In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, we sit down with Dr. Greggory R. Slate, Superintendent of Davidson County Schools in North Carolina, who brings both vision and lived leadership experience to this essential transformation. With a background in school improvement, trauma-informed practice, and a personal journey shaped by loss, Dr. Slate shares why the heart of education must shift from test scores to relationships, purpose, and well-being.

Whether you're leading a district, coaching teachers, or simply wondering how schools can evolve to meet the real needs of students and educators—this episode is rich with insight, humanity, and hope.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “the industrial model” still dominates public education — and what it’s costing us

• How Davidson County is prioritizing teacher autonomy, student agency, and human connection
  
  
• The role of authentic assessment and rethinking what accountability can look like

• How Dr. Slate’s early experience with tragedy shaped his passion for mental health and purpose-driven leadership

• What it means to “lead with grace” in a system under pressure

• Why true school improvement starts with psychological safety and relationships—not mandates

Key Moments

05:15 "Seeking Educational Challenge and Application"

06:41 Unexpected Path to Education Leadership

11:34 "Building and Tapping Talent"

13:51 "Effective Leadership: Aligning Practice and Impact"

16:32 Davidson County's Tech Education Leap

20:52 AI and Agriculture Integration

22:57 Encouraging Academic Exploration

28:59 Character Education: Empathy Through Action

32:23 Listening Leader Focused on Improvement

33:37 Education Leadership: Listen and Sustain

Connect with Guest:

LinkedIn: [email protected]

Connect with Us:

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
• Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn
  
  

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