Better Learning Podcast

Kevin Stoller sits down with Dr. George Hummer, Superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools, to explore his journey from special education aide to school district leader, and the district's ongoing effort to build its fourth high school. Dr. Hummer shares how his mother's career as a special education teacher and his own experience working with students with disabilities shaped his empathy-driven leadership style. The conversation dives deep into the mechanics of planning new school construction — including the critical difference between "design capacity" and "program capacity," how Frederick County builds community trust through transparent data, and why involving every stakeholder voice (parents, teachers, students, county officials) is essential to a successful bond and building process. Dr. Hummer also reflects on team-building, situational leadership drawn from his coaching background, and why investing in students must remain the non-negotiable priority behind every facilities decision. Takeaways: Program capacity vs. design capacity — A room's legal occupancy limit isn't the same as how many students it can actually serve well; specialized programs (special ed, ELL, CTE, kindergarten) mean real capacity is often much lower than code allows. Run schools at 85–90% capacity, not 100% — Like redlining a car engine, operating school buildings at full capacity year-round accelerates wear and leaves no room for enrollment shifts or new programs. There's no such thing as too many voices — Successful school construction requires input from county officials, principals, teachers, parents, and even students — genuine inclusion builds long-term community trust. Seek out your critics, not just your supporters — Dr. Hummer's willingness to sit down with a skeptical taxpayer and address misinformation directly turned an opponent into an advocate for the new high school. Situational leadership matters — Knowing when to encourage versus when to push for improvement (borrowed from his coaching background) is key to building strong, resilient teams. About Dr. George Hummer: Dr. George C. Hummer began serving as Frederick County's Superintendent of Schools on January 30, 2023. He is a native of New Jersey who moved to Virginia in 1994. He graduated from Chancellor High School in Fredericksburg and received a bachelor of arts degree from Radford University in 2005. Dr. Hummer also holds a master's degree in educational leadership and special education from the University of Mary Washington as well as a doctorate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Hummer credits his mother, who was a lifelong special education teacher, with inspiring him to pursue a career in education. He began his career as a special education teacher, athletic director, and football and basketball coach at Battlefield Middle School in Fredericksburg. After serving in those roles from 2005 to 2012, Dr. Hummer was named assistant principal at Rodney Thompson Middle School in Stafford and served in that capacity for three years. In 2015, Dr. Hummer was named the Supervisor of Student Services and Special Education for Stafford County Public Schools. Four years later, he became Stafford County Public Schools' Executive Director of Student Services and Special Education. In 2022, he was named that school division's Chief Student Support Services Officer. As a teacher, Dr. Hummer was recognized with a Teacher of the Year Award and for improving the performance of his students. As a central office administrator, Dr. Hummer has spent countless hours supporting students, families and staff while working to develop better procedures to help bridge the achievement gap for all students. In 2021, the Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education recognized Dr. Hummer with the Mary Lou Wall Award for Early Special Education Leadership. The award recognizes individuals who are in their first three years of leading a school division's special education services and exemplify five values: (1) Heart- the passion to serve, nurture and care; (2) Leadership by example; (3) Honesty; (4) Creative thinking; and (5) Collaboration. From 2018 to 2023, Dr. Hummer served as an adjunct professor of educational leadership and education at the University of Mary Washington. He has also been a featured speaker at several state meetings for the Virginia Department of Education. Dr. Hummer is proud to remain actively engaged in the Frederick County and Northern Shenandoah Valley communities. He currently serves on the boards of the Valley Health Foundation, United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, Grafton School Foundation, and Frederick County Education Foundation. He is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Frederick County. Through these meaningful partnerships, Dr. Hummer enthusiastically supportsefforts that strengthen our students, education, health, opportunity, and overall community well-being throughout the region. Dr. Hummer, his wife, Charnell, and his step-daughter, Madison, live in Frederick County. Episode 354 of the Better Learning Podcast For more information on our partners: Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/ EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/ Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/ Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website

