The RocketPD Podcast: Real Talk with Educators

Episode 21: Healthy Kids, Present Kids: Reimagining School Health (w/Dr. Adrianna Bravo)

Chronic absenteeism nearly doubled after the pandemic — and health is one of the most overlooked drivers behind it. In this episode of the RocketPD Podcast, host Corey Murray sits down with Dr. Adrianna Bravo, pediatrician and Chief Medical Officer at Inspire Health for Education, to unpack how physical and mental health challenges are quietly keeping students out of class — and how school-based telehealth is helping districts turn that around. Drawing on real-world district partnerships, including a pilot in Los Angeles Unified School District where return-to-class rates increased from 61% to 90%, Dr. Bravo explains how centering care inside schools can reduce missed instructional time, support school nurses and counselors, and improve equity in access to care. RocketPD Podcast_Bravo_Inspire_… In this conversation, you’ll learn: * Why health is a hidden root cause of chronic absenteeism * How telehealth supports (not replaces) school health staff * What equitable access to care looks like inside real schools * How districts can address mental health needs with consistent, relationship-based support * Why keeping students healthy is directly tied to academic success If you’re a superintendent, principal, district leader, or school health professional grappling with attendance, student wellbeing, or mental health capacity, this conversation offers a practical, partnership-driven path forward. 👉 Learn more about Inspire Health for Education and school-based telehealth solutions (https://inspirehealthforeducation.com) 👉 Explore how RocketPD partners with districts to support whole-child success (www.rocketpd.com)

Episode 20: Reimagining Teacher Evaluation in the Age of AI (w/Susan Enfield & Will Krasnow)

Teacher evaluation is meant to support growth — but for many school leaders, it’s become a compliance-heavy process that drains time, erodes trust, and leaves little room for meaningful coaching. In this episode of The RocketPD Podcast, host Corey Murray sits down with Dr. Susan Enfield, Executive Director of the Center for Educational Leadership at the University of Washington, and Will Krasnow, CEO of Swiftscore, to explore a timely and complex question: Can AI actually help humanize teacher evaluation — not just speed it up? Drawing on Susan’s decades of experience as a superintendent and national leadership expert, alongside Will’s early work with districts piloting AI-supported evaluation workflows, this conversation unpacks: * Why traditional evaluation systems often fail to drive real professional growth * How time constraints push evaluation toward compliance instead of coaching * The role of relational trust, fairness, and professional respect in teacher growth * How AI, when used thoughtfully, can give principals time back for real conversations * What it means to treat feedback as a gift, not a “gotcha” * How evaluation, professional learning, and instructional leadership can finally work together Rather than asking whether AI belongs in schools, this episode focuses on how it can be used responsibly — as an assistive tool that supports educators, strengthens relationships, and improves outcomes for students. Get Involved: Join the National Research Cohort RocketPD and Swiftscore are convening a national cohort for school and district leaders who want to reimagine teacher evaluation with AI, contribute to meaningful research, and learn alongside peers. Learn more and register here: https://k12researchcohorts.org/future_of_teacher_evaluation_2025 [https://k12researchcohorts.org/future_of_teacher_evaluation_2025] If you’re a superintendent, principal, instructional leader, or educator wrestling with how to make evaluation more meaningful — this conversation is for you. Subscribe to RocketPD for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, learning, and innovation in K–12 education.

Episode 19: Finding Common Ground — Leading in a Time of Division (w/Joshua P. Starr)

Guest: Dr. Joshua P. Starr, former superintendent & nonprofit executive; Founder, Common Ground Solutions Description: How do you lead when your community can’t agree on what matters most? In this episode of The RocketPD Podcast, RocketPD co-founder and longtime ed-tech journalist Corey Murray sits down with Dr. Joshua P. Starr — former superintendent and national education leader — to explore what it means to find common purpose in a divided time. Drawing on years of experience in urban districts and nonprofit leadership, Dr. Starr returns to the podcast to share practical strategies for building trust, creating clarity, and bringing people together around shared values — without backing down from what’s right. You’ll learn: * How to engage the “silent but reasonable” majority in your community * Why authenticity and clarity are the foundation of effective leadership * How to design meetings that drive action and accountability * What it takes to build trust across differences and lead with integrity Listen now to hear how Dr. Starr and his team at Common Ground Solutions are helping school leaders turn division into dialogue and build stronger school communities — one conversation at a time. 🎧 Watch or listen on: RocketPD Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6e_Zm93bocil6IJPcbNBJyBOUgKUDWY6] 🌐 Learn more: Choose Common Ground [https://choosecommonground.com]

Episode 18: Change What Matters: A Path to Bold & Courageous School Leadership (w/Dr. Michael Hinojosa)

Guest: Dr. Michael Hinojosa, former Dallas ISD Superintendent & Founder, Together Network for Transformation Description: What does it really take to lead in today’s fractured K-12 landscape? In this episode of The RocketPD Podcast, RocketPD Co-Founder and longtime ed-tech journalist Corey Murray sits down with former Dallas superintendent and national superintendent of the year Dr. Michael Hinojosa to talk about the realities of school leadership — from navigating politics and building trust to managing talent and creating real change that lasts. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience, Dr. Hinojosa shares practical lessons for leaders who want to transform — not just reform — their districts. You’ll learn: * Why experience still matters when stakes are highest * How to balance board, community, and staff expectations * The difference between strategic planning and strategic thinking * How to master the “art of politics” without losing your influence or integrity Listen now to hear how Dr. Hinojosa and his team at the Together Network for Transformation are helping school leaders build stronger systems and communities — one district at a time. 🎧 Watch or listen on: RocketPD Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6e_Zm93bocil6IJPcbNBJyBOUgKUDWY6] 🌐 Learn more: Together Network for Transformation [https://tntnow.net]

Episode 17: Call to Courage: Standing Up for Public Education (w/Dr. Shelley Berman)

Dr. Sheldon “Shelley” Berman is a former superintendent, national SEL leader, and co-author of A Call to Courage: Standing Up for Public Education. On this episode of the RocketPD Podcast, Shelley and Corey talk about how school leaders can navigate political flashpoints, respond to misinformation, and build stronger school communities grounded in shared values. They explore practical ways to create opportunity for every student—while helping educators lead with clarity, courage, and care. This episode is brought to you by RocketPD. Host Corey Murray Guest Dr. Sheldon “Shelley” Berman LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Explore the cohort: https://rocketpd.com/cohorts/a-call-to-courage/ [https://rocketpd.com/cohorts/a-call-to-courage/] Join our K-12 Professional Learning Community: Website: https://rocketpd.com/ [https://rocketpd.com/] Newsletter: https://rocketpd.com/join-the-rocketpd-newsletter/ [https://rocketpd.com/join-the-rocketpd-newsletter/] YouTube: @rocketpd9744 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocketpd [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocketpd] X: https://x.com/rocketpd [https://x.com/rocketpd]