In this episode of Leadership Voices, host Jacob Geller sits down with Dr. Ryan Smith, Deputy Superintendent of Bellflower Unified School District, to explore what it really takes to lead systems while staying grounded in students.

Ryan shares a powerful journey that began not with a clear plan, but with a love for basketball, mentorship, and a willingness to take opportunities as they came. From coaching high school basketball at 18 to serving as superintendent and now deputy superintendent, his path reflects the impact of mentorship, timing, and a deep commitment to doing more for students at scale.

The conversation dives into leadership across levels—from classroom to cabinet—highlighting how leaders can expand their impact without losing connection to students. Ryan also unpacks the realities of district leadership: balancing system coherence with school autonomy, building strong teams through intentional hiring, and leading long-term strategic planning that centers both academic outcomes and human development.

From AI in education to redefining student success beyond test scores, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how forward-thinking leaders are preparing students not just for school—but for life.

Key Moments

04:53 Getting into basketball coaching

09:37 Balancing leadership and student focus

10:58 Deciding to make a bigger impact

15:39 Role of school superintendents

17:37 Responsibilities of a deputy superintendent

22:42 Current priorities at Bellflower Schools

24:03 Hiring and maintaining the right team

26:24 Launching the learner profile system

30:08 Balancing equity and school history

35:15 Defining and fostering collaboration

38:02 Implementing AI in schools

39:31 Using AI for deeper learning

45:13 End-of-year celebrations and prep

Connect with Dr. Ryan Smith

Website: https://www.busd.k12.ca.us/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandsmithedd

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About Leadership Voices Podcast

Leadership Voices is where host Jacob Geller speaks with education leaders and innovators about the future of schools, uncovering stories and strategies that create meaningful impact.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Leadership Voices for more conversations on leadership, culture, and the future of learning.

In this episode of Leadership Voices, host Jacob Geller sits down with Dr. Christopher Sanzeri, Assistant Director of Specialized Student Services – Curriculum & Instruction in Elgin Area School District U-46, the second largest district in Illinois.

Christopher opens up about his path from student-athlete and aspiring social studies teacher to special education leader, sharing how a paraeducator role changed his career trajectory and sparked a mission to scale high-impact instruction beyond a single classroom.

Together, they explore what it takes to lead specialized services in a complex, multilingual district where 120+ languages are spoken, about half of students are multilingual learners, and dual language programming is a defining strength. Christopher also shares how U-46 is navigating major systemwide shifts, including school closures, capital improvements, boundary changes, and moving 6th grade into middle school, while staying focused on belonging, early foundations, and academic growth.

From post-pandemic screen reduction to MTSS, culturally responsive instruction, and innovative program redesign, this conversation highlights how thoughtful systems work can create better outcomes for students, educators, and communities.

Key Moments

03:45 From Athlete to Special Educator

08:56 School Closures and Community Impact

12:21 "Special Educators: Driving School Improvement"

14:42 "Prioritizing Hands-On Learning"

19:36 "Belonging Leads to Academic Success"

22:09 District Literacy and Cultural Responsiveness

25:37 Balancing Centralization vs. Local Autonomy

28:26 Tracking Growth and Student Proficiency

33:47 Streamlining Staff Roles for Equity

37:55 "Multi-Abilities Classroom Launch Plan"

39:40 "Impactful Design and Intentionality"

Connect with Dr. Christopher Sanzeri

Website: https://www.u-46.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-sanzeri-8a4a2b93

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About Leadership Voices Podcast

Leadership Voices is where host Jacob Geller speaks with education leaders and innovators about the future of schools, uncovering stories and strategies that create meaningful impact.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Leadership Voices for more conversations on leadership, culture, and the future of learning.

In this episode of Leadership Voices, host Jacob Geller is joined by Dr. Natasha Baker, Superintendent of Norwalk–La Mirada Unified School District, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, equity, wellness, and building systems that truly serve students and staff.

Just over a year into her superintendency, Dr. Baker reflects on listening deeply to her community, setting clear academic and fiscal priorities, and leading change with intention in a district that serves two distinct cities and a richly diverse population. She shares how her background as an instructional leader, combined with advanced training in finance, shapes her approach to running a complex public system with clarity and confidence.

From quarterly data reviews and expanded learning programs to adult wellness and female leadership, this conversation highlights what it takes to lead with humanity while keeping student achievement at the center.

Key Moments

02:09 A snapshot of the district: students, cities, and community

03:30 One year in as superintendent: reflections and early priorities

04:28 Board-approved focus areas and academic excellence goals

05:21 Dr. Baker’s leadership journey and path into education

06:43 From state leadership to system leadership as a superintendent

07:34 Why earning a master’s in finance strengthened her leadership

10:31 Leading with wellness for adults and students

12:55 Navigating change while honoring district culture

14:13 Using quarterly data reviews to drive instructional decisions

17:18 Equity across two cities and diverse school communities

20:48 Expanding afterschool programs through ELO-P funding

23:06 Female leadership, confidence, and building a competitive skillset

26:10 Advice for aspiring women leaders in education

28:12 Supporting and developing leaders across the organization

30:30 Working with a seven-member school board

33:15 Lessons from leading in large and mid-sized districts

33:42 Rapid-fire leadership questions and reflections

36:19 Looking ahead: defining success for the year ahead

Connect with Dr. Natasha Baker

Website: https://www.nlmusd.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-baker-ed-d-158067b

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Jacob Geller LinkedIn:
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Paper LinkedIn:
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About Leadership Voices Podcast

Leadership Voices is where host Jacob Geller speaks with education leaders and innovators about the future of schools, uncovering stories and strategies that create meaningful impact.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Leadership Voices for more conversations on leadership, culture, and the future of learning.

