Leading with Equity & Heart: Dr. Theresa Rouse’s Journey Transforming Joliet Public Schools

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86 in Illinois. With more than 30 years in education and 16 years as a superintendent, Dr. Rouse reflects on her journey from classroom teacher to district leader and shares how a commitment to equity, cultural proficiency, and whole-child support has shaped nearly a decade of transformation in Joliet. Mindy and Dr. Rouse discuss the district’s equity journey, the importance of examining personal biases before changing systems, and the intentional literacy strategies helping students recover and accelerate after the pandemic. They also explore the role of music, art, social-emotional learning, and community trust in creating schools where every child can thrive. As Dr. Rouse prepares for retirement in 2027, she reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave behind—and the torch she hopes to pass forward. Key Moments 01:19 Dr. Rouse’s path from classroom teacher to superintendent 03:11 Arriving in Joliet and uncovering the district’s biggest challenge 06:12 Beginning the district’s cultural proficiency and equity journey 08:19 Personal reflection, bias, and leadership growth 09:55 Leading difficult conversations as a new superintendent 12:44 Why meaningful organizational change took two years to build 16:33 Results of the district’s equity-focused approach 20:19 Embedding equity into strategic planning and hiring practices 21:37 What literacy through an equity lens looks like in practice 22:43 Strengthening kindergarten literacy through targeted support 25:28 Recovering from pandemic learning loss and accelerating growth 26:15 Building coherent literacy systems across the district 28:24 Supporting multilingual learners through resources and access 29:49 Selecting and implementing Wit & Wisdom as a core curriculum 31:04 Why social-emotional learning is foundational to academic success 33:33 The role of music and art in educating the whole child 37:30 Preparing for retirement and passing the torch to the next leader 38:21 New schools, facility investments, and leaving a lasting legacy Why You’ll Love This Episode If you care about educational equity, literacy leadership, and creating systems that truly serve all students, this conversation is a must-listen. Dr. Rouse offers a thoughtful and deeply personal perspective on leading change, supporting educators, and ensuring every child has access to the opportunities they deserve. Her reflections on leadership, community trust, and whole-child education provide valuable lessons for district leaders at every stage of their journey. Connect with Dr. Theresa Rouse LinkedIn:   / theresa-rouse-ed-d-bb65521a   Website: https://www.joliet86.org/ Follow Us: Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn:   / mindy-sjoblom   OnYourMarkWebsite: https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/ OnYourMark LinkedIn:   / onyourmark-education   About OnYourMark Podcast The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child. 👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.