{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"OnYourMark Podcast","title":"Leading with Equity, Literacy, and Heart: Dr. Theresa Rouse’s Journey Transforming Joliet Public Schools District 86","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2564,"description":"In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86 in Illinois.\nWith more than 30 years in education and 16 years as a superintendent, Dr. Rouse reflects on her journey from classroom teacher to district leader and shares how a commitment to equity, cultural proficiency, and whole-child support has shaped nearly a decade of transformation in Joliet.\nMindy and Dr. Rouse discuss the district’s equity journey, the importance of examining personal biases before changing systems, and the intentional literacy strategies helping students recover and accelerate after the pandemic. They also explore the role of music, art, social-emotional learning, and community trust in creating schools where every child can thrive. As Dr. Rouse prepares for retirement in 2027, she reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave behind—and the torch she hopes to pass forward.\nKey Moments\n\n01:19 Dr. Rouse’s path from classroom teacher to superintendent\n03:11 Arriving in Joliet and uncovering the district’s biggest challenge\n06:12 Beginning the district’s cultural proficiency and equity journey\n08:19 Personal reflection, bias, and leadership growth\n09:55 Leading difficult conversations as a new superintendent\n12:44 Why meaningful organizational change took two years to build\n16:33 Results of the district’s equity-focused approach\n20:19 Embedding equity into strategic planning and hiring practices\n21:37 What literacy through an equity lens looks like in practice\n22:43 Strengthening kindergarten literacy through targeted support\n25:28 Recovering from pandemic learning loss and accelerating growth\n26:15 Building coherent literacy systems across the district\n28:24 Supporting multilingual learners through resources and access\n29:49 Selecting and implementing Wit & Wisdom as a core curriculum\n31:04 Why social-emotional learning is foundational to academic success\n33:33 The role of music and art in educating the whole child...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/5NydEFA_qXyiCW0KwnrKe3r-T7cwMW6JrfLozUoHRfY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hZjZm/YTE1ZjRlMjNkMDU4/MzI1MTBjZWJkOGU5/M2FiYS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}