Measure UP: The Podcast for Transformational School Leaders

Dr. Nicole Alioto
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Are your efforts to transform school measuring up? Measure UP: The Podcast for Transformational School Leaders identifies what measurement-related obstacles are adding error into decision-making and shares strategies to remove those obstacles so students (and staff) can be successful. Each episode will share an issue from in higher education or K-12 and explore how to resolve it. Join us each episode for a discussion, exploration, and focus so you can accomplish your institutional goals!

  1. May 1

    Special Series Part 3: What is Getting in the Way of Your District's Success | Negative Attitudes about Data (The Other Four Letter Word)

    Join Dr. Nicole Alioto for this Special Series: What is Getting in the Way of Your District's Success!   Each week, she will take a chapter from her book, Your School Sucks: Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It, and discuss a challenge schools encounter using data and evidence effectively, and provide a strategy to help improve your team's efforts so success is within reach!   This week she focuses on Chapter 3: The Other Four Letter Word and talks about the three types of people who have negative attitudes about data and how it impacts your evidence-based culture. What kinds of Data Averse Educators are in your schools? What steps can you take to improve the their ability to engage with data so everyone can be more successful?   And be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit www.yourschoolsucks.com to subscribe to our Measure UP Newsletter and to get a copy of Dr. Alioto's book, Your School Sucks, Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It.

    Special Series Part 3: What is Getting in the Way of Your District's Success | Negative Attitudes about Data (The Other Four Letter Word)

  2. Apr 17

    Special Series Part 2: What is Getting in the Way of Your District's Success | When Good Data Go Bad

    Join Dr. Nicole Alioto for this Special Series: What is Getting in the Way of Your District's Success! Each week, she will take a chapter from her book, Your School Sucks: Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It, and discuss a challenge schools encounter using data and evidence effectively, and provide a strategy to help improve your team's  efforts so success is within reach! This week she focuses on Chapter 2: When Go Data Go Bad and what school teams can do to prevent problems due to misuse of quality information. To ensure your plans and programs have metrics built in to them and are measuring progress throughout, become a SPICE partner! To learn more about the Strategic Planning Implementation Concierge Experience, visit the SPICE website here or email nicole@allabreveconsulting.com and put "SPICE" in the subject line. To book Dr. Alioto to speak in your district, email nicole@nicolealioto.com. And be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit www.yourschoolsucks.com to subscribe to our Measure UP Newsletter and to get a copy of Dr. Alioto's book, Your School Sucks, Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It.

    Special Series Part 2: What is Getting in the Way of Your District's Success | When Good Data Go Bad

  3. Apr 1

    Special Series Part 1: What is Getting in the Way of Your District's Success | When We Agree to Disagree

    Join Dr. Nicole Alioto for this Special Series: What is Getting in the Way of Your District's Success! Each week, she will take a chapter from her book, Your School Sucks: Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It, and discuss a challenge schools encounter using data and evidence effectively, and provide a strategy to help improve your team's  efforts so success is within reach! This week she focuses on Chapter 1: Easy vs. Effective and what happens when success isn't clearly defined. To book Dr. Alioto to speak in your district, email nicole@nicolealioto.com. And be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit www.yourschoolsucks.com to subscribe to our Measure UP Newsletter and to get a copy of Dr. Alioto's book, Your School Sucks, Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It.

    Special Series Part 1: What is Getting in the Way of Your District's Success | When We Agree to Disagree

  4. Mar 17

    Q&A Series Part 2 - Answering YOUR Data and Evaluation Questions about Predictive Analytics, Surveys, and More

    In this solo episode, Dr. Nicole Alioto answers more questions submitted via social media and from graduate students about using predictive analytics in schools, building better surveys, and more!  If you have a story of how your district implemented predictive and prescriptive analytics, submit it to hello@allabreveconsulting.com and we'd love to feature you on a future episode. You Can Measure Anything: An Educator's Guide to Measuring What is Hard to Define is coming in May 2026!   To submit questions for an upcoming Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/neunn8dbiPkDV2rKA And be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit www.yourschoolsucks.com to subscribe to our Measure UP Newsletter and to get a copy of Dr. Alioto's book, Your School Sucks, Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It.

