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 culture of belonging can change outcomes for an entire community.

Key Moments

00:00 Overcoming tech glitches and getting started

00:51 Innovating with Apple technology in every classroom

03:02 Every student—Pre-K through 12—has an iPad

05:17 Leading through visibility and relationships

07:11 Strengthening Tier 1 instruction district-wide

10:38 Launching P-TECH for college and career pathways

13:53 Ensuring every graduate leaves with opportunity and choice

17:52 Building homegrown leadership and teacher pipelines

27:21 Coaching administrators to coach teachers

34:33 Leading with empathy, consistency, and care

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This is a powerful look at what’s possible when small districts dream big. Superintendent Ritchey shows how to turn vision into action—through Tier 1 excellence, authentic relationships, and opportunities that last long after graduation. If you believe leadership starts with love and ends with impact, this one’s for you.

Connect with Superintendent David Ritchey

Website: https://www.lamesaisd.net/

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Wendy York Devoud 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.

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, and how his team thrives on both high expectations and a healthy dose of friendly competition. Plus, the conversation touches on supporting teachers, fostering leadership among staff, and the importance of nurturing opportunities for every student.

Key Moments

03:53 Winning Streak for Our School

08:29 Early Literacy Initiative Success

10:54 AI Tools Enhancing Classroom Performance

14:19 Answering Prompts for Higher Scores

20:23 Collaboration, Efficacy, Retention Focus

21:20 Teacher Retention Boosts Student Success

26:49 Building Classroom Leadership Culture

28:34 Honoring Tony Eugene York

In Memoriam

Tony Eugene York
June 27, 1948 – October 21, 2023

Tony attended Castleberry Elementary and Irma Marsh before graduating from Castleberry High School.
For more information about Tony’s life, service, and loved ones, please visit:
https://www.biggersfh.com/obituaries/Tony-Eugene-York?obId=29667255

Why You’ll Love This Episode

Principal Gideon opens the curtain on how Castleberry Elementary became “DFW’s favorite” while doing the hard work that moves learning: revamping early literacy with a structured block, using PLCs four days a week to plan tightly and act on data, and building a culture where high expectations and teacher retention go hand in hand. He shares concrete, classroom-ready moves like teaching students to restate prompts and use text evidence and how thoughtful use of AI feedback tools can sharpen writing instruction without replacing teacher judgment. It’s fun (spirit sticks and pep rallies!) and deeply practical (growth tracking, vertical alignment, and leadership pipelines). If you care about turning vision into daily habits that lift every student, this conversation will hit home.

Connect with Charles Gideon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-gideon-46506a18a
Website: https://www.castleberryisd.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 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 leadership fuel long-term improvement and community trust.

Key Moments

01:07 Inheriting a strong culture amid performance decline

03:02 Moving from priority improvement toward success

04:51 Six high-impact practices that shifted outcomes

10:22 Replacing hallway removals with cozy corners

16:01 Building daily SEL lessons and community circles

19:22 Tackling chronic absenteeism after the pandemic

23:29 From involvement to true family engagement

26:20 Reimagining kindergarten onboarding

27:50 Launching FLYT Club for families

31:20 Empowering teachers through shared leadership

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This is a grounded, inspiring story of turnaround done right. Stacey shows how a school can achieve lasting success—without new funding—through high-impact instruction, inclusion, and trust. If you’re passionate about leadership, systems change, and culture that uplifts everyone, this episode delivers powerful, practical takeaways.

Connect with Principal Stacey Cohen
Website: https://mesaview.d51schools.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,

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 engagement, strategic planning, and a commitment to equity guide the district’s daily work and long-term direction.

Key Moments

07:21 Building an AI handbook and districtwide guidelines

08:03 Launching an AI Lead model and bite-size professional learning

11:50 Creating a “Portrait of an Adult” to align staff growth with student outcomes

12:59 Embedding AI and innovation into the district’s strategic plan

14:34 Connecting systems, staff, and vision through clear reporting metrics

18:06 Why LCMSD expanded its vision after the pandemic

20:33 Forecasting change and leading proactively as a superintendent

24:46 Closing equity gaps through annual audits and actionable data

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode highlights what it really looks like to turn vision into action. Dr. Geithman offers a transparent look at how a district can lead innovation without losing its focus on people—building systems that evolve with technology while staying rooted in values, inclusion, and community. If you’re passionate about leadership, equity, and designing future-ready schools, this conversation will spark ideas you can bring back to your own system.

Connect with Dr. Brett Geithman
Website: https://www.lcmschools.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.

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.

Key Moments

06:15 Leadership lessons from the classroom to the superintendency

08:06 Balancing academics with CTE and industry partnerships

13:07 Virtual reality labs for middle school exploration

21:23 Finding balance with AI in the classroom

27:28 Building systems for continuous improvement

32:45 Strengthening writing instruction under AI scoring

34:55 Supporting discipline through root-cause solutions

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode highlights how a small Texas district is making bold moves to prepare every student for success. Scott’s story is both practical and inspiring—a reminder that strong systems, innovative approaches, and a supportive culture can transform learning. If you’re passionate about leadership, continuous improvement, and preparing students for college, career, and life, this conversation will resonate.

Connect with Scott Kilgore

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kilgore-6b3778a4/
Website: https://www.inglesideisd.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.

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 delves into the impact of the Teacher Incentive Allotment program, transforming teacher retention and student growth, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how Comanche ISD is building a collaborative, supportive culture for educators and learners alike.

Key Moments

03:34 Math Curriculum Challenges

07:41 Bluebonnet Training Revelation

12:38 "Empowering Students and Teachers"

15:15 "Mastering Connection for Student Growth"

17:31 Coaching and Teaching Simultaneously

23:23 Supporting Teachers in Hard Tasks

26:48 Teacher-Led Curriculum Development

29:59 Educational Project Management Overview

32:55 Integrating Writing Across Curriculum

35:43 Collective Teacher Efficacy Challenges

37:58 Streamlined Education System Benefits

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode will resonate with anyone working to build coherent systems that support, not stifle, teachers and students. Lindsey brings both warmth and wisdom as she details how her district is strategically investing in people, data, and design to create meaningful, equitable learning experiences. If you're passionate about growing teacher leaders, curating sustainable curriculum systems, or building a culture that says "we do hard things together", this conversation is for you.

Connect with Lindsey Hawvermale:
Website: https://www.comancheisd.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.