Shows
Superintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Richard Cobb: Belonging Starts Before the First BellDr. Rick Cobb (Mid-Del Public Schools) explains how his district creates “soft landings” for students and families at every transition point — from the first day of school to the move into middle and high school. He highlights programs that build connection and pride, including athletics, fine arts, CareerTech, e-sports, and upgraded facilities, while sharing how he keeps himself grounded by staying close to principals, students, and community.
2025-12-0839 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Ben Churchill: Listen First then Lead with FocusHow do you enter a large district mid-year and still set a clear path forward? Dr. Ben Churchill (Poway USD) shares his 90-day listen-and-learn plan, school visits across 41 campuses, and a leadership approach built on focus over frenzy: double down on what works, let go of what doesn’t, and align the organization around a few wildly important goals.He also lays out how Poway balances district direction with principal autonomy—and why that combination increases engagement and results.Chapters you’ll hear: entry planning, belonging and learning, narrowing priorities, 4 Disciplines of Execut...
2025-09-1937 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Michael Matsuda: Unleashing Teacher Creativity and Student PurposeWhat happens when you free teachers from test score pressure and trust them to design for the whole child?In this inspiring conversation on Superintendent Hot Seat, Michael Matsuda shares how he transformed Anaheim Union High School District into a hub of innovation — from capstones and student TED Talks to AI-powered mentors that know each learner’s story.Discover how his team builds purpose-driven learning, nurtures student voice, and partners with industry to prepare students for meaningful futures — while modeling a new way forward for public education.
2025-09-1832 min
Superintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Barbara Mullen: Healing-Centered Leadership - Building Belonging from the Inside OutHow do we build student wellness that truly lasts?In this episode of Superintendent Hot Seat, Dr. Barbara Mullen shares how she’s reshaping district culture by focusing on healing-centered leadership. From building communities of practice for staff to designing joyful “Level Up” kickoffs and creating schools where every student feels seen, her approach is rooted in connection, trust, and belonging.You’ll hear practical strategies to strengthen adult well-being, nurture student confidence, and spark growth across an entire district.🎧 Tune in and discover how healing...
2025-09-1631 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Martha Salazar-Zamora: From Crisis to Connection: How Hope Squad Transformed a School CommunityWhat happens when a school leader faces the unimaginable — multiple student suicides in a single year?In this powerful episode of Superintendent Hot Seat, Dr. Martha Salazar Zamora, Superintendent of Tomball ISD and 2023 Texas Superintendent of the Year, shares one of the most vulnerable and courageous stories we’ve ever heard on the show.Dr. Z walks us through the heartbreaking moments that shook her district, the emotional toll it took on her leadership, and the transformative decision that followed: investing her own Superintendent of the Year award money into a student-led mental health program called Hope Squad.This epis...
2025-07-2330 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDavid Olney: Without Educator Wellness, Student Wellness Isn’t PossibleWhat happens when we focus on educator wellness as the foundation for student success?In this episode of Superintendent Hot Seat, David Olney joins Michael McCormick to explore why taking care of educators is essential for fostering student wellness. Olney emphasizes the importance of relationships, open communication, and building a systemic approach to well-being that includes both students and staff.He shares his journey of prioritizing educator support, creating collaborative structures, and fostering a culture where teachers feel valued and heard. Olney also reflects on his long career, the...
2025-06-0229 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Michael Lubelfeld: Bringing the Humanity Back Into EducationHow can schools bring humanity back into education when students and staff are grappling with trauma and mental health challenges?In this episode of Superintendent Hot Seat, Dr. Michael Lubelfeld joins Michael McCormick to discuss the critical need for trauma-informed practices, community support, and a holistic approach to student wellness. From the cascading impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to dealing with community tragedies, Dr. Lubelfeld shares how his district is creating resilient environments that center on mental health, compassion, and connection.He also highlights how schools can rethink traditional systems to better support students, fostering agency and...
2025-05-2033 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Gunn Marie Hansen: When Schools Become the Culture WarsWhat happens in schools now reaches far beyond the classroom. They’ve become the frontlines of broader societal tensions.In this episode, Dr. Gunn Marie Hansen shares what it means to stay focused on student health, connection, and long-term success while navigating public pressure and political noise. She discusses the critical role of student belonging, the growing urgency of educator wellness, and how her district is approaching artificial intelligence with intention and care.This is a conversation about keeping the mission intact when everything else feels in flux. It’s ab...
2025-04-1545 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Julie Vitale: Walking the Leadership Tightrope in Uncertain TimesLeading a school district has never been more challenging.In this episode, Dr. Julie Vitale shares how superintendents are balancing constant change while creating stability for students, staff, and families. From post-pandemic challenges to the pressures of social media, she reveals how school leaders are stepping up as community anchors when everything feels uncertain.This is more than a conversation about leadership—it’s a look at how resilience, connection, and courage are helping leaders navigate today’s toughest challenges.🎧 Listen now to hear how schoo...
