School District Superheroes

Nick Telford
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education

The podcast that puts the SUPER back in Superintendent.  On School District Superheroes, the most innovative Superintendents share how they are reshaping the landscape of public education. From navigating funding realities and board dynamics to launching bold student initiatives and strengthening community partnerships, these district leaders share what it truly takes to lead at the highest level. Hosted by Nick Telford, co-founder and co-CEO of Elevo Learning.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Dalia Gadelmawla: Corona-Norco Unified School District

    What can school district leaders learn from the Walt Disney Company and student-led AI guidelines? In this episode, Nick Telford sits down with Dr. Dalia Gadelmawla, Superintendent of Corona-Norco Unified School District—one of the largest districts in California. Dr. Gadelmawla shares her inspiring personal journey from immigrating to Hollywood as an 11-year-old English learner to managing food and beverage operations at Disneyland, before bringing her business expertise to public education. She opens up about her non-traditional path to the superintendency, her doctoral research on women in educational leadership, her student-centered strategy for AI, and why visiting school campuses beats Disneyland as "the happiest place on earth." In this episode you'll learn: • Why visiting school sites is her "happiest place on earth" over Disneyland • How child nutrition taught her public education is about service • Why female leaders are deterred by politics and how mentorship bridges the gap • How high school students on her advisory committee created a district AI guide • Why pausing a rushed payroll system rollout taught her the need for buy-in Learn more about Corona-Norco Unified School District

    Dalia Gadelmawla: Corona-Norco Unified School District

  2. Sep 16

    Ramiro Rubalcaba: Los Nietos School District

    What can district leaders learn from martial arts black belts, scratch-cooking in classrooms, and Abraham Lincoln-era history? In this episode, Nick Telford sits down with Dr. Ramiro Rubalcaba, Superintendent of Los Nietos School District. Dr. Rubalcaba shares how his background as a karate black belt shapes his humble, servant-leadership philosophy, why he integrates student energy into major decision-making, and how a whole-child approach to wellness earned national recognition for his schools.  In this episode you'll learn: • Why staying humble and serving as a public servant is the core of district leadership • How bringing martial arts into after-school programs boosts student engagement • Why taking walks to kindergarten rooms helps clear your mind for big decisions • How scratch-cooking and classroom recipes earned his schools national health awards • Why apologizing for leadership mistakes builds trust with students and staff CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 00:51 Meet Dr Ruvalcaba 01:25 Favorite Superhero 02:09 Life Beyond Work 03:54 Martial Arts Surprise 04:54 Humble Leadership Advice 06:23 Path to Superintendent 08:45 What Prepared Him 11:46 HR vs Ed Services 13:19 Priorities and Habits 17:33 Learning and Networking 20:28 District Initiatives 22:18 Nutrition and Wellness 25:03 Core Leadership Principle 26:26 A Leadership Mistake 28:22 Hope for Education 29:54 Closing Thanks Learn more about Los Nietos School District

    Ramiro Rubalcaba: Los Nietos School District

  3. Aug 18

    Don Austin: Laguna Beach Unified School District

    What can school district leaders learn from Silicon Valley venture capitalists, legendary sports coaches, and offensive linemen? In this episode, Nick Telford sits down with Don Austin, the Superintendent of Laguna Beach Unified School District. Drawing on his experience leading in the heart of tech innovation, Don shares how K-12 leaders can borrow evaluation metrics and team-building perks from Silicon Valley, why he rejects traditional transition timelines, and how to over-plan against failures. In this episode you'll learn: How leading like an offensive lineman helps your team score the touchdownsWhy Bobby Knight’s "negative thinking" philosophy is a powerful planning toolHow to borrow KPIs and employee perks from Silicon Valley to support staffWhy investing 10-plus hours a week with your school board is a necessityWhy to reject 100-day listening campaigns and accelerate leadership transitionsCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 00:43 Introducing Don Austin 06:20 Superintendent Career Journey 08:20 Superintendent Misconceptions 11:12 Managing a Team 12:44 Key Performance Indicators 17:08 Superintendent Time Allocation 22:48 Continued Growth as a Leader 26:47 Good vs Great 29:26 Lessons Learned as a Superintendent 35:11 Advice to Aspiring Superintendents Connect with Don on LinkedIn Learn more about Laguna Beach Unified School District #schooldistrict #education #california #superintendent #podcast

