Education Unlocked

Sri Narayanan
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Education Unlocked is the podcast where superintendents, district leaders, school administrators, and education innovators share the strategies transforming learning at scale. Hosted by Sri Narayanan, founder and CEO of Kodely, each episode goes beyond surface conversations to explore the real systems change happening in districts nationwide. If you’re a district leader, school administrator, policymaker, or education entrepreneur, this is your front-row seat to scalable ideas, proven playbooks, and inspiring leadership driving change for millions of students.

  1. Jun 19

    Every Scholar Deserves Choice

    Dr. Renae Bryant's career is a master class in never forgetting where you started. She began as a bilingual instructional assistant — sitting next to multilingual learners, watching firsthand what happens when a child's first language is treated as an asset instead of a deficit. Decades later, she leads a seven-county charter network across Southern California, sits on the faculty at Cal State Fullerton, and is one of the most respected voices in CALSA.

    39 min

  2. Jun 4

    Growing Leaders: Cultivating Courage and Connection in Education

    What does it really mean to grow leaders—not through hierarchy, but through humanity? Dr. Kimberly MacKinney joins Education Unlocked to share why authentic leadership begins with connection, purpose, and lived values. From identifying potential in people who don't yet see themselves as leaders to creating systems that empower multilingual learners, students of color, and at-promise youth, Dr. MacKinney offers a candid look at what it takes to build leadership that lasts. In this conversation, we explore the courage required to challenge long-standing structures, the importance of wellness and joy as foundations for sustainable impact, and her work developing the next generation of leaders through ALA California Girls State. We also discuss how AI can be used to strengthen—not replace—human relationships and meaningful leadership. Warm, thoughtful, and deeply inspiring, this episode is about building leadership pipelines that outlast us and creating opportunities for others to thrive long after we're gone.

    35 min

  3. Jun 2

    Unlocking Equity: From Identity to Impact in Education

    On this episode of Education Unlocked, Dr. Tracie Tagamolila-Noriega shares her journey from growing up as the daughter of Filipino immigrants in a predominantly white neighborhood to becoming a leading voice in educational equity and leadership. Dr. Tagamolila-Noriega reflects on the transformative role Ethnic Studies played in helping her understand her own experiences and identity for the first time. She discusses her 24-year career in education, from classroom teacher to Assistant Superintendent, and now her statewide leadership role focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion with Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).

    35 min

  4. May 29

    Be Authentic, Lead With Love

    What does equity actually look like when it leaves the policy memo and reaches a student's day? On this episode of Education Unlocked, Dr. Erin M. Simon, Superintendent of Bellflower Unified School District, joins us to explore that question. She shares her journey from the classroom to county leadership and ultimately the superintendent's office, reflecting on the students who have shaped her approach to leadership — including students with disabilities, foster youth, and young people experiencing homelessness. Together, we move beyond the buzzwords and into the systems that matter: how to ensure equity survives leadership transitions and political shifts, why chronic absenteeism is a systems challenge rather than a family failure, and what it truly takes to build a district where every student is known, supported, and valued. Honest, thoughtful, and grounded in real-world practice, this conversation is about leading with courage under pressure, leading with purpose, and ultimately, leading with love.

    26 min

  5. Apr 22

    Relationships Over Results with Dr. Gordon Amerson

    Dr. Gordon Amerson went from baseball player to classroom teacher to superintendent of Val Verde Unified — and along the way he's thought hard about what actually makes leaders sustainable. In this episode of Education Unlocked, Sri and Gordon talk about AI in schools, leadership burnout, the power of mentorship, and why human connection is the non-negotiable anchor in a digital age. Gordon calls public education "the backbone of democracy" — and makes the case for why the job is harder, and more important, than ever.

    28 min

  6. Feb 1

    Schools Can Revitalize Communities: A Conversation with Dr. Pedro Noguera

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Pedro A. Noguera, Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education and one of the nation’s leading voices on equity, belonging, and community-driven school transformation. From his early years as a classroom teacher to leading one of the top schools of education in the country, Dr. Noguera shares what decades of research and lived experience have taught him about what truly drives student success — and why schools must serve not just students, but entire communities.

    14 min

  7. Jan 29

    Leading at Scale: Equity, Impact, and the Future of Public Education

    Lessons from the front lines of public education leadership with Dr. Vivian Ekchian. In this episode, we explore what it takes to lead complex school systems responsibly-advancing equity, supporting student success, and navigating change at scale.

    20 min

  8. Jan 21

    Leading With Purpose: Transformational Leadership & the Power of Parent Engagement

    Transformational leadership doesn’t happen in isolation-it happens in partnership.In this episode of Education Unlocked, we sit down with Dr. Terri Daniels, 2024 California Principal of the Year and NASSP Advocacy Champion, to explore how intentional leadership and authentic parent engagement can drive real, measurable student success. From policy to practice, Dr. Daniels shares lessons from over four decades in education that every school leader needs to hear.

    23 min
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About

Education Unlocked is the podcast where superintendents, district leaders, school administrators, and education innovators share the strategies transforming learning at scale. Hosted by Sri Narayanan, founder and CEO of Kodely, each episode goes beyond surface conversations to explore the real systems change happening in districts nationwide. If you’re a district leader, school administrator, policymaker, or education entrepreneur, this is your front-row seat to scalable ideas, proven playbooks, and inspiring leadership driving change for millions of students.

Information

  • Creator
    Sri Narayanan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Sri Narayanan
  • Show Website
    Education Unlocked