On the Clock

In this episode of On the Clock, Todd Dallas Lamb sat down with Kindel Mason, Director of Support Services at Idaho’s Twin Falls School District 411. They discussed the history of special education in America as well as lessons education leaders learned during the pandemic about how to better support special education teachers and their students. Kindel also discussed the importance of helping families of students with disabilities gain access to the resources they need for success. 

In this episode of On the Clock, Todd Dallas Lamb sat down with a superintendent and a parent who discuss career readiness for students with disabilities.

Dr. Aaron Spence, Superintendent, Virginia Beach City Public Schools:

A passionate and visionary leader in public education for nearly three decades, Dr. Aaron Spence is committed to ensuring that all students have access to the rigorous coursework, innovative learning opportunities and resources they need to prepare them for success in college, the military or the workforce. During his time in Virginia Beach, Dr. Spence has led division efforts to systematically address equity and poverty issues and their resulting impact on academic achievement, student engagement and discipline. Dr. Spence was also the 2018 Virginia Superintendent of the Year.

Sara Cummings, Virginia Beach City Public Schools Parent:

Sara Cummings has a daughter who benefited from the Project Search program, which prepares young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment.

Season #2, Episode #4: Dr. Michael Duncan, Superintendent, Pike County Schools

Todd Dallas Lamb is back in this episode of On the Clock! He sat down with Michael Duncan, EdD, Superintendent of Pike County Schools in Georgia.

Todd and Superintendent Duncan discuss practical takeaways from the successes the district has seen since he began leading Pike County Schools.

Superintendent Duncan is one of Georgia’s longest continuously serving school superintendents. He is the winner of the 2018 Georgia School Superintendents Association’s Bill Barr Leadership Award, a 2018 and 2019 Superintendent of the Year Finalist, the 2021 Superintendent of the Year Winner, and a 2012 recipient of the Georgia School Superintendents President’s Award.

Season #2, Episode #3: Sean Precious, Executive Director, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Networks: Charter, Contract, and Options Schools

In today's episode, Todd sat down with Sean Precious, the executive director of Chicago Public Schools' Networks: Charter, Contract, and Options Schools.

Season #2, Episode #2: Shannon Cox, Superintendent, Montgomery County Educational Service Center

In today's episode, Todd sat down with Shannon Cox, the superintendent for the Montgomery County Education Service Center (MCESC), in Dayton, Ohio. 

Season #2, Episode #1: Bob Shayman, Superintendent, Hardee County School District 

Episode #17: Jennifer Reed, MS, LPC, Director of Clinical Services, Dallas Independent School District

Episode #16: Jon Hage, Chief Executive Officer, Charters Schools USA

Episode #15: Scott Kerwien, Executive Director of Student Success, Spokane Public Schools

Episode #14: Alvin Crawford, Chief Revenue Officer, Revolution Foods

Episode #13: Grayson Maas, VP of Sales, Art of Problem Solving

Episode #12: TJ Parks, Retired Superintendent, Hobbs Municipal Schools

Episode #11: Jeff McCoy, Associate Superintendent, Greenville County Schools

Episode #10: Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent, Sioux Falls School District

In today's episode, Todd sat down with Dr. Jane Stavem, the Superintendent of Sioux Falls School District.

Episode #9: Dr. Tom Leonard, Superintendent of Schools, Eanes ISD

In today's episode, Todd sat down with Dr. Tom Leonard, the Superintendent of Eanes ISD.

Episode #8: Shaylia McRae, Chief Officer of Transformation

Episode #7: Superintendent Diana Reaume

In today's episode, Todd sat down with Supterintendent Diana Reaume of the Quillayute Valley School District, which is located in Forks, Washington.

The Quillayute Valley School District is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Olympic mountains and Pacific beaches and oceans.  It serves a diverse population of students, approximately 1000 pre-K through 12th graders in its brick and mortar schools and approximately 2500 students in Insight School of Washington, which is a multi-district online virtual middle and high school.  Insight School of Washington was one of the first state-approved multi-district online schools back in 2006. Quillayute Valley School District partners with Stride, Inc. to deliver personalized learning to students who choose to enroll in Insight School of Washington.

