Connecting Education to Workforce Needs ft. Adam Bowen | Lessons Learned | Ep 11

Lessons Learned

How can districts prepare students for both college and career success—and what does it require from our instructional leaders?

“As a leader—getting the [support] that you need, that’s tailored to what is important to you—that's when you make your most growth, and that’s something that can’t be found with a one-size-fits-all PD opportunity.” - Adam Bowen

In this episode of Lessons Learned, host Matt sits down with Adam Bowen, Superintendent of New Buffalo Area Schools, for a candid conversation on building systems that equip students for life after graduation—whether that path leads to higher education, the workforce, or both.

Drawing on a career in education that began in high school, Adam shares how his district combines academic rigor with practical readiness, leveraging partnerships with a local career technical academy and individualized development plans to align coursework with each student’s career interests. He emphasizes the importance of early career conversations, starting in middle school, as well as ongoing professional learning for educators and non-traditional leaders.

Together, we explore key topics such as:

• How early planning helps students connect classroom learning to future goals
• Why community engagement is central to building successful pathways
• The role of professional development in strengthening both teaching and leadership capacity
• How to prioritize programs that deliver direct student impact, even amid financial uncertainty

Connect with our guest:

• Website: https://www.nbas.org/

Ways to tune in:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bzi3DLY1fCuBknsxWySw6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lessons-learned/id1714296987
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c715776e-3d77-4a8b-806b-207e01b861af
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@betterlesson4313