Voices for Excellence

In this episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Jennifer Womble—Chair of the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) and District Administration—to explore how AI, innovation, and authentic leadership are reshaping the education landscape. They discuss what it takes to build scalable professional development, the power of one-on-one tutoring powered by AI, the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades, and how schools can start building intentional, human-centered strategies for today—not tomorrow. With real-world insight and boundless optimism, Jennifer offers a roadmap for school leaders to embrace the now and lead with purpose.

In this powerful episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Christine Fowler-Mack—former Superintendent of Akron Public Schools and current CEO of Reimagine Solutions—to unpack what it truly takes to lead large, complex school systems in the A/C (After COVID) stage of education. Christine shares her three signature leadership principles—authenticity, adaptive coherence, and collective genius—and challenges us to move from compliance-driven practices to bold, equity-centered transformation. Together, they explore the critical intersection of policy, innovation, and human-centered design, highlighting how generative AI, disciplined inquiry, and intentional pacing can elevate outcomes for all students. Whether you're a superintendent, strategist, or systems leader, this conversation offers actionable insight on how to lead with purpose—and build blueprints that last.

Dr. James Lane is the chief executive officer of PDK International and Educators Rising. He most recently served as Acting Assistant Secretary and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education after serving as Senior Advisor to U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona.

Susan M. Bearden, CETL is a strategic, growth-oriented education technology leader who approaches IT from an educator mindset. A former teacher and K12 IT leader, she is currently the CEO of Bearden Education Technology Consulting and is passionate about facilitating best practices in education technology in support of innovative teaching and learning.

Dr. Barber is currently the Deputy Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools. Barber has more than 20 years of experience as an educator, having previously served as superintendent of Frankfort Independent Schools and more. In that position, Dr. Barber established highly qualified, cross-functional teams in order to streamline district operations and foster greater communication and connection between stakeholders.

Dr. Pedro Roman joined the Hyde Park Central School District as the Superintendent of Schools in July 2023. In his role as Superintendent, Dr. Roman is responsible for working with the Hyde Park Board of Trustees and school community to promote the district's vision and mission, manage finances, personnel, and resources, and ensure students and staff have optimal teaching and learning conditions to empower them to strive for excellence and embrace the opportunities of our globally connected world.

Dr. Lisa Schleer brings over three decades of PK-12 administrative and special education expertise to her role as founder and CEO of LMS Educational Consulting. Her approach integrates data-driven decision-making with deep expertise in educational equity, as evidenced by her doctoral research on postsecondary access for Black and Hispanic low-income students.

Danelle Almaraz is an esteemed educational leader with an impressive track record over three decades. Throughout her distinguished career, Danelle's unwavering commitment to student success and equity has consistently guided her efforts, making her a formidable advocate for the welfare of students, always prioritizing their best interests.

Dr. Vallerie Cave is the Superintendent of Allendale Country Schools. She is an experienced K-12 Turnaround Instructional Leader. Dr. Cave is highly skilled in transformation and school turnaround. She has a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Vallerie is skilled in Educational Consulting, Classroom Management, Educational Technology, Instructional Design, and Curriculum Development. Dr. Cave is a strong business development professional with a Doctor of Philosophy focused in Leadership and Curriculum from Walden University.

Paula Reed is the president and CEO of BizEducation Consulting, Inc. In the industry she is known as a “super connector” and innovative strategist for businesses, organizations and K12 administrators across the country. At BizEducation Consulting, she partners with companies to enhance sales and marketing initiatives and strategies, thought leadership development, designing and facilitating focus groups, advisory boards, events, and community ambassador programs.

Dr. Andraé Townsel is the Superintendent Calvert County Public Schools who demonstrates commitment to educational excellence. Dr. Townsel has led impressive academic gains, including contributing to Maryland's meteoric rise in proficiency levels on the latest the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) from 40th to 20th in fourth grade reading nationally, driven by a district-wide commitment to the Science of Reading. 

