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 community voice guide the district’s work.

Key Moments

10:40 Why Carrie once took out TRS and said she was done with public education

20:18 Connecting growth measures, MAP, and accountability in a practical way

20:58 Implementing new curriculum, including Bluebonnet Math, with fidelity

27:17 Teacher collaboration structures: PLCs and dedicated lesson design time

27:52 Using internalization documents and shared planning to lift all classrooms

36:06 What makes Splendora ISD a special place for students and families

36:35 Carrie’s recruitment pitch from the restaurant table to the classroom

37:38 Gratitude: why she’s thankful for both family and opportunity

Why You’ll Love This Episode
Carrie brings honesty, warmth, and a deeply grounded perspective on what it means to lead at the district level and still see herself as a fourth-grade teacher at heart.This episode offers a powerful look at how one district is aligning systems, people, and heart so that every learner is better prepared for life after graduation.

Connect with Carrie Reed
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-reed
Website: https://www.splendoraisd.org/

Follow Us:
Wendy R. York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork
Lead Teach Learn 360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com
Lead Teach Learn 360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/

About Unlock 360°
Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they’re turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more conversations.

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 superintendent in Fayetteville

04:10 Why she “retired” one day and started a new role the next

06:40 Charter buses vs. school buses and surprising cost efficiencies

09:10 Bus driver shortages and new staff incentives

12:10 A new appreciation for the workload of coaches

13:35 Cell phone limits and their impact on student wellbeing

16:30 Major decline in discipline issues after policy changes

18:45 Bathroom redesigns that eliminate hiding, vaping, and bullying

24:20 Balancing online testing with screen-time guidelines

27:25 Addressing equity through playground updates and feeder patterns

32:20 Sustainability efforts including outdoor learning and LEED/site/well standards

34:00 Bulk milk and composting as a cheaper, greener solution

Why You’ll Love This Episode

Dr. Williams shares simple, practical ways operations can strengthen school culture and student safety from limiting cell phone use to redesigning restrooms and rethinking staff expectations. Her perspective shows how small shifts in systems can create big improvements for students.

You’ll also hear how Fayetteville Public Schools is advancing equity and sustainability through clear, tangible actions that benefit every campus. It’s a concise look at how thoughtful operational choices make daily life better for kids and adults alike.

Connect with Dr. Julie Williams

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjulierwilliams

Website: https://www.fayar.net/

Follow Us

Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork
Lead Teach Learn 360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com
Lead Teach Learn 360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/

About Unlock 360°

Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they’re turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement—one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more conversations.

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 takes to accelerate improvement while caring deeply for the humans doing the work.

Key Moments

00:00 Welcome + Harrison’s whirlwind path to principalship

01:17 From coaching to the classroom — and into leadership

06:18 Remembering year one — blur, strength, and support

17:22 Understanding the school’s data journey

19:08 Refocusing from “bubble kids” to every student’s growth

21:37 Rebuilding grade-level teams for balance and collaboration

22:26 Culture: trust, transparency, and treating teachers as professionals

24:07 Rotating awards that celebrate staff strengths

25:11 The next step: consistency through every season

26:19 “Shocktober” and staying steady during tough months

27:22 How the district calendar supports rest and effectiveness

29:17 Where to learn more about Piney Woods and Splendora ISD

Why You’ll Love This Episode

Harrison brings humility, clarity, and practical insight from a fast-paced leadership journey. You’ll hear how Piney Woods Elementary is:

• Strengthening instruction through intentional lesson design

  
  

• Empowering students to understand and track their own progress

  
  

• Building teacher trust and collaboration

  
  

• Improving culture through transparency and meaningful recognition

  
  

• Staying aligned with district expectations while honoring teacher voice

This episode offers a refreshingly honest look at leading a campus through growth, reset, and renewed momentum.

Connect with Harrison Gillaspy
LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrison-gillaspy-0a3201247
Website: https://pineywoods.splendoraisd.org/

Follow Us:
Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork
Lead Teach Learn 360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com
Lead Teach Learn 360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/

About Unlock 360°
Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they’re turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more conversations.