Shows
NYSSBA's President's Gavel PodcastThe Big Board Questions: What’s on Every School Board Member’s Mind?In your role as a school board member, have you ever wondered - are we even asking the right questions? You are not alone! On today’s episode of the President’s Gavel, Leadership Development trainers Jamie McPherson and Ann Lazewski will answer some common but very important questions school board members often ask, like:
Are we aligned with our district’s mission and vision?
How can we foster strong, transparent, community relationships that allow room for all voices to be heard while still providing clear information and addressing misinformation?
How do we ensure all students are being served? It’s not ju...
2025-12-1634 min
Leaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Superintendent of Reading School District & former Pennsylvania Secretary of EducationPodcast Summary
In this episode of Leaders Learning from Leaders, host Steve Barkley speaks with Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, superintendent of the Reading School District and former Pennsylvania Secretary of Education. Dr. Mumin reflects on his leadership journey, the challenges of leading an urban district, and his philosophy of empowering educators to believe in their influence on student success.
Dr. Mumin begins by describing the Reading School District, the fourth largest in Pennsylvania, serving nearly 18,000 students, with 88 percent Latino enrollment and 100 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced meals. Despite limited resources, the district demonstrates strong...
2025-12-1132 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Cory Strasser, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for Rapid City Area Schools, SDPodcast Summary
In this episode of Leaders Learning from Leaders, Dr. Cory Strasser, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for Rapid City Area Schools in South Dakota, shares insights on leadership, organizational excellence, and creating opportunities for students in a diverse community. Rapid City Area Schools, South Dakota’s second-largest district, serves 12,000 students across 22 schools, situated in a unique blend of urban, rural, and tribal communities. Guided by a five-pillar strategic plan that encompasses students, staff, community, communication, and facilities, the district emphasizes a holistic approach to education.
Dr. Strasser outlines the scope of his role, wh...
2025-09-2222 min
NYSSBA's President's Gavel PodcastWhat to Consider: Electing Your School Board PresidentWith reorganization meetings just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about electing your board president. In this episode of President’s Gavel, Mark highlights what leadership skills matter most at the board table and shares five characteristics of a successful president.
Host: Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager
Resources / Show Notes:
• To learn more about NYSSBA’s Board Officers’ Forum, contact mark.snyder@nyssba.org.
• 2025 Board Officers Academy (live virtual and annual pre-convention events): http://bit.ly/3G9ZNZg
• Superintendent and Board Self-Evaluation Tools: bit.ly/3OiBBlV
• SuperEval: bit.ly/3N2vDo9
• To learn more about SuperEval contact Bob Hartz...
2025-06-2412 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Patrick Keeley, Superintendent, Mountain Empire Unified School District, CAAbout Dr. Patrick Keeley
Dr. Patrick Keeley is a purpose-driven educational leader with over 20 years of experience focused on school culture, student voice, and whole-child support. He currently serves as superintendent of Mountain Empire Unified School District, following his tenure as principal of Mountain Empire High School—his alma mater—where he led major improvements in climate, culture, and student leadership. His past roles include high school principal, alternative education administrator, assistant principal, dean, ASB advisor, and department chair.
Named the 2025 State Superintendent of the Year by the California Small School Districts’ Association, Dr. Keeley has presented at eve...
2025-06-1134 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Brian Graham Superintendent, Grand Island Central School District, NYAbout Dr. Brian Graham
Dr. Brian Graham is in his ninth year as superintendent of the Grand Island Central School District, leading efforts to integrate emerging technologies and foster innovation in education. Prior to this role, he served as assistant superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services in the West Seneca Central School District. His career in educational leadership spans more than a decade, including seven years as a middle school principal and three years as an elementary principal in West Seneca.
With a deep passion for instructional technology and its role in differentiating instruction, Dr. Graham has worked...
2025-04-2432 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Deborah Wortham, Education Leader and AuthorAbout Dr. Deborah Wortham
Dr. Deborah L. Wortham is a nationally recognized educator, author, and speaker with a distinguished career in educational leadership. A Chicago native, she has served as superintendent in multiple school districts, including Roosevelt Union Free School District, where she led the transition from state takeover to good standing. She was also the first African American female superintendent of East Ramapo Central School District, where all K-8 schools achieved good standing.
Dr. Wortham holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a Master’s in Reading from Morgan State University, and a Ba...
2025-03-1341 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Mr. Aníbal Soler, Jr., Superintendent, Yonkers Public Schools, NYAbout Superintendent Aníbal Soler, Jr.