    Don Austin: Laguna Beach Unified School District

  4. Jul 28

    Katie Russell: Panama-Buena Vista Union School District

    What does it take to persevere through nine grueling interviews to become a trailblazing superintendent? In this episode, Nick Telford sits down with Katie Russell, the first female and first African American superintendent in the 150-year history of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District. Katie opens up about overcoming bias on her journey to the top office, the secrets to continually transitioning a school board from politics to governance, and how she built a cohesive district culture from scratch during the pandemic. In this episode you'll learn: Why she endured nine interviews to break a 150-year district barrierWhy leaders need an "invisible plane" to hear the truth from staffHow to effectively transition board members from politics to governanceHow to unite a large leadership team around purpose, caring, and resultsWhy combating perfectionism and using AI as a tool helps cure leadership fearCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 03:17 Trailblazing Superintendent Journey 09:12 Nine Interviews and Bias 12:30 Perseverance and Mentors 16:10 Mentoring Others and County Impact 19:07 Board Governance and Trust 26:00 Cabinet Culture AI and Advice

    Katie Russell: Panama-Buena Vista Union School District

  5. Jul 14

    Gunn Marie Hansen: Westminister School District

    What can American school districts learn from education systems in other nations? And what is the most challenging aspect of being a Superintendent? In this episode, Nick Telford speaks with Gunn Marie Hansen, the veteran Superintendent of Westminster School District. Drawing on her international perspective, Hansen shares her journey to the top office, lessons learned studying schools in Helsinki, and strategies for empowering female leaders. In this episode you'll learn: Why the most challenging part of a superintendent's job is managing and motivating peopleHow Finland's "whole child" approach and lack of over-assessment fosters incredible equityWhy female leaders must build strong networks to overcome structural barriers to promotionHow surviving a contract termination taught Gunn Marie to lead fearlessly with her core valuesWhy even veteran superintendents need a coach to confidentially unload and process challengesCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 02:19 Path to Superintendent 06:07 Learning the Whole Job 07:25 Hardest Part People 10:24 Keeping Teams Motivated 12:28 Global Trends and AI 16:13 League of Innovative Schools 20:33 Leadership Networking and Wrap

    Gunn Marie Hansen: Westminister School District

  6. Jun 30

    Kent Bechler: Leadership Associates

    What happens when a former basketball coach takes his playbook to the superintendent's office? In this episode, Nick Telford sits down with Kent Bechler, a former varsity basketball coach who now coaches and mentors superintendents across California as a Senior Partner at Leadership Associates. Kent explains why district leaders need coaches just like professional athletes do, and shares how to trade outdated "command and control" tactics for expert facilitation. In this episode you'll learn: Why working with the school board isn't an obstacle, it is your jobHow districts hit a seven-year cycle before needing to reinventWhy modern leaders must shift from command and control to facilitationHow asking more questions turns a good solution into a better oneWhy the higher you climb in district leadership, the less truth you hearCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 01:42 Superhero Origins Underdog 03:02 From Social Work to Teaching 04:50 Leading Three Districts 05:38 Why Retire and Coach 07:21 Mentors and Mentorship 08:40 Better Decisions Through Questions 13:38 Modern Superintendent as Facilitator 18:37 Boards Leadership Associates and Farewell

