Productive Disruption

Rhodes Branding
  • 5.0 (5)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Productive Disruption is a podcast presented by Rhodes Branding, spotlighting bold and innovative ideas to reshape K-12 education.

  1. OCT 14

    Honoring Work: Why Every Career Pathway Deserves Respect

    In this episode, Rhodes Branding President Dan Wyar sits down with Co-Founder Thomas Rhodes to revisit Thomas’s op-ed Honoring Work — a heartfelt call to restore respect and dignity to every kind of job. Together, they explore how our culture’s relationship with work has shifted, why certain career paths remain undervalued, and what it means for schools preparing the next generation of workers. From family lessons about gratitude to today’s workforce challenges, this conversation connects the past and present in a powerful way. Whether you’re an educator, employer, or parent, you’ll walk away with a renewed appreciation for the importance of honoring all forms of work — and actionable ideas for helping students see every career as worthy of pride and purpose. Presented by Rhodes Branding, where we help schools and organizations tell their story and drive the future of education forward.

    25 min

  2. SEP 2

    Summer Isn’t the Off-Season: What Schools Miss About Enrollment Journeys

    Many schools treat summer like the off-season. Parents don’t. In this conversation, Dan Wyar (President of Rhodes Branding) and Ginny Kowalski (VP of Operations) share two very different enrollment journeys Ginny experienced as a parent this past summer. One school went quiet after enrollment. The other stayed connected with intentional touchpoints that built trust and confidence. The lessons are clear: summer is a critical stage of the enrollment journey. Every message, or every silence, shapes how families feel about your school. In this episode, we cover: Why silence creates friction for parents How consistent, intentional communication builds trust What K-12 schools can learn from higher ed’s “yield phase” Practical ways to engage families between enrollment and the first day of school If you’re a district or school leader looking to improve enrollment and parent satisfaction, this conversation will help you see summer in a new light.

    17 min

  3. FEB 26

    Mentorship in Action: A Student Video Project with ACTE

    Career & Technical Education (CTE) is about providing hands-on, real-world learning opportunities to students as they explore their passions to find their purpose. The Rhodes Branding team was thrilled to do just that by partnering with the Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) to mentor high school students in San Antonio, Texas, on a hands-on video production project for ACTE’s Coalition for Workforce Development Summit. Hear from two talented students how professional mentorship has helped shape their learning experience, the impact CTE has on their future goals, and what they’d tell their peers considering CTE.

    41 min

  4. FEB 18

    Advocating for CTE: Partnerships, Perceptions & Pathways

    Career & Technical Education (CTE) is transforming the future of education and workforce development. In this special CTE Month edition of Productive Disruption, host Dan Wyar sits down with three dynamic CTE leaders from across the country:  Chris Brida, Director of CTE & Advanced Coursework, Portland Public Schools (OR)  Leon Burgess, Director of Secondary Education, College & Career Readiness/CTE, Florence School District 3 (SC)  Melony Ritter, CTE Director, Cabarrus County Schools (NC) Together, they discuss the power of business and industry partnerships in shaping student success, how to advocate for CTE from the district to state policy level, breaking the outdated “Vo-Tech” stereotype, and more!

    42 min

  5. 10/17/2024

    Building Careers in Construction at Austin ISD

    In honor of Careers in Construction Month, we invited a Construction Technology Instructor and the Director of Career & Technical Education from Austin Independent School District to share how the construction pathway in the eighth-largest school district in Texas prepares students for successful careers in a lucrative industry. They cover how project-based courses through the pathway provide personal and professional growth and leadership opportunities for students, earned certifications position Austin ISD students ahead of their peers, and internships and mentorships convert to interviews and jobs. Careers in Construction Month is an annual campaign by the National Center Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and the Build Your Future organization to increase public awareness of construction careers and inspire the next generation of craft professionals. To l learn more, visit https://www.byf.org/careers-in-construction-month/#. Connect with Austin ISD’s Director of Career & Technical Education,Tammy Caesar, on LinkedIn and on Twitter (X) check out @caesar2656. Follow Austin ISD’s Career & Technical Education on Twitter (X) at @AISD_CTE.

    34 min

  6. 09/03/2024

    Innovating Teacher Pipelines: A Residency Model Success Story

    On this episode of Productive Disruption, we sit down with Channing Jones of Minneapolis Public Schools and Dr. Shelley Neilsen Gatti from the University of St. Thomas to explore the MPS + St. Thomas Teacher Residency – an innovative partnership that’s cultivating homegrown talent, increasing diversity among educators, and creating a sustainable, supportive pathway to teaching. Discover how this residency model is breaking down barriers, filling the teacher pipeline with diverse and qualified educators, and strengthening the workforce in Minneapolis.

    46 min

  7. 08/09/2024

    Part of the Pack: Dothan City Schools’ Elementary Rebrand

    Go behind the scenes of a successful, 10-school rebrand with Dothan City Schools and Rhodes Branding! Get the scoop on this district-agency partnership from Dothan’s Public Relations Officer Meagan Dorsey and our Creative Director Michael Ho. Learn what goes into the creation, launch, and community adoption of 10 new visual identities that align Dothan City Schools’ elementaries with the district-wide Wolfpack pride! Show Notes: Connect with Meagan Dorsey on LinkedIn , and on Twitter (X) check out @MeaganDorsey17. Dothan City Schools is on Facebook and Twitter (X) at @DCSdothan.

    33 min

  8. 04/01/2024

    Cultivating Relationships & Belonging in Online Schools

    Discover how leaders can create a supportive and inclusive online school culture. Dive into the digital realm of education with Alicia Hughes, an expert in organizational leadership in the virtual space – having pioneered a virtual public charter school that continues to thrive on collaboration and relationships. In this episode, Alicia shares tried-and-true strategies for setting professional and academic expectations while fostering a strong sense of community and belonging among staff and students in a fully virtual environment. Alicia is a virtual space expert, having over 14 years in the remote workspace and over a decade in virtual leadership. She is the former Executive Director of South Carolina Connections Academy, the largest public school in the state of SC, a soon-to-be author, and founder of Sparking Up Leadership Consulting – where she uses her experience to empower and inspire others seeking to lead in the virtual space. Connect with Alicia Hughes on LinkedIn, and for information on Sparking Up Leadership Consulting, check out sparkingupleadership.com and "Sparking Up Leadership" on Facebook.

    33 min
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5 Ratings

About

Productive Disruption is a podcast presented by Rhodes Branding, spotlighting bold and innovative ideas to reshape K-12 education.

Information

  • Creator
    Rhodes Branding
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rhodes Branding
  • Show Website
    Productive Disruption