de•code

Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles - Facing Critics of Change

In this episode of Decode, host Stanley Buchesky sits down with Mike Miles, Superintendent of Houston ISD and a nationally recognized leader in education reform. Mike shares his journey from the military and diplomacy into education, and how those experiences shaped his bold, systemic approach to transforming schools. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of leading the largest school district in Texas, his vision for high-quality instruction in every classroom, and the urgency of preparing students for a rapidly changing world. From rethinking teacher development to building cultures of excellence, Mike offers candid insights into what it takes to drive meaningful change in public education. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of learning, this conversation will leave you with fresh perspective on leadership, equity, and the power of setting a clear mission. Key Moments 03:18 Unlikely Journey Towards Education 09:12 Handling Public Criticism 11:49 "Unsung Dedication to Educational Reform" 13:51 "Urgent 2035 Readiness Needed" 16:59 Turnover Reduction Amid Political Strife 20:39 "Figures Don't Lie" 25:37 "Science of Reading vs. Whole Language" 30:09 Prioritizing Student Achievement 32:22 "Art of Thinking Course Overview" 37:19 "AI Impact on Meetings & Education" 40:21 Adaptive AI Policies Needed 42:30 Embrace AI in Education Connect with Mike Miles: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmikemiles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmikemiles] * Website: https://www.houstonisd.org/ [https://www.houstonisd.org/]

Bridging AI and Innovation Gaps in Rural Education with Dr. Nicholas Wade

In this episode of Decode, we’re live from the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego with Dr. Nicholas Wade, Superintendent of Columbia Union School District in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills. Leading a "small but mighty" rural K–8 district, Dr. Wade brings a compelling mix of grit, strategy, and heart to the conversation around AI, digital equity, and future-ready learning. We explore how his team is turning geographic disadvantage into opportunity—leveraging partnerships, innovative tools, and intentional training to reimagine what’s possible for students and educators. From building AI literacy through Amanda Bickerstaff’s AI for Education to collaborating with Elevate K12 to expand course access, Dr. Wade demonstrates what it means to lead with purpose in a changing educational landscape. Timestamps 00:00 – Opening remarks and the ASU+GSV “Davos of Education” 01:19 – Introducing Columbia Union: rural redefined 04:32 – Broadband, equity, and the post-COVID shift 06:38 – CTE, exposure vs. mastery, and blended learning models 09:34 – Data-driven growth and student achievement 11:19 – The GSV Google Fellowship and building the Opportunity Hub 13:35 – Responsible AI integration: mindset, PD, and classroom use 17:17 – AI tools in action: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Notebook LM 18:42 – Final thoughts: change is hard, but it’s easier together Connect with Dr Nicolas Wade: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-wade [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-wade] Website: https://www.cusd49.com/page/administration [https://www.cusd49.com/page/administration]

Tackling Biases in Education: Unlearning and Relearning for Student Success

In this episode, host Stanley Buchesky, CEO of Pytop, sits down with Kali Beach, the youngest Career Technical Education (CTE) Director in North Carolina, from Pitt County Schools. Together, they unpack the evolving landscape of career readiness, exploring the barriers and opportunities in technology and trades education.  From challenging outdated perceptions about college and career pathways to embracing the seismic shifts brought on by AI and edtech, Kali shares insights from her unique journey, starting with high school agriculture classes and rising to educational leadership.  Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or just passionate about preparing students for a rapidly changing workforce, this conversation is packed with real-world advice, personal stories, and a fresh look at what it means to prepare the next generation for jobs that might not even exist yet. Get ready to unlearn, relearn, and decode the future of education together. Timestamps 04:16 Youngest CTE Director Appointed 07:47 Connecting Academics to Real-World Careers 11:50 Skilled Trades: Challenging Career Stigma 14:05 Exploring Ag Tech at Home 17:52 Evolving Careers in Agriculture 20:57 Embrace Exploration and Interest 24:32 Embracing AI in Education 27:37 AI-Assisted Writing Strategy 31:06 Revolutionizing Learning Platforms 32:09 AI-Powered Education Initiatives 35:37 Embrace Technology's Inevitable Future Connect with Kali Beach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kali-beach-98b084347 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kali-beach-98b084347]  Website: http://www.pittschools.org/ [http://www.pittschools.org/]