    Kent Bechler: Leadership Associates

  7. Jun 9

    Bob Taylor: Walnut Valley Unified School District

    What does it take to lead the same school district for 14 years while consistently building a culture that develops leaders who get recruited across the entire state?  In this episode of School District Superheroes, Nick Telford sits down with Bob Taylor, the Superintendent of Walnut Valley Unified School District in California. Broadcasting from a leadership retreat in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Bob shares his deep commitment to developing people at every level of his organization. From taking 50 district employees to learn leadership lessons on historic battlefields to running a state-wide Aspiring Superintendents Program, Bob reveals why true leadership requires investing heavily in others. Discover how his unparalleled longevity with a highly veteran school board has created a resilient, well-oiled district culture rooted in continuous learning. In this episode, you'll learn: How a year-long leadership program builds culture and ends with a Gettysburg tripWhy leaders must be "generalists" and lead subject experts by asking questionsHow "productive paranoia" helps leaders look ahead to make complex decisionsThe secret to Bob's 14-year tenure and the efficiency of a veteran school boardWhy losing top talent is a chance to adopt an "upgrade" mindset to thriveCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 01:41 Trip to Gettysburg  08:48 Other Leadership Initiatives 11:26 Aspiring Superintendents Program 16:31 Skills needed to lead experts 19:56 Secret to decades at the same district 24:54 Operating efficiency - pick up here 28:52 Making hard things look easy Learn more about Walnut Valley Unified School District

    Bob Taylor: Walnut Valley Unified School District

  8. May 26

    Gordon Amerson: Val Verde Unified School District

    In this episode of School District Superheroes, Nick Telford sits down with Dr. Gordon Amerson, Superintendent of Val Verde Unified School District, to discuss his unique path to education and his forward-thinking approach to school leadership In his early years, baseball was a big part of Gordon's future plans. Gordon shares his personal journey of being drafted by the San Diego Padres and playing for the New York Yankees organization, and how a career-ending hand injury led to a profound identity shift. With his mother's guidance, he found his true calling: inspiring the next generation as an educator. Gordon opens up about some of the hardest calls he's had to make, from choosing ethics over optics during a high school testing cheating scandal, to navigating the highly polarized political climate of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, you'll learn: Amerson's philosophy based on four pillars: Listen, Empower, Affirm, and Develop (L.E.A.D.)Why Val Verde Unified is a trailblazer in family engagementDetails about district initiatives funded by a $35 million Community Schools grantWhy Amerson isn't afraid of AI, instead advocating for administrators to use itCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 00:55 Meet Dr Amerson 01:28 Favorite Superheroes 03:01 From Sports To Schools 06:25 Injury And Identity Shift 09:40 Purpose And Providence 10:28 Modern Leadership Defined 14:12 Advice For Aspiring Supers 16:28 Hard Calls And Crisis Leadership 25:44 Val Verde Innovations 28:41 AI To Be More Human 31:35 Legacy And Side Projects 35:36 Final Thanks And Wrap

    Gordon Amerson: Val Verde Unified School District

  9. May 12

    Bruce Bivins: Perris Elementary School District

    In this episode of School District Superheroes, Nick Telford sits down with Bruce Bivins, Superintendent of Perris Elementary School District, to discuss how true leadership and holistic education can transform a school community. Bruce shares how growing up in an adopted family built on love and service shaped his lifelong desire to create a sense of belonging. He details his unique path to education, which included coaching youth, almost becoming a firefighter, and working with highly vulnerable populations like displaced foster youth and incarcerated teens. Bivins also shares the innovative work he's doing in the Perris school district. In this conversation, you'll learn: • Why the "command and control" mindset that dominated early 2000s education is broken • How a leadership style rooted in humility, curiosity, vulnerability, and trust is more effective • Why psychological safety is the absolute foundation for student success. • Why Perris emphasizes emotional intelligence and critical problem-solving • Innovative techniques, like classroom Zen zones, and campus sensory rooms  • How holistic strategies have led to decreases in suspensions and accelerated English literacy • Impact of enrichment programs like school gardens and a bike-riding program for kindergartners CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 00:48 Meet Bruce Bivins 01:18 Spider Man 01:54 Why Education Matters 02:54 Bruce’s Journey to Superintendent 08:04 Leadership Lessons Learned 10:08 Building Trust Over Control 12:32 Leading Teams in Practice 15:57 Belonging Before Learning 20:52 Whole Child Over Test Scores 21:59 Measuring What Matters 27:36 Perris Initiatives Spotlight 34:31 Legacy and Closing Thoughts Tune in to hear how Superintendent Bivins is working to leave a legacy of deep care, strong relationships, and a school culture where kids and families are the ultimate winners Learn more about Perris Elementary School District

