Swimming Upstream

About Swimming Upstream

Swimming Upstream host Tom Luna, is a former school board member was privileged to serve as a Senior Advisor to US Sec of Education Rod Paige. He also served for eight years as Idaho's State Superintendent of Public Instruction. During that time, he was the President of the Council of Chief State School Officers. On his podcast, Swimming Upstream, he visits with courageous leaders who challenge the prevailing tide and inspire all of us to swim against the current. Let’s jump in. About Our Host Tom Luna was elected Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2006 and served two terms during which Idaho passed arguably the most comprehensive education reform laws in the country. While serving as State Superintendent, Tom was elected President of the Council of Chief State School Officers, an organization made up of all 50 state chiefs. In 2009 Tom was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Education to the National Assessment Governing Board. Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-luna-79045716/ View our Full Lineup of Shows: https://www.strategosgroup.com/insights Visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@strategospodcastnetwork

Publisher

Tom Luna

Category

business · education · government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Nov 2022

Latest episode

7 May 2026

Latest episodes

45 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 May 2026

   Empowering Students through Choice, Community, and CTE in Utah

   In this episode of Swimming Upstream, guest host Johnny Key, in for Tom Luna, sits down with Dr. Molly Hart, Utah Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Utah State Board of Education, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, school choice, workforce readiness, and the enduring power of public education. Dr. Hart reflects on her personal journey as a first-generation college student growing up in rural Michigan, where access to public education and a simple trip to the library helped shape her future. She shares how her path from classroom teacher to principal, charter school leader, state board member, and now state superintendent has reinforced her belief that education must remain deeply rooted in community, opportunity, and student growth. Throughout the conversation, Hart emphasizes the importance of restoring joy and purpose to classrooms while maintaining high expectations for teaching and learning. She discusses the need for stronger instructional practices, better principal development, and more meaningful professional support for educators, all while recognizing that successful schools cannot simply copy and paste solutions from other states or districts. The episode also explores Utah’s innovative work around workforce development, career pathways, and student choice. Hart explains how initiatives like First Credential and Catalyst Centers are helping students gain hands-on experiences and industry credentials while still building strong academic foundations. She also offers a nuanced perspective on school choice, arguing that families benefit when education systems provide flexible, high-quality options that meet diverse student needs. Grounded in both practical leadership and personal conviction, this conversation highlights Dr. Hart’s belief that education works best when systems empower teachers, honor local communities, and keep students at the center of every decision. Key Moments: 05:16 Moving and teaching in Utah 09:18 Missing the cafeteria experience 10:16 Principals building school relationships 13:19 Finding joy and purpose at work 17:56 Federal changes in education policy 19:25 High school CTE stories 24:30 Converting to a charter school 28:39 Discussing school choice options 31:55 Planning innovative student projects Connect with Dr. Molly Hart LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-hart-ed-d-997664139 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-hart-ed-d-997664139) Website: https://schools.utah.gov/ (https://schools.utah.gov/)

2. 

   7 May 2026

   State Chiefs, Technology, and the Tennessee Way: Education Innovation with Lizzette Reynolds

   In this episode of Swimming Upstream, guest host Johnny Key sits down with Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education for the State of Tennessee, for a timely conversation recorded live at the ASU GSV Conference in San Diego. Reynolds shares her perspective on how states can better align education systems with real workforce needs, emphasizing that the goal is not to replace educators with technology, but to use innovation thoughtfully to strengthen teaching and learning. She highlights Tennessee’s strong focus on the science of reading and emerging efforts in math, while urging edtech providers and philanthropic partners to focus on building capacity, improving efficiency, and supporting—not disrupting—classroom instruction. A central theme of the conversation is the importance of tailoring solutions to each state’s unique context. Reynolds explains that while national models and policies can offer guidance, effective implementation must reflect local values, student needs, and economic priorities. This approach is especially critical as Tennessee works to strengthen connections between K–12 education, higher education, and workforce development, ensuring students are prepared for a wide range of career pathways. Reynolds also discusses the need for stronger collaboration between education systems and the business community, noting that both sectors ultimately share a common goal: expanding opportunities for students through meaningful, sustainable careers. She underscores the importance of balancing academic rigor with career and technical education, ensuring students build both foundational knowledge and practical skills without limiting future growth. Key Moments: 05:17 Perspective on educational policy roles 08:57 Focusing on district support needs 10:05 Using AI for education pathways 14:03 Concerns about young teacher prep 17:24 Integrating education with workforce development 19:47 Addressing healthcare education needs 24:59 Importance of foundational knowledge 26:46 Improving education in Tennessee 31:28 Bringing personal items to spa Connect with Lizzette Reynolds LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzetteg Website: https://www.tn.gov/

3. 

   24 Dec 2025

   Literacy, School Safety, and Teacher Retention: Richard Woods on Leading Georgia Education

   In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna is joined by Johnny Key live from the Excel in Ed Conference in New Orleans for a conversation with Richard Woods, Georgia’s elected State School Superintendent. Woods reflects on his path from classroom teacher to statewide office sharing how the post No Child Left Behind era pushed him to focus on what he felt was missing most: talking about kids, not just tests. Now entering his 12th year in office and running for a fourth term, he describes what it takes to stay relevant, energized, and centered on student outcomes over multiple terms. The conversation explores Georgia’s push to strengthen early literacy, including the rollout of new K–12 literacy standards grounded in the science of reading. Woods shares early results from Georgia’s federally identified CSI schools, where coaching support modeled after Mississippi’s approach has driven initial gains and is now being replicated more broadly across the state. Woods also discusses Georgia’s comprehensive approach to school safety—not only hardening buildings through cameras, SROs, and facility design collaboration with first responders, but also addressing the “question behind the question” through mental health supports, stronger inter-agency coordination, and telehealth access in rural communities. Key Moments 06:12 "Importance of Reading for Kids" 09:57 "Focusing on Kids' Basic Needs" 11:14 Prioritizing School Safety and Readiness 17:15 "Teaching the Peach Initiative" 18:05 Addressing Teacher Retention Challenges 21:45 "Improving Literacy Through Accountability" 24:49 "Integrating Subjects for Deeper Learning" Connect with Richard Woods LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-woods-52571849/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-woods-52571849/) Website: https://www.gadoe.org/ (https://www.gadoe.org/)

Reach and audience

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

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100

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

Quality

67

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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