In this episode of Hire Ground, host Josh Czupryk sits down with Dr. Daniel Velasco, President and CEO of Ensemble Learning, for a practical, action-oriented conversation on what K-12 leaders can do right now to create welcoming, inclusive school environments where multilingual learners and families feel fully supported and valued. They dive into immediate steps for building trust through family engagement, establishing safe and welcoming spaces, implementing asset-based instructional practices, leveraging data for equitable student support, and hiring leaders with a non-negotiable multilingual mindset. The focus is clear: multilingualism is a powerful asset that strengthens every student and the entire school community when leaders act proactively to foster belonging and success.

In this episode of Hire Ground, hosts Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk explore the transformative power of neurodiversity in K12 leadership and hiring. Joined by David Flink, CEO and founder of the Neurodiversity Alliance, they discuss how recognizing and embracing cognitive differences can drive innovation, strengthen problem-solving, and build more effective teams. David shares his 26-year journey advocating for neurodiversity, personal stories from the front lines, and practical strategies for bias-free hiring, accommodations, and inclusive cultures that unlock everyone’s strengths—ultimately benefiting students, staff, and entire systems.

In Episode 10 of Hire Ground, host Josh Czupryk speaks with Niloy Gangopadhyay, Vice President for Teach For America's 35th Anniversary Summit. They reflect on TFA's 35-year legacy of producing more teachers and leaders than any other organization, while addressing current challenges in education. The conversation focuses on recapturing a positive, hopeful narrative around the profession, the critical role of community engagement and relationships, and how the upcoming summit aims to energize educators, boost retention, and catalyze future change. With emphasis on hope, optimism, purpose, and actionable outcomes, this episode highlights why inspiring the next generation is essential for equity and progress in K-12 education.

In this special episode of Hire Ground, host Josh Czupryk sits down with Dr. Brandi Nicole Chin from the Opportunity Trust to discuss her new book, Hope Is Not a Strategy: How Great Leaders Build Real Accountability (releasing January 14, 2026). They explore why high-performing schools maintain exceptional teacher retention rates, even through challenging times, and how leaders can shift from fear-based leadership to creating thriving adult cultures. Dr. Chin shares practical insights on involving teachers in the work, building differentiated staff retention and onboarding plans, elevating teachers as culture carriers, and using accountability as a tool for support—not surveillance—to drive consistent results for kids.

This episode builds on the season's focus on solutions to teacher and leader burnout, emphasizing that when teachers thrive, students thrive.

In this episode of Hire Ground, hosts Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk explore the transformative impact of AI on K12 education and leadership. They discuss how educators' roles are evolving, the importance of higher-order skills, experiential learning, and preparing students for a dynamic workforce. Joined by renowned education innovator Michael Horn, they dive into disruptive trends like unbundled choice, career-connected learning, and the leadership qualities needed to thrive in this new era—from adaptability and curiosity to aligning talent with organizational moments.