Evan explores how Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is bringing STEAM, technology, and artificial intelligence into multilingual learner education. From 3D printing and virtual reality to robotics and AI prompting, he explains why language proficiency should never determine the level of challenge or opportunity available to students. Evan highlights the idea of 'amplify, not simplify,' emphasizing that educators can provide language scaffolds while still asking multilingual learners to think critically, solve complex problems, and engage with rigorous content.

The conversation also examines how AI can strengthen instructional coaching and professional learning. Evan shares examples of using AI and data to identify specific opportunities for improvement, generate targeted PLC conversations, and build his own capacity as a coach. He also discusses the importance of relationships between district leaders and classroom educators, ensuring resources reflect the diverse languages and backgrounds students bring to school, and creating a shared sense of purpose across multilingual learner teams.

Key Moments

01:42 Evan's Journey into Education

03:31 Making Multilingual Learners Visible

05:39 Bringing AI into Language Learning

06:38 Expanding STEAM Opportunities

07:46 Measuring Engagement and Achievement

10:24 Supporting Multilingual Learners Across Charlotte

13:16 Understanding Charlotte's Language Diversity

15:39 Supporting Non-Spanish-Speaking Learners

18:39 Language Does Not Limit Ability

20:18 Amplify, Don't Simplify

24:56 Bringing AI into Education

26:01 Developing AI Champions

27:50 Using AI to Strengthen Coaching

28:51 Improving PLCs Through AI and Data

32:57 Building Trust with Teachers

36:22 Connecting Multilingual Learner Communities

Why You'll Love This Episode

Evan offers a fresh perspective on multilingual learner education by challenging the idea that language development should mean lowering academic expectations. His examples show how technology, STEAM, AI, thoughtful scaffolding, and strong teacher relationships can expand opportunities while helping students develop both language and future-ready skills.

Connect with Evan Stevens
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Website: https://www.cmsk12.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanbstevens
Email: evanb.stevens@cms.k12.nc.us

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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.

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Jim shares how Waukesha has strengthened student achievement by moving from teacher-created resources toward a guaranteed and viable curriculum with greater consistency across schools and classrooms. He discusses the district's investment of more than $11 million in curriculum, its focus on impactful coaching and professional development, and the significant academic growth that has followed. Jim also explains how fiscal responsibility and student achievement can coexist, including Waukesha's achievement of becoming debt-free while continuing to direct resources toward classrooms and students.

The conversation also explores one of the most difficult challenges facing many school systems: declining enrollment and the need to right-size district operations. Jim walks through Waukesha's 'Optimizing Our Future' process, including 37 community meetings, extensive stakeholder feedback, school consolidations, and the lessons his team learned about leading change transparently. He also shares how the district uses focused KPIs, teacher collaboration, strategic resource allocation, and community engagement to build a smaller but stronger school system positioned for continued improvement.

Key Moments

01:57 A Life Dedicated to Education

03:08 Going to School: A Life in Education

05:53 The Superintendency as a Lifestyle

08:02 Leading Waukesha Through COVID

09:33 Creating a Consistent School System

10:03 Investing in Curriculum and Achievement

11:05 Balancing Achievement and Fiscal Responsibility

15:52 Building Collective Efficacy

18:59 Right-Sizing the District

23:05 Optimizing Waukesha's Future

24:45 Listening Through Community Engagement

27:47 Using Feedback to Guide Decisions

32:43 Lessons from Leading a Referendum

36:10 Making a Smaller Footprint Stronger

42:53 Focusing on Meaningful KPIs

Why You'll Love This Episode

Jim offers a practical look at what it takes to lead a district through academic transformation, declining enrollment, school consolidation, and financial change without losing sight of students. His experiences demonstrate how consistency, transparent communication, focused metrics, and strong community engagement can help school systems navigate difficult decisions while continuing to improve outcomes.

Connect with Jim Sebert

School District of Waukesha Website: https://sdw.waukesha.k12.wi.us/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-sebert-ed-d-6a819119
Email: jsebert@waukesha.k12.wi.us
Book: Going to School: A Life in Education

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Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork
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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.

Rhonda explores Uniondale's strategic promise to ensure every scholar is empowered, responsible, resilient, and prepared for leadership, college, and career. She discusses how the district has strengthened attendance, academic achievement, scholar engagement, and graduation outcomes by creating classrooms where students feel valued and have a meaningful voice. Rhonda also shares how professional development, classroom visits, inquiry teams, PLCs, and collaborative leadership structures are helping educators learn from one another and continuously improve instruction.

The conversation also highlights Uniondale's commitment to expanding opportunity and developing student leaders. From opening AP courses to more scholars and creating AP ambassadors to including student voices in superintendent advisory groups and school board conversations, Rhonda explains why students should be active participants in shaping their educational experience. She also looks ahead to Uniondale's next strategic planning cycle and its continued pursuit of a bold goal: preparing every scholar to graduate on time and succeed in whatever path they choose.

Key Moments

00:48 Rhonda's 37-Year Education Journey

02:32 Falling in Love with Teaching

04:44 Building Relationships with Scholars

07:52 Leading Through Service

10:27 Uniondale's Promise to Every Scholar

13:28 Improving Attendance and Achievement

16:37 Increasing Scholar Voice in Classrooms

18:54 Teachers Learning from Teachers

19:47 Collaboration Through Inquiry Teams

21:30 Developing Collaborative Leaders

23:35 Expanding Access to AP Courses

25:16 Creating Student Leadership Opportunities

27:53 The Goal of 100% Graduation

29:37 Uniondale's Four Strategic Goals

34:00 Educators Who Shaped Rhonda's Leadership

Why You'll Love This Episode

Rhonda offers an inspiring and practical perspective on creating educational systems centered on relationships, scholar voice, and opportunity. From expanding access to rigorous coursework to strengthening collaboration among teachers and leaders, she demonstrates how a clear promise to students can guide decisions and create meaningful, sustainable improvement.

Connect with Rhonda Taylor

Website: https://district.uniondaleschools.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-taylor-42b933234
Email: rtaylor@uniondaleschools.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.