Voices for Excellence

Austin ISD is rewriting the playbook on equity in advanced academics. In this Back to School edition of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner is joined by Cody Pruitt, Blake Haygood, and Tony Castilleja of Riverside Insights to explore how the district is leveraging the CogAT to expand opportunity and disrupt traditional measures of achievement. Together, they unpack how Austin ISD is redefini...

In this Back-to-School edition of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Dr. Bill Bradford, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and School Leadership for Fayette County Public Schools (KY). Together they unpack how Fayette County is transforming education through its Portrait of a Graduate 2.0, aligning a five-year strategic plan with classroom practice, and preparing students...

In this episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with John Pandolfo, Superintendent of Telluride School District and former Vermont Superintendent of the Year, to unpack his leadership journey and vision. From re-framing the district mission around “each and every student” to building belonging through dual language programs and inclusion initiatives, John shares how he is c...

In this episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Candice Sears, Director of Instructional Services at the Montgomery County ESC and a leading voice in AI and educational innovation. From remote learning and alternative education programs to statewide AI policy and workforce development, Candice shares how her work is reshaping instruction, aligning systems, and meeting...

In this thought-provoking episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Steven Iglesias—Chief Innovation Officer at Doral Academy and one of Florida’s most forward-thinking voices in educational AI. Together, they explore the urgent need to reimagine the education system for the era of AI, automation, and superintelligence. The conversation challenges outdated assumptions, i...

In this episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Candice Sears, Director of Instructional Services at the Montgomery County ESC and a leading voice in AI and educational innovation. From remote learning and alternative education programs to statewide AI policy and workforce development, Candice shares how her work is reshaping instruction, aligning systems, and meeting t...

In this episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Candice Sears, Director of Instructional Services at the Montgomery County ESC and a leading voice in AI and educational innovation. From remote learning and alternative education programs to statewide AI policy and workforce development, Candice shares how her work is reshaping instruction, aligning systems, and meeting...

In this episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Wes Kriesel, Administrator of Innovation and AI at the Orange County Department of Education, to unpack what real innovation in education looks like. Together, they explore the difference between flashy tech and meaningful use, the need for a two-brain approach to AI governance and experimentation, and why equity, fluency...

What does it really take to lead with courage, clarity, and conviction—especially when the political winds are shifting? In this powerful episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with the unstoppable LK Monroe—former Alameda County Superintendent of Schools and founder of TeamED Up for Good —to unpack what legacy leadership looks like in the A/C (After COVID) era of educatio...

In this special episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner takes the guest seat as Executive Producer Serena Reynolds steps in as host. Together, they unpack the vision, research, and real-world impact behind the Agile Diagnostic and AI Platform —a groundbreaking system transforming how school districts approach strategy, change management, and continuous improvement. Dr. Conner shares...

In this episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Jennifer Womble—Chair of the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) and District Administration—to explore how AI, innovation, and authentic leadership are reshaping the education landscape. They discuss what it takes to build scalable professional development, the power of one-on-one tutoring powered by AI, the...

In this powerful episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Christine Fowler-Mack—former Superintendent of Akron Public Schools and current CEO of Reimagine Solutions—to unpack what it truly takes to lead large, complex school systems in the A/C (After COVID) stage of education. Christine shares her three signature leadership principles— authenticity , adaptive coherence...

Dr. James Lane is the chief executive officer of PDK International and Educators Rising. He most recently served as Acting Assistant Secretary and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education after serving as Senior Advisor to U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona.

Susan M. Bearden, CETL is a strategic, growth-oriented education technology leader who approaches IT from an educator mindset. A former teacher and K12 IT leader, she is currently the CEO of Bearden Education Technology Consulting and is passionate about facilitating best practices in education technology in support of innovative teaching and learning.

Dr. Barber is currently the Deputy Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools. Barber has more than 20 years of experience as an educator, having previously served as superintendent of Frankfort Independent Schools and more. In that position, Dr. Barber established highly qualified, cross-functional teams in order to streamline district operations and foster greater communication and connecti...

Dr. Pedro Roman joined the Hyde Park Central School District as the Superintendent of Schools in July 2023. In his role as Superintendent, Dr. Roman is responsible for working with the Hyde Park Board of Trustees and school community to promote the district’s vision and mission, manage finances, personnel, and resources, and ensure students and staff have optimal teaching and learning conditions t...

Dr. Lisa Schleer brings over three decades of PK-12 administrative and special education expertise to her role as founder and CEO of LMS Educational Consulting. Her approach integrates data-driven decision-making with deep expertise in educational equity, as evidenced by her doctoral research on postsecondary access for Black and Hispanic low-income students.

Danelle Almaraz is an esteemed educational leader with an impressive track record over three decades. Throughout her distinguished career, Danelle’s unwavering commitment to student success and equity has consistently guided her efforts, making her a formidable advocate for the welfare of students, always prioritizing their best interests.

Dr. Vallerie Cave is the Superintendent of Allendale Country Schools. She is an experienced K-12 Turnaround Instructional Leader. Dr. Cave is highly skilled in transformation and school turnaround. She has a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Vallerie is skilled in Educational Consulting, Classroom Management, Educational Technology, Instructional Design, and Cur...

Paula Reed is the president and CEO of BizEducation Consulting, Inc. In the industry she is known as a “super connector” and innovative strategist for businesses, organizations and K12 administrators across the country. At BizEducation Consulting, she partners with companies to enhance sales and marketing initiatives and strategies, thought leadership development, designing and facilitating focus...

Dr. Andraé Townsel is the Superintendent Calvert County Public Schools who demonstrates commitment to educational excellence. Dr. Townsel has led impressive academic gains, including contributing to Maryland’s meteoric rise in proficiency levels on the latest the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) from 40th to 20th in fourth grade reading nationally, driven by a district-wide commi...

Kai Frazier is an educator turned EdTech entrepreneur passionate about using technology to provide inclusive and accessible opportunities for underestimated communities. As the founder and CEO of Kai XR, she leads an innovative learning platform that empowers schools to transform education through immersive technologies and high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Through virtual field trips,...

Ken (He/Him/His) currently holds an M.A. in Education with a specialization in Educational Technology as well as New Media Design and Production. Ken has provided consulting and professional learning support to many school districts/systems Nationally and Internationally as well as businesses, including non-profits, in the areas of educational/learning technology, organizational culture, equity, d...

Dr. Garner brings 30+ years of experience in team development and leadership, customer success, program development, operational efficiencies, partnership development, and strategic planning to transform spaces, places, and outcomes. While strategic planning and customer success are critical to corporate wins, the complete toolkit includes organizational and operational assessment, performance and...

Dr. Tony L. Hemingway is the Superintendent of the Fairfield County School District. Dr. Hemingway is an educator dedicated to the academic achievement of all students and leadership development for teachers and school and district-level administrators. During his career in education, he has served students as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. As a district-level administrat...