K-12 Podcast

What does it take to build a high school designed for the future — and make it work for students today? In this episode of ideaXchange: The Future of K-12 Education, Les Tillery talks with Matt Massey, President of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE), about rethinking what school can be. From AI, cybersecurity, and engineering woven into every subject, to a campus intentionally designed to support collaboration, innovation, and student career-readiness, ASCTE offers a compelling model for education leaders to consider. Listen for insights on future-ready learning, culture-driven leadership, student support, workforce partnerships, and how architectural design shapes educational outcomes.

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This episode is about phased K-12 construction on an active campus, with important lessons from the James F. Byrnes High School Project. To cover this relevant topic, we’re joined by two accomplished guests, Dr. Randall Gary, Superintendent of Spartanburg District 5 schools and Ryan Cloonan, Chief of Operations for Spartanburg District 5. Discover how educational goals were prioritized, including planning for flexibility in future programming. Additional conversations include:

–  Decision-making and factors that influence phasing.
–  The impact of community feedback.
–  Safety protocols to protect students and staff.
–  Budget implications.
–  Improvements in the educational environment post-renovation.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on managing large-scale, K-12 construction projects while maintaining high standards of education. Listen on your favorite platform or subscribe now and leave us a comment here.

In this episode, Dr. Corey Murphy, Superintendent of Aiken County Public Schools, and Laura Slagel, project architect from McMillan Pazdan Smith discuss intricacies of school construction, community inclusion, funding, and equal opportunities for small, rural schools. Dr. Murphy shares advice on balancing differing opinions from community members, students, and school leaders. Learn how strategic use of ESSER funds has made new school construction possible, transforming educational landscapes. Dr. Murphy also emphasizes the importance of integrating workforce training into the curriculum to prepare students for future careers.

Tune in to discover how thoughtful planning can create schools that empower communities. Listen on your favorite platform or subscribe now and leave us a comment here.

For more information on community support school funding, check out our blogs 6 Ways to Get Community Support for a Bond Referendum and School Referendum Planning: A Success Story.

In this podcast episode – School Bond Referendum Strategy: A Look at the Clover School District Bond Success Story, we learn about Clover School District’s journey to a successful school bond process. Join us as Dr. Sheila Quinn, Superintendent of Schools, shares insights into the district’s response to rapid growth, culminating in a successful voter-approved bond in 2022. Discover how Clover School District navigated challenges, engaged the community, and prioritized strategic planning to meet the evolving needs of their students.

This episode offers inspiration and practical lessons for transforming educational infrastructure and fostering student success. Tune in to hear the story of perseverance, collaboration, and innovation that defines Clover School District’s school bond referendum strategy. Listen now to be inspired by the future of K-12 education!

Stay tuned for more episodes of Idea Exchange! We explore innovative ideas shaping the future of education. Listen on your favorite platform or subscribe now and leave us a comment here.

Driving positive change in education is never easy. Whether you’re a school superintendent, district leader, or simply passionate about education, the transformative journey of Richland School District 2 offers valuable knowledge and inspiration for any district looking to make improvements through K-12 school funding that will serve students and teachers for years to come.

In our latest episode, we welcome Will Anderson, the Chief Operations Officer for Richland School District 2, who guides us through the complexities and strategy behind the school’s groundbreaking $468,406,000 improvement program—which included the passing of the largest property tax initiative in the state at the time. Anyone with an unwavering commitment to better educational outcomes will appreciate Richland 2’s successful K-12 school funding and improvements story. Thanks for listening.

Tun in on your favorite platform or subscribe now and leave us a comment here.

Explore the future of education with a focus on improving mental health and well-being in schools. Join us in this episode as we delve into the vital topic of student well-being with Sonny Thadani, CEO of Robin – a leading advocate for mental health in educational settings.

Sonny Thadani, a dedicated father of three and a volunteer with Sandy Hook Promise, founded Robin to empower students, educators, and parents. This innovative ed-tech startup, recently featured in Forbes, is revolutionizing school communities.

Discover Robin’s groundbreaking approach, combining cutting-edge technology and real-world coaching to redefine how we teach well-being and personal growth in schools. Their mission? To create more connected, supportive, and compassionate school environments.

Tune in to learn about Robin’s early successes and how they’re reshaping the future of education. Join us as we explore the crucial intersection of mental health and education, and let this conversation inspire and uplift you!

For more information on improving mental health in schools, check out Mental Well-Being and Student Success with Jennifer Parker, Ph.D, LPC. Listen on your favorite platform or subscribe and leave us a comment here.

K-12 education has not always been thought of as an innovative space, but that is changing. Sparked by the disruptions of the last few years, we are seeing a need for a different skill set than previous generations. Technology and collaboration skills are at the forefront of those demands. The education system has faced immense challenges recently. Those challenges have created an opportunity to innovate and make a greater impact on students today.

Our guest, Doug Roberts, has worked with leading ed-tech entrepreneurs and district administrators for almost 20 years. His goal is to help develop partnerships that improve outcomes for students.

As Founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation, Doug and his partners bridge the gap between district leaders and those who start companies to help school districts. A Princeton graduate, he is a former public high school social studies teacher and ed-tech business development executive who earned his Ed.M. in Teaching and Curriculum from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Doug has his finger on the pulse of schools across the nation and we enjoyed hearing his perspective, join us for this wide-ranging, open and honest conversation.

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In this final part of our three-part series on how the Continuum in Lake City, South Carolina is redefining education, we are joined by Harry Lesesne, Executive Director of the Darla Moore Foundation, and around 24:00 by Jeanette Altman, Executive Director of the Continuum.

Listeners will learn more about the mission and vision of the Darla Moore Foundation–both with the Continuum and across the region. The reasoning behind the “Continuum” name is also defined, with both guests explaining what business partnerships and philanthropy were necessary to pull off this impressive and innovative facility.

If you haven’t heard part 1 and part 2 of the Continuum series, please check those out.

Listen on your favorite platform or subscribe now and leave us a comment here.