S.5 | Ep. 9: Investing in People and Building Sustainable Leadership with Chris Calabrese

S.5 | Ep. 9: Investing in People and Building Sustainable Leadership with Chris Calabrese

Welcome to Season 5 of the Unlock 360 podcast by Lead.Teach.Learn.360! In this episode, Wendy York Davoud is joined by Chris Calabrese, Superintendent of Benicia Unified School District, for a conversation about leadership development, district sustainability, and the power of investing in people. Chris shares the unexpected story that led him into education and the personal motto that has guided his entire career: “Invest in people’s lives instead of their money.” From teacher to superintendent, Chris reflects on his K–12 leadership journey and how developing leaders remains one of the most meaningful parts of his work today. The conversation explores the realities of leading a district through change, including leadership transitions, declining enrollment, financial pressures, and the challenge of maintaining strong academic outcomes while supporting students socially and emotionally. Chris also discusses the importance of helping leaders think long term, creating sustainable systems, and balancing district-wide coherence with school-level autonomy. Listeners will also hear how Benicia Unified is working to strengthen collaboration, close achievement gaps, and preserve the unique culture that makes the Benicia community special. Key Moments 02:52 Investing in People Instead of Positions 05:32 Supporting New Leaders Through Transition 06:47 Building Sustainable Long-Term Systems 07:22 Self-Awareness and Leadership Growth 09:37 Using 100-Day Plans for Leadership Success 13:25 Learning the Culture of Benicia Unified 16:11 Addressing Enrollment and Budget Challenges 17:45 Attracting Families Through Student Opportunities 18:13 Extracurriculars Strengthen School Culture 20:09 What Makes the Benicia Community Special 22:19 Balancing District Alignment and School Autonomy 26:55 Closing Achievement Gaps Through Collaboration 29:07 Expanding Academic Intervention Supports Why You Will Love This Episode This episode offers an honest look at what it takes to lead with purpose during times of transition and uncertainty. Chris shares thoughtful insight on leadership development, strategic thinking, and creating sustainable systems that support both students and educators. District and school leaders alike will walk away with practical ideas around collaboration, culture, and long-term planning. Connect with Chris Calabrese Website: https://beniciaunified.org/ [https://beniciaunified.org/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-calabrese-b46079268 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-calabrese-b46079268] Email: ccalabrese@beniciaunified.org Follow Us Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork] Lead.Teach.Learn.360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com [https://leadteachlearn360.com/] Lead.Teach.Learn.360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/] About Unlock 360° Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead.Teach.Learn.360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time. Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.

S.5 | Ep. 8: Building One District, Not a Collection of Schools with Jamie Bente

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Jamie Bente, Superintendent of Faribault Public Schools in Minnesota, to discuss district transformation, system coherence, and what it takes to unify schools around a shared vision. Since becoming superintendent in 2022, Jamie has led Faribault Public Schools through major organizational change, including district restructuring, strategic planning, and efforts to break down long-standing silos between campuses. Drawing on experience as a teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal, and now superintendent, Jamie shares the unique perspective he brings to district leadership and the lessons he has learned navigating change at scale. In this conversation, Jamie explains how Faribault shifted from operating like “multiple districts” into a more unified system focused on collaboration, consistency, and student-centered decision making. He also reflects on the importance of creating clear expectations through the district’s “playbook,” improving professional learning communities, and balancing autonomy with centralized systems. Key Moments 04:36 Understanding district-wide education programs 07:34 Implementing district-wide systems 11:56 Evaluating teacher performance data 15:37 Improving early childhood education setup 17:57 Setting staff expectations 21:17 Updating our vision plans 22:59 Developing cross-grade teacher collaboration 27:53 First guest from Minnesota 32:21 Mentorship and career growth 33:17 Mentorship from Jason Wenschlag Why You Will Love This Episode If you are leading system-wide change or working to create stronger alignment across schools, this episode offers practical insight into navigating restructuring, improving collaboration, and building a shared culture. Jamie’s honest reflections on leadership, communication, and organizational change provide valuable takeaways for superintendents, principals, and district leaders alike. Connect with Jamie Bente Website: https://www.faribault.k12.mn.us/ [https://www.faribault.k12.mn.us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bente-59891493 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bente-59891493] Email: jbente@faribault.k12.mn.us Follow Us Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork] Lead.Teach.Learn.360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com [https://leadteachlearn360.com/] Lead.Teach.Learn.360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/] About Unlock 360° Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead.Teach.Learn.360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time. Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.

S.5 | Ep. 7: Leading with Equity, Culture, and the Whole Child with Dr. Theresa Rouse