Kai Frazier is an educator turned EdTech entrepreneur passionate about using technology to provide inclusive and accessible opportunities for underestimated communities. As the founder and CEO of Kai XR, she leads an innovative learning platform that empowers schools to transform education through immersive technologies and high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Through virtual field trips, collaborative 3D makerspaces, and interactive assessments, Kai XR boosts classroom engagement, fosters deeper learning, and makes education relevant to the modern world.

Ken (He/Him/His) currently holds an M.A. in Education with a specialization in Educational Technology as well as New Media Design and Production. Ken has provided consulting and professional learning support to many school districts/systems Nationally and Internationally as well as businesses, including non-profits, in the areas of educational/learning technology, organizational culture, equity, diversity, inclusion, and race. Ken also works with State Education Departments on educational policy and advocacy.

Dr. Garner brings 30+ years of experience in team development and leadership, customer success, program development, operational efficiencies, partnership development, and strategic planning to transform spaces, places, and outcomes. While strategic planning and customer success are critical to corporate wins, the complete toolkit includes organizational and operational assessment, performance and productivity improvement, organizational design, change management, and other organizational transformation efforts that she operationalizes with efficacy.

Dr. Tony L. Hemingway is the Superintendent of the Fairfield County School District. Dr. Hemingway is an educator dedicated to the academic achievement of all students and leadership development for teachers and school and district-level administrators. During his career in education, he has served students as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. As a district-level administrator, he worked as the Clover School District's Chief Human Resources and Strategic Planning Officer.

Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil is an experienced educational leader with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. She is skilled in Youth-centered programming, college and career planning, developing strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations, and leadership coaching. Monique is a strong administrative professional with a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) focused in Organizational Leadership, Management and Policy from Seton Hall University.

Dr. Ron Cabrera has been a public educator for 41 years. He has consulted and worked with multiple school districts doing turnaround work, advising central office leaders, community groups, and the Colorado Department of Education. Ron is a leader in diversity, equity professional learning, programming, and policy development. He led the development of policies and services to support transgender students, receiving praise from the US Department of Education.

Dr. Norman L. Webb serves as program advisor for WebbAlign. Dr. Webb developed the Webb alignment methodology and original Depth-of-Knowledge (DOK) definitions in 1997. At the time he was a Senior Research Scientist for the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) and was funded in part by the National Science Foundation. The DOK definitions describe levels or categories of cognitive complexity.

Dr. Kristi Wilson served as superintendent of the Buckeye Elementary School District in Buckeye, Arizona for eleven years facilitating the delivery of an outstanding education for approximately 6,000 students and nine campuses. Dr. Wilson is a well known advocate for building relationships, leveraging talents and empowering communities to take risks ensuring all stakeholders are committed to lead by example. Dr. Wilson is one of the nation's top thought leaders in public education.

Inspired by his youth development and nonprofit work as a student at Morehouse College, Jason Green has dedicated his career to creating positive change in education. As co-founder of LINC (Learning Innovation Catalyst), Jason helps schools and districts reimagine and implement 21st century teaching and learning. Jason is driven by the belief that all children have a right to a high-quality education.

Dr. Tamara Allen-Thomas is currently the Superintendent of Clairton City School District. Dr. Allen-Thomas served as Principal/Chief Academic Officer at Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship for nine years. Additionally, she has served in a variety of leadership roles in the Pittsburgh Public School District for thirteen years. Her commitment to excellence, coupled with her extensive experience and involvement in various organizations, positions her as a respected figure in the field of education and community service.

Max Brooks is an highly motivated, adaptable, and enthusiastic professional with 20+ years of experience in the field of education. Brooks has experience building consensus and informing administrators and district-level officials of best practices and initiatives to improve performance outcomes.

Matt Monjan is the Founder of Infusedu, a sales and marketing strategy consultancy that specializes in working directly with K-12 school districts and corporate education partnerships. att acts as a partner to help school systems develop innovative learning initiatives powered by dynamic digital content and professional development.

