Praxis Journeys

ETS Praxis
  • 5.0 (2)
  • EDUCATION

Praxis Journeys explores the paths of today’s most influential leaders in education and the real-world strategies they use to drive change. Each episode features candid conversations on pressing topics like teacher recruitment, AI in the classroom, district leadership, building strong school cultures, and more. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or advocate, you'll walk away with actionable insights to inform your own journey and help students thrive.

Episodes

  1. 12/23/2025

    The Transformative Power of Teachers: A Conversation with Dr. John B. King Jr.

    In this inspiring episode, Praxis Journeys welcomes Dr. John B. King Jr.—former U.S. Secretary of Education, lifelong advocate for equity, and author of “Teacher by Teacher.” Dr. King shares his personal journey from a childhood shaped by loss and adversity to a career dedicated to championing educators and student success. Through heartfelt stories, he highlights the profound impact teachers have on individual lives and entire communities. Dr. King reflects on the healing role of schools, the importance of mentorship, and the critical need for strong partnerships between families and educators. He discusses pressing challenges in education today, including teacher shortages, chronic absenteeism, and the evolving landscape shaped by technology and AI. Dr. King offers actionable insights on preparing and supporting teachers, building effective mentorship programs, and fostering career readiness for students. This episode is a call to action for everyone invested in education—parents, teachers, policymakers, and community members—to work together in creating environments where every child can thrive. Dr. King’s optimism and practical wisdom will leave you inspired to make a difference, one student and one teacher at a time. Disclaimer: This episode was recorded on October 7, 2025. The interview reflects Dr. John B. King Jr.’s personal views and was conducted in his personal capacity.

    54 min

  2. 12/09/2025

    From Red Tape to Real Outcomes with The Hunt Institute

    As the role of the U.S. Department of Education shifts, states and districts face both uncertainty and opportunity. Host Vinay Ganti sits down with Terri Conrad, Ed.D. and Dr. Jaalil Hart of the Hunt Institute to explore how leaders can “act as if” by building capacity, strengthening data systems, and planning for impact over personalities. They discuss bright spots like Virginia’s English Learner Network, lessons from ESSER funding, and why science‑of‑reading implementation must be sequenced thoughtfully alongside math. The conversation tackles teacher recruitment and retention, innovative staffing models, and the power of mayoral partnerships to address affordability and workforce pathways. Finally, the guests preview the Hunt Institute’s Across the Aisle survey—rolling out in January—which surfaces what voters, parents, and educators actually agree on, beyond the “red‑meat” noise. If you care about moving from compliance to outcomes—and doing it sustainably—this episode is a practical roadmap for state and local leaders.

    46 min

  3. 11/25/2025

    Rewiring Leadership: Sydnee Dickson on Building the Future of Education

    In this inspiring episode of Praxis Journeys, lifelong educator and former Utah State Superintendent Sydnee Dickson shares her journey from classroom teacher to policy leader—and now, special advisor at the University of Utah. She reflects on the power of continuous improvement, the importance of teacher and leader pipelines, and how educator preparation must evolve to meet today’s challenges.  From innovative school-university partnerships to the promise of AI in teacher development, Sydnee offers bold ideas for building more inclusive, flexible, and future-ready learning environments.

    37 min

  4. 11/11/2025

    Rick Surrency on Building Systems for Lasting Impact in Rural Education

    In this episode of Praxis Journeys, host Vinay Ganti sits down with Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County School District in Northeast Florida. Dr. Surrency shares his unique perspective as an elected superintendent, discussing how community engagement and long-term systems thinking have transformed his district. From innovative teacher retention strategies and employee wellness initiatives to dramatic improvements in graduation rates, Dr. Surrency reveals the “secret sauce” behind Putnam’s success. Listeners will hear how rural districts can leverage partnerships, expand STEM opportunities, and connect curriculum to real-world careers—including pathways to the space industry. Whether you’re an education leader, policymaker, or advocate, this episode offers practical insights on sustaining change, building relevant programs, and preparing students for jobs that don’t even exist yet. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation, and the power of looking beyond your district walls to create lasting impact.

    28 min

  5. 10/28/2025

    Transforming Education: The 2Revolutions Approach

    In this episode of Praxis Journeys, Adam Rubin, founder and CEO of 2Revolutions, joins us to explore how education innovation is reshaping the future of K–12 education. From teacher training and capacity building to state policy and personalized learning, Rubin shares how his organization is driving systemic change through learner-centered and equity-focused approaches. We dive into the power of leadership development, the importance of high-leverage teaching practices, and the role of Praxis and ETS in enhancing teacher induction and professional growth. Rubin also discusses the “devolution of dollars” and how it opens doors for local innovation. With optimism and clarity, he paints a compelling picture of a future built on competency-based learning and expanded opportunities for all students.

    34 min

  6. 10/14/2025

    Global Solutions for Local Shortages: The Power of International Teachers

    In this episode of Praxis Journeys, we sit down with Jeff Horton to explore how international teachers are helping U.S. schools address critical staffing shortages. From recruitment and onboarding to retention and cultural exchange, Jeff shares insights into the strategic value of international educators and the systems that support their success.  Learn how districts can build inclusive communities, streamline hiring through partnerships, and invest in long-term staffing solutions that reflect the diversity of their student populations. Whether you're a school leader, HR professional, or education advocate, this conversation offers practical takeaways for transforming teacher recruitment and enriching the classroom experience.

