The AASA Conference Daily Podcast aims to highlight key takeaways from AASA's National Conference on Education, hear from thought leaders and presenters and provide listeners with just a bit more learning and fun during the conference and beyond.

The 2025 AASA Conference Daily Podcast is brought to you by AASA in partnership with Joseph Jones and T.J. Vari.

Thoughtful Communication feat. Stanley Pearson II (NCE 2025)

Innovative Early Education Design feat. Martha Salazar-Zamora (NCE 2025)

Establishing Trust and Credibility feat. Timothy McCarthy (NCE 2025)

Unifying a Divided Community feat. Erin Kane (NCE 2025)

In this podcast episode, Jackie Wilson speaks with Dr. Jasmine Kullar about the importance of developing a strong leadership pipeline in schools. They discuss the findings of research on effective school leadership, the strategies implemented in Cobb County School District to attract and retain school leaders, and the challenges faced in the current educational landscape. Dr. Kullar shares insights on the role of principal supervisors, innovative programs for new principals, and the significance of involving current principals in leadership development efforts.

Growing Principals: Inside Cobb County's Leadership Development Model

In this episode of the AASA Principal Supervisor Podcast, Jackie Wilson speaks with Dr. Michael Farrell, Chief Learning Officer from the School District of Philadelphia. They discuss the critical role of principal leadership in improving schools, the importance of developing principal supervisors as coaches, and the challenges faced in creating a supportive ecosystem for school leaders. The conversation highlights the need for strategic partnerships and the significance of a leadership pipeline that nurtures talent from within the district. Dr. Farrell emphasizes the importance of viewing principals as transformational leaders and the necessity of aligning support systems to foster effective educational environments.

The Principal Pipeline in Action: Lessons from Philadelphia

In this podcast, Jackie Wilson interviews Dr. Adrienne Battle, the superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools, discussing the importance of developing and sustaining effective school leadership pipelines. They explore the strategies used in Metro Nashville to identify, recruit, and develop school leaders, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and support for principals. Dr. Battle shares insights on the challenges faced in leadership transitions and the role of principal supervisors in fostering instructional excellence. The conversation highlights the significance of creating a culture of leadership that values every student and promotes professional growth.

Developing and Sustaining a School Leadership Pipeline for Metro Nashville Schools

In this podcast episode, Jackie Wilson discusses the importance of principal leadership in schools with Dr. Burke Royster, Susan Stevens, and Karen Kapp from the Greenville County School District. They explore the findings of a research study funded by the Wallace Foundation, which emphasizes the critical role principals play in student success. The conversation covers the district's commitment to developing a sustainable leadership pipeline, the selection process for principals, and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guests share insights on how to create a robust leadership framework and the importance of stability in educational leadership. The conversation focuses on the development and sustainability of a principal pipeline in Greenville County Schools, highlighting the importance of selecting the right candidates, the role of partnerships, and the need for ongoing support and coaching for school leaders. The participants discuss their experiences, accomplishments, and recommendations for other districts looking to improve their principal selection processes.


From System Vision to School Impact: Greenville County’s Leadership Model in Action

This podcast discusses the unique educational landscape of Hawaii, focusing on the development of a leadership pipeline within its single statewide school district. The conversation highlights the importance of effective leadership in schools, the challenges faced by educators, and innovative strategies implemented to support and develop school leaders. Key themes include the role of community engagement, the significance of advisory councils, and the investment in people as a cornerstone for educational success.

Creating a “Leader-Full” Pipeline for Hawaii’s PK-12 Education System

In this podcast episode, Jackie Wilson speaks with Angelica Romero from the San Antonio Independent School District about the development and implementation of school leadership pipelines. They discuss the importance of principal leadership, the demographics of the district, the process of creating a leadership definition, and the strategies for selecting and supporting school leaders. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in building leadership pipelines and the innovative approaches being taken, such as coaching and apprenticeship plans, to ensure sustainable leadership development.

From Aspiration to Action: Building School Leadership Pipelines in San Antonio ISD

AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is the premier association for school system leaders and serves as the national voice for public education and district leadership on Capitol Hill.

A professional community of more than 10,000 educational leaders, AASA and its members are committed to providing high-quality public education to all students.

AASA develops and supports school system leaders through the national exchange of ideas; access to professional learning, publications, and resources; and opportunities to champion initiatives to help transform the future of public education.