Beyond The Syllabus

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Kara Casimiro, Superintendent of Schools at Danbury Public Schools. After beginning her career in Danbury 30 years ago, Dr. Casimiro has worked across teaching, curriculum, instruction, and district leadership. She shares how that journey… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Curtis Finch, Superintendent of Deer Valley Unified School District. With nearly four decades in education and almost three decades as a superintendent, Dr. Finch shares lessons from leading districts across Alaska, Michigan, and Arizona,… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Robert Chalwell Jr., Assistant Superintendent for Achievement and Student & Community Engagement at Webster Central School District. Drawing from a career that spans music education, public policy, educational leadership, and community… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Laurie Putnam, Superintendent of St. Cloud Area School District 742, and Donna Roper, Director of Research, Assessment, and AI Integration. Together, they share how St. Cloud is approaching one of education's biggest shifts with… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell is joined by Marie Hanna, Superintendent of Ohio Connections Academy, and Stephanie Nickles, Principal of Curriculum and Instruction. Together, they explore how a statewide virtual public school is challenging traditional assumptions about education while… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Robert Tremblay, Superintendent of Framingham Public Schools in Massachusetts. A former music educator turned district leader, Dr. Tremblay shares how his passion for arts education led him into leadership and how that mission continues to… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Jarrod Dennis, Superintendent of Stanly County Schools. Drawing on more than 25 years in education, Dr. Dennis reflects on his journey from science teacher and coach to district leader, sharing lessons learned about leadership, reflection,… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Ken Nicely, Superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. Having served the district for more than three decades in roles ranging from Spanish teacher to superintendent, Dr. Nicely shares how a lifelong passion for learning has shaped… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Joseph S. Piccirillo, Superintendent of Newton Public Schools in New Jersey. Drawing from his journey as a music teacher, administrator, and educational leader, Dr. Piccirillo shares a thoughtful perspective on curiosity, wonder,… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Josh Satterfield, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum at Woodhaven-Brownstown School District in Michigan. With experience as a teacher, coach, technology leader, and district administrator, Josh shares how his district is building systems… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dan Stecken, Superintendent of Seneca Township High School District 160 and founder of Stress Leaders. A lifelong educator, former coach, and small-town superintendent, Dan shares how relationships, authenticity, and meaningful experiences… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Daniel Smith, Superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools. With over two decades of experience as a teacher, principal, chief of staff, and now superintendent, Dr. Smith shares how a coaching mindset, strong relationships, and… Read more

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Anthony Mays, Superintendent of Alief ISD in Southwest Houston, where nearly 40,000 students learn across one of the most diverse districts in the country. From growing up as a highly mobile student in Fort Worth to becoming Alief’s first African American… Read more

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with John Roach, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in San Jacinto Unified School District in California. With over 28 years in education, John brings a rare blend of deep instructional expertise, systems thinking, and a data-informed, student-centered… Read more

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Yolanda Conaway, Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Student Affairs at Palo Alto Unified School District. With more than 25 years in education and the Outstanding Leadership in Education Award from the California African American Superintendents and… Read more

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Michael Matsuda, Superintendent of Anaheim Union High School District since 2014 and founder of the National AI K12 Summit. Widely recognized for his innovation and advocacy, Mike has earned national awards for promoting democracy in public schools, advancing… Read more

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Jonathan Cooper, Superintendent of Mason City Schools, a high performing and highly diverse district in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. With more than 100 languages spoken in the hallways, Mason is known for its strong academics, innovative culture, and… Read more

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Wendy Birhanzel, Superintendent of Harrison School District 2 in Colorado Springs. With more than 20 years in public education across California and Colorado, Wendy has led two elementary schools to National Blue Ribbon and National Title I Distinguished… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Julie Williams , Deputy Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools, for a wide-ranging conversation about how schools can honor student strengths, expand real-world learning, and design environments that truly serve the whole child. Dr.… Read more

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Vicki Bayer, Superintendent of the Green Bay Area Public School District in Wisconsin. With over three decades in education, Vicki shares how her leadership journey—from classroom teacher to superintendent—has been grounded in trust, community partnership, and an… Read more

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Trish Sexton, the Chief Academic Officer for Lancaster County School District in South Carolina. With over three decades of experience in education, Trish shares her personal journey from a shy student and Navy family member to a passionate educator and district… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus , host Aidan McDowell talks with Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent of Cajon Valley Union School District (CA) since 2013. Recognized by the White House and U.S. Department of Education as one of the nation’s top 35 district leaders in personalized learning, Dr. Miyashiro shares… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell talks with Dr. Gordon Amerson, Superintendent of Valverde Unified School District (CA). A former minor-league baseball prospect turned lifelong educator, Dr. Amerson shares how his 25-year journey—from classroom teacher to superintendent, Gallup… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus , we talk with Dr. John Mulford , Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools in Arkansas. With decades of leadership experience and a deep personal commitment to relational trust, Dr. Mulford opens up about what it takes to create a school system that works for everyone — not… Read more

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… Read more

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus , we sit down with Dr. Greggory R. Slate , Superintendent of Davidson County Schools in North Carolina, who brings both vision and lived leadership experience to this essential transformation. With a background in school improvement, trauma-informed practice, and a personal… Read more

In the debut episode of Beyond the Syllabus , we sit down with Rick Cohen, Chief Academic Officer of Edison Township Public Schools and a leading voice in translating the science of learning into real-world classroom practice. From his beginnings in juvenile detention centers to becoming a published expert on… Read more