    48 min

  7. 09/30/2025

    Leading Through Change: How The New Leaders Organization is Shaping the Future of K–12 Education

    In this powerful episode of Praxis Journeys, host Vinay Ganti sits down with Jean Desravines, CEO of New Leaders, and Denise Dennis, Chief of the National Aspiring Principals Fellowship, to explore the evolving role of school leadership in today’s complex educational landscape. From the lasting impacts of the pandemic and political polarization to the rise of AI and workforce development, Jean and Denise unpack the urgent challenges—and bold opportunities—facing K–12 schools. They share how New Leaders is responding with innovative programs like the National Aspiring Principals Fellowship and a new AI-embedded Accelerator for paraprofessionals, all designed to build a more representative, resilient, and future-ready leadership pipeline. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or just passionate about the future of education, this episode offers a hopeful and actionable vision for how we can reimagine schools as engines of equity, opportunity, and community transformation. 🎧 Tune in to hear: Why school leadership is more demanding—and more essential—than everHow New Leaders is tackling burnout and the leadership pipeline crisisThe power of community, coaching, and personal leadership in principal preparationHow AI and workforce development are reshaping the future of teaching and leading

    28 min

  8. 09/16/2025

    Building Joyful Schools: George Philhower's Journey to Leading with Purpose

    In this inspiring episode, we sit down with George Philhower, Superintendent of Eastern Hancock Schools in rural Indiana, to explore how intentional leadership and a commitment to culture can transform a district. George shares his personal journey—from overcoming learning challenges as a student to becoming a passionate advocate for joy, connection, growth, and success in education. Listeners will hear how Eastern Hancock became a school of choice for 40% of its students, despite its remote location and lack of transportation. George reveals the district’s innovative practices, including hiring parties, a Director of Employee Experience, and the nationally recognized Joy Jam conference. We also dive into Eastern Hancock’s reimagined teacher evaluation system, designed to foster felt safety, professional growth, and peer collaboration. Whether you're a school leader, educator, or simply curious about what it takes to build a joyful school culture, this episode offers practical insights and heartfelt inspiration.

    39 min

  9. 09/02/2025

    James Lane on Redefining the Future of Education: Leadership, Assessment, and the Teacher Pipeline

    In this episode of Praxis Journeys, Vinay Ganti sits down with James Lane, former state superintendent and current leader of K16 initiatives at ETS, to explore the evolving landscape of education. From tackling the national teacher shortage to reimagining assessments with AI, James shares powerful insights drawn from his career across every level of the education system. They discuss the urgent need for leadership pipelines, sustainable budgeting post-ESSER, and the promise of programs like Educators Rising. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or edtech innovator, this conversation offers a compelling vision for the future of teaching, learning, and leadership.

    37 min

  10. 08/19/2025

    Rishabh Khanna’s Vision for Global Education

    Step into the world of global education transformation with Rishabh Khanna, founder of Surasa and a passionate advocate for elevating teaching as a borderless, aspirational profession. In this podcast, Rishabh shares his journey from serendipitous beginnings in education to building a platform that empowers teachers across continents. We explore how Surasa is redefining teacher training, enabling international mobility, and partnering with organizations like ETS Praxis to address global teacher shortages. Whether you're an educator, school leader, or simply curious about the future of learning, this podcast offers a front-row seat to the movement that's making teaching a truly global career.

    27 min

  11. 08/05/2025

    Rotunda Floyd-Cooper on Building Stronger Schools with the Wallace Foundation

    In this episode of Praxis Journeys, Rotunda Floyd-Cooper, Vice President of Education Leadership at the Wallace Foundation, shares her inspiring path from high school math teacher to national systems leader. She reflects on how her classroom experiences shaped her approach to supporting school leadership and why mentorship, context, and collaboration are key to building thriving schools.

    28 min

  12. 07/22/2025

    Service Above Self: How Susan Enfield Leads with Heart in Public Education

    In this inspiring episode, former superintendent and educational leader Susan Enfield shares her journey from high school English teacher to leading some of the nation’s most complex school districts. With a deep commitment to equity, respect, and service, Susan reflects on the values that shaped her leadership style, the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in education, and why modeling “health and family first” is essential for sustainable leadership. Now stepping into her new role as Executive Director at the Center for Educational Leadership at the University of Washington, Susan discusses the future of K–12 leadership, the power of informal learning networks, and her work co-founding the Network of Distinguished Educators. She also opens up about her book On Fire, Under Fire, or Fired, which captures the untold stories of superintendents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or leadership enthusiast, this episode offers powerful insights into what it means to lead with heart in today’s educational landscape.

    35 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Praxis Journeys explores the paths of today’s most influential leaders in education and the real-world strategies they use to drive change. Each episode features candid conversations on pressing topics like teacher recruitment, AI in the classroom, district leadership, building strong school cultures, and more. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or advocate, you'll walk away with actionable insights to inform your own journey and help students thrive.

Information

  • Creator
    ETS Praxis
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Praxis Journeys
  • Show Website
    Praxis Journeys