Rachael Mann is the CEO and Executive Director of EDFuture. Rachael believes in the importance of shaping the educational philosophies and spaces of today by looking toward the innovations of tomorrow. From professional growth to motivational talks to workshops, Rachael loves to inspire audiences to think bigger and dream beyond. 

Dr. Neil Gupta began serving Oakwood City Schools as Superintendent in August 2023. Dr. Gupta holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Ashland University, a Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Ashland University, and a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from Miami University.

Michael B. Horn is the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, a non-profit think tank, and teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He strives to create a world in which all individuals can build their passions, fulfill their potential, and live a life of purpose through his writing, speaking, and work with a portfolio of education organizations.

Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez is the superintendent of Forest Park School District 91. As a leader, she encourages staff, community and students to achieve greatness in all they do and take pride in their school climate and culture. More importantly, she aims to instill a sense of belonging with a developed understanding of social emotional learning driven to make schools safe learning environments so that learning is at the forefront and increased student achievement is inevitable.

Tom Burton, superintendent of Princeton City Schools, is a proven and dynamic school educator, well known and praised for his leadership. Serving as an educator since 1987 and at Princeton City Schools since 2015, Tom lives out the Princeton mission to empower each student for college, career, and life success. By being flexible, collaborative, and open to new learning, Tom feels we can truly inspire our students to be prepared for the real world and ensure that they make the world better than it is now. 

Over a 30-year span, Dr. Gladys I. Cruz has established a distinguished career in education as a teacher and leader at the local, regional and state levels. As District Superintendent for Questar III, Cruz is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of the Castleton-based BOCES, reporting directly to the Board of Education. Along, with her leadership team, Cruz provides direction to 23 local school districts and oversees the delivery of more than 275 programs and services across New York State.

Brett Roer, the Co-Founder of EdLit, advocates passionately for the equitable and safe integration of AI in schools to transform education. Jacob Kantor, the Co-Founder of EdLit, collaborates with education companies to pioneer innovative solutions that empower student success. His passion lies in leveraging the right connections to impact more students and districts, driving positive change in the educational landscape.

Alex Kotran is the CEO and co-founder of The AI Education Project (aiEDU). Alex has worked in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector for nearly a decade and has spent much of his career in community organizing and campaigns. Alex founded aiEDU in 2019 after he learned that the Akron Public Schools and many other districts did not offer students any kind of instruction designed to help them understand AI or the ways in which career pathways are changing.

As Vice Provost of Teacher Preparation and Founding Dean of Relay Connecticut, Dr. Good believes that empowering teachers with a rigorous curriculum of practical application, theory, and educational pedagogy grounded in culturally responsive teaching, can have a dynamic impact on PK-12 students. An award-winning educator, Dr. Good started her career as a secondary language arts teacher in the Miami-Dade County Public School district, as a charter corps member of Teach For America.

Ash Kaluarachchi is the CEO of StartEd and a producer at EdTech Week. Ash advises and connects organizations solving problems in education. His EdTech programs have accelerated multiple global unicorns, including at Techstars. To date, Ash's EdTech programs have enabled 2,000+ companies around the globe in partnership with organizations such as Google, Kaplan, Intel, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California and New York University. He continues to support founders solving problems for educators, administrators and learners in Pre-K12, HigherEd, Future of Work, and Adult learning as CEO of StartEd and Producer of EdTech Week.

