{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Lebra Podcast","title":"Spencer Byrd on Strategic Planning, CTE Expansion, and Building Community Trust ","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2445,"description":"In this episode of the Lebra Podcast, host Nate Lichte sits down with Spencer Byrd, Superintendent of Cheboygan Area Schools, to discuss leadership, rural education, and the importance of building school systems that students genuinely enjoy being part of.\nDrawing on more than 35 years in education, Spencer reflects on his journey from teacher and coach in Illinois to superintendent in Northern Michigan. Along the way, he shares how athletics, mentorship, and meaningful relationships with teachers shaped his own path into leadership and continue to influence how he leads today.\nThe conversation explores the unique realities of leading a rural district in Northern Michigan, including seasonal economies, declining enrollment, staffing shortages, and the increasing impact of online learning. Spencer explains why listening tours were critical during his first year in Cheboygan and how intentional community engagement helped shape a strategic plan that now guides every major district decision.\nNate and Spencer also dive into Cheboygan’s growing focus on Career and Technical Education (CTE), early middle college opportunities, and building pathways that align with the district’s blue-collar community roots. Spencer shares how the district is expanding middle school CTE programming, creating workforce-ready experiences, and helping first-generation college students access affordable postsecondary opportunities.\nThey close with leadership advice for aspiring superintendents: listen before acting, stay patient with long-term change, invest in succession planning, and intentionally grow the next generation of educational leaders.\nTimestamps\n05:26 Planning for retirement and mentorship\n09:42 Challenges of winter in our town\n12:49 Advice for new superintendents\n15:22 Getting involved in the community\n19:22 Creating a strategic plan\n22:38 Creating actionable strategic goals\n25:02 Fostering a growth mindset\n29:43 Teacher shortages and online schools\n34:09 Advice for new...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/gwebu6vYiKxAI1HaurGwGAcdsNTaooai07Q924_P4Lg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8yNDc4/MmQ3OGM5ZGYxYWIy/YWRjNzljYWZjOTFi/MmFmZS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}