Diana is in her 35th year in the education profession of which the past fifteen (15) years she has served in Forks. Diana grew up in Kansas, where she began her career as a high school English teacher.  She also taught English on St. Croix in the US Virgin Island at the Good Hope School, and then moved to Galveston Island where she taught and began her administrative career as a principal at Ball High School.  Diana and her husband, Justin Reaume, moved “home” to the Forks area where Justin grew up so that they could raise their son, Gabriel, with family.

Diana is passionate about equitable practices which support learning through a whole-child approach and works tirelessly to ensure there are systems in place to support quality teaching and learning.  She is deeply passionate about making sure that every student has a safe, nurturing and personal learning environment.  Diana believes in respect, integrity and commitment and models these core covenants daily for her students, staff, and colleagues.

As a professional, Diana currently serves as a leader on various state level boards and committees: Executive Board for Washington Schools Risk Management Pool (WSRMP), Regional President of the Olympic ESD for the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) and Vice Chair of the Forks Chamber of Commerce.

Episode #6: Superintendent Stephen Murley  

In today's episode, Todd sat down with Supt. Stephen Murley of the Green Bay Area Public School District.   

Steve Murley was appointed to the position of Superintendent of Schools for the Iowa City Community School District July 2010.  Prior to joining the District, Steve served the Wausau School District (WI), the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools (WI) and the Neenah Joint School District (WI).  Steve has served as a teacher, coach, athletic department administrator, building administrator, director of human resources and employee relations, and superintendent.     

As Superintendent of Schools, Steve was involved in many community organizations focused on providing resources and opportunities to the children of the greater Iowa City Area and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Iowa City Community School District Foundation, the Iowa City Area Development Group, and Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa.  He has been active in professional organizations at the national, state, and local level including the United States Department of Education Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, the American Association of School Administrators, the District Management Group, the Horace Mann League, the National Superintendents Roundtable, the National Superintendents Dialog, the Urban Superintendents Association of America, the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on College Readiness, the Iowa Department of Education Superintendents Advisory Council, the Iowa Urban Education Network, and the School Administrators of Iowa.  Steve is the past president of the Iowa Urban Education Network, the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, and the Wisconsin Association of School Personnel Administrator.  

Steve has a deep and abiding commitment to public education and developing the next generation of leaders who will serve our students.  He has been active as a graduate school faculty member having taught at the University of Iowa in the Educational Policy and Leadership Studies Department, the University of Wisconsin–Superior in the Educational Administration Department, Marian University in the Educational Leadership Department, and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh in both the Department of Human Services and Professional Leadership and the Department of Educational Foundations.  Steve also serves as the lead instructor for the American Association of School Administrators National Superintendent Certification Program – Midwest Cohort.  

Steve earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan with a triple major in Economics, History, and Communications.  He has also completed a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin in Educational Administration.   

Steve and his wife Darci have three sons.  

Episode #5: Dr. David Haglund

In today's episode, Todd sat down with Dr. David Haglund of Pleasanton Unified School District.

Dr. David Haglund is the Superintendent of Schools at Pleasanton Unified School District. Haglund and his team are responsible for 15 school sites and programs that ensure high levels of learning for 14,500 students, implementing an. His “access for all” strategy is resulting in improved student and adult learning outcomes, sustaining high graduation and college going rates, and closing achievement and opportunity gaps. 

Dr. Haglund has vested 32 years in the public school system. Before coming to Pleasanton, Haglund spent 17 years as a classroom teacher and has subsequently filled the roles of principal, director, assistant superintendent, and deputy superintendent. David is actively engaged in the professional community concerned with the impact of technology on teaching and learning. His transformative vision for 21st-century schools includes development of school leaders who understand how information and communications technologies can extend learning beyond the school day and places personalized and blended learning experiences at the core of the instructional program of schools. 

Haglund’s strong ties to state, national and international organizations, and their leaders, has ensured wide-scale support for local initiatives and established his position of influence as a forward-thinking educational innovator. Dr. Haglund earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California in 2009.

Episode #4: Dr. Mark Benigni

In today's episode, Todd sat down with Dr. Mark Benigni of Meriden Public Schools. 

Dr. Benigni was recognized as a 2015 Education Week Leader to Learn From for his collaborative leadership and innovative work; which includes extended day schools, BYOD K-12 guidelines, 1:1 device initiatives, and student-centered learning approaches, as well as the creation of a STARS Program for students with autism and a Success Academy for over-age and under-credited students. In 2016, the Meriden Public Schools was a recipient of a National School Boards Association Magna Award and a District of Distinction Award from District Administration magazine.