    Q&A Series Part 2 - Answering YOUR Data and Evaluation Questions about Predictive Analytics, Surveys, and More

  5. Mar 10

    Leadership Mindsets, Scoreboards, and Enhancing Your District's AI Landscape with Christian Jackson - Crossover Episode with. Dr. Nashay Lowe of The Resolution Room

    In this special crossover episode with Dr. Nashay Lowe of The Resolution Room, we conducted on the spot interviews with education leaders at the 2026 AASA National Conference on Education. In this episode, Christian Jackson discusses the integration of AI in education, addressing common misconceptions about technology in schools, particularly in smaller districts. He shares his personal journey and motivations for advocating educational technology, emphasizing the importance of practical application and overcoming resistance from decision-makers. The discussion highlights the need for educators to embrace lifelong learning and adapt to the evolving educational landscape. Key Takeaways You don't need to be an expert to get started. Avoid over-complicating technology integration. Focus on practical applications of AI tools. Resistance to technology can be overcome with the right approach. Educational technology should enhance learning, not replace it. Understanding pain points is crucial for effective tech integration. Serendipitous moments can lead to significant opportunities. Engaging conversations can simplify complex topics. The educational system must adapt to prepare students for the future. About Christian Jackson Christian is a speaker and Gen Z activist focusing is on addressing inefficiencies in the verticals that interest me most: education and media. As a self-proclaimed media-junkie turned simple-solving thinker, I bring known tech applications to new spaces, making life easier for clientele. Driven by my faith and the belief in collective action, I always strive to ensure my work reflect a commitment to social impact. I've been humbled to receive acknowledgment from the UN for efforts in SDG Impact. Website: www.edapt.com And be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit www.yourschoolsucks.com to subscribe to our Measure UP Newsletter and to get a copy of Dr. Alioto's book, Your School Sucks, Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It.

    Leadership Mindsets, Scoreboards, and Enhancing Your District's AI Landscape with Christian Jackson - Crossover Episode with. Dr. Nashay Lowe of The Resolution Room

  6. Mar 3

    Developing a Portrait of a Learner and Measuring What Matters with Lake Forest Schools - Crossover Episode with Dr. Nashay Lowe of The Resolution Room

    In this special crossover episode with co-host Dr. Nashay Lowe of The Resolution Room podcast, we conducted on the spot interviews with education leaders at the 2026 AASA National Conference on Education. In this interview, we were joined by an amazing team from Lake Forest Schools to share their story about the development of a community-created Portrait of a Learner and the how the districts focused on student growth and readiness. With five years to reflect on this work, they share important insights about collaboration and measurement that warmed our hearts! Don't miss this lively conversation. Dr. Matthew L. Montgomery Dr. Montgomery has been the Superintendent of Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 and Lake Forest Community High School District 115 since July 2021, serving the communities of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood, Illinois. In this role, he oversees educational programs, finance, facilities, and personnel, ensuring alignment with board policies and priorities. Committed to communication and community engagement, Dr. Montgomery led the development of the "Portrait of a Learner," collaborating with 150 community members to establish a K-12 vision anchored in academic excellence and essential competencies for students' future success. Building on this foundation, he initiated five-year strategic plans for both districts, involving diverse stakeholders to create actionable and measurable roadmaps for the future. Dr. Montgomery holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration, a Master of Education in Educational Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Education, all from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-l-montgomery-ph-d-41365a70/ Dr. Renée Fitzsimmons Dr. Fitzsimmons has been in education for 20 years and has experienced many different aspects of the field of education including a middle school science teacher, building coach, principal and district leader. She led through the pandemic and completed her doctoral dissertation in March of 2023 with a comparative study on literacy growth in a hybrid-in person model compared to a fully virtual learning model. Dr. Fitzsimmons is passionate about culture and environment and its effects on achievement. Currently she is the K-12 Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Accountability for the Lake Forest Schools in Lake Forest, Illinois.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-fitzsimmons-ed-d-457b7213b/ Dr. Erin Lenart  Dr Lenart serves as the assistant superintendent/principal of Lake Forest Community High School District 115. They have approximately 1400 students, grades 9-12 and a Transitions Program through age 22. Lake Forest Community High School proudly boasts a robust range of programming and extracurricular activities for students, despite being one of the smallest comprehensive, public high schools on the North Shore of the Chicago suburbs. LFHS is a high-performing and high-achieving school, serving the communities of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood, with an engaged community, talented and educated faculty, and a committed and supportive operational staff.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-boothe-lenart-708217208/ Visit https://www.lakeforestschools.org/ to learn more about their work or follow on their socials! And be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit www.yourschoolsucks.com to subscribe to our Measure UP Newsletter and to get a copy of Dr. Alioto's book, Your School Sucks, Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It.

