Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley welcome Keith Sinor, Superintendent of Yukon Public Schools in Oklahoma, for a conversation on creating opportunities for students and leading schools with purpose.
Keith shares insights from more than 30 years in education, discussing student success, character, athletics, community partnerships, and the importance of seeing every student as more than a test score or GPA. He emphasizes helping students discover their interests, recognize their potential, and write their best story.
The conversation also explores teacher trust, educational compliance, extracurricular opportunities, innovation, and leader well-being. Keith offers a powerful reminder that effective leadership is about being the best for the world—and creating schools where students and staff can truly thrive.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley welcome Dr. Jim Van Allan, President of Energy Bus for Schools and co-author of The Energy Bus for Schools, to discuss the power of positive culture, intentional leadership, and meaningful communication in education.
Dr. Van Allan shares practical strategies for creating thriving school cultures by strengthening relationships, improving communication, and helping educators move from burnout to purpose. He explains why authentic conversations, trust, and consistent habits are the foundation of energized teachers and empowered students.
The conversation also explores how leaders can build lasting change through small, intentional actions, prioritize their own well-being, and create environments where both staff and students flourish. Whether you're a superintendent, administrator, teacher, or aspiring leader, this episode offers actionable insights for leading with purpose and cultivating a culture people want to be part of.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley welcome Dr. Stacy Preis, Interim Commissioner of Education for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, for a conversation on the future of education and purpose-driven leadership.
Dr. Preis shares insights on strengthening school improvement through collaboration, supporting educators, and building meaningful partnerships between schools, communities, and industry. She also discusses the importance of preparing students for life beyond graduation through authentic learning experiences and real-world pathways.
The conversation also explores leadership well-being, creating supportive environments for teachers, and the power of intentional leadership. Whether you're a superintendent, administrator, educator, or aspiring leader, this episode offers practical encouragement for leading with purpose and making a lasting impact on students and communities.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley welcome Dr. Jason Mundorf, Superintendent of Union R-XI School District, for a conversation on purposeful leadership and building strong school communities.
Dr. Mundorf shares practical insights on leading through change, fostering trust, and empowering educators to grow in their roles. He discusses how collaboration, communication, and a student-centered mindset help create lasting success across a district.
The conversation also highlights the importance of developing future leaders, strengthening school culture, and leading with integrity. Whether you're a superintendent, administrator, or aspiring leader, this episode offers valuable takeaways for making a meaningful impact in education.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley welcome back guest speaker Dr. Dave Schmitz — Superintendent of Lebanon R3 School District and Missouri's 2025 Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Schmitz shares powerful insights on what it actually takes to sustain leaders over the long haul, exploring how empowerment, distributive leadership, and putting people in roles aligned with their strengths and passions creates cultures where leaders truly flourish. He also unpacks the evolution from micromanagement to mature, trust-based leadership — and why a job done differently is often better than a job done by the leader alone.
The conversation also dives into the mentor-mentee relationship, the importance of outside perspective and professional community, and how strategic planning can become one of the most powerful leadership development tools a superintendent has.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley welcome guest speaker Dr. Alicia Casey — educational leader, systems thinker, and founder of Casey Leadership & Learning Systems.
Dr. Casey shares powerful insights on the difference between coordination and true systems alignment, explaining how disconnected initiatives create friction that impacts culture, retention, implementation, and student outcomes. She also explores the idea that “clarity is care” and why aligned systems create healthier, more sustainable organizations.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley welcome guest speaker Dr. David McGehee — veteran superintendent, educational consultant, and leadership strategist.
Dr. McGehee shares leadership lessons from more than 35 years in education, including how trust, transparency, and calm leadership help school systems navigate financial challenges while keeping students at the center.

How can schools move beyond outdated grading and assessment practices to better support student learning?
In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley welcome guest speaker Dr. Michael Evans — educator, consultant, and co-author of Assessment Literacy for Educators. Together, they explore assessment literacy, competency-based learning, grading reform, and how leaders can create systems that truly reflect student growth.
Dr. Evans shares practical insights from more than 30 years in education, discussing how classroom assessment, large-scale testing, and meaningful feedback can work together to improve outcomes for students and schools.
Explore Dr. Evans’ book here:Assessment Literacy for Educators by Dr. Evans

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, Nathan Manley and Jim Cummins welcome Renee Cummins and Laura Watkins, experienced educators, instructional coaches, and co-owners of Realtime PD. With over 60 years of combined experience, they share practical, proven strategies for transforming classrooms through strong management, high engagement, and clear expectations.
Drawing from real classroom experiences, Renee and Laura break down common misconceptions about classroom management, emphasizing that it’s not a one-time lesson—but a continuous, intentional practice woven into daily instruction. They highlight powerful strategies such as SLANT, silent signals, structured expectations, and student ownership of learning, all designed to create safe, engaging environments where students thrive.
The conversation also explores how culture, consistency, and teacher mindset directly impact student achievement and teacher wellness. Through real coaching stories, they demonstrate how the right systems can reduce chaos, restore confidence, and reignite joy in teaching.
At its core, this episode is a reminder that great teaching starts with strong foundations—and when done well, it not only improves outcomes but transforms both classrooms and lives.

Beyond the Bell (Leading with Purpose) features Dr. Hardin-Bartley, a passionate educational leader known for championing people-first leadership and meaningful school transformation. In this episode, Dr. Hardin-Bartley shares insights on leading with authenticity, building strong relationships, and creating systems that empower both educators and students to thrive.
The conversation explores the importance of culture, trust, and communication, along with practical leadership strategies for navigating challenges while staying grounded in purpose. Dr. Hardin-Bartley emphasizes that true impact in education comes from valuing people, fostering connection, and leading with both courage and compassion—a message that resonates for leaders at every level.