Since Dr. Benigni's arrival in 2010, the Meriden Public Schools has increased student academic growth, while reducing suspensions by 71% and expulsions by 96%. Dr. Benigni served as a teacher, principal and four-term mayor. In addition to authoring over 25 articles in educational journals and having Rowman and Littlefield Education publish his book, "Mentoring Matters", Dr. Benigni has presented at national venues and taught doctorate classes. Dr. Benigni was a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, and he currently serves as the co-chair of the Connecticut Association of Urban Superintendents and a member of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents' Board of Directors.

This year the Meriden Public Schools won a Model School Award from the International Center for Leadership in Education, and will be featured by Edutopia as a "District That Works".

Episode #3: Dr. Anthony Hamlet, Superintendent School at Pittsburgh Public Schools

In today's episode, Todd sat down with Dr. Anthony Hamlet of Pittsburgh Public Schools. 

Dr. Anthony Hamlet was sworn-in July 1, 2016, to a five-year term as Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools. He comes to the District from Palm Beach County, Florida, where his career as an educator began with his work as a case manager and behavioral specialist with a county mental health unit. From there, he held positions of teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Principal, and District Administrator.

Having worked in affluent and impoverished districts, in high-achieving and failing schools, Dr. Hamlet has helped to transform the learning environment in dozens of urban and suburban schools. He is a natural leader in challenging educational settings, connecting ideas, people and resources, and allowing others to develop their strengths and take ownership of their work.

Dr. Hamlet has proven success with positively impacting all students and creating a school environment conducive to cognitive and effective learning. His work earned him five awards as Principal of the Year in Florida from various organizations, including the state Department of Education.

A native of Palm Beach County, Dr. Hamlet attended the Palm Beach County Public School system. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies from the University of Miami in 1992; a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 2003; and his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Nova in 2007. His continuing education experience includes Harvard University’s School Turnaround Leaders Course in 2014, and the AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy Certification Program in 2015.

Before choosing a career in education, Dr. Hamlet played three years of professional football as a defensive end with the National Football League (Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts) and the Canadian Football League (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) in the early 1990s. While in college, Dr. Hamlet played for the Miami Hurricanes.

Episode #2: Dr. Duane Arbogast, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer | School District Leader | Former Chief Academic Officer

In today's episode, Todd sits down with Dr. Duane Arbogast of the Children's Guild. 

Allan (Duane) Arbogast serves The Children’s Guild Alliance as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer.  He joined the Children’s Guild in 2014. He has direct responsibility for innovative educational program creation and expansion. 

Arbogast served Prince George’s County Public Schools as Chief Academic Officer in 2010 and served as the Acting Deputy Superintendent for Academics in 2012/2013. Prior to that time, he worked for 32 years in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools, serving as Senior Manager for Academic Accountability, a principal, assistant principal, and teacher. Arbogast received a Masters of Education and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

He has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland. He was on the Governor’s Effective Education Council, was a member of the Class of 2007 Leadership Anne Arundel County, and serves as a board member of Grassroots Education Nepal. 

Episode #1: Clifford Jones, Chief Academic Officer | Educational Leader | Student Success Advocate

In today's episode, Todd sat down with Clifford Jones of Fulton County Schools.

It is no secret that the field of education has been fundamentally transformed by the COVID-19 epidemic and the application of immersive, personalized, interactive, and instructional technologies. Education and technology have become inextricably linked and will continue to meld in the future. And, while students may be digital natives, it is possible that their instructors and families are not. Leaders in the field of education will need to bridge this gap while ensuring that students continue to learn and grow to be competitive in this increasingly digital world. 

I presently serve as Chief Academic Officer with the Fulton County (Georgia) Schools, where I manage all curriculum and instruction for more than 93K students districtwide. During my tenure with the district, I have accomplished a great many things of which I am proud, including: 

• Driving improvements in individual schools’ ratings, ACT scores, and College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) statistics—while saving $10M+ in costs.
• Building a diverse new portfolio of schools, including the transition of 2 alternative education schools to blended learning high schools, and developing 2 new magnet STEM academies. 
• Creating a culture that values diversity, inclusivity, sensitivity, and emotional intelligence methodologies for every grade level of student.
• Leading the highest performing charter school in the state of Georgia.

If you would like to start a conversation about how working together could be mutually beneficial, contact me at clifford.robertson.jones@gmail.com.