Welcome to another enriching episode of the Voices For Excellence podcast, hosted by Dr. Michael Connor, CEO and founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group. In this inspiring episode, we are honored to have Dr. Kimberly Harrington Marcus, a trailblazing leader in education with over 30 years of experience. About the Episode In this engaging conversation, Dr. Harrington Marcus shares her journey from being the former Commissioner of Education for the State of New Jersey to her current role as Executive Director of New Jersey ASCD. Known for her innovative initiatives and unwavering commitment to educational excellence, Dr. Marcus provides valuable insights into her leadership philosophy and the transformative power of education. Key Highlights 1. Leadership and Legacy Dr. Marcus discusses her tenure as Commissioner of Education, where she led New Jersey to become the number one state in the country for educational performance and academic outcomes. She shares the strategies behind her success and the importance of visionary leadership in driving systemic change. 2. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Discover how Dr. Marcus championed the development of SEL competencies in New Jersey, emphasizing the need for these skills to be integrated across the entire educational experience, rather than siloed into specific periods. Learn about the impact of SEL on student growth, well-being, and academic success. 3. Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Explore Dr. Marcus's advocacy for culturally responsive teaching and how it can transform the educational landscape. She highlights the significance of incorporating students' cultural backgrounds into the curriculum to foster a more inclusive and effective learning environment. 4. The Power of Arts in Education As a passionate musician, Dr. Marcus shares how her love for music has influenced her leadership style. She discusses the critical role of the arts in child development, brain growth, and finding one's community within the school system. 5. Student Voice and Agency Dr. Marcus elaborates on the importance of elevating student voice and agency in educational settings. She provides innovative strategies for integrating student feedback into decision-making processes, ensuring that learners are active participants in their educational journey. 6. Addressing Current Educational Challenges In the AC (After COVID-19) stage of education, Dr. Marcus discusses the urgent need for addressing mental health issues among students. She shares alarming statistics from the CDC and emphasizes the importance of strategic investments in SEL and mental health resources. Why Listen? This episode of Voices For Excellence is a must-listen for educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about making a difference in the field of education. Dr. Harrington Marcus's insights are not only inspiring but also actionable, offering practical strategies to implement in schools and districts. Tune In and Transform Your Approach to Education Whether you're looking to enhance your leadership skills, integrate SEL into your curriculum, or simply get inspired by a leading figure in education, this episode with Dr. Kimberly Harrington Marcus is packed with valuable content. Join Dr. Michael Connor and Dr. Marcus as they explore the future of education and the steps needed to create equitable, inclusive, and high-performing learning environments. Listen to the full episode of Voices For Excellence with Dr. Kimberly Harrington Marcus and elevate your understanding of educational leadership and innovation.

Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. specializes in antiracism in education, educational leadership, strategic planning, strategic thinking, professional learning, school board and superintendent relations, and executive coaching. Dr. Hutchings' research focuses on the African American superintendent and their challenges faced by advocating for antiracism in school systems across America.

Jed Stefanowicz leads strategic transformation of teaching and learning through the use of digital tools and innovative practices. As Director of Digital Learning and Innovation for the Nashoba Regional School District in Massachusetts, Jed aims to engage and build staff/student digital learning capacity, keeping the focus on practice over product. Jed shares his passion for effective tech integration to transform teaching and learning, creating engaging and equitable digital learning environments and experiences that activate, innovate, and motivate digital learning.

Amy Dujon is the Vice President of Education at ETC Media and Events. Amy's leadership focus is helping schools and districts throughout the United States to implement research-based systems to foster school improvement and increase student achievement. She speaks nationally on the topics of leading instructional transformation, standards based planning and pedagogy, feedback to change practice, and effective instructional leadership.

Eric Sheninger is the founder and CEO of Aspire Change EDU, a collaborative consultancy designed to provide personalized support to all educational systems. His work focuses on innovative and practical ways educators can transform teaching, learning, and leadership. Through his work with thousands of schools, Eric has emerged as an innovative leader, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker. His main focus is using research and evidence-based practices to empower learners and educators.

Lori Gonzalez is the Superintendent of Lamont Elementary School District. Lori's leadership style prioritizes breaking barriers, valuing diversity, addressing inequities, fostering collaboration, and creating an inclusive educational environment. She is committed to ensuring all learners have access to a diverse range of educational opportunities and experiences, with a focus on equity, student achievement, district-wide improvement, and community engagement. Cultural proficiency and responsiveness are integral aspects of her leadership, promoting student success and employee satisfaction.

