Unlock 360

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud welcomes Dr. Margaret Marotta, Superintendent of Haverhill Public Schools in Massachusetts. Now in her ninth year leading the district, Dr. Marotta reflects on the challenges of stepping into a changing school community and the difficult decisions required to create more equitable opportunities for students. She shares how restructuring school attendance zones became one of her earliest and most significant leadership decisions, helping address longstanding inequities across Haverhill's schools.

Dr. Marotta discusses the district's ongoing efforts to strengthen academic achievement through research-based curriculum, instructional coaching, professional development, and greater consistency across classrooms. She highlights Haverhill's recognition for growth in mathematics and its literacy improvement efforts, including the implementation of a rigorous, science-based reading curriculum. The conversation also explores how the district navigates financial pressures through a strategic budgeting approach designed to protect classroom experiences while making necessary adjustments.

The episode also highlights Haverhill's creative approach to meeting student needs and connecting learning to real-world experiences. Dr. Marotta shares how the district's new food truck initiative combines food access, career and technical education, entrepreneurship, and student creativity. From supporting multilingual learners and students with disabilities to helping teachers embrace more rigorous instruction, she emphasizes the importance of high expectations, collaboration, and ensuring every student has the resources and opportunities to succeed.

Key Moments

01:15 Dr. Marotta's Journey into District Leadership

01:46 Leading a Changing School Community

03:22 Addressing Inequities Through School Rezoning

07:36 Lessons from Difficult Leadership Decisions

10:34 Building Consistency Through Research-Based Curriculum

11:41 Investing in Teacher Development and Collaboration

13:46 Navigating School Funding Challenges

14:36 Making Strategic Budget Decisions

18:41 Understanding Changing Kindergarten Needs

21:32 Celebrating Growth in Mathematics Achievement

22:41 Strengthening Literacy Through Rigorous Instruction

25:02 Engaging Teachers in Curriculum Adoption

29:05 Ensuring Rigorous Learning for Every Student

30:28 Connecting Food Access with Real-World Learning

34:47 Honoring the Inspiration Behind Her Leadership

Why You'll Love This Episode

Dr. Marotta offers a practical perspective on leading school improvement while navigating equity challenges, financial constraints, and changing student needs. Her experiences demonstrate how courageous decisions, thoughtful resource allocation, strong instructional systems, and creative community initiatives can help districts create meaningful opportunities for every learner.

Connect with Margaret Marotta
Haverhill Public Schools Website: https://www.haverhill-ps.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-marotta-smith-47508926
Email: margaret.marotta@haverhill-ps.org

Follow Us
Wendy York Davoud's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork
Lead.Teach.Learn.360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com
Lead.Teach.Learn.360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/

About Unlock 360°
Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead.Teach.Learn.360°, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.

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What is Unlock 360?

Welcome to Unlock 360 Podcast, where each episode unpacks the practices, partnerships, and people behind measurable gains in student outcomes. From building collaborative leadership cultures to designing equity-driven systems, you'll hear what happens when clarity, coherence, and coaching align.

Whether you're a superintendent, campus leader, or classroom educator, Unlock 360 offers fresh insights, practical strategies, and an honest look at what it takes to create lasting impact. New episodes released biweekly.