Episode 368

full
Published on:

20th Feb 2025

Every Student, Every Minute, Every Day

CT discusses educational innovation with Dr. Jason Hewitt, Superintendent of Shepherd Independent School District in Texas. Discover how a rural district is overcoming challenges by embracing technology and collaborative teaching through the APEX program. Learn about efforts to attract top talent, enhance student performance, and foster teacher teamwork. Hewitt highlights the importance of adaptability and communication in leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This conversation offers valuable insights into using crisis-driven opportunities to create lasting educational impact, ideal for those interested in leadership and transformation in rural schools.

Key Takeaways:

APEX Program: A collaborative teaching model offering students access to master teachers and integrating technology to enhance learning.

Teacher Collaboration: Teachers work together across classrooms to improve student outcomes.

Attracting Talent: Shepherd ISD offers financial incentives to attract top educators.

Student Performance Impact: APEX led to significant improvement in student grades.

Leadership in Crisis: Dr. Hewitt emphasizes adaptability, transparent communication, and tech use during COVID-19.

Tech Integration: The district's one-to-one tech initiative bridges the digital divide for students.

Leadership Values: Dr. Hewitt stresses self-awareness, consistency, and passion for education.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:48 Shepherd, Texas

03:33 APEX Program

09:42 Program Benefits

15:42 Innovation Process

21:24 Leadership Journey

36:04 Leadership Advice

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Dr. Jason Hewitt: linkedin.com/in/jason-hewitt

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



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About the Podcast

Engaging Leadership
Uncovering stories and strategies behind successful educational leadership
Each week we sit down with inspiring leaders who are transforming education and creating positive outcomes for students across the country.

In their own words, these leaders share their daily challenges, breakthrough moments, and the practical approaches they use to build and support student achievement.

Whether you're a principal, superintendent, or aspiring educational leader, you'll find actionable insights you can use right away.

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About your hosts

CheeTung Leong

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I'm committed to helping people live their best lives through work.

I'm one of the co-founders of EngageRocket, an HRTech SaaS startup and we are focused on helping organizations build empowered managers, engaged employees, and elite teams.

I'm a big nerd when it comes to economics and psychology and regularly use data and tech to help folks live their best lives.

I've been recognized by Prestige Magazine as one of the top 40 under 40 business leaders and have been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, Business Insider, and Tech in Asia.

Jim Kanichirayil

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Your friendly neighborhood talent strategy nerd is the producer and co-host for The HR Impact Show. He's spent his career in sales and has been typically in startup b2b HRTech and TA-Tech organizations.

He's built high-performance sales teams throughout his career and is passionate about all things employee life cycle and especially employee retention and turnover.