Anibal Soler, Jr. is a seasoned education leader with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools since May 1, 2024. He has a strong track record in urban districts, having previously led Schenectady and Batavia City School Districts. In Schenectady, he implemented a transformative community schools initiative, enhancing student access to health and social services. In Batavia, he secured the district’s first My Brother’s Keeper grant and introduced a pioneering policy on Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education.
As associate superintendent in Buffalo, he spearheaded the Stron...
2025-01-2827 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Panel Discussion on School TransformationDr. Jim Lloyd, Superintendent of Olmsted Falls City School District, Ohio
Dr. Steve McCammon, President and CEO of the Schlechty Center and Executive Director of the National Superintendents Roundtable
George G. Thompson, former President and current Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Schlechty Center
About the Panel
Dr. Jim Lloyd has served as superintendent of Olmsted Falls School District in Ohio since August 2013, collaborating with staff, parents, and the community to ensure the district's success. Committed to preparing students for a fast-changing, digital, and global future, he champions the district's "Triple...
2024-12-1941 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Executive Director, Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders, PAAbout Dr. Edwin M. Quezada
Dr. Edwin M. Quezada has dedicated nearly 35 years to education, holding roles from teacher to superintendent. He is currently the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders.
As the former superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools, Dr. Quezada led the district to become New York's highest performing district among the Big Five (New York City, Yonkers, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo), achieving a 90% graduation rate and significantly reducing the dropout rate. He is known for fostering leadership through professional development and creating district-wide cultures of accountability and achievement. His philosophy...
2024-11-2220 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Wesley Smith, Superintendent, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, CAAbout Dr. Wesley Smith
Dr. Smith is superintendent of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. His 25 years in California public education include 17 years as a site or district leader and eight years as an educator and student advocate at the state and federal levels.
Dr. Smith served as the executive director of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), which is the largest umbrella organization for school leaders in the United States. He previously served as the superintendent of Morgan Hill Unified School District, and superintendent, assistant superintendent, and principal at Cascade Union Elementary School District. He ha...
2024-09-2531 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Genelle Morris, Superintendent, Olean City School District, NYDr. Morris is proud to serve as Superintendent of the Olean City School District. She joined the district in July of 2022. A passionate advocate for providing high-quality education for all children, Dr. Morris has spent more than 30 years in education, dedicating her life to ensuring each child graduates from high school ready for college or a career. While pursuing that goal, she worked in varying roles, including science instruction, curriculum and assessment development, and leading work in assessment, accountability, research, and evaluation at the district level.
Before joining Olean, Dr. Morris worked in Buffalo Public Sc...
2024-07-2530 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Darren J. Brown-Hall, Superintendent, Williamsville Central School District, NYAbout Dr. Darren J. Brown-Hall
Dr. Darren J. Brown-Hall was appointed Superintendent of the Williamsville Central School District effective July 1, 2021. He most recently served as the Chief of Staff for the Buffalo Public Schools. He has previously served as the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, and for a short period of time as Interim Superintendent for the Buffalo Public Schools. Dr. Brown-Hall began his career in education as a Mathematics teacher at Sweet Home High School.
Dr. Brown-Hall has over 20 years of experience in the field of Education and works every day to have a significant impact...
2024-06-2021 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Gennaro Piraino, Jr., Superintendent Franklin Regional School District, PennsylvaniaAbout Dr. Gennaro Piraino, Jr.
Dr. Gennaro R. Piraino, Jr., is the Superintendent of Schools for the Franklin Regional School District. He leads with a strong commitment to academic, artistic, and athletic excellence. He finds great fulfillment in his role, particularly in collaborating with stakeholders and community partners to provide exceptional educational opportunities beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Dr. Piraino champions a school environment that nurtures students’ growth as scholars, artists, athletes, and citizens. His advocacy has significantly transformed the learning landscape for Franklin Regional students. Under his leadership, the district initiated a comprehensive redesign of education, em...
2024-05-2322 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. George Fiore, Executive Director, Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) in PennsylvaniaAbout Dr. George Fiore
Dr. George F. Fiore is a veteran educational leader with over 25 years of experience. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Downingtown, PA, a position he has held since 2019.
Dr. Fiore's diverse career includes roles as a teacher, dean of students, principal, district superintendent, and the founding headmaster of the highly-regarded Downingtown STEM Academy. He has also been an adjunct professor at Kutztown University, Cabrini College, and Wilkes University, supporting doctoral and educational leadership programs.
Beyond his administrative work, Dr. Fiore is a st...
2024-04-1126 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Sherri Smith, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of School AdministratorsAbout Dr. Sherri Smith
Dr. Sherri Smith is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA). Before her time at PASA, she served as Deputy Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Prior to providing leadership at the state level, Dr. Smith led the Lower Dauphin School District for 14 years as superintendent. In addition, Dr. Smith served as PASA President in 2014-15 and as a member of the Board of Governors. Dr. Smith received the Leadership in Public Education Award in 2017, one of the PASA Awards of Achievement.