    Bruce Bivins: Perris Elementary School District

  10. Apr 28

    Dr. Paul Marietti: Lancaster School District

    What does it mean to lead when you’re accountable for everything—but in control of very little? In this episode of School District Superheroes, Nick Telford sits down with Dr. Paul Marietti, Superintendent of Lancaster School District, to explore the realities of leadership at the highest level of public education. Dr. Marietti shares his journey from a blue-collar upbringing—where college wasn’t the expected path—to becoming a district leader responsible for thousands of students and staff. Along the way, he reflects on the power of mentorship, perseverance as a struggling student, and the defining influence of his mother’s belief in education. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful reframing of leadership: the superintendency isn’t about doing the work—it’s about owning the responsibility for it.  Together, they unpack:  The emotional and professional weight of leading a school district  Why leadership becomes less about control and more about trust  How to build alignment through clarity and consistent communication  The growing challenges of AI, misinformation, and student behavior  The expanding role of school districts as essential community support systems CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 01:25 Captain America 02:20 Blue Collar Roots 04:50 Struggling Student Lessons 07:19 First Superintendent Job 09:45 Hard Leadership Realities 13:36 Leading Without Control 16:25 Bold Leadership Today 20:29 Leadership Styles That Work 22:07 Skills Students Need Now 24:45 AI Guardrails In Schools 28:37 Lancaster Wins And Initiatives 31:20 Schools As Community Hub 34:03 Legacy And Closing Thoughts This episode offers a grounded, honest perspective on what it takes to lead in today’s educational landscape—and why the best leaders focus on building people, not just systems.

    Dr. Paul Marietti: Lancaster School District

  11. Apr 7

    Emy Flores: West Covina Unified School District

    Emy Flores’ story is one of resilience, opportunity, and purpose. After immigrating from Guatemala at age nine, Emy grew up in the projects of East Los Angeles, where instability and limited opportunity were a daily reality. School became her refuge—and the educators who believed in her changed the course of her life.  Today, she serves as Superintendent of West Covina Unified School District, where she is focused on creating the very opportunities that once changed her own trajectory. In this episode, Emy shares how her upbringing shaped her leadership, why resilience is at the core of student success, and how she is reimagining education through innovation, career pathways, and a deep commitment to student well-being. This conversation offers a powerful reminder of the impact educators can have—and what’s possible when students are seen, supported, and given the chance to thrive. Connect with Emy on LinkedIn Visit the West Covina Unified School District website

    Emy Flores: West Covina Unified School District

  12. Season 1 Trailer

    Introducing the 'School District Superheroes' Podcast

    What does it really take to lead a school district today? In this trailer episode of School District Superheroes, host Nick Telford introduces the show and why it's dedicated to the leaders who carry one of the most demanding—and impactful—roles in education: superintendents.  These are the individuals making high-stakes decisions, shaping vision, building teams, and ultimately influencing the opportunities available to thousands of students.  This podcast shines a light on the innovation, resilience, and leadership driving school districts forward across California. Through candid conversations, you’ll hear directly from superintendents and district leaders about:  How they navigate complex challenges  The values and mindsets that guide their decisions  The unique paths that led them into leadership  Their vision for the future of education Whether you’re a current or aspiring superintendent, educator, policymaker, or community member, this show offers an inside look at the people shaping the future of schools—and the students they serve. Subscribe to School District Superheroes to learn from the leaders putting the SUPER back in superintendents.

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The podcast that puts the SUPER back in Superintendent.  On School District Superheroes, the most innovative Superintendents share how they are reshaping the landscape of public education. From navigating funding realities and board dynamics to launching bold student initiatives and strengthening community partnerships, these district leaders share what it truly takes to lead at the highest level. Hosted by Nick Telford, co-founder and co-CEO of Elevo Learning.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Telford
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 School District Superheroes
  • Show Website
    School District Superheroes