Leadership Laps

Leadership Laps explores the journeys and stories of educational leaders within Aurora Public Schools, Colorado's most diverse school district. Like a marathon, leadership requires training, perseverance, and a long-term vision. In each episode, we'll hear from those who are helping guide our district toward #DestinationAPS, sharing their personal stories, challenges overcome, leadership lessons learned, and what keeps them motivated along the way. From superintendents to principals, district leaders to classroom innovators, these conversations reveal the passion, purpose, and people behind APS's commitment to excellence. Join us as we discover how these educational leaders pace themselves through the leadership marathon while creating positive change for our 40,000 students from 130 countries of origin.

Leadership Laps is a education podcast hosted by Jesús G. Rodríguez, Ed.D., with 30 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Jesús G. Rodríguez, Ed.D. hosts Leadership Laps, a education show with 30 episodes published.

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  Episode #35

  Building Capacity w/Heather Stewart

  Oct 2, 202624 minS4

  Every great educational leader has a unique origin story. For Heather Stewart, Instructional Director for Network 3 at Aurora Public Schools, that journey started at McDonald's! In this conversation, Heather opens up about her transition from fast-food management to educational leadership. Tune in to hear what inspired her path, the powerful lessons she carried over from her early career, and how she empowers her team to build the capacity to create an environment where every student can thrive.

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  Episode #34

  The Dynamic Duo w/Danielle Hansen & Danielle Glasgow

  Sep 18, 202625 minS4

  Two Danielles, one powerful mission! In this episode of Leadership Laps, Danielle H. (Climate & Culture Coordinator) and Danielle G. (Assistant Principal) from Vista Peak Exploratory sit down to discuss the magic behind their dynamic partnership. Together, they share how intentional teamwork directly fuels student success, the importance of prioritizing mental health in schools, and the personal journeys in education. Tune in to learn how this duo cultivates a thriving school culture from the inside out.

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  Episode #33

  Seeing Every Student w/Jenny Herbert

  Sep 4, 202628 minS4

  In this episode of Season 4, "Breaking Away," we sit down with Jenny Herbert, Climate and Culture Coordinator at Dalton Elementary School. With 22 years of dedication to the APS community, as a classroom teacher, dean of students, and now coordinator, Jenny shares her deeply personal connection to education. We discuss her work implementing the Neurosequential Model in Education, launching a successful student mentorship program, and building predictable systems that allow students to thrive academically. Jenny’s journey is a powerful reminder that school culture isn't a soft skill: it is the foundation for all student success. **Subscribe** to follow along with more stories from the leaders shaping the future of our district.

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  Episode #32

  Tending The Soil w/Yvette Moye

  Aug 21, 202621 minS4

  In this episode of Leadership Laps, Yvette Moye, a Climate and Culture Coordinator (CCC) at East Middle School, joins the podcast to discuss her 17-year journey in education. Yvette shares her leadership philosophy which is rooted in the belief that leaders must "tend the soil" by creating safe, supported, and valued environments before expecting growth and reflects on the rewards of cultivating belonging for students, staff, and families. Listeners will hear about Yvette's transition from an involved APS parent volunteer to an educator, her recent efforts to support multilingual families, and her proudest recent project: the 6th grade first-day experience. She also offers insight into the importance of "being purposeful on purpose," and discusses how she breaks away toward district goals in Season 4 of the podcast.

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  Episode #31

  Powering the Mission w/ Chief Tim Burcham

  Aug 7, 202628 minS4

  In this Season 4 premiere of Leadership Laps: Breaking Away, I sit down with Tim Burcham, Aurora Public Schools' Chief Information and Technology Officer, just six months into his role. Tim shares his remarkable journey from a BFA in Film at CU Boulder through 25 years of innovation in financial technology and healthcare data, to finding his calling in public education, a transition shaped in part by his experience as a cancer survivor. A fellow runner, Tim brings fresh perspective from the private sector to APS, discussing how technology accelerates our most ambitious goals: doubling early literacy rates, increasing graduation, and supporting multilingual learners. From AI in the classroom to ensuring every student has connectivity and devices, Tim offers insights into how every member of the APS team, regardless of role, contributes to student success.

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