We’re trying to undo decades of old ways of thinking.

Sharon Bradley, director of family and social services for the Plano Independent school district, Plano, Texas

I want these kids to know: Just because you can’t sit down at a desk, read something, and get straight A’s, doesn’t mean that you don’t have something to offer this world.

LeeAnn Kittle, executive director of sustainability, Denver Public Schools

I just want [students] to have all the opportunities regardless of where they live or the resources that their parents might provide to them.

Ana Pasarella, director of family and community engagement, Alvin Independent School District, Alvin, Texas

It’s really about how we are aligning systems of support and enabling conditions around schools to best set them up for success. That’s really the bottom line.

Aleesia Johnson, superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools, Indianapolis, Ind.

Even when I was teaching, I really wanted to push the bounds of what school could be. I wanted it to be more like a home than a factory.

Kate Maxlow, director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for Hampton City Schools, Hampton City, Va.

Technology nowadays, it’s a dime a dozen. You can throw whatever tech in there you want, but if people don’t care, if they don’t know how to use it, it’s a paperweight.

Jun Kim, director of technology for Moore Public Schools, Moore, Okla.