Voices for Excellence

How do we move beyond the limits of a single test score to truly see the brilliance and potential of every child? In this riveting episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner is joined by two extraordinary education leaders who bring over six decades of combined insight to answer that very question. Dr. Mark King, Vice President of Education at Arts for Learning Maryland and author of The...

What if we looked at failure not as a flaw—but as fuel for innovation? In this inspiring episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Roxanna Villaseñor, former superintendent and CEO of Universal Leadership and Associates, to explore what it truly means to lead with intention and hope in an uncertain and rapidly evolving educational landscape. With a career spanning the cla...

What happens when a school district refuses to operate in silos—and instead imagines an ecosystem that truly wraps around every learner, every family, and every community member? In this inspiring episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with visionary educator and community leader Jody Bloyer, Deputy Superintendent of Racine Unified School District in Wisconsin. A former tea...

What happens when educational leadership is grounded in the wisdom of community, driven by emotion as much as intellect, and unflinchingly committed to equity? This week on Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Dr. Brenda Garcia Castro—assistant principal at Century Community Charter School in Inglewood, California, and adjunct professor at Pepperdine University—for a deeply hum...

What does it mean to be a parent in the age of AI? On this episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner is joined by Kunal Dalal, a visionary educator, founder of AI Parentology, and one of today’s most important thinkers shaping the intersection of artificial intelligence and learning. With roots in both classroom teaching and education innovation, Kunal is not just exploring how AI can t...

What if the true measure of school success isn't just test scores—but the full humanity and future readiness of every learner? On this episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Dr. Tonia Causey-Bush, a transformational instructional leader and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at Banning Unified School District in California. Renowned for her vision, humili...

In this thought-provoking episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Rebecca Bultsma — international AI ethics researcher, Chief Innovation Officer, and co-host of AmpED to 11 — to explore what it really means to lead in the age of artificial intelligence. From Kendrick Lamar lyrics to ethical paradoxes, this conversation moves from AI strategy and governance to the human...

In this episode of Voices for Excellence , Dr. Michael Conner sits down with one of education’s most innovative and heartfelt leaders, Superintendent Glenn Robbins. Together, they explore what it means to lead with authenticity, courage, and compassion in the ever-evolving landscape of education. From redefining school culture through relationships and student voice, to building genuine community...

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.