In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Nick Fitzgerald, superintendent of Canajoharie Central School District in upstate New York. As just the sixth superintendent in the last hundred years, Nick leads a small rural district with a deep sense of tradition and an equally bold vision for the future.
Nick shares how his team has built a culture of care through social–emotional learning, mentoring, and restorative practices—doubling counseling staff and embedding supports so that every student feels safe, seen, and ready to learn. He reflects on how departmentalizing grades 1–5 and introducing teacher “badges” for self-directed professional growth are freeing educators to focus on what matters most. And he explains why empathy, visibility, and wellness are central to sustaining both staff and students in the hard work of education.
Whether you’re leading in a rural district, a suburban school, or simply curious about what it takes to balance tradition with innovation, this episode offers practical and inspiring ideas for how consistent, intentional culture-building can create schools where people genuinely want to be.
💡 Little Wins in This Episode:
- Doubling Down on Care: Counseling staff doubled, a full-time therapist added, and restorative practices embedded—making student wellbeing the foundation for learning.
- Mentors Everywhere: From administrators to bus drivers, any adult can serve as a
mentor, giving students trusted connections beyond the classroom.
- Wellness Days for Staff: Half-days for massages, fitness, and even pickleball create space for staff to recharge and build cross-role relationships.
- Badges, Not Mandates: A self-directed professional development program rewards teachers with skill badges (like AI, Canva, or Google) and a coveted day off.
- Future-Driven Learning: Redesigning classroom spaces and launching student “badges” for critical skills like collaboration and problem-solving—years ahead of state mandates.
Key Moments
03:29 Aspiring Superintendent's Journey
09:18 "Staff Consistency Ensures Stability"
13:33 Decentralized Educational Strategy Translation
19:22 Prioritizing Students' Emotional Wellbeing
20:31 Enhancing Counseling and Behavioral Support
23:56 Inclusive Team Building at School
29:42 "Adapting Education Post-COVID"
31:16 Streamlined K-5 Teaching Model
34:15 "Transformative Efficient AI in Education"
37:16 Faculty Skills Badge Program
42:38 "Future-Driven Education by 2029"
44:30 Financial Strategies for Sustainable Growth
Connect with Dr. Nick Fitzgerald
Follow Us
🧵 About the Podcast:
Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures—one little win at a time.
What is Little Wins?
Little Wins is a podcast that shines a light on the small moments making a big impact in schools. Hosted by Karen Borchert, each episode features courageous conversations with principals, heads of school, and superintendents who are building trust, sparking belonging, and shaping culture—one hallway celebration, heartfelt gesture, or coffee-fueled conversation at a time.
Because in education, it’s the little things that often matter most—and they’re the reason people stay.