This conversation explores AASA’s Public Education Promise, a framework designed to guide education leaders in navigating the complexities of modern public education. The discussion highlights the importance of student-centered learning, real-life skills, teacher retention, community partnerships, and measuring success beyond traditional metrics. Education leaders share insights on how they are implementing these principles in their respective districts, emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovation in the face of challenges.

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Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney is the Superintendent of Schools for the Aldine Independent School District in Houston, Texas. Since taking the helm in July 2018, she has dedicated herself to the district’s over 60,000 students and nearly 9,000 employees, as well as the entire Aldine community. She began her career as a teacher at Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD in 1999 before eventually leading COCISD as superintendent from 2008 to 2013. In 2013, she was named Superintendent of Lufkin ISD. Dr. Goffney is the AASA president-elect.

David Law is the superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools, one of the top school districts in Minnesota. Law earned a BA from Hamline University with a major in mathematics and a minor in education. His teaching career includes experiences in California and Minnesota at the middle school and high school level. In 1998, he began his administrative career. Law completed his K-12 principal and superintendent license at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and earned his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2010, he was named assistant superintendent for White Bear Lake Area Schools.

Dr. Gustavo Balderas is President of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and President of AASA.Balderas has been and is involved in numerous state, regional, and national organizations and committees, including having served on the Oregon State Board of Education as a superintendent liaison, the AASA Executive Committee, Chiefs for Change Board, is a co-founder and inaugural president of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators. Dr. Balderas is also a volunteer consulting superintendent for the Educational Research and Development Institute, Suburban School Superintendents, and the Institute for Educational Innovation national organizations.

This conversation focuses on the various initiatives and strategies that school leaders can implement to foster engagement and collaboration. The speakers share their experiences and insights on creating platforms for feedback, building trust, and empowering parents and students to take an active role in shaping their educational environments.

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Denise Diaz is the Executive Director at the Clark County School District. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that strong family and community partnerships are essential to student achievement. Diaz has led the development of sustainable, districtwide systems of support that center families as co-creators in education. Through intentional programming and capacity building, she helped shift mindsets and elevate the role of families as key stakeholders in the learning process.

Eder Joseph, is Assistant Superintendent Burlington County Institute of Technology. Joseph is an enthusiastic school leader with over 20 years of experience. He has a history of providing leadership in the area of organizational leadership, curriculum development, professional development, career and technical education programs, and student engagement.

Sylvia Mitchell, Ph.D., is the Superintendent of Legacy Traditional Schools—Texas. Dr. Mitchell brings 24 years of invaluable experience as an educational leader to her new role. Her extensive background includes serving as a principal, superintendent, and vice president of schools, where she has consistently supported educators in achieving positive outcomes for students, particularly in underserved communities.

David Law is the superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools, one of the top school districts in Minnesota. Law earned a BA from Hamline University with a major in mathematics and a minor in education. His teaching career includes experiences in California and Minnesota at the middle school and high school level. In 1998, he began his administrative career. Law completed his k-12 principal and superintendent license at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and earned his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2010, he was named assistant superintendent for White Bear Lake Area Schools.

In this episode of AASA Radio, educational leaders discuss the lessons they learned from the pandemic and how the experience changed the way they lead their districts. The panel explores the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public schools and shares the successful strategies they’ve embraced for fostering resilience, innovation, and well-being. The group emphasized the importance of building the right infrastructure and capacity for both students and staff to thrive in an AI-driven world, as well as the role of strategic planning in preparing students for future challenges. The episode concludes with advice for education leaders on integrating technology into their practices effectively.

Dr. Gustavo Balderas is President of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and President of AASA. Balderas has been involved in numerous state, regional, and national organizations and committees, including having served on the Oregon State Board of Education as a superintendent liaison, the AASA Executive Committee, the Chiefs for Change Board, and is a co-founder and inaugural president of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators.

Dr. Brandi Kelly is a superintendent, author, speaker, and consultant. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Kelly is dedicated to empowering leaders to inspire growth, create positive change, and cultivate environments where success thrives. Dr. Kelly has received numerous accolades for her leadership, including the NAESP Distinguished Elementary School Principal Award and the Middle School Principal of the Year Award.

Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh is Superintendent of Schools at Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. Owoh’s mission is to bridge educational disparities through cutting-edge instructional practices. Owoh serves as President of the ISTE+ASCD Board of Directors.

Dr. Barbara Sargent is the superintendent of the Hermon School Department in Hermon, Maine. She served as Principal of Village School and Orchard Hills School in Montgomery Township, NJ for six years, earning a NJ Principal of the Year recognition in 2003. As Assistant Superintendent for the Madison School District, Barbara partnered with amazing educators to enrich the district curricula and lead academic initiatives that elevated Madison High School in state rankings.