Education Unlocked is the podcast where superintendents, district leaders, school administrators, and education innovators share the strategies transforming learning at scale.
Hosted by Sri Narayanan, founder and CEO of Kodely, each episode goes beyond surface conversations to explore the real systems change happening in districts nationwide.
If you’re a district leader, school administrator, policymaker, or education entrepreneur, this is your front-row seat to scalable ideas, proven playbooks, and inspiring leadership driving change for millions of students.
Host Dr. Renae Bryant shares her journey from instructional assistant to educational leader, advocating for multilingual learners and empowering choice in education.
4 Jun 2026
Growing Leaders: Cultivating Courage and Connection in Education
Host Dr. Kimberly MacKinney discusses cultivating authentic educational leadership through connection, purpose, and empowering diverse learners in this interview.
2 Jun 2026
Unlocking Equity: From Identity to Impact in Education
Dr. Tracie Tagamolila-Noriega shares her journey from immigrant daughter to educational equity leader, highlighting Ethnic Studies' impact on identity and her career in education.
29 May 2026
Be Authentic, Lead With Love
Dr. Erin M. Simon, Superintendent of Bellflower Unified School District, shares her journey and insights on implementing authentic, love-centered leadership to ensure student equity in this interview with the host of Education Unlocked.
22 Apr 2026
Relationships Over Results with Dr. Gordon Amerson
Host Sri and Dr. Gordon Amerson, Superintendent of Val Verde Unified, discuss AI, leadership burnout, and mentorship, emphasizing human connection as essential for sustainable leadership in education.
1 Feb 2026
Schools Can Revitalize Communities: A Conversation with Dr. Pedro Noguera
Host [Host Name] interviews Dr. Pedro Noguera, Dean of USC Rossier School of Education, about how schools revitalize communities and drive student success.
29 Jan 2026
Leading at Scale: Equity, Impact, and the Future of Public Education
Host Michael Horn interviews Dr. Vivian Ekchian, Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, about leading public education systems to advance equity and student success.
21 Jan 2026
Leading With Purpose: Transformational Leadership & the Power of Parent Engagement
Host Dr. Terri Daniels, 2024 California Principal of the Year, shares insights on transformational leadership and authentic parent engagement to drive student success in this interview.
9 Jan 2026
The Expanded Learning Exchange
Host Sri Narayanan interviews Dr. Jessica Black, Expanded Learning Opportunities Coordinator, about leading beyond the bell with empathy, access, and belonging.
Host Dr. Michael Thompson interviews education leader Elizabeth Oberreiter about innovations shaping tomorrow's classrooms and fostering school growth.
13 Nov 2025
Reinventing HR in Education: Culture, Courage, and Putting People First
In this episode, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ryan Smith breaks down what it really means to lead HR in a modern school district—far beyond paperwork, contracts, and compliance. Drawing on nearly 30 years in education leadership, Ryan shares how culture, courage, and people-centered systems shape every aspect of district success.
He discusses the shift from traditional HR to strategic, purpose-driven leadership; the role of empathy in labor relations; the impact of strong staffing alignment; and how AI is rapidly transforming HR workflows. Ryan also reflects on the mindset required to build trust, navigate negotiations, and support the people who support students.
30 Oct 2025
From Classroom to Leadership: Chad Freeman on What Students Need to Thrive
In this episode, Chad Freeman, Assistant Director of Student Services at Alvord Unified School District, shares his journey from the classroom to district leadership-and the insights he’s gained along the way. We explore how Alvord is redefining student success through belonging, equity, and innovation in student services. From real stories of impact to the future of student support systems, Chad offers a thoughtful look at what it truly means to meet students where they are and help them thrive.
7 Oct 2025
A Conversation with Superintendent Dr. Amy Alzina
In this inaugural episode, I sit down with Superintendent Dr. Amy Alzina to unpack the real strategies that drive excellence at scale.
We discuss how she builds a thriving school culture, leverages deep community partnerships, and leads with a clear, student-centered vision that has produced exceptional outcomes year after year.
For superintendents, district leaders, and administrators looking for practical insights and bold ideas to transform their systems—this conversation sets the tone for what Education Unlocked is all about.
Listen to Episode 1 and hear what’s possible when leadership meets innovation.
Who has been a guest on Education Unlocked
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Renae Bryant
Dr Kimberly MacKinney
Tracie Tagamolila-Noriega
Dr Erin M Simon
Gordon Amerson
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