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86, to explore what it truly takes to move a district forward when it feels “stuck.” With over three decades in education and experience spanning classrooms, site leadership, and district roles across multiple states and even internationally, Dr. Rouse brings a powerful perspective on leadership, equity, and system transformation. In this conversation, she shares how Joliet began a deep equity journey—starting with examining internal beliefs and biases—and how that work has evolved into tangible changes in student outcomes, community perception, and district culture. From addressing achievement and discipline disparities to investing in early literacy, trauma-informed practices, and whole child development, this episode highlights how intentional leadership can reshape a system over time. Key Moments 05:40 Embarking on an equity journey 09:37 Engaging with the community 13:08 Community literacy and early education 16:40 Supporting women in leadership roles 20:12 Committee involvement and coaching structure 23:49 Federal and state budget challenges 27:33 Community support and assistance programs 31:11 Supporting multilingual student families 32:44 Settling down in Joliet community 35:42 Connecting with an old friend 38:52 Mentorship impact and philosophy Why You Will Love This Episode If you are leading in a complex district environment, this episode offers a real-world look at how long-term change actually happens. Dr. Rouse doesn’t talk about quick wins—she shares what it takes to shift mindsets, systems, and outcomes over time. You will gain insight into leading equity work authentically, building strong community partnerships, and balancing academic priorities with the realities students bring to school every day. Connect with Dr. Theresa Rouse Website: https://www.joliet86.org/ [https://www.joliet86.org/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-rouse-ed-d-bb65521a [https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-rouse-ed-d-bb65521a] Email: trouse@joliet86.org Follow Us Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork] Lead.Teach.Learn.360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com [https://leadteachlearn360.com/] Lead.Teach.Learn.360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/] About Unlock 360° Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead.Teach.Learn.360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time. Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.

S.5 | Ep. 6: Dr. Ryan D. Smith on Values-Driven Leadership and Future-Ready Systems

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Ryan D. Smith, Deputy Superintendent of Bellflower Unified School District, to explore how districts can move beyond vision statements and build systems that truly reflect their core values. Dr. Smith shares his unique journey from a “lost” college freshman to a math teacher, coach, principal, superintendent, and now deputy superintendent, highlighting the mentors, risks, and pivotal moments that shaped his leadership path. The conversation centers on one critical idea: values only matter if they guide action. Ryan breaks down how Bellflower USD is re-engaging its community to define mission, vision, and values—and more importantly, how they are translating those into measurable student outcomes through a learner profile. From building a guiding coalition of diverse stakeholders to rethinking hiring practices with AI, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to align systems with purpose. Key Moments 05:21 Turning around Leuzinger High School 07:25 Switching from teaching to business 10:01 Ryan's early career and engagement 14:14 Defining mission, vision, and values 17:57 Navigating conflict with core values 21:29 Creating a learner profile framework 26:28 Challenges of personalized education 29:58 Using AI to screen candidates 31:02 Using AI in hiring Why You Will Love This Episode If you are working to align your district’s vision with real classroom impact, this episode delivers both inspiration and clarity. Dr. Ryan D. Smith shares how to turn abstract ideas like “innovation” and “collaboration” into measurable outcomes—and how to build systems that actually support them. You will walk away with practical insight on leading values-driven change, engaging your community in meaningful ways, and preparing students for a future that is still unfolding. Connect with Dr. Ryan D. Smith Website: https://www.busd.k12.ca.us/ [https://www.busd.k12.ca.us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandsmithedd [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandsmithedd] Email: ryansmith@busd.k12.ca.us [ryansmith@busd.k12.ca.us] Articles & Additional Info: https://www.ryandsmithedd.com/ [https://www.ryandsmithedd.com/]  Follow Us Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork]Lead.Teach.Learn.360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com [https://leadteachlearn360.com]Lead.Teach.Learn.360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/] About Unlock 360° Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead.Teach.Learn.360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time. Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.

S.5 | Ep. 5: Focusing on What Matters: Jim DuBois Explains Strategic Planning in Education

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Jim DuBois, Superintendent of Goshen Community Schools in Indiana, to explore how disciplined execution, strategic clarity, and whole-child support systems can transform district outcomes. Jim shares his journey from educator to superintendent, including his return from retirement to lead a district navigating community tension, financial constraints, and the need for a clear path forward. Through a focus on strategic planning, simplified priorities, and consistent execution, he has helped bring stability, trust, and momentum back to the district. The conversation dives deep into Jim’s leadership philosophy, centered on doing fewer things better, and his commitment to building systems that support every student. From the “ABCs” framework (Attendance, Behavior, Course Performance) to innovative interventions like cognitive training labs, Jim highlights how districts can move beyond surface-level solutions and address the root causes of student challenges. Key Moments 05:14 Strategic Planning Success 09:05 ABC: Attendance, Behavior, Courses 11:50 Embedding PBIS into Culture 15:07 Strategic Planning Drives School Success 18:18 Supporting Academic and Emotional Struggles 22:22 Supporting Learning Through SOIIPP 23:40 Cognitive Training for Learning Success 28:08 Addressing Cognitive and Sensory Delays 32:36 Stamina, Focus, and Sensory Integration 34:16 Opposite Direction Training Explained 37:44 Educational Innovation Boosts IQ 41:16 Calming Kids Through Sensory Tools 43:52 Personalized Cognitive Skill Workbooks Why You Will Love This Episode If you are working to bring clarity and focus to your district or school, this episode offers a powerful blueprint. Jim DuBois breaks down how to move from scattered initiatives to a cohesive system that actually delivers results. You will gain insight into building sustainable improvement through execution, not overload, and learn how addressing the whole child—academically, socially, and cognitively—can unlock growth for students who are often left behind. This is a must-listen for leaders who want practical strategies grounded in real district experience. Connect with Jim DuBois LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-dubois-a65b3127 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-dubois-a65b3127] Website: https://www.goshenschools.org/ [https://www.goshenschools.org/] Email: jim.dubois@goshenschools.org [jim.dubois@goshenschools.org]  Follow Us Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork]Lead.Teach.Learn.360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com [https://leadteachlearn360.com]Lead.Teach.Learn.360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/] About Unlock 360° Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead.Teach.Learn.360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time. Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.