Welcome to Season 5 of the Unlock 360 podcast by Lead.Teach.Learn.360! In this episode, Wendy York Davoud is joined by Chris Calabrese, Superintendent of Benicia Unified School District, for a conversation about leadership development, district sustainability, and the power of investing in people.

Chris shares the unexpected story that led him into education and the personal motto that has guided his entire career: “Invest in people’s lives instead of their money.” From teacher to superintendent, Chris reflects on his K–12 leadership journey and how developing leaders remains one of the most meaningful parts of his work today.

The conversation explores the realities of leading a district through change, including leadership transitions, declining enrollment, financial pressures, and the challenge of maintaining strong academic outcomes while supporting students socially and emotionally. Chris also discusses the importance of helping leaders think long term, creating sustainable systems, and balancing district-wide coherence with school-level autonomy.

Listeners will also hear how Benicia Unified is working to strengthen collaboration, close achievement gaps, and preserve the unique culture that makes the Benicia community special.

Key Moments

02:52 Investing in People Instead of Positions

05:32 Supporting New Leaders Through Transition

06:47 Building Sustainable Long-Term Systems

07:22 Self-Awareness and Leadership Growth

09:37 Using 100-Day Plans for Leadership Success

13:25 Learning the Culture of Benicia Unified

16:11 Addressing Enrollment and Budget Challenges

17:45 Attracting Families Through Student Opportunities

18:13 Extracurriculars Strengthen School Culture

20:09 What Makes the Benicia Community Special

22:19 Balancing District Alignment and School Autonomy

26:55 Closing Achievement Gaps Through Collaboration

29:07 Expanding Academic Intervention Supports

Why You Will Love This Episode

This episode offers an honest look at what it takes to lead with purpose during times of transition and uncertainty. Chris shares thoughtful insight on leadership development, strategic thinking, and creating sustainable systems that support both students and educators. District and school leaders alike will walk away with practical ideas around collaboration, culture, and long-term planning.

Connect with Chris Calabrese

Website: https://beniciaunified.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-calabrese-b46079268
Email: ccalabrese@beniciaunified.org

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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 are 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 conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Jamie Bente, Superintendent of Faribault Public Schools in Minnesota, to discuss district transformation, system coherence, and what it takes to unify schools around a shared vision.

Since becoming superintendent in 2022, Jamie has led Faribault Public Schools through major organizational change, including district restructuring, strategic planning, and efforts to break down long-standing silos between campuses. Drawing on experience as a teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal, and now superintendent, Jamie shares the unique perspective he brings to district leadership and the lessons he has learned navigating change at scale.

In this conversation, Jamie explains how Faribault shifted from operating like “multiple districts” into a more unified system focused on collaboration, consistency, and student-centered decision making. He also reflects on the importance of creating clear expectations through the district’s “playbook,” improving professional learning communities, and balancing autonomy with centralized systems.

Key Moments

04:36 Understanding district-wide education programs

07:34 Implementing district-wide systems

11:56 Evaluating teacher performance data

15:37 Improving early childhood education setup

17:57 Setting staff expectations

21:17 Updating our vision plans

22:59 Developing cross-grade teacher collaboration

27:53 First guest from Minnesota

32:21 Mentorship and career growth

33:17 Mentorship from Jason Wenschlag

Why You Will Love This Episode
If you are leading system-wide change or working to create stronger alignment across schools, this episode offers practical insight into navigating restructuring, improving collaboration, and building a shared culture. Jamie’s honest reflections on leadership, communication, and organizational change provide valuable takeaways for superintendents, principals, and district leaders alike.

Connect with Jamie Bente
Website: https://www.faribault.k12.mn.us/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bente-59891493
Email: jbente@faribault.k12.mn.us

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 are 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 conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86, to explore what it truly takes to move a district forward when it feels “stuck.”

With over three decades in education and experience spanning classrooms, site leadership, and district roles across multiple states and even internationally, Dr. Rouse brings a powerful perspective on leadership, equity, and system transformation.

In this conversation, she shares how Joliet began a deep equity journey—starting with examining internal beliefs and biases—and how that work has evolved into tangible changes in student outcomes, community perception, and district culture. From addressing achievement and discipline disparities to investing in early literacy, trauma-informed practices, and whole child development, this episode highlights how intentional leadership can reshape a system over time.

Key Moments
05:40 Embarking on an equity journey

09:37 Engaging with the community

13:08 Community literacy and early education

16:40 Supporting women in leadership roles

20:12 Committee involvement and coaching structure

23:49 Federal and state budget challenges

27:33 Community support and assistance programs

31:11 Supporting multilingual student families

32:44 Settling down in Joliet community

35:42 Connecting with an old friend

38:52 Mentorship impact and philosophy

Why You Will Love This Episode

If you are leading in a complex district environment, this episode offers a real-world look at how long-term change actually happens. Dr. Rouse doesn’t talk about quick wins—she shares what it takes to shift mindsets, systems, and outcomes over time. You will gain insight into leading equity work authentically, building strong community partnerships, and balancing academic priorities with the realities students bring to school every day.

Connect with Dr. Theresa Rouse

Website: https://www.joliet86.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-rouse-ed-d-bb65521a
Email: trouse@joliet86.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 are 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 conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.