Start with heart, stay with purpose, and make the system work for every learner—that’s the through-line of our conversation with Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Pérez. We open up about the values that steer her leadership—future generations, trust, and authenticity—and how “clarity is kindness” shapes a focused plan for student success across Santa Ana Unified.

We dig into the three academic priorities that anchor our work: early literacy by third grade, English learner progress with reclassification by fifth grade when possible, and college and career readiness that gives every graduate real options. You’ll hear how the graduate profile and our learner model serve as a North Star, aligning classrooms, counseling, partnerships, and internships so students build durable skills and confidence. Dr. Pérez shares why naming bold goals in public takes courage, how research and listening reduce doubt, and the practical ways leaders can make their “audio match their video” to build trust.

Family and community engagement is treated as an academic strategy, not an add-on. We talk about empowering caregivers to navigate financial aid, pathways, and literacy at home—reading in any language, using songs, cultural sayings, and everyday print to grow vocabulary and comprehension. Dr. Pérez’s stories—from Trader Joe’s flip-flops to first jobs and favorite books—reveal a leader who believes conditions shape outcomes: when leaders thrive, teachers thrive; when teachers thrive, students thrive.

If you care about equity, early literacy, multilingual learners, and authentic college and career readiness, this conversation is your roadmap. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to tell us which idea you’ll put into practice first.

Visit us at our Buzzsprout site for more ways to listen, links to our social media sites and any referenced materials, and complete transcripts of our full-length episodes: https://bit.ly/SAUSDAmplifyingLeadership

Ever had a student ready to abandon a passion project because they were overwhelmed by technical challenges? Eric Timmons, CTE, Film and ELA teacher at Santa Ana High School, shares a powerful story about using AI to save a student's documentary on gentrification - just one example of how artificial intelligence is transforming classroom possibilities.

From accidentally discovering AI's creative potential while writing songs about "private buffets" during a trip to Sri Lanka to revolutionizing his classroom management with AI-generated rubrics, Eric takes us on a journey that challenges conventional thinking about technology in education. Rather than treating AI as forbidden fruit, he facilitates student-led ethical discussions where they determine appropriate boundaries for AI use, often finding students draw stricter lines than he would have imposed.

The conversation explores the concerning equity gap emerging between students from affluent communities who use AI despite prohibitions and students in underserved areas who avoid these tools out of fear. Eric argues passionately that educators must integrate AI literacy to prevent widening this divide, ensuring all students develop skills essential for future success. His approach to film education acknowledges industry anxieties while preparing students to thrive in a changing landscape by using technology to amplify their unique creative voices.

Beyond AI, get to know Eric through our lightning round where he reveals everything from his dream superpower (flying) to his persistent teaching style that ensures students complete meaningful projects. The episode concludes with a touching acknowledgment of his mentor Marilyn Turney, whose student-centered approach continues to inspire his teaching philosophy. Whether you're an AI enthusiast or skeptic, this conversation offers practical insights for educators navigating technology's role in modern classrooms.

Visit us at our Buzzsprout site for more ways to listen, links to our social media sites and any referenced materials, and complete transcripts of our full-length episodes: https://bit.ly/SAUSDAmplifyingLeadership

Eric Timmons takes us on a transformative journey through the world of educational filmmaking, revealing how authenticity and student voice are reshaping career pathways for underrepresented youth in Santa Ana.

The story begins with a pivotal moment of pedagogical humility—when students rejected Timmons' theater program, he asked why instead of doubling down. This simple act of listening launched a revolutionary approach to education that now thrives as the Saintly Film Academy CTE pathway at Santa Ana High School. The four-year program blends English language arts with progressive film production skills, creating cohorts of students who move through narrative filmmaking, episodic content creation, documentary production, and finally independent thesis films.

What distinguishes Timmons' approach is his strategic foresight about where the industry is heading. Rather than preparing students exclusively for traditional Hollywood careers, he connects them with local videographers, photographers, and marketing teams who need their digital storytelling skills immediately. The program also embraces emerging technologies like virtual production environments (the LED wall technology used in productions like The Mandalorian) and content creation for platforms that are disrupting traditional media hierarchies.

Most powerfully, Timmons addresses representation gaps head-on. Citing research showing that Latino directors are 6.5 times more likely to hire other Latinos in key creative roles, he focuses on empowering students to become decision-makers who can transform who gets to tell stories in our culture. Through partnerships with working Latino filmmakers who serve as mentors, students see people who look like them succeeding in the industry.

The results speak volumes—students are securing paid internships, starting production companies while still in school, and using their skills to elevate voices in their community through projects like "Discover DTSA" in partnership with the City of Santa Ana. As one student realized: "We can start doing this now. We don't have to wait."

Join us for this inspiring conversation about how creativity, technology, and culturally responsive teaching are creating new pathways to success that simply didn't exist before. Discover how film education is transforming not just students' futures, but potentially the future of media itself.

Visit us at our Buzzsprout site for more ways to listen, links to our social media sites and any referenced materials, and complete transcripts of our full-length episodes: https://bit.ly/SAUSDAmplifyingLeadership