In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Dr. Michael Conner, CEO and Founder of Agile Evolutionary Group and former superintendent, for a powerful conversation on leadership, systems thinking, and the future of education.

Dr. Conner shares his journey from classroom teacher to superintendent and how a pivotal decision to study business analytics and AI reshaped his perspective on education. What emerges is a bold vision for moving beyond traditional models toward what he calls “22nd century education”—where data, artificial intelligence, and systems-level thinking drive real transformation.

This episode blends personal storytelling with deep strategic insight—from the formative experience of “battling the library” as a child to rethinking how districts use data today. If you’re a district leader, board member, or education innovator, this conversation will challenge how you think about data, leadership, and what it truly takes to prepare students for the future.

What You’ll Learn

• Dr. Conner’s journey from teacher to superintendent to AI-driven education leader
• How early experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to learning
• Why traditional education leadership models are no longer enough
• The difference between “old data” analysis and real-time decision-making
• What schools are missing when they rely on siloed data
• Why every district needs a data scientist
• The concept of “inexactitude analysis” and why it matters
• How governance and school boards can become truly data-driven
• Why systems thinking is critical for sustainable school improvement
• How to move from isolated interventions to whole-system transformation
• The importance of preparing for Generation Alpha and Generation Beta
• Why AI is not just a tool—but a transformational force in education

Episode Timestamps

03:41 "22nd Century Education Disruptor"

07:03 "Journey to a Love for Reading"

12:34 "Real-Time Data Transformation Needed"

14:26 "Inexactitude Analysis in Education"

19:01 "Building Education Capabilities Systemically"

21:58 "Data-Driven Governance Innovation"

25:45 "Superintendent Challenges and Insights"

31:13 "Holistic Change Management Approach"

33:30 "Holistic Systems Drive Success"

36:34 "Future-Proofing Education Models"

Connect with Us

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group
  
  

Special Thanks

To Dr. Michael Conner for sharing his visionary thinking and practical insights on transforming education through data, systems, and AI.

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Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration. Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Ryan Patenaude, Founder and Managing Director of RP Impact Partners and co-founder of FEV Tutor.

Ryan shares the full journey from growing FEV Tutor from $0 to $50M without outside investment to now helping edtech companies scale the right way. Grounded in a family of educators, his work has always centered on equity, access, and delivering real outcomes for students.

Rick and Ryan dive into what it actually takes to build, scale, and sell an edtech company, and why many companies get it wrong in today’s market. From the “false reality” created during COVID funding to what districts actually need now, this conversation is packed with hard-earned lessons on strategy, partnerships, and long-term impact.

If you’re building in edtech, leading a district, or trying to navigate what comes next in K–12, this episode offers clarity on where the market is heading and how to win by doing the right work.

What You’ll Learn

• How Ryan helped grow FEV Tutor from startup to $50M without outside capital

• The real gap tutoring was solving for underserved students

• Why tech-enabled services beat pure software in high-impact interventions

• Lessons from building, scaling, and eventually selling an edtech company

• Why mentorship and learning from the right people accelerates growth

• What the edtech market got wrong during COVID and ESSER funding

• Why today’s market demands outcomes, not features

• The shift from vendor selling to strategic partnerships with districts

• Common mistakes edtech companies make in messaging and go-to-market strategy

• Why net revenue retention matters more than just landing new deals

• What it takes to build trust and long-term partnerships with school districts

Episode Timestamps

05:51 "Equitable Tutoring for All Students"

07:24 "Urgency in Education Leadership"

11:52 "Lessons on Growth and Investment"

15:55 "Building Networks Through Curiosity"

18:15 "Rebuilding Schools Through Leadership"

23:13 "Second Chance for Greater Growth"

25:38 "Bittersweet Journey of Selling Business"

30:15 Edtech's Post-Pandemic Reset

32:11 "Seizing Opportunities in EdTech"

34:53 Strategic Partnerships in EdTech

39:38 Regional Strategy & Revenue Retention

44:02 "Doing Well While Doing Good"

Connect with Us

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group
  
  

Special Thanks

To Ryan Patenaude for sharing an honest and insightful look into building, scaling, and evolving in edtech, and for continuing to support companies and districts focused on real student impact.

Stay Connected

Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration. Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Susan Miller, Senior Director of K–12 Consulting at Woolpert and a former school board member in Jefferson County, Colorado.

With a unique background spanning public finance, school board governance, and long-range facilities planning, Susan brings a multi-dimensional perspective to some of the biggest challenges facing K–12 today. From school choice and declining enrollment to fiscal sustainability and aging facilities, she shares why districts must rethink how they plan, operate, and serve their communities.

Rick and Susan also explore the growing pressures on school boards, the evolving role of the superintendent as a CEO-style leader, and the importance of staying focused on student outcomes amid political noise and distractions. If you’re thinking about the future of district leadership, facilities strategy, or how to adapt to enrollment shifts, this conversation offers both clarity and practical insight.

What You’ll Learn

• How school choice is reshaping enrollment patterns across the country

• Why declining birth rates are creating long-term enrollment challenges for districts

• The financial pressure districts face after ESSER funding expired

• Why student attendance trends are becoming a major academic and economic concern

• The importance of board members focusing on fiduciary responsibility and student outcomes

• Common distractions that derail school board discussions from academic priorities

• Why the superintendent role increasingly resembles that of a CEO

• The connection between early literacy, workforce readiness, and economic competitiveness

• What strong fiscal and facilities health looks like for a school district

• Innovative ways districts can repurpose underutilized facilities

Episode Timestamps

03:56 "Challenges of Declining School Enrollment"

10:13 Board Members' Fiduciary Responsibility Overview

11:20 Board Members Must Prioritize Learning

15:11 "Prioritizing Safety, Engagement, and Academics"

18:48 Evolving Role of Superintendents

22:09 Educating Kids Over AI Dependence

26:17 "Data-Driven Education for Careers"

28:58 Balancing Enrollment, Costs, and Programs

34:44 "Addressing Enrollment with Pre-K Expansion"

36:12 Repurposed Schools Build Community Hub

Connect with Us

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group
  
  

Special Thanks

To Dr. Miranda Walachowski for bringing both research and real-world experience into the team effectiveness conversation, and for the work she does to help leaders build stronger teams that execute with clarity, trust, and purpose.

Stay Connected

Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration. Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.