On Beyond the Box, host Dr. Ronald G. Taylor sits down with Peter McWain, Executive Director for Curriculum & Instruction at Santa Fe Public Schools, to unpack what it really takes to design equitable, standards-aligned learning beyond a boxed program. Peter shares the story behind founding an early college high school built for first-generation students, why he prioritizes growth over proficiency, and how federal funding can be braided to expand learning time and opportunity. Together, they explore what strong curriculum systems look like in practice, how to build teacher capacity (especially in districts with many alternative-licensure educators), and how leaders can fill gaps in instructional materials while keeping expectations high and learning relevant. Key Moments 03:26 Why Peter founded an Early College High School for first-generation students 05:45 Growth vs. proficiency and how to measure real success 07:14 Context behind outcomes, poverty, and why growth tells the fuller story 08:21 Federal funding and balancing mandates with local instructional autonomy 09:23 Braided funding, compliance realities, and planning amid uncertainty 12:55 Access to rigorous curriculum starts with strong foundations and alignment 14:02 The “Opportunity Myth” lesson and why standards alignment matters 15:19 Why teacher capacity is the real lever, not a perfect program 19:13 Building systems that support grade-level instruction for every classroom 20:27 What culturally responsive teaching looks like in real practice 22:32 Extending learning with 21st Century programming tied to core instruction 32:09 Professional development that sticks through change, coaching, and continuity Why You’ll Love This EpisodeThis conversation is practical and honest about what district leaders are up against, from boxed programs that need customization to the real lift of compliance, training, and implementation. Peter breaks down how high expectations, aligned materials, and sustained support help students access rigorous learning without leaving teachers to figure it out alone. You will also hear clear, actionable ideas for building coherent systems. From using growth measures to tell the true story of progress, to braiding funds and designing professional learning that leads to real classroom practice, this episode offers strategies leaders can apply right away. Connect with Peter McWain | Executive Director for Curriculum & Instruction, Santa Fe Public SchoolsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-mcwain-26024b91/Website: https://www.sfps.info/ Connect with Dr. Ronald G. TaylorLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ronald-taylor-59999981/ NovoDiaWebsite: https://www.novodia.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/novodiaed/ About Beyond the BoxBeyond the Box is the podcast where district leaders share how they are customizing curriculum to better serve teachers and students, and how they are filling gaps in boxed programs to ensure alignment and consistency. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Beyond the Box for more conversations on curriculum, instruction, and equity-focused leadership.
