{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Unlock 360","title":"S.5 | Ep. 20: Building Belonging, Student Voice, and Stronger Schools with Dr. Michelle Kuss-Cybula","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1869,"description":"In this episode of Unlock 360, host Wendy York Davoud welcomes Dr. Michelle Kuss-Cybula, Superintendent of Oak Harbor Public Schools in Washington. With more than 35 years in public education and leadership experience across multiple states, Michelle shares how listening deeply to students, families, and the community has shaped a unified vision for one of Washington's unique military-connected school districts.\nMichelle reflects on her own educational journey, including the counselor who told her she wasn't 'college material' and the teachers and mentors who inspired her to prove otherwise. She explains how those experiences continue to fuel her commitment to ensuring every student feels valued, supported, and capable of achieving their goals.\nThe conversation explores Oak Harbor's 'One Oak Harbor' philosophy, the power of student voice in strategic planning, creating a strong sense of belonging for highly mobile military families, and building coherent instructional systems that strengthen both academic achievement and community partnerships. Michelle also shares practical leadership lessons on listening first, leading with purpose, and designing schools around the student experience.\nKey Moments\n00:54 Michelle's Journey into Education\n04:02 The Counselor Who Changed Her Path\n09:48 Listening Before Leading\n11:06 Creating a Community-Driven Strategic Plan\n14:33 Measuring Progress Beyond the Plan\n15:53 Balancing Belonging and Academic Rigor\n17:33 Building Collaborative Learning Systems\n19:37 Leadership Lessons Across States\n22:23 Learning Through Student Voice\n25:28 The One Oak Harbor Experience\n27:58 Sharing Alumni Success Stories\n29:12 A Tribute to Mrs. Dana\nWhy You'll Love This Episode\nDr. Kuss-Cybula shares inspiring leadership lessons on building community trust, elevating student voice, and creating school systems where every student feels they belong while achieving at high levels. Her practical approach to strategic planning, collaboration, and culture...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/cNqF3jSAGeObZtB8q6Pl2slNau9sCDYLUTBh6wENuzU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hYjlk/YmIwNjIyZjk2ZTk4/MDUzMmEwNTZjMWNj/OWNjNy5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}