Season 3, Episode 2 | Dr. Leighangela Brady, National School District and Ron McCowan, Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 2 of "Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged."  

Sponsored by a champion of schools, school leaders, teachers and employees - SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union - we have another incredible episode, this time featuring not one, but TWO Superintendents in studio.  Drew Schlosberg was joined by Dr. Leighangela Brady, the leader of the National School District and Ron McCowan, who leads the Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District. 

Listen in as Dr. Brady and Ron McCowan discussed their roles as superintendents and their commitment to student voice and leadership. Brady, from National School District, highlighted her initiative with sixth graders to address community issues like Tijuana river pollution and cardiac awareness, emphasizing their active participation in decision-making. McCowan, from Valley Center-Pauma Unified, focused on developing servant leadership among students, starting from fifth grade. Both emphasized the importance of student confidence and leadership skills, with Brady suggesting a leadership conference involving student presenters and McCowan proposing mini-leadership conferences. They also discussed challenges like poverty, housing insecurity, and the impact of technology on students' mental health

Here's a summary of the great conversation: 

Early Career and Inspiration

• Dr. Brady discusses her epiphany to pursue education, influenced by mentors at Escondido High School who prioritized students and community.
• Dr. Brady describes her initial teaching and coaching roles, which led her to administrative positions, ultimately becoming a superintendent.
• Dr. Brady shares her initial career goal to become a dentist, her struggle with college science, and her eventual switch to education.
• Dr. Brady emphasizes the gradual progression in her career and her desire to have a broader impact on students through administrative roles.
• Ron McCowan talks about his early career in education, his transition from teaching to administration, and his belief in the importance of leadership and community involvement.

Student Voice and Leadership

• Dr. Brady and Ron McCowan discuss the concept of student voice, emphasizing the importance of students taking ownership of their learning and decision-making.
• Dr. Brady defines student voice as active participation in finding solutions and having their ideas implemented by adults.
• Ron McCowan relates student voice to leadership, using sports analogies to explain how students can lead and influence their peers and school culture.
• Dr. Brady describes her superintendent student roundtable, where sixth-grade students work on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and take leadership roles in their schools.
• Ron McCowan discusses the servant leadership model and the importance of training students to be leaders who serve their peers and community.

Challenges and Future Directions

• Dr. Brady highlights the challenges of high poverty, English learners, foster youth, and homelessness in her district and the need for economic growth and career opportunities.
• Ron McCowan discusses the challenges of cell phone distraction, mental health issues, and finding meaningful careers for students.
• Both superintendents emphasize the importance of teaching leadership skills and providing opportunities for students to develop and practice these skills.
• Dr. Brady suggests the idea of a leadership conference with student presenters and the involvement of organizations like the Classroom of the Future Foundation and Schools First Federal Credit Union.
• Ron McCowan supports the idea of a leadership conference and emphasizes the need for guest speakers and support from organizations to make these events successful.

Final Thoughts and