Kim Armstrong and Sandy Husk and the Power of Clear Communication During Challenges
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Release Date: 03/18/2025
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
In this episode of : The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Michelle Caulfield, Superintendent of the in Corning, New York. Michelle shares how her district is expanding access to opportunities by centering student voice, investing in innovative programs, and building a culture of connection and belonging. We discuss how inclusive, student-led clubs are transforming school culture, how unique programs like drone soccer and unified sports are engaging students in new ways, and how Michelle is leading with empathy while navigating challenges like recruitment and budget...
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In this episode of : The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, I sit down with , co-founder and CEO of , a leading platform that connects schools with experienced speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Moises shares how his company is improving access to speech therapy using technology, addressing the nationwide shortage of SLPs, and supporting schools in providing high-quality speech-language services. We discuss how telehealth speech therapy is transforming support for students, particularly in rural communities where access to in-person specialists is limited. Moises discusses the...
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In this episode of : The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, I sit down with , former interim superintendent of , and , the district’s current superintendent. These two remarkable leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities of transitioning leadership, navigating budget constraints, and the importance of fostering strong relationships within a school district. Dr. Kim Armstrong and Sandy Husk share their experiences managing large-scale budget reductions, engaging communities in advocacy, and leading with clarity and resilience. They offer key insights into being an imperfect leader...
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In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, I'm joined by , Principal of the . As an experienced school leader and author, Damian brings a wealth of knowledge on education reform, leadership, and the evolving role of schools in shaping students beyond academics. During our discussion, Damian and I discussed how schools can foster whole-child development through experiential learning and why reducing digital distractions has become essential for student engagement. We also discuss his experience testifying before the UK Parliament on phone-free policies...
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In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Curtis Cain, Superintendent of the Rockwood School District and 2022's National Superintendent of the Year. With decades of experience in educational leadership, Dr. Cain offers deep insights into navigating the complexities of leading a major school district through unprecedented times. During our discussion, Dr. Cain and I explored what constitutes effective leadership in the ever-evolving landscape of education. We explore the critical roles of trust and accountability in maintaining team...
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In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, our guest is in Stayton, Oregon! In our conversation, Lee shares insightful perspectives on leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement. Listen in as we discuss: Connection: The importance of building trust and rapport with students, parents, and the community. 🤝 Strategic Planning: Creating a strategic plan with community input to prepare students for their next steps. 🧭 Imperfect Leadership: Embracing imperfection, learning from mistakes, and the importance of continuous discovery...
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In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, shares his insights on leadership, community, and navigating the challenges in education today. Here are three key takeaways: A+ School District: Superintendent Chambers explains Okaloosa County's focus on being an "A+ school district" ➕, emphasizing academic excellence as well as athletics and the arts. Community Engagement: Discover how Okaloosa County Schools actively engage with their community, understanding that a healthy school district contributes to a healthy community 🏘️. Marcus...
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In this episode of An Imperfect Leader, we had the pleasure of speaking with . We explored some critical themes for today's educational leaders: 🤝 The Power of Collaboration: Earl emphasizes how crucial it is for educational organizations to work together. Discover how collaboration can drive meaningful change in public education! 📣 Advocating for Our Schools: Earl urges school leaders to proactively share the great stories happening in their schools with political leaders at all levels. Learn how to effectively advocate for your students and schools! 🌱 Embracing Imperfect...
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On this week's podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Joe Feldman, the founder and CEO of Crescendo Education Group, about equitable grading practices. 🍎 It was an insightful conversation, and here are three key things I'm taking away: Traditional grading often undermines learning: Many teachers receive little to no training on grading. As a result, they often replicate the practices they experienced, which may not be effective. Joe's work emphasizes that traditional grading can be inconsistent, unfair, and demotivating for students. Multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery are...
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info_outlineIn this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Sandy Husk, former interim superintendent of Portland Public Schools, and Dr. Kim Armstrong, the district’s current superintendent. These two remarkable leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities of transitioning leadership, navigating budget constraints, and the importance of fostering strong relationships within a school district.
Dr. Kim Armstrong and Sandy Husk share their experiences managing large-scale budget reductions, engaging communities in advocacy, and leading with clarity and resilience. They offer key insights into being an imperfect leader and how embracing imperfection can drive meaningful educational progress.
If you're a school leader, educator, or someone interested in shaping the future of education, don't miss this insightful conversation with Dr. Kim Armstrong and Sandy Husk.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
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Leadership Transition & Trust – How superintendents can balance their personal leadership philosophy while adapting to district needs.
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Navigating Budget Cuts – Strategies for making tough financial decisions while prioritizing student success.
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Engaging Communities & Advocacy – The importance of transparency and mobilizing communities to support public education funding.
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Leading with Humanity – Why valuing people before the work, trusting expertise, and staying student-centered is critical for effective leadership.
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Lessons in Resilience – Dr. Kim Armstrong’s personal journey overcoming adversity and how it shapes her leadership approach.
Listen to the full episode to hear my conversation with Dr. Kim Armstrong and Sandy Husk about their leadership journey and the transformative policies shaping education today.
Listening Links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26Y4nEEwL9mLzrxUh17NWf
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/an-imperfect-leader-the-superintendents/id1644897856
Podcast Site: https://imperfectleader.com/podcasts/
Follow Our Guests:
Dr. Kim Armstrong
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kimberlee-armstrong-88172412/
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Organization: Portland Public Schools – https://www.pps.net/
Sandy Husk
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrahusk/
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Organization: Wayfinder (Board Member) – https://www.withwayfinder.com/
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Former CEO: ASCD – https://www.ascd.org/
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Former CEO: AVID Center – https://www.avid.org/
Follow the Host Peter Stiepleman on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/
Website: https://imperfectleader.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader
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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.
Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.
Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.
Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.
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Go to https://www.overyondr.com/ to learn more.
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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at https://imperfectleader.com/