Inclusion, Integrity, and Excellence: Building the Future of Rural Education
In a recent episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sat down with John Pandolfo, Superintendent of Telluride School District and former Vermont Superintendent of the Year, to explore what it takes to lead a diverse, rural school community into the future.
Transforming Instruction in the Age of AI: From Readiness to Coherence
In this episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner welcomes Candice Sears, Director of Instructional Services at the Montgomery County Educational Service Center, and a recognized national leader in AI policy, instructional innovation, and systems change.
What Happens When Education Stops Preparing Students for the World They Actually Face?
In a recent Voices for Excellence conversation, Dr. Michael Conner sat down with Steven Iglesias, Chief Innovation Officer for Doral Academy, to explore one of the most pressing leadership questions in education today: how do learning organizations prepare students for a future that is arriving faster than most systems are built to handle?
From Hype to Usefulness: Redefining the Role of AI
In an episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner, CEO of the Agile Evolutionary Group, welcomed Wes Kriesel, Administrator of Innovation and AI at the Orange County Department of Education. Together, they explored how educational leaders can build systems that don’t just adopt artificial intelligence—but use it meaningfully, ethically, and in alignment with the future of learning.
What Happens When You Lead with Justice—Even If It Costs You?
In a recent Voices for Excellence conversation, Dr. Michael Conner sat down with LK Monroe—former Alameda County Superintendent and founder of TeamED Up for Good—to explore what it means to lead education systems with clarity, courage, and a commitment to justice. The insights shared in their conversation shape the themes explored in this article, aimed at helping educational leaders navigate today’s challenges with integrity and impact.
How Do We Build School Systems for the 22nd Century?
Education systems around the world are under increasing pressure to evolve—not just incrementally, but fundamentally. As the pace of technological change accelerates, so too must the models that support teaching, learning, and leadership. What’s needed now isn’t more reform—it’s reinvention.
What Should School Leaders Actually Do About AI?
The future of education is no longer on the horizon—it’s here.
This article draws from a conversation hosted by Dr. Michael Conner, CEO of the Agile Evolutionary Group, on his Voices for Excellence podcast. In this episode, he was joined by national leader in edtech and professional learning – Jennifer Womble – to explore one of the most pressing questions in education today: how school leaders should approach AI.
From Stability to Coherence: Leading Education in Complex Times
In this episode of Voices for Excellence, host Dr. Michael Conner is joined by Christine Fowler Mack, former superintendent of Akron Public Schools and founder of Reimagined Solutions, to explore what leadership demands in the AC stage of education. The conversation examines how leaders can navigate policy shifts, innovation, and complexity while remaining grounded in values, coherence, and a clear sense of purpose.
The Data Revolution: Why Education Must Evolve or Be Left Behind
In this episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Dr. Houston Barber, Deputy Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools and fellow Harvard Business Analytics Program alumnus, to discuss the collision of data science, artificial intelligence, and educational leadership. Their conversation explores how predictive analytics, disruptive innovation, and modern technology can transform schools from legacy systems into agile learning organizations built for the 22nd century.
Building Systems that Serve: How Humble Leadership Transforms Education
In this episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Dr. Pedro Roman, superintendent of the Hyde Park Central School District in New York, to unpack what it truly takes to lead systemic transformation in education. The discussion explores how servant leadership, systems thinking, and a relentless focus on equity can align schools around one shared mission—ensuring every student, regardless of background, has access to opportunity and high-quality learning.
