The Best of Us 2025: The Year's Most Valuable Leadership Lessons

Teacher Retention
Teacher Mentorship & Induction
PLCs
PL Strategy
Instructional Leadership
Instructional Coaching

2025 brought powerful conversations to The Best of Us podcast, hosted by KickUp CEO Jeremy Rogoff. Each episode offered district leaders practical strategies for the challenges you face daily—from teacher retention to instructional excellence to building sustainable systems.

Here are the conversations that can help you solve real problems right now:

Struggling with teacher retention and burnout?
  • Laura Donnelly & Jill Hanley share systems that actually take things off teachers' plates—from master schedules to communication protocols
  • Dr. Tiffany Anderson on her "sneakers on the ground" philosophy that keeps leaders connected to classrooms

Need to build your teacher pipeline?
  • Teresa Morales-Young walks through Fresno Unified's 12-program pathway that supplies 80% of their new teachers

Want professional learning that actually changes practice?

Focused on equity and instructional excellence?
  • Jennifer Ahn identifies "equity traps" that derail evaluation and how to avoid them
  • Michael McDowell on moving PLCs from "think tanks to fitness clubs"

Navigating AI in your district?
  • Dyane Smokorowski shares practical strategies for integrating AI into teaching and learning

Looking for proven district leadership frameworks?
  • Dr. Michael Hinojosa breaks down his Success Triangle after 40 years leading six districts
  • Steve Robinson reflects on his journey from classroom to White House education policy

Building leadership networks and capacity?
  • Dr. AK Pereira on creating the Sister Supes network for women in leadership

The common thread? None of these leaders relied on silver bullets. They built systems, invested in relationships, and stayed focused on what actually improves teaching and learning.

Which challenge are you tackling right now? There's an episode waiting for you.

Let's get started

Schedule a demo with one of our friendly team members.

Schedule a Demo