Rethinking Education: CTE Pathways, Teacher Externships, and Workforce Readiness

In this episode of Decode, host Stanley Buchesky sits down with Sheri Bonds, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Round Rock ISD in Texas, to explore how real-world learning, cutting-edge technology, and community partnerships are reshaping the high school experience. Sheri shares how Round Rock ISD’s CTE program—one of the most expansive in the country—prepares students for life beyond graduation through work-based learning, dual credit pathways, industry certifications, and a growing portfolio of strategic partnerships. From health science practicums to automotive internships and teacher externships, Round Rock is building a bridge between high school and high-demand careers. They also unpack the district’s evolving approach to artificial intelligence in education—where AI fits, where it doesn't, and how it's being used to streamline work for educators while teaching students to think critically and ethically about new technologies. Finally, Sheri offers candid insights on funding challenges in public education, Texas’s school finance system, and the impact of emerging school choice policies. Despite the hurdles, her message is clear: the future is full of possibility if schools, families, and industry partners stay focused on innovation and opportunity. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Decode: Relearning, rethinking, and storytelling in education 01:07 Inside Round Rock ISD: 47,000 students, 20,000 in CTE 05:25 Internships, partnerships, and pathways to work 10:20 – Teacher retention and introducing a CTE stipend program. 13:57 Credentials, certifications, and job-ready graduates 17:42 P-TECH and the power of early college and workforce credentials 21:08 Teacher externships: building two-way partnerships with industry 23:53 Bringing AI into the classroom responsibly and effectively 28:30 A cross-curricular AI project: critical thinking meets code 29:55 School finance in Texas: funding gaps and future risks 36:17 A message of hope: innovation, equity, and student success Connect with Sheri Bonds: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-bonds-210bb829 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-bonds-210bb829] * Website: https://studentservices.roundrockisd.org/directory/ [https://studentservices.roundrockisd.org/directory/]

Exploring Career Paths: Darian Harris on Fostering Diversity in Tech Education

In this episode, Stanley Buchesky, CEO of pi-top, engages in an enlightening conversation with Darian Harris, the Director of Career and Technical Education for Durham Public Schools. Darian shares his compelling journey from accountancy to education, driven by a desire to foster diversity and make a significant impact in his community. Together, they explore the innovative measures being implemented in Durham to bridge the racial and gender gaps in technology education, emphasizing hands-on learning and the application of core concepts to real-world scenarios. Darian discusses the crucial role of industry partnerships in providing students with exposure to diverse career paths and highlights the importance of equipping students with both technical and employability skills. He also delves into the evolving nature of teaching, stressing the move away from rote memorization toward developing problem-solving skills. The episode touches on the challenges teachers face amid rapid technological changes and the strategies to support them through ongoing professional development. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on reshaping education for today's diverse student landscape. Key Moments 00:00 Career Shift: Accountant to Educator 05:24 Preparing Students for Future Jobs 07:56 Preparing Students for Workforce Success 11:41 Connecting Students with Opportunities 15:32 "Accelerated Degree Pathways" 17:52 Student Certifications Boost Earnings 23:03 Creating Engaging Classroom Environments 27:00 Teaching Problem Solving Beyond AI 30:25 Enhancing Classroom Question Techniques 31:23 Entrepreneurship Pitch and Presentation 35:45 "AI Integration and Language Shift" 39:15 Encourage Exploration in Education Connect with Darian Harris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darian-harris-180/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darian-harris-180/] Website: https://www.dpsnc.net/ [https://www.dpsnc.net/]