Dr. Adam Swinyard, Superintendent of Spokane Public Schools and 2023 Washington Superintendent of the Year, joins the Jeff Kubiak to discuss leading one of Washington's largest districts through a rapidly shifting information and mental health landscape. Adam shares how Spokane centers everything on relationships, why transparency and "doors and windows" communication have replaced the old top-down model, and how the district's Engage in Real Life initiative and revised cell phone policy are tackling the youth mental health crisis. He also reflects candidly on lessons learned since becoming superintendent — from the power of emotional intelligence in hiring to rethinking public schools' role in a world where they no longer hold a monopoly on enrollment. Takeaways: Relationships over hierarchy — Spokane's culture is built on entering every interaction with love, kindness, and curiosity before power or authority. Transparency builds trust — Post-pandemic, families expect "doors and windows" into classrooms; hiding information only invites misinformation. Emotional intelligence trumps résumés — Adam prioritizes EQ over traditional credentials when hiring leaders, even for technical roles like HR. Engage in Real Life to fight the mental health crisis — Pairing a cell phone policy with real-world clubs, sports, and activities has driven major gains in attendance and behavior. Schools no longer have a monopoly — With school choice now widespread, districts must develop real marketing and branding strategies, like higher ed already does. About Dr. Adam Swinyard: The Spokane Public Schools board of directors named Dr. Adam Swinyard superintendent in the summer of 2020. In his role as superintendent for the state's largest school districts, Dr. Swinyard is tasked with implementing the district's vision, goals and policies. Dr. Swinyard previously served as the district's associate superintendent for teaching and learning and director of secondary schools. A native of Deer Park, Wash., Dr. Swinyard earned his B.A. in secondary education from Northwest University. He earned his M.Ed, Ed.D in executive leadership, and Washington State Principal and Superintendent credentials from Seattle Pacific University. In 2016, Dr. Swinyard received the Research on Superintendency Dissertation of the Year Award from the American Educational Research Association. Prior to working in district administration, Dr. Swinyard was the principal at Sacajawea Middle School in Spokane from 2013 – 2016. In that role, he was twice nominated for the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) Washington State Middle School Principal of the Year Award. He was an AWSP Regional Principal of the Year winner in 2015. Prior to his time leading Sacajawea, Dr. Swinyard was an assistant principal at Cheney High School in Cheney, Wash., and principal assistant at Garry Middle School in Spokane. Dr. Swinyard has teaching experience in health and fitness, language arts and social studies in western Washington school districts that include Glacier Peak High School in the Snohomish School District, and McAuliffe Elementary School in Redmond. Dr. Swinyard and his wife have three children. Episode 353 of the Better Learning Podcast For more information on our partners: Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/ EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/ Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/ Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website

Dr. Sharon Bradley, founder of Bradley Site Design and a landscape architect with four decades of experience, joins Matt Rogers to explore how school campuses can become powerful teaching tools rather than just backdrops. Sharon shares how her childhood in the English countryside shaped her belief in "environment as teacher," and explains her curriculum integration model — mapping specific lesson units directly onto campus features like whisper walls, bioretention gardens, and stormwater "raindrop journeys." She also discusses how early collaboration between landscape architects, building architects, and educators leads to campuses that are both cost-effective and deeply engaging for students and communities. Takeaways: Environment as teacher — Childhood immersion in nature shaped Sharon's belief that outdoor spaces can teach as powerfully as classrooms. Curriculum drives design — Mapping existing lesson units onto campus features makes outdoor learning easy for teachers to adopt. Necessity sparks creativity — Required elements like retaining walls and stormwater systems can double as engaging teaching tools (e.g., "whisper walls"). Bring landscape architects in early — Involving them from the start, not as an afterthought, leads to better-integrated, more functional campuses. Natural design saves money — Native plantings and bioretention areas cut irrigation and maintenance costs while boosting engagement. About Dr. Sharon Bradley: Through her practice and her research, Sharon has developed a unique design methodology that addresses social, economic, and ecological issues on educational campuses and in residential communities. With 40 years of experience creating immersive learning landscapes, her Curriculum Integration techniques and impact assessment frameworks have become models for campus design. Her unique approach results in sites that invite exploration and discovery, with elements created for specific learning units and general biophilic engagement. LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-bradley-phd-pla-27a4274 Website https://www.bradleysitedesign.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BSD4Impact/ Episode 352 of the Better Learning Podcast For more information on our partners: Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/ EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/ Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/ Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website

