OnYourMark is a mission-driven podcast exploring how high-dosage virtual tutoring can close early literacy gaps and expand opportunity for students across the country. Through conversations with superintendents, chief academic officers, and education leaders, the show dives into scalable solutions that merge human connection with data-driven instruction. The tone is intelligent, purposeful, and compassionate, focused on equity, access, and impact
OnYourMark Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Mindy Sjoblom
5.0(1 reviews)
9 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
OnYourMark is a mission-driven podcast exploring how high-dosage virtual tutoring can close early literacy gaps and expand opportunity for students across the country. Through conversations with superintendents, chief academic officers, and education leaders, the show dives into scalable solutions that merge human connection with data-driven instruction. The tone is intelligent, purposeful, and compassionate, focused on equity, access, and impact
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/21/2025
Reach the team behind OnYourMark Podcast
Verified contact details for this show aren't on file yet — sign up to get notified when they land.
Recent Episodes
July 1, 2026
Strengthening Literacy Pathways: How Readers Are Being Supported in Haverhill Public Schools
<p>In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Margaret Marotta Smith, Superintendent of Haverhill Public Schools, and Bonnie Antkowiak, Principal in Haverhill Public Schools.</p><p>Together, they share how Haverhill is building stronger, more coherent literacy systems across grade levels, from early reading instruction to secondary literacy and high-dosage tutoring.</p><p>Mindy, Margaret, and Bonnie discuss what makes Haverhill special, including its deep community pride, diverse student population, and strong pathways for educators to grow within the district. They also explore how high-quality instructional materials, thoughtful implementation, MTSS, and tutoring are helping more students access grade-level learning and build confidence as readers.</p><p><br><strong>Key Moments<br></strong><br>03:22 What makes Haverhill Public Schools special</p><p>05:40 Growing educators from within the community</p><p>07:40 Supporting diverse learners through cohesive curriculum and MTSS</p><p>09:47 Why Haverhill was named a Spotlight District for secondary literacy</p><p>10:20 Implementing high-quality instructional materials in high school</p><p>12:13 Leading through teacher pushback with flexibility and support</p><p>15:18 Supporting struggling readers with interventionists and co-teaching</p><p>17:28 Building coherence across K–8 literacy instruction</p><p>20:15 Using data to strengthen Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 supports</p><p>22:52 How high-dosage tutoring fits into Haverhill’s literacy system</p><p>28:08 Student investment and relationships in virtual tutoring</p><p>30:02 Funding literacy priorities through grants and community partnerships</p><p>32:05 A five-year vision for Haverhill’s literacy outcomes</p><p><br><strong>Why You’ll Love This Episode<br></strong><br>If you care about literacy systems, implementation, and making sure every student has access to strong instruction, this episode offers a practical look inside district leadership. Margaret and Bonnie share how Haverhill is aligning resources to priorities, supporting teachers through change, and expanding reading intervention so more students can grow with confidence.</p><p><strong>Connect with Margaret Marotta Smith and Bonnie Antkowiak<br></strong>Haverhill Public Schools: <a href="https://www.haverhill-ps.org/">https://www.haverhill-ps.org/</a> <br>Margaret Marotta Smith LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-marotta-smith-47508926">https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-marotta-smith-47508926</a> <br>Bonnie Antkowiak LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-antkowiak-8051463b/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-antkowiak-8051463b/</a> </p><p><strong>Follow Us:<br></strong>Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom</a> <br>OnYourMarkWebsite: <a href="https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/">https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/</a> <br>OnYourMark LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education">https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education</a> </p><p><strong>About OnYourMark Podcast<br></strong>The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child.</p><p>👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.</p>
June 17, 2026
Leading with Equity, Literacy, and Heart: Dr. Theresa Rouse’s Journey Transforming Joliet Public Schools District 86
<p>In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86 in Illinois.</p><p>With more than 30 years in education and 16 years as a superintendent, Dr. Rouse reflects on her journey from classroom teacher to district leader and shares how a commitment to equity, cultural proficiency, and whole-child support has shaped nearly a decade of transformation in Joliet.</p><p>Mindy and Dr. Rouse discuss the district’s equity journey, the importance of examining personal biases before changing systems, and the intentional literacy strategies helping students recover and accelerate after the pandemic. They also explore the role of music, art, social-emotional learning, and community trust in creating schools where every child can thrive. As Dr. Rouse prepares for retirement in 2027, she reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave behind—and the torch she hopes to pass forward.