Raymond J. McNulty is the President of the Successful Practices Network (SPN). Ray is a presenter at the state, national, and international levels on the need for school systems to accept the challenges that lie ahead. He is committed to raising performance standards for teachers and students and building solid connections between schools and their communities. Ray believes strongly that education systems cannot wait for the children and challenges to arrive at school; instead, schools must reach out and help forge solutions.

Lj Henderson is the owner and founder of the Little STEM Academy. She is an education professional with over 25 years of experience in the ESL, early childhood education and speech therapy. She is an advocate for STEM education and the great benefits it has in forming the future leaders of the world through critical thinking, innovation and problem-solving. Lj is a firm believer that it is important to introduce children to new concepts and let them explore and experiment them as a way of learning.

Terrence Davis is the Superintendent of Banning Unified School District. Terrence defines the core of his work as creating exceptional educational opportunities for students to be successful in the global workforce as well as cultivating an environment to support administrators, teachers, and support staff. He is known as a leader who strives to build relationships through the lens of equity and compassion.

Venola Mason is the CEO and Founder of AchieveIt Educational Services and is an Associate Partner and Author at International Center for Leadership in Education. In her role as an ICLE associate partner, Venola works with education leaders across the country supporting them with making transformational change in their school districts by developing and implementing policies and practices that increase student achievement and wellness.

Nicholas Cassius Clay is the founder of Being One World LLC, a mindfulness company Nicholas started in October 2020 so that he could offer mindfulness teaching and coaching to those looking for a holistic path to clarity, inner peace, and increased business performance, among many other benefits. The mission of Being One World is to empower and support people to be their most powerful expression of themselves while maintaining a clear and balanced state of mind.

Dr. Kristy Somerville-Midgette is the Division Superintendent for Brunswick County Public Schools. In her tenure as Division Superintendent, she has increased student engagement across the curriculum, provided access and opportunities for all and built capacity for long-term sustainability and success.

Dr. Anthony Lewis began his career as a Special Education Teacher in Montgomery, Alabama. After which, he was appointed to Assistant Principal then became an awarding winning Principal of E. D. Nixon Elementary School. While at E. D. Nixon, the school became a two-time Alabama Torchbearer School during the 2007-2008 school year - one of only nine in the state and again during the 2010- 2011 school year – one of only eleven in the state.

Launching her career as a substitute teacher in New York City's Department of Education, Dr. Chase has 30 years of experience as an educator. Dr. Chase is widely known as a fierce advocate for all children. She believes every child deserves a world class education and their social/emotional needs addressed, regardless of his or her family's economic tier, zip code, ethnicity or immigration status.

Dr. Pedro A. Noguera is the Distinguished Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and Faculty Director for the Center for the Transformation of Schools at UCLA. He is a sociologist whose scholarship and research focuses on the ways in which schools are influenced by social and economic conditions as well as by demographic trends in local, regional and global contexts.

Frank Polen is beginning his ninth year as the Assistant Superintendent, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Adult Education Director at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Mr. Polen is committed to schools, community development, and leadership initiatives. He has helped students of all ages Discover Their Passion and Prepare for Their Future through career and technical education.

Dr. Sabba Quidwai gives you the skills and strategies to build your human advantage and be irreplaceable in a world with AI. For the past decade she's been doing this with schools and businesses using a method called design thinking. By marrying design thinking with futures thinking, she helps organizations create a culture of innovation that's not only responsive but also preparatory. While we can't predict the future, design thinking and design sprints allow us to be well-prepared for multiple scenarios. 

David is the Chief Executive Officer of the Urban Assembly. He started with the UA in 2014 as the Director of Social-Emotional Learning, where he created the Resilient Scholars Program (RSP), a unique approach to integrating SEL into curriculum and classroom practices across the UA network. As the Senior Director of Strategy, David led the expansion of the organization into a model provider of school support, with an emphasis on innovation and equity in public education.