About this episode

Educational leaders discuss the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public schools and share successful strategies for future challenges.

In this episode of AASA Radio, educational leaders discuss the lessons they learned from the pandemic and how the experience changed the way they lead their districts. The panel explores the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public schools and shares the successful strategies they’ve embraced for fostering resilience, innovation, and well-being. The group emphasized the importance of building the right infrastructure and capacity for both students and staff to thrive in an AI-driven world, as well as the role of strategic planning in preparing students for future challenges. The episode concludes with advice for education leaders on integrating technology into their practices effectively. Dr. Gustavo Balderas is President of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and President of AASA. Balderas has been involved in numerous state, regional, and national organizations and committees, including having served on the Oregon State Board of Education as a superintendent liaison, the AASA Executive Committee, the Chiefs for Change Board, and is a co-founder and inaugural president of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators. Dr. Brandi Kelly…

People in this episode

Guests: Dr. Gustavo Balderas, Dr. Brandi Kelly

Topics covered

• pandemic impact
• educational leadership
• resilience
• innovation
• technology integration
• strategic planning

Keywords

• COVID-19
• education
• leadership
• public schools
• technology
• strategies
• well-being

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AASA, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, Oregon State Board of Education, AASA Executive Committee, Chiefs for Change Board, Oregon Association of Latino Administrators

More episodes of AASA Radio- The School Superintendents Association

• The Public Education Promise Principle 5: Measuring What Matters · July 17, 2026 · 30 min
• The Public Education Promise Principle 3: Attracting, Hiring, Retaining, and Rewarding the Best People · March 17, 2026 · 32 min
• Mic Drop 2025: Reflecting on How School Superintendents United To Lead During Divisive Times · January 5, 2026 · 14 min
• The Public Education Promise Principle-2: Real Skills for Real Life · December 15, 2025 · 28 min
• ​The Public Education Promise Principle-1: How Do We Prioritize Student Centered Learning? · November 10, 2025 · 31 min
• AASA Introduces an Action Framework to Help School Superintendents Support Effective Public Education · September 9, 2025 · 25 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the AASA Radio- The School Superintendents Association podcast page.