The Superintendent Effect

Dr. Jonathan Cooper, Superintendent of Mason City Schools in Mason, Ohio, joins The Superintendent Effect to discuss how listening to students transformed his district's approach to education, mental health, and student well-being.

After students challenged district leaders to address a troubling pattern of student suicides, Mason City Schools began making significant changes, from later high school start times and a renewed focus on belonging to expanded prevention programs and student-led initiatives.

In this episode, Dr. Cooper shares how the district empowers students through real-world learning experiences, including a student-run investment class, career exploration, and hands-on leadership opportunities. He also explores the emerging challenge of a potential “purpose crisis” in an AI-driven world and explains why helping students discover their purpose and potential matters more than ever.

In this episode:

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Building a culture of belonging in a large, diverse school district

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Prioritizing student mental health and suicide prevention

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Giving students a meaningful voice in school decisions

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Connecting classroom learning to real-world careers and financial literacy

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Preparing students for a changing world through purpose, character, and critical thinking

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Practical leadership advice on listening, learning, and staying connected to students

Listen today to learn how intentional leadership and student-centered systems can help schools build healthier communities.

#TheSuperintendentEffect #StudentWellbeing #MasonCitySchoolDistrict #Ohio

What does it take to build a school community where students, families, and educators can thrive?

David Means, former superintendent of Whitefish School District in Whitefish, Montana, joins Anne Brown on The Superintendent Effect to discuss collaborative leadership, student mental health, family support, and the future of education.

Listen today!

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #StudentMentalHealth #SchoolLeadership #Whitefish #Montana #Retirement

What does it look like to put students at the center of school district leadership?

On this episode of The Superintendent Effect, host Anne Brown sits down with Dr. Dan Linford, superintendent of Davis School District in Utah, to explore how schools can create meaningful opportunities for every student.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dan’s journey from high school English teacher to superintendent
• How Davis School District is expanding career and technical education through its Catalyst Center
• Why student belonging matters, including support for students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity

• Why communication, collaboration, and other human skills remain essential in a changing world

Hear how the 2026 Utah Superintendent of the Year is leading with a student-centered approach, strengthening schools, supporting families, and helping young people discover their potential.

Listen today!

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #StudentMentalHealth #StudentSuccess #DavisSchoolDistrict #Utah

Dr. Daniel Bittman, Superintendent of Edina Public Schools in Minnesota, joins Anne Brown for a great conversation about leadership, community partnerships, student opportunities, and the lasting impact of a superintendent.

With 17 years of experience as a superintendent and a career that has taken him from Minnesota to the Clark County School District in Las Vegas and the Minnesota Department of Education, Dr. Bittman shares lessons he has learned from leading school communities of vastly different sizes.

Listen today!

#TheSuperintendentEffect #SchoolLeadership #EdinaPublicSchools #Superintendent

Aaron Bayer, Superintendent of the Oregon Trail School District in Oregon, joins The Superintendent Effect to share his remarkable journey into education leadership and his vision for preparing students for the future.

Located east of Portland and at the base of Mount Hood, Oregon Trail serves nearly 4,000 students across a unique community that includes Sandy, Boring, Welches, Government Camp, and surrounding areas.

Aaron shares his personal journey from a difficult childhood and early struggles in school to becoming a superintendent who has spent 16 years serving the same district. He discusses the importance of resilience, building trust within a community, and focusing on the long-term impact educators can have on students.

Aaron's message is ultimately about helping students recognize the potential within themselves — and giving them the confidence and opportunities to turn that potential into their future.

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #Superintendent #Oregon

Dr. Dallas LeDuff, Superintendent of the Barrow County School System in Georgia, joins The Superintendent Effect to share his journey from special education teacher to district leader and superintendent. With a commitment to students, educators, and the community he serves, Dr. LeDuff discusses what it takes to build a school system that supports every learner and prepares students for a successful future.Dr. LeDuff talks about mental health partnerships, supporting families, innovative CTE programs, and preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow. He also shares advice for new superintendents, including the importance of authenticity, collaboration, and remembering that education is a team sport.A few highlights from the conversation:• How Barrow County is investing in educator salaries to recruit and retain great teachers• The district’s growing mental health resources and partnership with the Cook Center• Hands-on CTE opportunities including drones, EVs, construction, culinary arts, and welding• How community employers can help shape the skills students need for the future• Dr. LeDuff’s advice for new superintendentsListen today! 🎧 #TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #BarrowCounty #Georgia #CTE #strategicplan #BarrowCountySchoolSystem

In this episode of The Superintendent Effect, Ben Gilpin, Superintendent of Newaygo Public Schools in Michigan, shares his journey from classroom teacher to principal to superintendent and the lessons he’s learned along the way about leadership, culture, community, and supporting every student.

Ben discusses his first three years leading Newaygo Public Schools, including the work of bringing three buildings together as one district, strengthening professional learning communities, balancing a $1.3 million budget, improving systems and processes, and building a stronger school culture.