2025-03-0649 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Susan Enfield: Leading with PurposeSchool leadership isn’t just about policy—it’s about people.In this episode, Dr. Susan Enfield explores how education leadership has changed, why superintendents need better support, and what it takes to build resilient schools where both students and educators thrive.From rebuilding trust to ensuring leaders feel valued, this conversation dives into what’s working, what’s not, and how we move forward together.
2025-02-2442 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickTerry Walker: Mental Health in Affluent Communities: Breaking the MythThink mental health isn’t an issue in high-performing, affluent districts? Think again. Terry Walker breaks down the hidden struggles kids face, even in the most privileged environments. From anxiety to terrifying realities like suicide ideation, the challenges are real—and often overlooked.
This conversation is a wake-up call: every student, no matter where they come from, deserves access to mental health resources. It’s time to shatter the stigma and step up for our kids.
#MentalHealth #Education #Leadership #StudentWellness #BreakingTheMyth
2025-01-0948 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Kelly May-Vollmar: From Classroom to Superintendent – A Leadership Journey
How does a teacher evolve into a superintendent reshaping education? 💡 Superintendent at Desert Sands Unified School District, Dr. Kelly May-Vollmar’s inspiring journey from the classroom to district leadership is filled with bold moves, tough decisions, and a commitment to students and staff.
Get ready to hear how she’s redefining what it means to lead in education. Tune in for the full episode now!
2024-12-1731 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Jennifer Root - Creative Solutions to Chronic Absenteeism!Chronic absenteeism is a growing challenge in schools, but Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Root of Menifee Union School District is tackling it head-on—with creativity, connection, and community. In this episode of Superintendent Hot Seat, Dr. Root shares innovative strategies like friendly competitions, engaging activities, and creating a sense of belonging to bring students back to the classroom. Tune in for actionable insights to help your school reimagine attendance and student engagement!
2024-12-0328 minSuperintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickJerry Almendarez - Reimagining Human Connection in K12 Education
In this insightful episode of Superintendent Hot Seat, host Michael McCormick speaks with Superintendent Jerry Almendarez about the essential shift toward human-centered connections in K12 education. Jerry shares stories of student and teacher challenges, post-pandemic behavioral issues, and the need to focus on emotional well-being across the education system. With candid reflections on leadership and personal experiences, he emphasizes the power of vulnerability and connection in creating supportive, inclusive school environments.
2024-10-3128 min
Superintendent Hot Seat with Michael McCormickDr. Quintin Shepherd: The Impact of Students’ Fight-or-Flight Responses on AttendanceIn this important episode of Superintendent Hot Seat, Michael McCormick interviews Dr. Quintin Shepherd on the rise of chronic absenteeism, now at 30% nationwide, and its link to post-pandemic trauma and behavior issues in schools. As budgets tighten, especially in states like California, Dr. Shepherd stresses the need for immediate support systems for both students and staff. He highlights the importance of connection, safety, and empathy, emphasizing that while there's no single solution, collaboration and programs that address these challenges are crucial for helping students readjust to school routines.
2024-09-2336 min
InfoBref actualité et affairesLe prochain budget sera largement déficitaire, avertit Legault19 février 2024 Le prochain budget sera largement déficitaire, prévient François LegaultLe premier ministre a indiqué que des investissements «massifs» qui sont en cours en éducation et en santé auront des conséquences financières: le budget qui sera présenté le mois prochain sera «largement déficitaire» et le retour à l’équilibre budgétaire, jusqu’ici prévu pour 2027-2028, pourrait être reporté.La Fédération des omnipraticiens du Québec a dit à plusieurs médias qu’elle avait fait parvenir une mise en demeure à Christian Dubé. Que sait-on sur la...
2024-02-1905 min
Reshaping Learning with SchoolDayAdaptive, Culturally Relevant, & Easy to Implement SEL (Grades 1-6)Third grade teacher Sarah Messier, and Student Support Director Lauren Reppucci, discuss how the moozoom SEL program has effectively addressed the current mental and emotional health challenges, and correlated behavior challenges, for their students through consistent, relevant, engaging and easy to implement lessons, assessments, and flexible activities and discussions. You'll be inspired by their success stories and the shift in class and school culture.
Resources:
Connect to moozoom to learn about and access their free 3-month pilot
EdCuration's Certified EdTrustees
Micro Professional Learning ExPLorations
EdCuration's Bl...
2022-06-1629 min
Reshaping Learning with SchoolDayMindfulness, Trauma and Teacher Burnout with EdSurge’s Jennifer Yoo-BrannonEdSurge Voices of Change Writing Fellow, discusses how her own experience of trauma led her to the mindfulness practice that now empowers her students and the teachers she coaches. These are some of the practices helping educators combat the rampant burnout and demoralization many are experiencing.
Resources:
Inquire about InfoBase Learning Cloud's Free Pilot Opportunity
Connect with Moozoom for real life, easy to implement SEL support
You can contact Jennifer Yoo-Brannon and access all of her EdSurge article on her EdSurge Writer's Page
Follow Jennifer and s...
2022-04-1443 min