Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles - Facing Critics of Change

de•code

In this episode of Decode, host Stanley Buchesky sits down with Mike Miles, Superintendent of Houston ISD and a nationally recognized leader in education reform. Mike shares his journey from the military and diplomacy into education, and how those experiences shaped his bold, systemic approach to transforming schools.

He discusses the challenges and opportunities of leading the largest school district in Texas, his vision for high-quality instruction in every classroom, and the urgency of preparing students for a rapidly changing world. From rethinking teacher development to building cultures of excellence, Mike offers candid insights into what it takes to drive meaningful change in public education.

Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of learning, this conversation will leave you with fresh perspective on leadership, equity, and the power of setting a clear mission.

Key Moments

03:18 Unlikely Journey Towards Education

09:12 Handling Public Criticism

11:49 "Unsung Dedication to Educational Reform"

13:51 "Urgent 2035 Readiness Needed"

16:59 Turnover Reduction Amid Political Strife

20:39 "Figures Don't Lie"

25:37 "Science of Reading vs. Whole Language"

30:09 Prioritizing Student Achievement

32:22 "Art of Thinking Course Overview"

37:19 "AI Impact on Meetings & Education"

40:21 Adaptive AI Policies Needed

42:30 Embrace AI in Education

Connect with Mike Miles:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmikemiles
• Website: https://www.houstonisd.org/