One of Ben’s central leadership philosophies is simple: “I got you.” He explains why healthy culture comes down to supporting one another and why leaders need to be willing to be vulnerable and let people see the person behind the title.

Listen today!

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #Newaygo #Michigan

Dr. Terry Brenner — Grand Forks, North Dakota | Grand Forks Public Schools

In this episode of The Superintendent Effect, Dr. Terry Brenner shares how Grand Forks Public Schools is creating new pathways for students through STEM, drone and aeronautics programs, career education, mental health supports, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

Dr. Brenner discusses the district’s new Career Impact Academy, its partnership with Grand Forks Air Force Base, strategies for connecting every student with a caring adult, and how the district is working to make it “almost impossible to fail.”

Listen today!

#NorthDakota #GrandForks #Superintendent #EducationalLeadership #STEM #Drones #ASL

Dr. Robert Mungo, Superintendent of Mount Holly Township School District in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey, joins The Superintendent Effect for a conversation about family engagement, leadership, resilience, and building stronger communities.

Dr. Mungo discusses the difference between family involvement and true engagement, his own journey to the superintendency, breaking generational cycles, and how his understanding of leadership has evolved over time.

His message is simple but powerful: leadership is ultimately about people and the impact we leave behind.

#TheSuperintendentEffect #SchoolLeadership #NewJersey #MountHollyTownship

Erin Kane, Superintendent of Douglas County School District in Colorado, joins Anne Brown on The Superintendent Effect to discuss leading one of Colorado's largest school districts through a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Superintendent Kane shares her unconventional journey from engineering and the high-tech industry to education leadership, as well as how Douglas County is embracing AI, expanding career pathways, and making mental health and student well-being a central part of its strategic vision.

In this episode, Erin discusses:

• Why schools can't afford to close the door on AI
• How Douglas County is helping students use AI safely, ethically, and intelligently
• The importance of purpose, hope, and optimism for today's students
• How 90+ career pathways are giving students more options for life after high school
• Why culture and climate are the accomplishments she's most proud of
• How intentional relationship-building has transformed her leadership
• Why superintendents need to focus on both today's challenges and tomorrow's possibilities

Follow Erin Kane:

• Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/DCSDK12
• Instagram@DCSD_Super@the_real_dougcoschools
• X@DCSDK12
• LinkedINhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/douglas-county-school-district

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #AIinEducation #DouglasCounty #Colorado

Ben Kirby, Superintendent of Forest Hills Public Schools in Kent County, Michigan, joins host Anne Brown to discuss how strong relationships create stronger schools and powerful communities.

In this episode, Ben shares his leadership journey from classroom teacher to superintendent, explains how Forest Hills is uniting three unique attendance areas into one collaborative district, and discusses the importance of investing in school culture, staff engagement, and future-ready learning opportunities.

You'll also hear how Forest Hills is expanding STEM education, health sciences, career pathways, and student-centered learning while keeping family, relationships, and community at the heart of every decision.

📲 Follow Ben and Forest Hills Public Schools:

Facebook: @⁠fhps.net⁠

Instagram: @foresthillspublic AND ⁠@benkirbysup1fhps⁠

X: ⁠@ForestHillsPS⁠

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #PublicEducation #SchoolLeadership #K12Education #EducationPodcast #Michigan

Dr. Karen Cheser, Superintendent of Durango School District 9-R in Durango, Colorado, joins host Anne Brown, President and CEO of the Cook Center for Human Connection, to discuss how visionary leadership is transforming education for students, families, and the entire community.

From innovative career pathways and maker-spaces to workforce housing for educators, mental health initiatives, and creating a shared "Portrait of a Graduate," Dr. Cheser shares how schools can prepare students not just for graduation, but for life, too.

Learn how community partnerships, future-focused learning, and servant leadership are helping Durango become one of Colorado's highest-performing school districts.

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #PublicEducation #SchoolLeadership #FutureReadyStudents #K12Education

Katy Xenakis-Makowski, Superintendent of Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools in northeast Michigan, joins host Anne Brown to discuss how strong relationships, community partnerships, and steady leadership have transformed opportunities for students in a rural district.

From creating an on-campus health clinic and expanding Career & Technical Education programs to building a community field-house and helping students earn college credits before graduation, Katy shares how thoughtful leadership can create lasting impact.

She also explains why her leadership philosophy is simple:

"Go slow to go fast."

Connect with Superintendent Xenakis-Makowski:

- LinkedIn: Katheen (Katy) Xenakis-Makowski

- Facebook: Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools

- Instagram: @Johannesburglewistonschools

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #SchoolLeadership #RuralEducation #StudentSuccess #EducationalInnovation #Michigan

Dr. Tom McKee, Superintendent of Rudyard Area Schools in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, joins Anne Brown to discuss the unique opportunities and challenges of leading a rural school district serving nearly 700 students across 400 square miles.

