Unlock 360

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Dr. NaTasha Crain, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Marshall Independent School District. Dr. Crain shares her path from alt-cert English teacher to award-winning principal to district leader — and how her East Texas roots continue to shape her work.

Wendy and Dr. Crain dig into what it takes to redesign curriculum, strengthen Tier 1 instruction, support new teachers, and build shared belief across a district. You’ll hear how Marshall ISD is using data, clarity, and communication to lift student achievement and move multiple campu...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Dr. Katie Jarnot, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Eagle County School District. She shares how her team is guiding the district through change, navigating the recovery from Covid, and strengthening systems that support equitable learning for all students.

Wendy and Dr. Jarnot explore the district’s shift toward standards based grading, the role of teacher leaders as instructional coaches, and how a tugboat mindset can steady a district during both rapid change and long-term improvement.

Key Moments

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy R. York Davoud sits down with Carrie Reed, Deputy Superintendent of Splendora ISD in Texas.

Carrie’s story moves from fourth-grade classroom teacher to principal, to briefly leaving public education entirely, and then returning with a renewed sense of purpose — now serving as deputy superintendent in the district where she once graduated and taught.

From opening a brand-new elementary school in the middle of the pandemic to reshaping Splendora’s strategic direction and community-based accountability system, Carrie shares how growth for every student, deep relationships, and authentic communi...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Dr. Julie Williams, Deputy Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools. With 36 years in education from rural Missouri to a region anchored by Fortune 500 companies, Dr. Williams shares how operational decisions can dramatically enhance equity, safety, sustainability, and student wellbeing.

From redesigning restrooms to eliminate bullying, to shifting cell phone culture, to replacing millions of milk cartons with bulk milk and composting, she shows how “behind-the-scenes” systems truly shape student experience.

Key Moments

02:00 From rural Missouri to deputy super...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy R. York Davoud sits down with Harrison Gillaspy, Principal of Piney Woods Elementary School in Splendora ISD.

Harrison’s leadership journey moved quickly to four schools in one year giving him a unique, on-the-ground understanding of how systems, culture, and clarity impact student learning. Now in his second year as principal, he shares how Piney Woods is strengthening instruction, building alignment, and ensuring every student grows.

From lesson design days to student goal-setting, from culture-building to consistent expectations, Harrison offers a grounded look at what it...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy R. York Davoud sits down with Eric Holt, Principal of Lago Vista Middle School in Texas.

With experience as a teacher, coach, AP, and now long-serving principal, Eric shares how clarity, consistency, and culture shape the middle school experience for every learner.

From simplifying instructional expectations to balancing grace with high standards, Eric offers a grounded and energetic look at what it means to serve every student with both compassion and accountability.

Key Moments

00:00 Welcome + Eric Holt’s path from radio to...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with John Jameson, Principal of El Dorado High School in El Dorado, Arkansas. John leads a nationally recognized comprehensive high school that has been named one of the best high schools in America by U.S. News and World Report and earned a B rating from the Arkansas Department of Education.

Wendy and John talk about what it means to lead a large high school in a post Covid world, where students need more than curriculum and pacing guides. They explore how assessment, AI, i...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Jamie Harper Martinez, Assistant Superintendent of Van Alstyne Independent School District. Dr. Martinez shares how her district is navigating rapid growth while keeping instruction aligned, supporting teachers, and strengthening collaboration across every campus.

Wendy and Dr. Martinez explore how Van Alstyne ISD uses district level instructional focus documents, intentional coaching systems, and leadership academies to create coherence across classrooms. Her story highlights the power of clarity, alignment, and people-centered leadership in building systems that work.

Key Moments

Duration: 00:37:55

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Michael Houston, Deputy Superintendent of Instructional & Administrative Support for Channelview ISD in Texas.

With experience as a teacher, coach, AP, principal, district leader, and now deputy superintendent, Dr. Houston shares how clarity, culture, and systems alignment are transforming teaching and learning for Channelview’s 9,500 students.

From building strong Tier 1 instruction to eliminating classroom-to-classroom variation and from developing principals to expanding literacy across the community Dr. Houston offers a grounded, energetic look at what it means to serve every single student, not jus...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Superintendent Steve Clugston of Pine Tree Independent School District in East Texas. With more than 20 years as a superintendent, Clugston shares how transforming culture—not just curriculum—became the heartbeat of Pine Tree’s turnaround story.

