Brighter Together

From Lockdown to University: How Life Skills Changed Everything For The Better - Jera Pieper

Jera Pieper, Director of Special Education at Franklin Jefferson County Special Education District, shares her journey from school psychologist to BCBA and now district leadership, emphasizing her passion for behavior support and systems-level impact. She explains how her co-op model serves 22 rural districts by pooling resources to deliver specialized services efficiently, while also navigating legal, operational, and staffing challenges. Jera highlights the importance of practical life skills, strong systems, and collaborative problem-solving to ensure student success—especially for those with the most intensive needs.

"Every Student. Some Success. Every Day." The Mentorship Mindset - Alex Sharick

What if the most powerful strategy in education isn’t a program, but a mindset? In this episode of Brighter Together, Alex Sharick, Director of Special Education at Plymouth Shiloh Local School District, shares what 30 years in education has taught him about leadership, relationships, and building systems that actually work for students. From the life-changing impact of mentorship to the evolution of MTSS and behavior supports, Alex challenges a common assumption: that better outcomes come from doing more. Instead, he reveals how clarity, collaboration, and understanding the why behind student needs can transform an entire district. In a time when educators are overwhelmed by initiatives, Alex brings the focus back to what matters most: every student experiencing success—every single day. If you’re leading teams, supporting diverse learners, or trying to build a culture that sustains both students and staff, this conversation will meet you where you are—and challenge where you’re going.

From Turnover to Stability: How One District Rebuilt Its Culture - Erika Bare

What does it actually take to turn a struggling district into a place where educators want to stay—and students can thrive? In this episode of Brighter Together, Superintendent Erika Bare shares how her district moved from nearly 25 percent staff turnover to building a stable, high-performing culture in just a few years. But this isn’t a story about quick fixes. It’s about intentional systems. From rethinking hiring practices to redesigning onboarding, coaching, and staff support, Erika reveals how focusing on people—not just programs—created measurable change in both staff retention and student outcomes. And at the center of it all is one overlooked leadership skill: communication. Because the way adults talk—to students, to families, and to each other—shapes everything from behavior to burnout. If you’re navigating staffing challenges, culture shifts, or trying to build a system that actually supports your people, this conversation offers a clear, practical path forward.

Stop Chasing Awards: What One Director Learned About Real Impact - Dr. Katie Lowry

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Dr. Katie Lowry, the Director of Special Education at Lumpkin County School District, to discuss her transformative journey in leadership. Katie shares her insights on moving away from chasing awards and recognition to focusing on meaningful impact in the lives of her students and staff. We explore the importance of embracing one's unique gifts and building capacity in others, creating a stronger educational community. Katie's experiences highlight the often lonely path of leadership and the necessity of fostering authentic relationships to support both educators and families. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that emphasizes the true essence of leadership in education.

Stop Treating IEPs Like Paperwork (They're Protections) - Brighter Together Podcast

Episode Description **Is your IEP process feeling like a burden—or serving as the powerful protection it was designed to be?** Most educators approach IEP meetings as another box to check, another form to complete. But what if we've been looking at this all wrong? In this eye-opening conversation, Julian Duffey, Special Education Director at Teton County School District 401, reveals how reframing IEPs as ongoing conversations and critical protections—not paperwork—can transform your school's approach to special education and, more importantly, the lives of students who need support. About Our Guest **Julian Duffey** serves as the Special Education Director for Teton County School District 401 in Driggs, Idaho. With deep expertise in special education policy, inclusive practices, and team-based decision making, Julian is passionate about helping educators understand that special education is fundamentally about relationship, communication, and meaningful protections for students and families. What You'll Learn This episode challenges conventional thinking about IEPs and special education processes. You'll discover how to: - Reframe IEPs as protections and services rather than administrative paperwork - Build truly accessible Tier 1 instruction that works for all learners - Create collaborative team environments that honor parent partnerships - Help students see their differences as part of what makes them unique, not as defining limitations - Transform the IEP meeting from an intimidating bureaucratic process into a genuine conversation about student success Key Takeaways ✓ **IEPs are protections, not paperwork.** When staff view IEP meetings as ongoing conversations focused on critical services and relational support, the entire process feels more meaningful and purposeful. ✓ **Accessibility starts with Tier 1 instruction.** Before referring students to special education, ask yourself: Is our core instruction truly accessible to English language learners, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and students with disabilities? ✓ **Parents are critical team members.** Special education intentionally shifts educational decision-making from individual parents to a team—which is why transparent communication and genuine partnership are non-negotiable. ✓ **Student identity matters.** There's a crucial role for all educators in ensuring students don't define themselves by their disability or service category. Help them understand their differences as something unique to navigate, not something that limits them. ✓ **Communication is everything.** The reason special education processes are "well telegraphed" is because they're consequential. Clarity, consistency, and transparency aren't bureaucratic overhead—they're ethical necessities. ## Notable Quotes *"What we're really focusing on this year is a lot of tier one instruction. So there's a big difference like, this is our tier one instruction, but is it really accessible to our English language learners, our kids from low socioeconomic backgrounds, our special ed kids?"* *"I really like to think of an IEP meeting and an IEP as really just a continuing conversation... we're providing a critical service. We're having this ongoing conversation how to best serve the student."* *"Always make sure that the student isn't defining themselves by their difficulty... this is just something that makes you unique. And we're just going to navigate this and you're awesome."* *"Special education does something rather poignant. It takes away a parent's educational decision making to a certain extent and replaces it with a team. Do not underestimate the power of the team and working with the parent is absolutely critical."* --- **Ready to transform how your school approaches special education?** Listen now to this conversation with Julian Duffey and discover how shifting your mindset about IEPs can create better outcomes for students and families. **Subscribe** to stay updated!