In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Adam Magliari, Superintendent of Mediapolis Community School District in southeast Iowa — a rural district of just under 1,000 students, where pride runs deep and connection fuels everything.

A former PE teacher and longtime high school principal, Dr. Magliari brings both heart and systems thinking to leadership. His doctoral research on teacher burnout and retention continues to shape how he leads with intentional listening, shared decision-making, and a relentless belief that “it takes all of us.”

Together, Karen and Adam unpack how Mediapolis (known locally as “Mepo”) lives out its vision, Motivated by Excellence, Pride, and Opportunity. From preschool expansion and strategic planning to student “Lighthouse Teams” and staff mentorship, this episode shines a light on how small, deliberate actions build thriving school cultures.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. “It Takes All of Us”: How one simple motto inspired collaboration across every level of the district.

   
   

2. Individualized Consideration: What Dr. Magliari’s research reveals about supporting and retaining great teachers.
   
   
3. The Lighthouse Team: A leadership model empowering staff — and now students — to own their school’s goals.
   
   
4. Community Connection: Partnering with the city to align school and community vision through 2050.

   
   

5. Culture in Action: From announcing football games to joining the lunch line, visibility and humility drive trust.

Key Moments

00:02 Introducing Dr. Adam Magliari and the Mediapolis community

03:20 Launching the district’s first preschool

06:30 Building two-way trust with the community

09:30 Visibility, involvement, and leadership by example

13:00 From student teacher struggles to superintendent lessons

19:00 The “Four I’s” of transformational leadership

22:30 Why individualized consideration matters most

43:00 Career exploration and “grow your own” educator programs

44:38 Celebrating staff ownership and shared wins

46:10 Advice for new leaders: “Change takes time, listen first.”

Connect with Dr. Adam Magliari 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-magliari-877801331
Website: https://www.meposchools.org/

Follow Us

Karen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert

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Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library 

🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures.

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