Rethinking School Leadership & Purpose With Dr. Richard Surrency Beyond The Syllabus podcast

Rethinking School Leadership & Purpose with Dr. Richard Surrency

2M ago 43:00

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In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, we head to rural Florida to hear from Dr. Richard Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County School District. With decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and now district leader, Dr. Surrency brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to one of the biggest questions in education today: How do we prepare students for a future that’s already changing?

We talk about transforming a traditional district into one grounded in career pathways, dual enrollment, and personalized purpose. From building a new ag-tech center to integrating soft skills into academic goals, Dr. Surrency shares how Putnam County is creating opportunities for every kind of learner — not just college-bound students.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How Dr. Surrency’s experience as a CTE student shaped his career and philosophy
What it means to lead with a "workforce-first" mindset in a rural school district
The role of career academies and dual enrollment in student engagement
Why schools must prioritize soft skills alongside test scores
How to foster a sense of purpose in students, no matter their path
Lessons in leadership, equity, and community partnership
How Putnam County is measuring student success beyond traditional metrics

Key Moments

05:23 "Teachers as Effective Coaches"

08:38 "Linking Teaching with Learning"

12:37 Leadership Emerges on Playground

14:45 Transforming Education in Florida

16:58 Graduation Accountability and Expectations

21:53 "Listening Sparks STEM Program Creation"

24:00 "Leadership Through Visibility"

28:52 "Pilot Training and Space Careers"

30:50 Competitive Education Environment in Florida

35:39 Embrace Change Responsibly

38:02 Human Connection in Future Education

39:36 Graduate Panel Reflects on School Impact

Connect with Guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-surrency-221a69a5

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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6 episodes