AASA Radio- The American Association of School Administrators

About AASA Radio- The American Association of School Administrators

AASA Radio brings you school leaders who are fulfilling the promise of public education, every day in their communities. From AASA, The School Superintendents Association, these conversations cover what education leaders are doing to prepare every child for college, career, and real life in the real world. Our students only get one chance at a K-12 education and these quick, informative episodes will help administrators lead with purpose—creating schools where joy, belonging, and learning thrive to ensure children succeed now and in the future.

Publisher

BAM Radio Network

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Aug 2009

Latest episode

17 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

79 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Jul 2026

   The Public Education Promise Principle 5: Measuring What Matters

   In this episode, education leaders from across the country discuss the importance of measuring what truly matters in student success, focusing on broader indicators beyond traditional metrics. They explore innovative approaches to community engagement, policy integration, and practical implementation of these principles to prepare students for real life and engaged citizenship. Follow on X: @AASAHQ | @larawadem | @Jonharper70bd | @BAMRadioNetwork Related Resources: The Public Education Promise Dr. Kristine Gilmore is a respected national leader in public education and serves as the Chief Leadership and Learning Officer at AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In this role, she guides the organization’s work to strengthen leadership development, expand professional learning, and support superintendents across the country. Her efforts include shaping national programming for AASA’s Center of Leadership and Learning, building partnerships that enhance member services, and mentoring leaders who are preparing for or advancing within district-level roles. She collaborates with executive directors, thought partners, and education organizations to elevate effective practices, create learning experiences that reflect the needs of today’s schools, and champion the development of strong and diverse leadership pipelines. Dr. Michael J. Barnes is a passionate educator, experienced superintendent, and thought leader committed to transforming education through instructional leadership, innovation, and community engagement. With more than 30 years of experience in public education, Dr. Barnes has dedicated his career to helping students succeed by empowering teachers, fostering inclusive learning environments, and implementing forward-thinking strategies that drive academic and organizational excellence. Currently serving as the Superintendent of Mayfield City Schools, where he began his educational journey as a social studies teacher. Dr. Josh Swanson began his duties as superintendent of Eden Prairie Schools on August 21, 2017. Dr. Swanson has been a key member of district leadership since joining the district in October of 2012. As executive director of technology, his expertise and leadership was instrumental in the development and rollout of the district’s i-Learn initiative. As assistant superintendent, he assumed the role of key academic advisor to the superintendent. Prior to his tenure in Eden Prairie Schools, Dr. Swanson served as a paraprofessional, teacher, coach, middle school athletic director, assistant principal, consultant, student support services administrator, director of technology and information services.

2. 

   20 Apr 2026

   The Public Education Promise Principle 4: Building Family, Community, and Business Partnerships

   In today’s educational landscape, the role of family and community partnerships in student success cannot be overstated. Many schools struggle with establishing trust and collaboration with families and community members, but the benefits of doing so are immense. In this post, we will explore the significance of building highly engaged family, community, and business partnerships and share actionable insights from education leaders Ann Levett and Carol Birks. Dr. M. Ann Levett, is Senior Vice President, Leadership Network, AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Ann is a Savannah native and proud product of its public schools, was appointed superintendent of Savannah Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPSS) effective June 1, 2017, after serving as the deputy superintendent and the chief academic officer of the district. Immediately prior to returning to SCCPSS, she served as dean of the school of education at Middle Georgia State College. Prior to her tenure at Middle Georgia State College, Levett served as executive director of the School Development Program (SDP), a national school reform program at Yale University School of Medicine. In addition to coordinating SDP’s school-university partnerships across the U.S. and its territories, Levett led reform efforts in Dublin, Ireland, and Rennes, France. She also consulted on significant community development projects in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and several major U.S. cities. Dr. Carol D. Birks is a catalytic and transformational educational thought leader with extensive experience in organizational leadership, community engagement and empowerment, executive coaching and change management. The leadership practices she implements are designed to enhance the systems, structures, and practices within organizations to accelerate academic progress and promote systems thinking. Dr. Birks began her career as a teacher, quickly growing her administrative capacity by serving as a school, district, and state leader. These roles include Teacher, Assistant Principal & Principal for Bridgeport Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent, and Chief of Staff for Hartford Public Schools, and Superintendent of Schools for New Haven Public Schools, and Chester Upland School District. Currently, Dr. Birks is the Superintendent for the Allentown School District located in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

3. 

   17 Mar 2026

   The Public Education Promise Principle 3: Attracting, Hiring, Retaining, and Rewarding the Best People

   This panel discussion explores how public education is evolving through AASA’s Public Education Promise initiative, focusing on attracting, hiring, retaining, and rewarding top educational talent. Leaders from diverse districts share strategies, success stories, and resources to support school leaders nationwide. Follow on X: @AASAHQ | @larawadem | @Jonharper70bd | @BAMRadioNetwork Related Resources: The Public Education Promise Dr. Kristine Gilmore is a respected national leader in public education and serves as the Chief Leadership and Learning Officer at AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In this role, she guides the organization’s work to strengthen leadership development, expand professional learning, and support superintendents across the country. Her efforts include shaping national programming for AASA’s Center of Leadership and Learning, building partnerships that enhance member services, and mentoring leaders who are preparing for or advancing within district-level roles. She collaborates with executive directors, thought partners, and education organizations to elevate effective practices, create learning experiences that reflect the needs of today’s schools, and champion the development of strong and diverse leadership pipelines. Heidi Sipe has served as the Superintendent of the Umatilla School District since 2007. Born and raised in Eastern Washington, she began her work in Eastern Oregon in 2000 and developed a deep passion for rural education, especially for students of poverty and emerging bilingual students. Sipe is committed to After-School and STEAM programming to help students gain access to new ideas and develop interests in their communities, and beyond. Sipe previously chaired the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, served on the Oregon Taskforce on School Funding, was a founding councilor of the Oregon Educator Advancement Council and served two terms as Superintendent Advisor to the State Board of Education. She is currently on the Executive Committee for AASA, the national School Superintendents Association and served on the AASA Governance Committee for two terms. Dr. W. Burke Royster became the 10th Superintendent of Greenville County Schools, the 42nd largest district in the nation, in 2012. His tenure as Superintendent has been marked by significant advances in student achievement, with a particular focus on improving the District’s graduation rate and ensuring that students are college- and career-ready. In a nod to the progress achieved under his direction, Dr. Royster has been named an Education Week “Leader to Learn From,” was selected as the South Carolina Association of School Administrators’ 2018 Superintendent of the Year, and in 2023 was named to Greenville Business Magazine’s “50 Most Influential” Hall of Fame. He serves on the Governing Board of AASA, The School Superintendents’ Association, and is an active member of the Large Countywide and Suburban District Consortium, having served as its chair.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

333,241

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

3.7 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

17

Social presence

0

YouTube

82

Engagement

30

Contact AASA Radio- The American Association of School Administrators

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  The Daily

• 

  Crime Junkie

• 

  The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

• 

  The Deck