Journey to Greatness: Navigating the K-12 Landscape

About Journey to Greatness: Navigating the K-12 Landscape

Welcome to "Journey to Greatness: Navigating the K-12 Landscape," the podcast dedicated to exploring the ever-evolving world of K-12 education. Hosted by Gary Springer and Dr. Christiansen from Charter Schools USA, this engaging series tackles the critical issues and exciting innovations that shape the educational experiences of students, educators, and families. Join us as we dive deep into the mission of fostering student greatness in school and in life, guided by our core values of Purpose, Passion, Integrity, and Grit. Each episode features insightful discussions on pressing topics, including the importance of adult champions in schools, the role of extracurricular activities, community service, and responsible social media usage. All of this is aimed at our promise of Strong Minds, Good Hearts™. We invite educators, parents, students, and advocates to share their experiences and perspectives, creating a dynamic community dedicated to improving the K-12 landscape. Together, we will uncover strategies for empowering the next generation while celebrating the achievements that lead us all on this journey to greatness. Subscribe now and embark on a path filled with inspiration, insight, and advocacy for a brighter future in K-12 education!

Publisher

Gary Springer and Dr. David Christiansen

Category

education · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Sept 2024

Latest episode

3 Jul 2025

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Jul 2025

   Episode 11 - Recap of the 24-25 School Year

   Gary and Dr. C review the 2024-2025 school year, discussing the growth and successes of the CSUSA family of schools and future directions.

2. 

   18 Mar 2025

   Episode 10 - Mid-Year State of the 24/25 School Year

   In our past 4 episodes, Gary and Dr. C spoke to leaders at all four Charter Schools USA states. In this follow up meeting, our hosts will chat about the mid-year state of Charter Schools USA and education in the 24/25 school year as a whole. Topics include focusing on how adult mentorship positively affects both students and teachers, student engagement in class and in the school culture, the ever-changing nature of technology in education, and more. For more information about our podcast or to reach out to the hosts, please email us at journeypodcast@charterschoolsusa.com.

3. 

   12 Feb 2025

   Episode 9 - Interview With Susan Gibson

   On today's episode, our hosts Gary and Dr. C interview Susan Gibson, Director for the State of South Carolina at Charter Schools USA. During this interview, Director Gibson talks about her experiences working with charter schools, the growth currently being seen in the state, the strong connections being built between the schools and their communities, and much more. For more information about our podcast or to reach out to the hosts, please email us at journeypodcast@charterschoolsusa.com.

4. 

   24 Jan 2025

   Episode 8 - Interview with Dave Machado

   On today's episode, our hosts Gary and Dr. C interview Dave Machado, Superintendent for the State of North Carolina at Charter Schools USA. During this interview, Superintendent Machado talks about his early experiences with charter schools and the school choice movement, his positive experiences with adult champions for students, creating service projects and the positive impacts this will have on students, restricting phone usage, and much more. For more information about our podcast or to reach out to the hosts, please email us at journeypodcast@charterschoolsusa.com.

5. 

   8 Jan 2025

   Episode 7 - Interview with Dr. Eddie Ruiz

   On today's episode, our hosts Gary and Dr. C interview Dr. Eddie Ruiz, Superintendent for the State of Florida at Charter Schools USA. During this interview, Dr. Ruiz talks about his lengthy educational background in Florida and beyond, how adult champions helped to shape and support him in his childhood, his excitement for Leader In Me schools where students take greater ownership of the school environment, the positive reports of removing cell phones in Florida schools, and much more. For more information about our podcast or to reach out to the hosts, please email us at journeypodcast@charterschoolsusa.com.

6. 

   24 Dec 2024

   Episode 6 - Interview with Dr. Lonnie Luce

   On today's episode, our hosts Gary and Dr. C interview Dr. Lonnie Luce, Deputy for the State of Louisiana at Charter Schools USA. During this interview, Dr. Luce talks about his background in education and education leadership, the existing and upcoming schools currently in Louisiana, involving adult champions and local governments in the lives of their students, how Charter Schools USA has been helping families that have been deeply affected by recent natural disasters, and how CSUSA schools in Louisiana have been working with the changing face of technology in education. For more information about our podcast or to reach out to the hosts, please email us at journeypodcast@charterschoolsusa.com.

7. 

   3 Dec 2024

   Episode 4 - Student Involvement and Service

   Gary and Dr. C discuss the transformative power of student involvement and service, highlighting its positive impact on health and wellness and fostering a culture of selflessness in schools.

8. 

   3 Dec 2024

   Episode 5 - Responsible Use of Cell Phones and Social Media

   Hosts Gary and Dr. C discuss responsible use of cell phones and social media in K-12 education, exploring the impact of technology on student involvement and service.

9. 

   22 Oct 2024

   Episode 3 - The Importance of Extracurricular Activites, Part 2

   On today's episode, our hosts Gary and Dr. C speak about the importance and benefits of students engaged in extracurricular activites. Topics include the rise of Esports, the role of parents in their child's extracurricular involvement, building relationships, and a final reflection on extracurriculars for the students and school environment. Today's episode references the following articles: National Education Association Education Week For more information about our podcast or to reach out to the hosts, please email us at journeypodcast@charterschoolsusa.com.

10. 

    8 Oct 2024

    Episode 2 - The Importance of Extracurricular Activities, Part 1

    On today's episode, our hosts Gary and Dr. C speak about the importance and benefits of students engaged in extracurricular activites. Listen in as they chat about their own past experience in extracurriculars and how it shaped their own academic careers, social connections and feelings of belonging, how extracurriculars can help to promote and shape the school environment, its effect on college admissions, and more. Today's episode references the following articles: Society for Social Work and Research (https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/693117) Journal of Physical Activity and Health For more information about our podcast or to reach out to the hosts, please email us at journeypodcast@charterschoolsusa.com.

11. 

    25 Sept 2024

    Episode 1 - Welcome To Our Podcast!

    Welcome to Episode 1 of Journey to Greatness! On today's episode, Dr. David Christiansen and Gary Springer will dive into the impetus, reasons, and ideas behind creating the Journey to Greatness podcast, what they hope to deliver, and topics you can anticipate from each episode. If you'd like to reach out, email us at journeypodcast@charterschoolsusa.com.

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100

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

Quality

23

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Journey to Greatness: Navigating the K-12 Landscape

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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