In this episode, Dr. McKee shares his journey from preschool teacher to superintendent at age 28, how Rudyard students are earning college credits and career certifications before graduation, and why schools must work to remove barriers created by geography and poverty. He also discusses the growing mental health needs of students, supporting families through Parent University, and what it means to serve as the heart of a rural community.

#TheSuperintendentEffect #RuralEducation #EducationalLeadership #StudentSuccess

Dr. Randy Russell, Superintendent of Freeman School District in Washington State, joins Anne Brown to reflect on his 38-year career in education and his final year leading the Freeman community after 15 years as superintendent.

Serving a close-knit rural district just south of Spokane, Dr. Russell shares how strong relationships, leadership stability, and community trust have helped Freeman achieve exceptional outcomes, including a 95% graduation rate. He also discusses leading through a school shooting, community wildfire, and the challenges of the pandemic while prioritizing student well-being and mental health.

This conversation is filled with practical leadership lessons, heartfelt stories, and reflections on what it means to put students first.

Listen to his story today!

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #K12Education #SchoolLeadership

Mr. David Law, Superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and recent President of AASA (the national association representing more than 13,000 superintendents) joins CEO Anne Brown from Cook Center for a conversation on the future of education.

Mr. Law shares his unique journey through math education, law school, and school leadership, and discusses what sets Minnetonka apart: a thriving dual language immersion program in Chinese and Spanish, innovative experiential learning pathways, and a forward-thinking approach to AI in the classroom.

He also speaks candidly about the challenges of teacher wellness and why simply "getting back to basics" may not be enough to prepare the next generation of students.

This is a conversation you don't want to miss.

🎧 Listen today!

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #Minnetonka #Minnesota #Superintendent

Dr. Meredith Nadeau, Superintendent of School Administrative Unit #21 (SAU #21) in Hampton, New Hampshire, joins us for an inspiring conversation about what it truly means to lead with purpose on the seacoast. Overseeing five small districts and nearly 2,000 students — with six school boards and 23 school board members, Dr. Nadeau brings a remarkable depth of experience to the role.

In this episode, we dig into the science of reading and why early literacy is the foundation for everything else. Dr. Nadeau shares her journey from pre-med student to middle school English teacher to special educator, and how her hands-on work with the Wilson Language Program shaped her lifelong commitment to teaching every child to read. We also explore SAU #21's forward-thinking work in AI ethics, student-led mental health initiatives, and the district's innovative Extended Learning Opportunities — from drone pilot licenses to biomedical research — that are helping students forge their own paths to graduation.

Whether you're an educator, a parent, or a community leader, this episode will leave you energized and reminded that real, lasting change happens one relationship at a time.

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #ScienceOfReading #SAU21 #NewHampshire #MentalHealthInSchools #AIInEducation #PublicEducation #SchoolLeadership #EdLeaders

Dr. Melissa Stager, Superintendent of Clinton Township School District and former educator at the New Jersey Department of Education, joins Chief Strategy Officer Mark Welling on The Superintendent Effect to discuss her lifelong commitment to strengthening public education and expanding opportunity for every student.

In this special episode, Dr. Stager shares the story behind her district's ambitious "80 Percent in 3" literacy initiative, her approach to empowering teachers through grassroots leadership, and why protecting student mental health resources remains a non-negotiable priority.

She also opens up about the mentors who shaped her career, what it truly means to lead with purpose, and her belief that every child — regardless of zip code — deserves access to a quality public education.

Don't miss her story.

Dr. Cory Steiner, Superintendent of Fargo Public Schools, joins Anne Brown to reflect on his leadership journey, from rural Northern Cass to one of North Dakota's largest urban districts. He shares the philosophy driving his work: removing barriers for families, pioneering mental health services in schools, and championing the idea that every adult in a building is an educator.

Dr. Steiner also opens up about the Portraits of a Learner, Educator, and Leader framework, the role vulnerability plays in authentic leadership, and a deeply personal story about accountability and the community that showed up for him when it mattered most.

A candid conversation about hope, trust, and what it truly means to put students first.

In this episode of The Superintendent Effect, host and Anne Brown sits down with Dr. Nick Migliorino from Norman Public Schools in Oklahoma for a powerful conversation about visionary leadership, community partnership, and what it truly means to serve students and families.

Dr. Migliorino shares his unconventional journey to the superintendency from aspiring nurse to teacher, technology innovator, and now a transformational district leader in Norman. He reflects on nearly two decades with Norman Public Schools and the bold initiatives shaping the future of education, including a groundbreaking $50 million aviation academy that is redefining student opportunity.

The conversation also dives into the realities of student and staff mental health, the impact of technology on emotional well-being, and why strong systems of support are no longer optional in today’s schools. With insight, humor, and authenticity, Dr. Migliorino offers a compelling look at leadership rooted in relationships, saying “yes,” and dreaming beyond limitations.

This episode is a must-listen for educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about the future of schools and communities.

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #MentalHealthInSchools #CommunityPartnership #StudentSuccess