Beyond The Syllabus

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Jadon A. Waller, Assistant Superintendent of Schools K-8 at Oswego Community Unit School District 308. Dr. Waller shares how her own experiences growing up in a community where she rarely saw educators who looked like her inspired a career centered on student voice, representation, access, and creating environments wher...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Erik Stone, Assistant Superintendent of Operations at Litchfield Elementary School District #79. Dr. Stone shares his unconventional path into education, from serving in the U.S. Marine Corps to discovering his passion for teaching while volunteering with a small group of elementary students learning to read. That exper...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Colin Davitt, Director of Artificial Intelligence and Blended Learning at Lindbergh Schools. Colin shares his unconventional path from struggling as a student and leaving high school for the Marine Corps to becoming an elementary teacher, instructional technology leader, and eventually one of Missouri's early district-level...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Kara Casimiro, Superintendent of Schools at Danbury Public Schools. After beginning her career in Danbury 30 years ago, Dr. Casimiro has worked across teaching, curriculum, instruction, and district leadership. She shares how that journey has shaped her commitment to the community and her approach to leading one of Conn...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Curtis Finch, Superintendent of Deer Valley Unified School District. With nearly four decades in education and almost three decades as a superintendent, Dr. Finch shares lessons from leading districts across Alaska, Michigan, and Arizona, and explains why great schools are built through courageous leadership, exceptiona...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Robert Chalwell Jr., Assistant Superintendent for Achievement and Student & Community Engagement at Webster Central School District. Drawing from a career that spans music education, public policy, educational leadership, and community development, Dr. Chalwell shares how culture, relationships, and servant leadersh...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Laurie Putnam, Superintendent of St. Cloud Area School District 742, and Donna Roper, Director of Research, Assessment, and AI Integration. Together, they share how St. Cloud is approaching one of education's biggest shifts with intentionality, collaboration, and a commitment to keeping students and human connection at...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell is joined by Marie Hanna, Superintendent of Ohio Connections Academy, and Stephanie Nickles, Principal of Curriculum and Instruction. Together, they explore how a statewide virtual public school is challenging traditional assumptions about education while creating flexible, personalized learning experiences for students across Ohio. From...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Robert Tremblay, Superintendent of Framingham Public Schools in Massachusetts. A former music educator turned district leader, Dr. Tremblay shares how his passion for arts education led him into leadership and how that mission continues to shape his vision for public education today. Together, Aidan and Dr. Tremblay exp...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Jarrod Dennis, Superintendent of Stanly County Schools. Drawing on more than 25 years in education, Dr. Dennis reflects on his journey from science teacher and coach to district leader, sharing lessons learned about leadership, reflection, student engagement, and navigating change in a rapidly evolving educational lands...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Ken Nicely, Superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. Having served the district for more than three decades in roles ranging from Spanish teacher to superintendent, Dr. Nicely shares how a lifelong passion for learning has shaped his vision for preparing students for an ever-changing world. Together, they explor...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Joseph S. Piccirillo, Superintendent of Newton Public Schools in New Jersey. Drawing from his journey as a music teacher, administrator, and educational leader, Dr. Piccirillo shares a thoughtful perspective on curiosity, wonder, leadership, and the deeper purpose of education. Together, they explore what it means to ed...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Josh Satterfield, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum at Woodhaven-Brownstown School District in Michigan. With experience as a teacher, coach, technology leader, and district administrator, Josh shares how his district is building systems that prioritize student learning, teacher collaboration, and meaningful innovation...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dan Stecken, Superintendent of Seneca Township High School District 160 and founder of Stress Leaders. A lifelong educator, former coach, and small-town superintendent, Dan shares how relationships, authenticity, and meaningful experiences shape both his leadership style and Seneca’s uniquely personalized approach to learni...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Daniel Smith, Superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools. With over two decades of experience as a teacher, principal, chief of staff, and now superintendent, Dr. Smith shares how a coaching mindset, strong relationships, and intentional systems design are shaping a district of over 5,500 employees. From student a...

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Anthony Mays, Superintendent of Alief ISD in Southwest Houston, where nearly 40,000 students learn across one of the most diverse districts in the country. From growing up as a highly mobile student in Fort Worth to becoming Alief’s first African American superintendent, Dr. Mays shares how his own experience with inequitable classrooms sh...

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with John Roach, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in San Jacinto Unified School District in California. With over 28 years in education, John brings a rare blend of deep instructional expertise, systems thinking, and a data-informed, student-centered mindset. From elementary teacher to principal, assessment lead, and now cabinet-lev...

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Yolanda Conaway, Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Student Affairs at Palo Alto Unified School District. With more than 25 years in education and the Outstanding Leadership in Education Award from the California African American Superintendents and Administrators Association, Dr. Conaway has dedicated her career to rethinking how syst...

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Michael Matsuda, Superintendent of Anaheim Union High School District since 2014 and founder of the National AI K12 Summit. Widely recognized for his innovation and advocacy, Mike has earned national awards for promoting democracy in public schools, advancing bilingual education, and redesigning systems to better serve all students. Mike s...

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Jonathan Cooper, Superintendent of Mason City Schools, a high performing and highly diverse district in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. With more than 100 languages spoken in the hallways, Mason is known for its strong academics, innovative culture, and commitment to inclusion. Jonathan shares how his “love, learn, lead” mindset and resea...

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Wendy Birhanzel, Superintendent of Harrison School District 2 in Colorado Springs. With more than 20 years in public education across California and Colorado, Wendy has led two elementary schools to National Blue Ribbon and National Title I Distinguished status and was recently honored with the 2025 AASA Women in School Leadership Award. W...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Julie Williams , Deputy Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools, for a wide-ranging conversation about how schools can honor student strengths, expand real-world learning, and design environments that truly serve the whole child. Dr. Williams shares the story behind Fayetteville’s middle school choice programs, includi...

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Vicki Bayer, Superintendent of the Green Bay Area Public School District in Wisconsin. With over three decades in education, Vicki shares how her leadership journey—from classroom teacher to superintendent—has been grounded in trust, community partnership, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential. Together, they explore how Green Ba...

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Trish Sexton, the Chief Academic Officer for Lancaster County School District in South Carolina. With over three decades of experience in education, Trish shares her personal journey from a shy student and Navy family member to a passionate educator and district leader. Together, they explore how Trish’s background and her role as a mother of...

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus , host Aidan McDowell talks with Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent of Cajon Valley Union School District (CA) since 2013. Recognized by the White House and U.S. Department of Education as one of the nation’s top 35 district leaders in personalized learning, Dr. Miyashiro shares how Cajon Valley is redefining school around purpose, relevance, and student age...