In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, we’re heading to South Fayette Township School District in Pennsylvania, where innovation isn’t just a buzzword. I talk with Dr. Michelle Miller, Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Matthew Callison, Director of Research and Innovation, about how their district has built a strong culture of research use and community collaboration.

We discuss their partnership with Digital Promise, their approach to inclusive design, and what it takes to meaningfully integrate research into professional learning and strategic planning. This conversation is part of a series of interviews conducted for a project with Digital Promise, but it’s too good not to share with the broader education community.

Josh Stewart, Ph.D.

Founder and Principal Researcher

Rocky Mountain Research & Strategy

🌐 rockymountain-research.org

In this solo episode of Evidence in the Wild, I dig into the real purpose of logic models, and why they’re more than just a compliance checkbox.

I explore how logic models can serve as practical, actionable tools to help us define measurable milestones, monitor our progress, and stay focused on outcomes that are actually within our control. Whether you’re leading a program, managing a grant, or trying to make sense of your goals, logic models can provide clarity on what’s working, and what needs to shift.

🧰 Check out the IES Program Evaluation Toolkit: https://ies.ed.gov/use-work/resource-library/resource/tooltoolkit/program-evaluation-toolkit

Josh Stewart, Ph.D. Founder and Principal Researcher Rocky Mountain Research & Strategy 🌐 rockymountain-research.org

In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, I sit down with Dr. David DeJong, Dean of the College of Education at Dakota State University and one of the key architects of South Dakota’s teacher apprenticeship program. We talk about how the SD TAP model came to life, why it matters, and what it's teaching us about expanding the teacher pipeline.

David shares early insights from the program, including what’s working, how mentors support apprentices in the field, and how South Dakota is thinking about sustainability and long-term impact. If you're interested in grow-your-own pathways, this conversation is a great place to start.

In this first episode of Evidence in the Wild, host Josh Stewart shares why this podcast exists, and why now is the time for a more honest, human conversation about data and research in education. Josh reflects on his background as a researcher, someone who grew up with dyslexia, and a former college professor who has spent the last decade working on federal and philanthropic education projects.

This episode sets the stage for what’s to come: candid conversations with educators, administrators, and researchers who are using evidence in creative, imperfect, and deeply committed ways to improve real-world practice. It’s about elevating what works, questioning what doesn’t, and democratizing how we use data to shape the future of education