In this episode of The So What Podcast, host Shweta Gandhi, CEO and Founder of Strived, sits down with Michael Giles, Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools, to explore what it takes to lead one of the most diverse school districts in the country.Serving over 38,000 students across more than 160 languages, Michael shares his unconventional journey into education, beginning with his work in juvenile justice. That early experience shaped his belief that schools must be proactive systems of support, not reactive ones, and continues to influence how he leads today. Michael walks through how Aurora Public Schools built its strategic plan by deeply engaging the community, combining qualitative insights with quantitative data, and aligning everything to clear goals around student outcomes. He explains how creating a sense of belonging at scale requires intentional hiring, ongoing professional development, and reimagining schools as community hubs that support the whole child and family. The conversation also dives into the realities of leading in today's environment, including navigating politics, funding challenges, and the complexities of school choice. Michael shares how his district is embracing AI thoughtfully, building governance structures, and preparing educators and communities for its impact. Throughout the episode, Michael emphasizes the importance of transparency, culture, and authenticity in leadership, and why creating the right conditions for students and educators is the foundation for long-term success. Key Moments 01:26 Transition from juvenile justice to education 03:41 The importance of connection and belonging in learning 05:21 Building inclusive systems in a highly diverse district 07:36 Creating schools as community hubs for families 10:24 Using qualitative and quantitative data to shape strategy 12:50 Aligning strategic plans with measurable outcomes 13:10 The challenge of fragmented data systems 14:32 Building centralized dashboards for actionable insights 16:36 Leveraging AI for faster and smarter decision-making 17:43 Leading with transparency when priorities compete 19:24 Navigating politics and community pressures 22:12 The complexity of school board governance 27:59 Balancing school choice with district priorities 33:15 Building AI governance and ethical frameworks 36:46 Why culture is often overlooked in education systems Why You'll Love This Episode Michael Giles offers a powerful perspective on what it means to lead with purpose in a complex, diverse, and rapidly changing environment. His approach blends deep community engagement with strong systems thinking, showing how leaders can turn data, diversity, and challenges into meaningful progress. This episode is especially valuable for district leaders working in diverse communities or navigating competing priorities like school choice, funding, and innovation. If you're looking to build systems that create belonging while driving results, this conversation provides both inspiration and practical strategies. Connect with Michael Giles | Superintendent, Aurora Public SchoolsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-giles-jr-7b29436 Website: https://www.aurorak12.org/ Connect with Shweta Gandhi and StrivedShweta Gandhi | Founder and CEO, StrivedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shwetasharma1 StrivedWebsite: https://strived.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strived-io/ About The So What PodcastThe So What Podcast explores how school system leaders make sense of complexity when data, strategy, and real classroom outcomes are misaligned. The show is designed for district and charter leaders working to turn fragmented information, competing priorities, and limited capacity into clear decisions that improve teaching, learning, and long-term sustainability. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The So What Podcast for more conversations with leaders working to transform data into meaningful action for schools and students.