...
2024-02-2624 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Gladys Cruz District Superintendent/CEO, Questar III Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES)About Dr. Gladys Cruz
Dr. Gladys I. Cruz is the 2023 President of The School Superintendents Association (AASA) while maintaining a dual leadership role as the District Superintendent (DS) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Questar III Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). As the District Superintendent, Dr. Cruz represents the NYS Commissioner of Education and is responsible for providing strong leadership within the supervisory district and bringing local school district concerns to the attention of state leaders. As the CEO, Dr. Cruz leads the organization in developing, implementing, and providing programs and services at the request o...
2023-11-2128 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Charles Dedrick and Jacinda Hall Conboy, Esq. of the New York State Council of School SuperintendentsAbout Dr. Charles Dedrick
Dr. Charles Dedrick, currently serving as the Executive Director at the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), possesses a wealth of experience in education leadership. With over seven years in his current role, Chuck oversees the NYSCOSS’ operations, governance, and policy matters. He offers professional guidance, regional presentations, and fosters engagement with NYSCOSS. His career spans leadership roles as District Superintendent at Capital Region BOCES, Superintendent of Schools in Cohoes City School District, and Green Island School District. Chuck holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from The Sage Colleges-Sage Graduate School, al...
2023-10-1823 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Luvelle BrownAbout Dr. Luvelle Brown
Dr. Luvelle Brown is a highly accomplished educator with a diverse background in various educational roles. He currently serves as the Superintendent of the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) in Ithaca, New York, where he has overseen remarkable achievements during his tenure. Recognized as the 2017 New York State Superintendent of the Year, Luvelle Brown has received numerous accolades for his contributions to education.
Among his many honors, Dr. Brown was acknowledged by TrustED as one of the nation's foremost educators and thought leaders. In 2022, he was honored with the prestigious Dr...
2023-09-2123 minLeaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation With Dr. Jason AndrewsIn this podcast episode, Steve Barkley interviews Dr. Jason Andrews, the superintendent of Windsor Central School District in New York State. He shares the importance of collaboration, high expectations, and support within the district.
The conversation covers several key topics:
Andrews describes the transformation of Windsor Central School District, including improvements in graduation rates, performance on state assessments, and a focus on providing diverse opportunities for students. They emphasize the importance of creating a "future-ready" environment that empowers students to explore various pathways.
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) significantly affect the district's success. Dr. Andrews emphasizes the...
2023-08-1639 min
Leaders Learning From LeadersA Conversation with Dr. Kevin McGowanKevin McGowan, Ed.D., is the Superintendent of the Brighton Central School District, a suburban district in Monroe County, New York. In addition to being highly ranked in New York State (NYS) and nationally, Brighton schools have been recognized as "Schools to Watch," Blue Ribbon award winners, and as a 2018 US News and World Report Gold Medal school. Throughout his work in each position, Dr. McGowan has focused on high-quality systems that provide consistency, accountability, and a focus on meeting the needs of all learners. Dr. McGowan established the commitment to "every student, every day, in every way" in...
2023-07-1827 min
NYSSBA's President's Gavel PodcastWhat to Consider: Electing Your School Board PresidentWith reorganization meetings just around the corner it’s time to start thinking about electing your board president. In this episode of President’s Gavel, Mark highlights what leadership skills matter most at the board table and shares five characteristics of a successful president.
Host: Mark Snyder, Leadership Development Manager
Resources / Show Notes:
• To learn more about NYSSBA’s Board Officers’ Forum contact mark.snyder@nyssba.org.
• NYSSBA’s Board Officers Academy: https://bit.ly/3xXi2dA
• Superintendent and Board Self-Evaluation Tools: https://bit.ly/3OiBBlV
• SuperEval: https://bit.ly/3N2vDo9
• To learn more about SuperEval contact Bob Hartz at 1-844-312-EVAL (3...
2022-06-2112 minNYSSBA's President's Gavel PodcastThe Superintendent Evaluation: Common questions from the fieldSchool board members have a legal responsibility to evaluate their superintendent on an annual basis, but for many board members the process can seem like a daunting endeavor.
In this episode, NYSSBA's Leadership Development team answers commonly asked questions that will help your team effectively evaluate the performance of your superintendent.
Resources:
NYSSBA’s Superintendent Evaluation instrument:
http://bit.ly/35SkORg
SuperEval website:
https://bit.ly/2PHAdjw
Schedule your Custom Board Retreat today!
http://bit.ly/30NAX7l
2021-03-3113 min