Implement. Change in Education

Making Reform Real: Lessons from Maryland’s Blueprint Want to implement ambitious education reforms that actually stick? Maryland’s Blueprint shows us the stakes — and the lessons. I recently joined the Blueprint Pillar 5 Advisory Committee to share insights on how communication and implementation strategies can make or break systemic reform. While Maryland is the case study, these lessons apply a...

Finding Our Stride in Times of Change! Change is hard — but when we embrace it, it opens the door to possibilities we never saw before. Driving back from CACTE through the Rockies, I was reminded that change often feels like stepping into the unknown, but those paths can lead to powerful growth. As William Bridges writes in Managing Transitions, change is like a marathon. Leadership isn’t about sp...

EdScale's Founder Tom DeWire gave the closing keynote in July 2025 at the annual CACTE Summit in Colorado to talk about change management.  It was an incredible gathering of over 400 educators in Colorado focused on career and technical education.  Since 1917, Colorado Association for Career and Technical Education (CACTE) has been the largest state organization supporting CTE educators in their e...

What does it take to build and retain a strong, more diverse educator workforce? This episode spotlights Delaware’s bold approach to strengthening the teacher pipeline, and how one state is turning strategy into sustainable, statewide impact. Inside the episode: How Delaware is tackling teacher shortages with short- and long-term strategies Why partnerships, pathways, and pipelines are reshaping t...

In this episode of Implement Change in Education, we’re joined by Laura Weeldreyer, Executive Director of the Maryland Family Network. With decades of leadership in public and private education, including key roles at Johns Hopkins and Baltimore City Schools, Laura brings a clear-eyed, mission-driven perspective on what it takes to build a truly integrated early childhood system. Drawing on her ye...

What will it take to turn Maryland’s historic Blueprint into lasting change? Our latest blog unpacks why coordination is breaking down and what it will take to turn visionary policy into real impact for schools, students, and communities. Inside the post: - Why implementation has become “everything, everywhere, all at once - What districts are doing well — and why we’re not learning from them - Ho...

In this episode of Implement Change in Education, we’re joined by the visionary Dr. Derek Mitchell, CEO of Partners in School Innovation. With deep roots as a district leader, researcher, and systems thinker, Dr. Mitchell shares a powerful perspective on what it really takes to improve outcomes in under-resourced schools. Drawing from decades of work across the country—and his own experience growi...

In this special highlight compilation, we bring you powerful moments from conversations with some of the most influential education leaders. These short clips capture the insight, urgency, and vision driving change in schools today. You'll hear from: Dr. Carey M. Wright, Maryland State Superintendent, on building teacher capacity and transforming reading instruction statewide. Dr. Sonja Brookins S...

What does it take to lead a team of superstars to the top—and keep them growing? In this episode, we explore the leadership mindset of Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, whose blend of tactical brilliance, emotional intelligence, and unshakable calm has guided one of the most dominant NBA teams in history. From his “criticism is an opportunity” mantra to flying across the world to support a b...

In this episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Secretary of Education for Delaware, Cindy Marten. With decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and former Deputy Secretary of Education, Secretary Marten brings bold yet grounded insights to transforming public education systems. From her time leading San Diego Unified, where she helped drive graduation rates to 89% and close equity gaps, to h...

In this episode, we dive into the J-A-T Theory — a simple but powerful framework for building trust, deepening relationships, and encouraging meaningful feedback. Inspired by a recent EdScale blog post, we explore how curiosity and the habit of Just Asking Them can shift conversations and unlock progress in management, coaching, and collaboration. Whether you're leading a team or working cross-fun...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Sonja Brookins-Santelises, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, and Alison Perkins-Cohen, Chief of Staff. With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Santelises has led transformative change in Baltimore’s schools, driving historic academic gains and prioritizing equity. To my knowledge, they are the longest standing CEO/CoS team in large urban schools across the...

Navigating leadership transitions can be challenging, but with the right strategies, they become opportunities for growth. Our latest blog post shares five key tactics—rooted in research and practical frameworks—to help leaders and organizations adapt and thrive during change. From building strong relationships to scenario planning, these actionable insights drive better results. Change involves n...

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Carey Wright, a nationally recognized education leader with over 50 years of experience. She led Mississippi’s historic rise in fourth-grade reading scores, proving that strategic, long-term reform can drive real student success. Now back in Maryland, she’s leading through one of the most ambitious education overhauls in a generation. In this episode, we discuss lessons...

This blog post reflects on a visit to the Baltimore Ravens stadium and the valuable lessons learned about teamwork and core values. It explores how the Ravens emphasize their mantra "What’s Important Now" (W.I.N.) and "The Team, The Team, The Team" to foster a culture of unity and excellence. I connect these insights to our work at EdScale, highlighting the importance of building cohesive teams an...

Starting something new often comes with unexpected challenges, and launching a podcast with guest interviews is no different. Scheduling surprises are par for the course. As a result, we will be sharing the first guest episode in February.  But today I’m thrilled to share a rebroadcast of a conversation I had last year with Troy Mix from the University of Delaware Biden School on First State Insig...

In this episode, we explore five powerful lessons learned from coaching a 4th grade basketball team that directly apply to education leadership. Through experiences of victories, setbacks, and a nail-biting championship game, these insights demonstrate the parallels between sports coaching and implementing change in education systems. The key lessons include: Elevate voices and listen to stakehold...

Introducing our new podcast, Implement. Change in Education. Full episodes starting in January 2025!