Mark Shepard, K-12 Advisor at BVH Architecture, joins Carla Cummins to share his unusual path from industrial tech teacher to school superintendent to architectural firm advisor. Drawing on his experience leading a transformative CTE center project in Fremont, Nebraska, Mark discusses how listening to local industry and students — not just assumptions from educators — reshaped a district's approach to career and technical education. He dives into the design choices that put CTE on display rather than hidden away, the partnerships with local businesses that created real jobs for students, and why treating career pathways as "a means to a beginning" changes everything about how schools serve students. Takeaways: Ask industry, don't assume — Visiting 42 local businesses revealed a mismatch between what schools were teaching and what employers actually needed. Design CTE to be seen — Moving shop class from a hidden corner to the school's central crossroads, with glass walls, reshaped how students and parents viewed trade careers. A means to a beginning, not an end — Career pathways should launch students into real opportunity, not serve as a fallback from a four-year degree. Flexibility future-proofs facilities — Durable, adaptable labs let schools retool programs as local industry needs evolve. Student success stories build momentum — Real outcomes (jobs, scholarships, even a student following his father into the trades) generate community buy-in for future investment. About Mark Shepard: Mark brings over 35 years of experience in education, school planning, and facility development, most recently serving as the Superintendent of Fremont Public Schools. His career highlights include leading a $123M bond initiative (yes, $123 million), which resulted in three new elementary schools and a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center. With his extensive experience in education and expertise in CTE design, Mark Shepard brings valuable insights that help us enhance and innovate our programs. As a K-12 Advisor, Mark works closely with us to provide strategic guidance in designing and refining curriculum and educational initiatives that align with current industry trends and educational standards. His deep understanding of K-12 education allows him to help shape our approach to support student success and engagement. Episode 351 of the Better Learning Podcast For more information on our partners: Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/ EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/ Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/ Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website

Matt Wark, Chief Facilities Officer for Forsyth County Schools, joins Katie Jubenville to share his unconventional path from a struggling student written off by his own guidance counselor to leading facilities for one of Georgia's fastest-growing, top-performing school districts. Matt discusses how his personal journey through teaching, administration, and district leadership shapes his "houses, not buildings" philosophy of facilities management, and dives into how Forsyth balances explosive growth with maintenance, community trust, and cost. He also shares his perspective as president of the Georgia 4LE chapter on building stronger partnerships between school districts and industry vendors statewide. Takeaways: A rough start built a mission — Written off as a student, Matt now champions paths for every kid, not just test scores. Facilities are "houses," not buildings — Treating schools like home builds pride for students and staff alike. Growth means balance — Forsyth is shifting from new construction to upgrading older schools' infrastructure. Patience over quick fixes — Matt's top advice: slow down, since fast decisions create new problems. Partnerships over contracts — As Georgia 4LE president, Matt connects districts and vendors through trust, not transactions. About Matt Wark: He is currently the Chief Facilities Officer for Forsyth County Schools. He is married to Sara Wark who works in Atlanta at the Coca Cola headquarters and they have 4 children (Mason, Riley, Jordan and Bailey) ages 13,11,10,8. He is originally from southwest Michigan where he grew up on a family-owned farm. He moved to Georgia in 2003 and became a teacher with Fulton County Schools. He taught 2nd grade and 5th grade including special education. He then moved to Clarke County Schools to become an assistant principal. There met his wife and relocated back to north Georgia and was an assistant principal with Dawson County Schools. While working in Dawson County he was promoted to the position of Principal. After 5 years of working in Dawson County he was called to become the Director of Assessment and Accountability with Baldwin County School District in Milledgeville, Ga. After 2 years in Baldwin County, he was promoted to Deputy Superintendent. As his family grew and his wife continued traveling to Atlanta daily, he decided to move back to the Atlanta area and what better place than north Ga. Matt successfully became the Chief Facilities Officer for Forsyth County Schools and also lives in Forsyth County where all 4 of his children attend Forsyth County Schools. In Matt's current role, he oversees all maintenance and facilities needs for the district. This includes all new construction, renovations, modifications, general maintenance, custodial, grounds maintenance as well as, all future planning for the school district. Currently Matt oversees over 9 million square feet which includes 53 total buildings with more schools to come in the near future. Forsyth County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state of Georgia and has no signs of slowing down. Episode 350 of the Better Learning Podcast For more information on our partners: Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/ EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/ Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/ Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website