In today’s episode of Leadership Voices, host Jacob Geller sits down with Dr. Matt Doyle, Superintendent of Vista Unified School District in San Diego County, California. A lifelong educator who has spent nearly his entire career in Vista Unified, Dr. Doyle shares his path from bilingual teacher to superintendent, plus a surprising chapter as a professional musician who helped form a mariachi band that performed at a Super Bowl event.

Together, they unpack Vista’s districtwide theme, “The Pulse of Possibility,” and what it means to lead with empathy, build trust through communication (including Vista’s own district podcast), and create schools where students feel known, supported, and inspired. From equity in action to AI readiness and phone-free learning environments, this conversation highlights how Vista is balancing innovation with human connection, so every student gets what they need to thrive.

Key Moments

05:17 "San Diego's Sunny Appeal"

08:08 From Rock to Bilingual Education

13:02 "Advice for Pandemic-Era Superintendents"

14:56 Preemptive Leadership for Superintendents

20:15 "Principals as Change Agents"

21:01 "Leadership Through High Expectations"

25:46 Balancing Autonomy and District Unity

28:49 "Priorities: Behavior, Wellness, Academics"

31:13 "Equity Through Supportive Systems"

35:55 Preparing Students for an AI Future

38:30 Building Clear Career Pathways

Connect with Dr. Matt Doyle

Website: https://www.vistausd.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-doyle-44094a77

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About Leadership Voices Podcast

Leadership Voices is where host Jacob Geller speaks with education leaders and innovators about the future of schools, uncovering stories and strategies that create meaningful impact.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Leadership Voices for more conversations on leadership, culture, and the future of learning.

In this episode of Leadership Voices, host Jacob Geller sits down with Dr. Adam Clark, Superintendent of Mount Diablo Unified School District, to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose, transparency, and unwavering belief in students. From navigating diverse communities to making data-driven decisions rooted in equity and care, Dr. Clark shares a candid look at the challenges and joys of modern district leadership — and the mindset required to keep students first, always.

He also reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership journey — from preschool classrooms to complex systemwide decisions — offering clarity, honesty, and wisdom for anyone aspiring to lead in education.

Key Moments

00:45 Dr. Clark’s early years, football, and finding education

03:33 How a summer camp job changed his career trajectory

06:20 From preschool teacher to superintendent — the unexpected path

09:17 Lessons from leading in diverse communities

13:36 What people don’t see about Mount Diablo Unified

17:04 Designing equitable systems across seven cities

20:27 Leading through COVID and staying student-centered

27:26 The “magic dashboard”: attendance, literacy, math

30:46 Why every grade level matters — not just Algebra I

34:20 Hidden parts of the superintendency most leaders don’t expect

40:30 How Mount Diablo is embracing AI with guardrails

44:23 CTE, trades, restaurants, and real-world learning

47:21 What excites Dr. Clark most about his district

51:43 Advice for aspiring superintendents — finding your “why”

Connect with Dr. Adam Clark
Website: https://www.mdusd.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mraclark29/

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Jacob Geller LinkedIn:
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/paperlearning/

About Leadership Voices Podcast
Leadership Voices is where host Jacob Geller speaks with education leaders and innovators about the future of schools, uncovering stories and strategies that create meaningful impact.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Leadership Voices for more conversations on leadership, culture, and the future of learning.

In today’s first episode of Leadership Voices, host Jacob Geller sits down with John Martin, Superintendent of Hallsville Independent School District in Northeast Texas.

A lifelong learner and former coach turned superintendent, John shares his journey from the football field to district leadership, highlighting how reflection, teamwork, and purpose define his approach to education.

Together, they explore the future of virtual learning, how Hallsville ISD has grown to serve over 22,000 students statewide, and why focusing on thinking and problem-solving creates more meaningful outcomes than standardized tests ever could.
From leadership philosophy to hands-on examples of innovation, this conversation reveals how courage, community, and continuous learning drive real educational impact.

Key Moments

00:00 Welcome and introduction to Leadership Voices

03:06 John Martin’s journey from athlete to educator

08:47 Building Hallsville’s statewide virtual campus

10:10 Lessons on leadership, teamwork, and family

33:51 Teaching kids how to think, not what to think

37:00 Balancing assessments with human connection

45:12 Preparing students for careers and real-world success

50:30 Reflections on leadership, growth, and purpose

Connect with John Martin

Website: https://www.hisd.com/Page/10848
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-martin-00675655

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Jacob Geller LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-geller-0bb133101/?originalSubdomain=ca

Paper LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/paperlearning/

About Leadership Voices Podcast

Leadership Voices is where host Jacob Geller speaks with education leaders and innovators about the future of schools, uncovering stories and strategies that create meaningful impact.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Leadership Voices for more conversations on leadership, culture, and the future of learning.