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Colorado Academy, Caves & Classrooms: Dr. Mike Davis on Leadership, Learning, and the Future of Education
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In this adventurous episode of Career Conversations with Chris, we step into the world of independent education with Dr. Mike Davis, Head of School at Colorado Academy and a lifelong educator whose career has spanned cliffs, classrooms, and complex institutional leadership.
With a PhD in diplomatic history and a passion for Cold War politics, refugee policy, and experiential learning, Dr. Davis has spent over 20 years shaping what it means to lead a school. Not just administratively, but with empathy, adventure, and a CEO’s strategic lens. From guiding students through rock formations in northern Mexico to navigating AI in the classroom, Dr. Davis's path proves that great leadership is equal parts curiosity, courage, and care.
Key themes in this educational odyssey include:
- From diplomacy to discipline: How Dr. Davis background in Cold War studies and refugee policy led to a classroom, not a think tank
- Running a school like a startup: Why being Head of School is equal parts educator, CEO, and crisis manager
- Teaching in the age of AI: Reflections on technology’s impact on learning, writing, and the future of thinking
- Outdoor ed as a philosophy: Why climbing routes and canyon trails belong in the curriculum just as much as calculus
- Education and equity: How CA is building a culture of belonging in an increasingly divided world
- Crisis with compassion: Navigating tough moments with students and parents while protecting trust and morale
- Leading leaders: How Dr. Davis supports and learns from his team, and the importance of stepping back so others can step up
Whether you're a teacher, parent, future school leader, or just wondering what it takes to run a joyful, 1,000-student learning institution in a time of turbulence and change, this conversation delivers deep insight with a healthy dose of humor.
Join Chris as he chats with Dr. Mike Davis about what it really means to build a school, and a life, centered on curiosity, compassion, and the courage to adapt.
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