HeyJaredThe So What Podcast
The So What Podcast explores how school system leaders make sense of complexity when data, strategy, and real classroom outcomes are misaligned.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 6
- Latest publication
- Sep 2, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 24, 2026
Latest episodes
Bridging Technology and Instruction: Building Smarter District Systems with Heather Brown (opens the original)
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In this episode of The So What Podcast, host Shweta Gandhi, CEO and Founder of Strived, sits down with Heather Brown, Executive Director of Technology Services at Alvin Independent School District, to explore what technology leadership looks like in a fast-growing district serving nearly 30,000 students. Heather shares why her biggest priority has been breaking down the traditional silos between technology and instruction. Drawing on her experience as a teacher and technology leader, she explain
Leading with Courage: Building Systems That Sustain Growth with Terrence Davis (opens the original)
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In this episode of The So What Podcast, host Shweta Gandhi, CEO and Founder of Strived, sits down with Terrence Davis, Superintendent of Banning Unified School District, to explore what it truly takes to build systems that drive sustained improvement in schools. With over 25 years in public education and leadership experience spanning special education, human resources, and district leadership, Terrence shares how his journey shaped a leadership philosophy grounded in resilience, self-reflection
Building Belonging at Scale: Leading Diverse Communities with Michael Giles (opens the original)
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In this episode of The So What Podcast, host Shweta Gandhi, CEO and Founder of Strived, sits down with Michael Giles, Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools, to explore what it takes to lead one of the most diverse school districts in the country. Serving over 38,000 students across more than 160 languages, Michael shares his unconventional journey into education, beginning with his work in juvenile justice. That early experience shaped his belief that schools must be proactive systems of suppo
From Turnaround to Transformation: Rebuilding a District Through Systems and Trust with Dr. Rick Surrency (opens the original)
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In this episode of The So What Podcast, host Shweta Gandhi, CEO and Founder of Strived, sits down with Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County School District, to explore how one of Florida's lowest-performing districts transformed into a model of growth and community trust. When Dr. Surrency stepped into the role in 2016, the district faced a 55% graduation rate, multiple failing schools, and declining economic confidence. Drawing on nearly five decades in education, he shares how a
Building Belonging at Scale: Leading Diverse Communities with Michael Giles (opens the original)
Read excerpt
In this episode of The So What Podcast, host Shweta Gandhi, CEO and Founder of Strived, sits down with Michael Giles, Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools, to explore what it takes to lead one of the most diverse school districts in the country. Serving over 38,000 students across more than 160 languages, Michael shares his unconventional journey into education, beginning with his work in juvenile justice. That early experience shaped his belief that schools must be proactive systems of suppo
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