In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. NaTasha Crain, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Marshall Independent School District in East Texas.

With her entire career rooted in East Texas public schools, Dr. Crain shares how her journey from secondary English teacher to elementary principal to district leader—has shaped her belief in strong Tier 1 instruction, aligned systems, and clear expectations for adults.

Mindy and Dr. Crain explore how Marshall ISD is improving literacy outcomes by investing in professional learning, lesson rehearsal, and consistent instructional practices. The conversation also highlights how clarity in communication, thoughtful MTSS systems, and intentional implementation of resources like i-Ready are helping teachers meet students where they are—while ensuring equity across classrooms..

Key Moments

01:05 Dr. Crain’s career journey across East Texas public schools

03:45 From secondary to elementary leadership: lessons learned

07:32 Improving literacy outcomes through Tier 1 instruction

09:54 Building teacher capacity through explicit instruction and alignment

11:10 District-wide PD structure and six-week planning cycles

12:30 Lesson rehearsal and PLCs as tools for instructional growth

13:33 Redefining Tier 2 and Tier 3 support through MTSS

15:30 Using i-Ready diagnostics and stretch goals to close gaps

17:42 Monitoring fidelity and implementation with clear systems

20:29 Supporting emergent bilingual learners and early literacy foundations

24:07 Building a culture of continuous learning through modeling

27:15 A five-year vision for equity and whole-child success

28:48 What Dr. Crain is reading: The Craft of Clarity

30:14 “Paint done”: communicating expectations with precision

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you’re focused on literacy improvement, professional learning, or system-wide coherence, this episode offers practical insight and encouragement. Dr. Crain shares how clarity is kind, why Tier 1 instruction does the heavy lifting, and how leaders can build trust by learning alongside teachers. Her grounded approach to equity and implementation makes this a valuable listen for district and campus leaders alike.

Connect with Dr NaTasha Crain
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-natasha-crain-337575b5
Website:https://www.marshallisd.com/

Follow Us:
Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom
OnYourMark
Website: https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/
OnYourMark LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education

About OnYourMark Podcast
The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child.

👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Kelly Elrod, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Continuous Improvement in Anderson School District 5 (South Carolina).

With 35 years in education—spanning early childhood special education, literacy coaching, school turnaround leadership, and district-level roles—Kelly shares what it takes to rebuild coherent systems after COVID while protecting teachers from overload.

Mindy and Kelly dig into the shift from balanced literacy to the science of reading, why strong Tier 1 instruction matters most, and how Anderson 5 is strengthening support for students—especially in a district with high poverty and a highly transient student population. Kelly also explains how her team is approaching professional development with clarity, consistency, and a focus on the “why,” so teachers know exactly where they’re headed and how they’ll get there.

Key Moments

01:01 Kelly Elrod’s 35-year journey through early childhood, special education, and district leadership

03:12 Leading turnaround work and building school culture from the ground up

06:34 Why districts are striving for coherence after COVID

08:58 Balanced literacy vs. science of reading: what was missing

11:22 Why Anderson 5 is prioritizing 4K instruction

14:10 Addressing foundational reading gaps in middle school

17:05 Managing professional development during large-scale change

20:48 Universal Design for Learning and strengthening Tier 1 instruction

23:20 Change management: starting early and sharing the “why”

26:52 Curriculum fidelity and supporting a highly transient student population

30:30 Rethinking intervention through push-in models and MTSS

35:22 A five-year vision for stronger systems and sustained student support

37:05 What Kelly is reading and what’s next for instructional equity

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you’re working to strengthen literacy outcomes and protect teacher capacity, this episode will resonate. Kelly offers practical, grounded insight into building district coherence especially in communities with high need and constant change. You’ll hear what it looks like to move from “too many initiatives” to a clear, supportive system where students don’t fall through the cracks and teachers aren’t asked to reinvent the wheel.

Connect with Kelly Elrod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-elrod-b8384149
Website: https://www.anderson5.net/

Follow Us:
Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom
OnYourMarkWebsite: https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/
OnYourMark LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education

About OnYourMark Podcast
The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child.

👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.

In this episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County School District in Florida, and Laura France, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction. Together, they share how a district once labeled “in decline” moved from a 54.9% graduation rate and multiple failing schools to over 92% graduation and zero schools in failing status.

Mindy, Dr. Surrency, and Laura unpack how stable leadership, stronger Tier 1 instruction, and a relentless focus on systems not quick fixes have transformed teaching, learning, and literacy across the district. From novice teacher support to near-peer tutoring, this is a masterclass in long-game, student-centered change.

Key Moments

00:04 Welcome to the OnYourMark Podcast & Today’s Guests

01:25 Rick’s 48-Year Journey in Education & Returning as Superintendent

02:18 From District in Decline to 92.5% Graduation Rate

03:53 Turning Around a Chronically Failing School & Scaling What Worked

04:56 Laura on Strengthening Core Instruction vs. “Intervening Our Way Out”

07:19 Building a Common Language for Instruction & Real-Time Professional Learning

11:15 Making Learning Relevant: CTE, STEM, and Portrait of a Graduate

13:51 STEM Pathways, K–12 STEM Accreditation & Cambridge Acceleration

33:18 Inside Putnam’s K–12 Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan

37:42 Trend Walks: Non-Evaluative Classroom Visits that Drive PD

39:52 Raising Future Teachers: Near-Peer “RAISE” Tutors & Grow-Your-Own Pipelines

44:45 Looking Ahead: Five New Schools, a $300M Bond, and What’s Next

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you care about literacy, leadership, and long-term system improvement, this conversation will stay with you. Dr. Rick Surrency and Laura France share openly about moving a district from decline to stability, rebuilding core instruction, and creating systems that last beyond any one leader. They unpack how relevance, strong pedagogy, and community trust come together to help every student grow and how investing in teachers keeps the whole system moving forward. Their clarity, humility, and deep commitment to kids make this an energizing listen for any education leader focused on sustainable change.

Connect with Our Guests

Dr. Rick Surrency: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-surrency-221a69a5
Laura France: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-france-376602a7

Follow Us:
Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom
OnYourMarkWebsite: https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/
OnYourMark LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education

About OnYourMark Podcast
The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child.

👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.