    Developing a Portrait of a Learner and Measuring What Matters with Lake Forest Schools - Crossover Episode with Dr. Nashay Lowe of The Resolution Room

  7. Feb 24

    Building Trust in Schools with Dr. Jen Schwanke - Crossover Episode with Dr. Nashay Lowe of The Resolution Room

    In this special crossover episode with co-host Dr. Nashay Lowe of The Resolution Room podcast, we conducted on the spot interviews with education leaders at the 2026 AASA National Conference on Education. In this interview, Dr. Jen Schwanke, author of Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools, discusses what it means to be trust-willing, the impact of trust on achievement, the challenges of building (or re-building) trust internally and externally, how to differentiate trust from approval and transparency, and advice for those entering leadership positions. Don't miss this important and timely topic! Dr. Jen Schwanke is a longtime educator, teaching and leading at all levels. She is the author of five ASCD books, including The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management. A frequent contributor to multiple educational publishers, Schwanke consults with districts and school leaders in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership. She is a frequent presenter at national organizations including ASCD + ISTE, NASSP, and NAESP. An instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University, Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio. Visit https://jenschwanke.com/ to subscribe to her "Principal Problems" newsletter and learn more about her exciting work! And be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit www.yourschoolsucks.com to subscribe to our Measure UP Newsletter and to get a copy of Dr. Alioto's book, Your School Sucks, Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It.

    Building Trust in Schools with Dr. Jen Schwanke - Crossover Episode with Dr. Nashay Lowe of The Resolution Room

  8. 11/07/2025

    Measuring Program Impact on Schools When You Aren't Working in a School District with Mike Setaro

    In the episode, join us for a conversation with Mike Setaro, Supervisor of Teaching, Learning, and Student Support, from Southern Westchester BOCES. It can be a challenge to provide support to schools through programs and services when you aren't inside of the district on a regular basis. How do you know what you do is making a difference? Tune in to hear how the efforts in SW BOCES have impacted districts at all levels from someone who absolutely digs data. For more information about the Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support, visit: https://plcs.swboces.org/ To be a guest on a future episode, email hello@allabreveconsulting.com with the subject line: "I'm ready to Measure UP!" And be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit www.yourschoolsucks.com to subscribe to our Measure UP Newsletter and to get a copy of Dr. Alioto's book, Your School Sucks, Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It.

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Are your efforts to transform school measuring up? Measure UP: The Podcast for Transformational School Leaders identifies what measurement-related obstacles are adding error into decision-making and shares strategies to remove those obstacles so students (and staff) can be successful. Each episode will share an issue from in higher education or K-12 and explore how to resolve it. Join us each episode for a discussion, exploration, and focus so you can accomplish your institutional goals!

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