From redefining district-level service to empowering teachers and growing “rock stars” from within, Clugston pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build systems that truly serve. His leadership philosophy centers on family, growth, and sustainability—ensuring the culture you build continues long after you’ve left.

Key Moment...

In today’s episode, Unlock 360 with Patrick Keeley, host Wendy R. York Davoud sits down with Superintendent Patrick Keeley of Mountain Empire Unified School District in San Diego County, California. Superintendent Keeley shares his journey from classroom teacher to leading the district where he once graduated, reflecting on the lessons learned in rural education and the power of systems thinking to drive lasting change.

From addressing water access and transportation challenges to aligning instruction, social-emotional learning, and community partnerships, Patrick explains how he and his team are transforming small-district limitations into opportunities for growth and innovation. He al...

In today’s episode, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Bobbie Trevino, Superintendent of Zapata County Independent School District in Texas. With over 37 years of experience in education, Dr. Trevino shares her inspiring journey from bilingual elementary teacher to superintendent of her hometown district, reflecting on how leadership development, community connection, and a commitment to equity have shaped her approach.

She also discusses how she fosters growth not just through standardized test scores, but by empowering both students and educators, building leadership pipelines, and developing future-ready skills in every learner. From impactful st...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Devoud sits down with David Ritchey, Superintendent of Lamesa Independent School District in rural West Texas. David shares how his district is leading with heart and innovation—creating equitable opportunities through technology, strong Tier 1 instruction, and community-rooted career pathways.

Together, Wendy and David explore how Lamesa ISD is transforming teaching and learning by pairing high expectations with genuine care. From providing iPads for every student to launching a P-TECH early-college model that graduates students with certifications or degrees, David’s story reveals how a clear vision and a cul...

In today's episode, "Unlock 360 with Charles Gideon," host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Principal Charles Gideon of Castleberry Elementary in Castleberry ISD. Principal Gideon shares the journey that led him from the classroom to school leadership and his pride in building a culture of excellence and fun at "DFW's favorite elementary school."

From winning community awards and championing the school's spirited traditions to tackling the real challenges of literacy and mathematics instruction, Principal Gideon opens up about the strategies that drive student and teacher success. You'll hear about intentional PLC time, staff retention secrets...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Stacey Cohen, Principal of Mesa View Elementary School, in Grand Junction, Colorado. Stacey shares how her team moved from the brink of turnaround to sustained performance—and most recently, national recognition as a Blue Ribbon School—by pairing research-based practice with a culture of dignity, partnership, and “leadership for all.”

Together, Wendy and Stacey explore how Mesa View is deepening Tier 1 instruction, building daily SEL routines that stick, and redesigning student supports to keep learners connected. They also unpack how authentic family engagement and shared le...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Brett Geithman, Superintendent of the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District (LCMSD) in Marin County, California. Brett shares how his team is bringing their Vision 2036 to life—linking bold, future-focused goals with actionable systems that support every student and staff member.

Together, Wendy and Brett explore how LCMSD is leading thoughtful innovation in K–8 education—from creating an AI handbook and staff training model to redefining what it means to align a district’s Portrait of a Graduate, Adult, and System. They also discuss how community engagemen...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Scott Kilgore, Superintendent of Ingleside ISD. From classroom teacher and coach to district leader, Scott shares his journey and the lessons that shaped his leadership.

Together, Wendy and Scott explore how Ingleside ISD is cultivating a “District of Champions” culture, balancing academic rigor with career and technical education, and embracing innovation like virtual reality labs to spark curiosity in students. They also dive into systems for continuous improvement, strategies for navigating new challenges like AI-scored writing assessments, and the importance of building trust and empowering staff...

Welcome to Season 4 of Unlock 360°: An LTL Podcast! In our very first episode of the new season, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Lindsey Hawvermale, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Comanche ISD. With over two decades of experience, Lindsey shares her unique path from the science classroom to district leadership, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of ensuring equitable opportunities for all students.

Together, Wendy and Lindsey unpack strategies for vetting and implementing high-quality curriculum, navigating the complexities of supporting English learners, and piloting innovative approaches in mathematics instruction. Lindsey also d...