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Innovation Lessons for School Leaders to Build Real Student Agency with Josh Reppun

An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast

Release Date: 04/22/2025

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In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, Peter Stiepleman sits down with Josh Reppun, host and Global Community Director of What School Could Be. Josh, a former history teacher turned educational innovator, shares his journey of challenging traditional education models. Through his work with the What School Could Be initiative, Josh is helping lead the conversation on student-driven learning and community involvement in education reform.

Josh’s story is one of transformation, from teaching in Hawaii to curating conversations with educators worldwide. He explores how creative, real-world learning can redefine the future of education and the importance of collaboration among educators to bring about meaningful change. 

If you’re a school leader, educator, or someone passionate about empowering communities through education, don’t miss this thoughtful and inspiring conversation with Josh Reppun.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

  1. Josh Reppun discusses how schools are embracing new, student-centered approaches to learning to foster deeper engagement.

  2. Why integrating real-world challenges into the curriculum prepares students for the workforce and beyond.

  3. How bringing together educators, students, and local communities can drive educational transformation.

  4. Josh shares how the What School Could Be podcast is helping elevate innovative educators and new ideas in education.

  5. Josh reflects on how setbacks in his career have shaped his leadership approach and commitment to education reform.

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 Guest Josh Reppun on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshreppun/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshreppun/
What School Could Be Podcast: https://wscbpodcast.com/ 

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: 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/