</p><p><strong>Key Moments<br></strong><br>01:19 Dr. Rouse’s path from classroom teacher to superintendent</p><p>03:11 Arriving in Joliet and uncovering the district’s biggest challenge</p><p>06:12 Beginning the district’s cultural proficiency and equity journey</p><p>08:19 Personal reflection, bias, and leadership growth</p><p>09:55 Leading difficult conversations as a new superintendent</p><p>12:44 Why meaningful organizational change took two years to build</p><p>16:33 Results of the district’s equity-focused approach</p><p>20:19 Embedding equity into strategic planning and hiring practices</p><p>21:37 What literacy through an equity lens looks like in practice</p><p>22:43 Strengthening kindergarten literacy through targeted support</p><p>25:28 Recovering from pandemic learning loss and accelerating growth</p><p>26:15 Building coherent literacy systems across the district</p><p>28:24 Supporting multilingual learners through resources and access</p><p>29:49 Selecting and implementing Wit & Wisdom as a core curriculum</p><p>31:04 Why social-emotional learning is foundational to academic success</p><p>33:33 The role of music and art in educating the whole child</p><p>37:30 Preparing for retirement and passing the torch to the next leader</p><p>38:21 New schools, facility investments, and leaving a lasting legacy</p><p><br><strong>Why You’ll Love This Episode<br></strong><br>If you care about educational equity, literacy leadership, and creating systems that truly serve all students, this conversation is a must-listen. Dr. Rouse offers a thoughtful and deeply personal perspective on leading change, supporting educators, and ensuring every child has access to the opportunities they deserve. Her reflections on leadership, community trust, and whole-child education provide valuable lessons for district leaders at every stage of their journey.</p><p><br><strong>Connect with Dr. Theresa Rouse</strong> <br>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-rouse-ed-d-bb65521a">https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-rouse-ed-d-bb65521a</a> <br>Website: <a href="https://www.joliet86.org/">https://www.joliet86.org/</a><br> </p><p><strong>Follow Us:<br></strong>Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom</a> <br>OnYourMarkWebsite: <a href="https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/">https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/</a> <br>OnYourMark LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education">https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education</a><br> </p><p><strong>About OnYourMark Podcast<br></strong>The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child.</p><p>👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.</p>
March 25, 2026
Inside Greenwich’s Literacy Success: Strategy, Consistency, and Community Involvement
<p>In this episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Toni Jones, Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools in Connecticut, for a deep and honest conversation about what it really takes to build successful early literacy programs in schools. Dr. Toni Jones shares her remarkable career journey across different states and countries, and how those diverse experiences shaped her commitment to equity in education.</p><p>Together, they dive into the unique challenges of leading a high-performing yet economically diverse district, facing persistent achievement gaps, and pivoting through the disruptive years of COVID-19. Dr. Toni Jones opens up about the strategic decisions that helped level the playing field for all students, including system-wide literacy initiatives, targeted use of federal funds, consistent implementation of high-quality instructional materials, and innovative tutoring and volunteer programs.</p><p>Throughout the episode, you’ll hear practical insights on leveraging data, building strong principal leadership, fostering collaboration over competition, and making the most of available resources, no matter the budget. Mindy Sjoblom and Dr. Toni Jones also look ahead to the future of education, exploring the impact of artificial intelligence, the need to prepare students for an ever-changing world, and what’s next for Greenwich’s Achieve 2028 strategic plan.</p><p>Key Moments</p><p>06:21 Improving Literacy Through Phonics</p><p>07:45 Balanced Literacy for All Students</p><p>10:51 Achieving Literacy Success</p><p>14:54 Streamlined Math Resource Adoption</p><p>19:14 Greenwich's Strong Volunteer Community</p><p>21:10 MTSS Leadership and Power Tutoring</p><p>26:29 Strategic Problem-Solving Through Data</p><p>29:37 "Resource Allocation for Education Effectiveness"</p><p>33:18 Adapting Education for AI Future</p><p>36:07 Implementing and Exploring AI in Schools</p><p>39:04 AI Translation and Education Tools</p><p><br>Why You’ll Love This Episode</p><p>If you’re working to improve early literacy outcomes without losing sight of equity, this episode is packed with practical insight. Dr. Toni Jones shares how to move from inconsistent practices to a clear, districtwide system that delivers results, especially for students who need it most. You’ll hear how consistency, strategic use of resources, and data-driven decision-making can close gaps, strengthen instruction, and support teachers at scale. Plus, the conversation offers a real look at balancing structure with student engagement, and what it takes to lead meaningful change across diverse schools.</p><p><br>Connect with Dr. Toni Jones</p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtonijones">https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtonijones</a> <br>Website: <a href="https://www.greenwichschools.org/">https://www.greenwichschools.org/</a> </p><p>Follow Us:<br>Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom</a></p><p>OnYourMark<br>Website: <a href="https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/">https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/</a><br>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education">https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education</a></p><p><br>About OnYourMark Podcast</p><p>The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child.</p><p>👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.</p>
9 total episodes available
Deep-dive analytics for OnYourMark Podcast
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is OnYourMark Podcast?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.