Redefining Leadership and Learning in the Age of Change
In this episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Dr. Lisa Schleer—founder and CEO of LMS Education Consulting—to explore what it really means to lead with authenticity, inclusivity, and purpose in today’s ever-changing educational landscape. Together, they unpack the evolving role of leadership, the power of inclusive instructional design, and how technology—especially AI—can enhance outcomes for both students and educators.
Curiosity, Empowerment, and Innovation: Rethinking Education for a Post-Knowledge Era
In a recent episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sat down with Danelle Almaraz, Chief Impact Officer at InnovateED, for a powerful conversation on how education must evolve beyond the “age of knowledge.” Drawing on her work with school leaders and teachers across the country, Almaraz shared how curiosity, empowerment, and innovation are reshaping what learning looks like in the AI era—and why the old, compliance-driven systems can no longer meet the needs of today’s students.
Adapting, Collaborating, and Transforming: How Rural Education Can Lead the Future of Learning
Dr. Michael Conner’s Voices for Excellence Black Excellence Series recently featured Dr. Vallerie Cave, Superintendent of Allendale County Schools in South Carolina—a leader known nationally for her servant leadership, visionary thinking, and fearless innovation in rural education. With more than three decades of impact, Dr. Cave represents what it means to blend humility with bold, future-ready strategy.
Beyond Vendors: Building Authentic Partnerships that Center Equity, Trust, and Impact in Education
Dr. Michael Conner, CEO and Founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group, recently welcomed Paula Reed—one of education’s true super-connectors—to the Black Excellence edition of Voices for Excellence. With more than 25 years navigating K-12, higher education, and edtech, Paula has seen firsthand how fragile the bridge can be between schools and companies, and how powerful it becomes when it’s built with intention. Their conversation centered on a question that matters now more than ever: how can we shift from transactional “vendor” relationships to authentic partnerships that deliver equity, efficiency, and impact for students?
Set the Bar. Meet It. Exceed It. Raise It: Leading School Systems with Urgency in the AI Era
In this Black Excellence Series episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner (CEO & Founder, Agile Evolutionary Group) sat down with Dr. Andraé Townsel, Superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of education. What emerged was not just a profile of one leader’s journey, but a playbook for how executive leaders in education can respond to the demands of a fast-changing world.
Literacy, Equity, and Innovation: Reimagining the Future of Learning
Dr. Michael Conner, CEO and Founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group and host of Voices for Excellence, recently sat down with Kai Frazier—educator, entrepreneur, and founder committed to disrupting inequities in education and access. Their conversation explored the intersections of literacy, history, entrepreneurship, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence, with a focus on how schools can dismantle barriers and reimagine learning for the next generation.
Dismantling Anticipatory Barriers: Equity, History, and Responsible AI in Education
Dr. Michael Conner, CEO and Founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group and host of Voices for Excellence, recently welcomed Ken Shelton—international keynote speaker, author, and one of the leading national voices on artificial intelligence in education—for a special Black Excellence Series conversation.
Innovation Without Barriers: Building for Equity and Impact
In this episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner, CEO and Founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group, welcomes Dr. Iris Garner, Senior Manager for Education at T-Mobile, for a timely conversation on systems transformation, innovation, and the urgent need to center students in every aspect of education design.
Clarity, Culture, and Coherence: The Real Work of Educational Leadership
In a recent episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sat down with Dr. Tony Hemingway, Superintendent of Fairfield County School District in South Carolina, for a deep and energizing conversation as part of the Black Excellence Series.
Schools That Listen: The New Blueprint for Student-Centered Systems
Educational systems are under increasing pressure to adapt—not just with new technology or curriculum, but with new ways of listening.
This question—How do we build systems that truly hear and respond to students?—was at the heart of a recent conversation between two influential education leaders: Dr. Michael Conner, founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group and host of Voices for Excellence, and Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil, Superintendent of Uniondale Union Free School District in New York.
Together, they explored what it takes to create an ecosystem where student voice isn’t just heard, but built into the operating model.
