Shannon Anderson is an education innovator who fuels his district with a commitment to the positive narrative and to unwavering belief in—and support for—his team. He is an effective, inspirational leader and was an early adopter of the Journey12 initiative and he has built a durable connection between his schools and the community they serve. Nobody leverages the custom podcast more effectively than Shannon, and his people feel the glow of the spotlight his efforts afford.

I met Joe just as he was taking on the role of Superintendent in Jasper County. He had his hands full and was in the thick of the transition. But despite his full plate, from the very beginning, he saw communication with his community as vital to his new role. He and his team have delivered on enhancing the dialogue between the district and the community it serves—one of Illinois' largest in terms of geographical footprints.

Dr. Smith is a veteran educator and administrator who, along with his board, recognized a need for a more meaningful dialogue with the district taxpayer. As a strong communicator himself, he'd been frustrated by the limited reach in traditional school-based digital media and brought Journey12 in to conduct a quarterly 'every mailbox, every taxpayer' campaign. The results have exceeded expectations, and his community indicates a greater connection to the district. And, as Dr. Smith notes in his interview, "They [the taxpayers] pay a lot of money to support the district, they need to know what's going on."

Jon Green is a game-changer. In each of his administrative roles, he has led with innovation, and in each case, he has brought tremendous value to his school communities. He has a reputation for asking, "Why not," more so than, "Why?" And it has enabled him to blast through imaginary ceilings, taking students and staff along with him for hitherto unseen outcomes. He was the very first to adopt the Journey12 initiative in, not only the State of Illinois, but in the entire Country. We're very proud to lock arms with Jon in service to his students and his District.

Dr. Jennifer Garrison is a leader like few we've ever met. By weekday, she draws her community together in the face of challenges and even tragedy, but by weekends, she competes in Tough Mudder races and trains by rucking. Her knack for building teams and coalitions have made her a sought-after mentor and education innovator. She was among the first to hire Journey12 to produce her school community's story.

Stuart Parks is a longtime educator, administrator, and innovator. He has made tremendous impact in his leadership roles across Illinois, and has successfully revitalized, not only the reputations of the schools he leads, but their physical plants as well. Stuart has found more grant money, per student, than perhaps anyone we've ever met!

Journey12 has created a system for helping schools build their best stories and then put them directly into the hands of every single taxpayer in the district. This is a game changer and it is making a difference.

Maryanne Boren brings her whole heart to her work as Principal of Meridian High School and Junior High School. Her 'everyday' as an administrator begins and ends with an emphasis on relationships and the critical nature of cultivating them with her students. She is also the J12 Program Liaison for Meridian, which means she chooses our story subjects and, in doing so, shapes the school's messaging through its quarterly magazine to its podcast. Maryanne is a rare treasure and you'll see her reflected in the Meridian community in as many ways as there are stories.

SarahBeth Williams has a love for community exceeded only by her love for teaching. She led her rural Illinois school through the COVID crisis and established her District as a hub for the community during one of the most difficult times in education. Recognizing the importance to bind community in the common cause of educating its children, SarahBeth brought in the J12 community engagement program to great success.