Brighter Together
Brighter Together with Janet L. Courtney is a podcast dedicated to real stories from the front lines of education leadership. Hosted by Janet L. Courtney, Founder and CEO of Lighthouse Therapy, the podcast highlights the voices of school leaders who are making a difference—sharing practical insights, creative solutions, and inspiring moments of growth.
All Episodes
The One Decision That Stopped Teacher Burnout at Delhi USD - Eric Griffin
Superintendent Eric Griffin shares the leadership philosophy that transformed Delhi Unified School District: empowering staff before setting expectations on them. Discover how one conversation with union leadership shifted the district from unsustainable demands to sustainable excellence, unlocking measurable gains in student outcomes, attendance, and teacher retention while keeping "what's best for kids" at the center of every decision.
Stop Pulling Kids Out: Why Inclusive Co-Teaching Changes Everything - Brandon Bernard
Brandon Bernard, Director of Special Education at Heritage Academy in Mesa, Arizona, reveals why removing students from general education classrooms actually widens achievement gaps—and shares the co-teaching model that keeps special education scholars with content experts and age-appropriate peers while they earn associate degrees. Discover how treating special education as a service, not a place, transforms outcomes for students with disabilities.
The Hexagon Secret: How One County Ended Decision Paralysis - Jeremy Sawtelle
When education teams face competing good ideas but lack a framework to choose, analysis paralysis sets in. Jeremy Sawtelle, Director of Specialized Student Support at Shasta County Office of Education, reveals how the hexagon tool—a structured rubric borrowed from healthcare—transformed decision-making across Northern California schools by removing power dynamics and scoring ideas on evidence-base and contextual fit.
The Model That Solved Rural SPED Services (And You've Never Heard of It) - George Welsh
Small rural school districts serving just a few hundred students cannot afford their own school psychologists, speech pathologists, or occupational therapists—until they form a cooperative. George Welsh, Executive Director of San Luis Valley BOCES (Board of Cooperative Education Services), explains how fourteen districts pooled resources to become Colorado's first and oldest regional special education hub, and why their hybrid model of in-person and telehealth providers is now the blueprint for rural districts nationwide.