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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 growing up on Chicago’s West Side—he offers a bold yet practical take on school transformation.

“Improvement,” says Dr. Mitchell, “is both an art and a science. The science is in the tools. The art is in how people show up in moments of challenge and stay in community to do the work together.”

We explore:

• Why equity must start with adult learning and intentional culture
• The power of embedded, high-trust coaching in high-need schools
• Results-Oriented Cycles of Improvement (ROCI) as a strategy for change
• Leading through reflection, clarity of purpose, and community proximity
• Lessons from the Gates Foundation’s Networked Improvement Communities initiative

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of education—leaders, teachers, parents, and advocates alike.