the show dives into scalable solutions that merge human connection with data-driven instruction. The tone is intelligent, purposeful, and compassionate, focused on equity, access, and impact

Author

Mindy Sjoblom

Episodes

Strengthening Literacy Pathways: How Readers Are Being Supported in Haverhill Public Schools 01.07.2026 33:05

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Margaret Marotta Smith, Superintendent of Haverhill Public Schools, and Bonnie Antkowiak, Principal in Haverhill Public Schools. Together, they share how Haverhill is building stronger, more coherent literacy systems across grade levels, from early reading instruction to secondary literacy and high-dosage tutoring. Mindy, Margaret, and Bonnie d...

Leading with Equity, Literacy, and Heart: Dr. Theresa Rouse’s Journey Transforming Joliet Public Schools District 86 17.06.2026 42:44

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86 in Illinois. With more than 30 years in education and 16 years as a superintendent, Dr. Rouse reflects on her journey from classroom teacher to district leader and shares how a commitment to equity, cultural proficiency, and whole-child support has shaped nearly a decade of...

Inside Greenwich’s Literacy Success: Strategy, Consistency, and Community Involvement 25.03.2026 42:15

In this episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Toni Jones, Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools in Connecticut, for a deep and honest conversation about what it really takes to build successful early literacy programs in schools. Dr. Toni Jones shares her remarkable career journey across different states and countries, and how those diverse experiences shaped her commitment to equity...

Capacity Through Clarity: How Dr. NaTasha Crain Is Strengthening Literacy Systems in Marshall ISD 06.01.2026 33:06

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. NaTasha Crain, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Marshall Independent School District in East Texas. With her entire career rooted in East Texas public schools, Dr. Crain shares how her journey from secondary English teacher to elementary principal to district leader—has shaped her belief in strong Tier 1 instruction...

Reading to Coherence: How Kelly Elrod Is Rebuilding Literacy Systems in Anderson School District 5 30.12.2025 40:20

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Kelly Elrod, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Continuous Improvement in Anderson School District 5 (South Carolina). With 35 years in education—spanning early childhood special education, literacy coaching, school turnaround leadership, and district-level roles—Kelly shares what it takes to rebuild coherent systems after COVID while...

Growing Readers, Retaining Teachers: Putnam County School District Approach to Lasting Improvement 17.12.2025 49:47

In this episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County School District in Florida, and Laura France, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction. Together, they share how a district once labeled “in decline” moved from a 54.9% graduation rate and multiple failing schools to over 92% graduation and zero schools in failing status. Mindy, D...

Building Systems for Every Reader: Inside Palo Alto Unified’s Early Literacy Work 12.12.2025 41:51

Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Danae Reynolds, Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction at Palo Alto Unified School District, to explore how a high-performing district dug beneath its overall scores to confront unfinished learning and better support student groups who weren’t yet meeting grade-level expectations. Danae shares how Palo Alto Unified built the Every Student Reads Initiative—g...

Science of Reading and Real Change: Dr. Edie Sohigian’s Approach to Struggling Readers 11.11.2025 38:57

In this episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Edie Sohigian, Executive Director of Elementary School Education for Sampson County Schools in North Carolina. Together, they dig into Edie's journey from major urban school districts to leading in a rural setting, exploring the unique challenges and opportunities of each. The conversation unfolds around resource divides, leadership strategies...

Building Trust, Strengthening Systems: Dr. Hollingsworth is Leading Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD 21.10.2025 40:20

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Jerry D. Hollingsworth, Superintendent of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District in Northwest Fort Worth, Texas. With more than three decades in education, Dr. Hollingsworth shares how listening, consistency, and community trust are driving the district’s next chapter of growth. From a district-wide “listening tour” to implement...