In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with Kathy Hoffman, former Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction and a passionate advocate for special education. Now serving as the Executive Director for Innovation and Special Education Initiatives at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Kathy is leading Project OASIS—a groundbreaking initiative to rethink and improve special education systems.

Kathy shares her journey from speech-language pathologist to state education leader, explaining how her firsthand experiences in Arizona classrooms shaped her drive for reform. She discusses the challenges facing special education today, including severe teacher shortages, overwhelming administrative burdens, and the need for more inclusive classroom models. Through Project OASIS, she is bringing together educators, researchers, parents, and business leaders to explore innovative strategies that improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

Tom and Kathy also dive into the complexities of special education funding, teacher training, and the need for community collaboration to ensure that every child—regardless of ability—receives the support they need to succeed.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on how reimagining special education can create lasting, positive change for students, teachers, and school systems nationwide.

Key Moments

03:49 Challenges in Special Education Compliance

09:29 Parents' Role in Education Improvement

12:11 Special Ed Challenges in Arizona

14:40 Challenges in Inclusive Education

17:27 Children: 100% of Our Future

Connect with Kathy Hoffman

X: https://x.com/supt_hoffman?lang=en

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with Chad Aldis, Vice President of Ohio Policy at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, to discuss the pressing challenges and opportunities in American education.

Aldis shares his journey from law school to the forefront of education policy, detailing his work in school choice, academic standards, and accountability systems. With experience spanning state legislatures, nonprofit advocacy, and national policy research, Aldis provides a nuanced perspective on what it takes to improve educational outcomes for all students.

The conversation explores the role of rigorous academic standards, the importance of teacher quality, and the evolving landscape of school choice. Aldis highlights how the Fordham Institute has been instrumental in shaping education policy in Ohio while influencing national discussions. He and Luna discuss the critical need for high expectations in schools, the impact of post-pandemic learning gaps—particularly in math—and how accountability measures must prioritize student success over feel-good participation.

They also examine the challenges faced by rural schools and the importance of maintaining educational equity in areas with fewer choices. Wrapping up with a surprising Ohio trivia fact, Aldis and Luna provide a compelling discussion on why education reform is essential for the nation’s future.

Tune in to Swimming Upstream for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges the status quo and advocates for meaningful, student-centered change in education.

Key Moments

04:21 Influence of Ohio's Education Policies

07:01 Boosting Education Through Relevance

12:48 Meaningful Readiness Indicators Needed

15:54 Rural School Challenges and Accountability

17:01 Prioritizing Students and Education Urgency

Connect with Chad Aldis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-aldis-614oh/

Website : https://fordhaminstitute.org/

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna welcomes Stephen D. Dackin, Director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, for a conversation that dives deep into the evolving role of education in preparing students for life beyond high school.

With over four decades in public education—as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and policymaker—Dackin shares how Ohio is reshaping its entire K–12 ecosystem to meet the urgent demands of today’s economy. From pioneering STEM academies in Reynoldsburg to leading the newly integrated Department of Education and Workforce, Dackin has made a career out of building bridges—between schools and businesses, academics and employability, policy and practice.

This episode explores how Ohio is aligning its education system with workforce realities through community-driven school reform, personalized student pathways, and innovative state-level policy shifts. Dackin breaks down the state’s new governance model, which uniquely merges education and workforce strategy, and discusses why that matters for employers, families, and students alike. Listeners will also hear about Ohio’s innovative graduation pathways, career planning reforms, and a game-changing pilot program that could reimagine the high school experience altogether.

Whether you're a state leader, educator, or community advocate, this episode offers both inspiration and a roadmap for making public education more relevant, responsive, and resilient.

Key Moments

00:00 From Athlete to Educator

03:36 Teacher to Administrator Journey

09:57 Empowering Parental Choice in Education

10:55 "Reynoldsburg Reach Community Engagement"

16:19 Ohio's Business Growth and Workforce Challenge

18:48 Pathways Beyond High School

20:35 Transition Challenges to College Success

25:11 Accountability in Education Readiness Measures

30:28 Ohio Education and Workforce Insights

31:28 "Superman Originated in Cleveland"

35:17 "Community Engagement in School Planning"

38:02 "Children: 100% of Our Future

Connect with Stephen Dackin

Website: https://education.ohio.gov/