In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, we head to rural Florida to hear from Dr. Richard Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County School District. With decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and now district leader, Dr. Surrency brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to one of the biggest questions in education today: How do we prepare students for a future that’s already changing?
We talk about transforming a traditional district into one grounded in career pathways, dual enrollment, and personalized purpose. From building a new ag-tech center to integrating soft skills into academic goals, Dr. Surrency shares how Putnam County is creating opportunities for every kind of learner — not just college-bound students.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Key Moments
05:23 "Teachers as Effective Coaches"
08:38 "Linking Teaching with Learning"
12:37 Leadership Emerges on Playground
14:45 Transforming Education in Florida
16:58 Graduation Accountability and Expectations
21:53 "Listening Sparks STEM Program Creation"
24:00 "Leadership Through Visibility"
28:52 "Pilot Training and Space Careers"
30:50 Competitive Education Environment in Florida
35:39 Embrace Change Responsibly
38:02 Human Connection in Future Education
39:36 Graduate Panel Reflects on School Impact
Connect with Guest:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-surrency-221a69a5
Connect with Us:
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