Superintendents Unplugged: Dr. Ian Roberts Discusses the Power of Presence in Schools

Welcome to the episode of “Superintendents Unplugged: In-Depth with Davis,” where we pull back the curtain on what it truly means to lead in education today. I’m your host, Addison Davis, and in each episode, we sit down with superintendents from across the country—both in urban and rural settings—to share their stories, successes, and the tough calls they make behind the scenes.

Today, we’re recording from the 68th Annual Council of Great City Schools Conference in Dallas, Texas, and I’m thrilled to introduce our featured guest, Dr. Ian Roberts, the dynamic Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. In this conversation, Dr. Roberts brings authentic insight into his personal leadership journey—starting as a special education teacher in New York City, moving through Baltimore and Washington, DC, before arriving in Iowa.

We get real about the power of showing up as your true self, the importance of relationship-building with students and staff, and the transformative impact of spending time in schools, not just the office. Dr. Roberts shares how he partners with his board, the district’s bold move to launch its first strategic plan in almost 30 years, and his laser focus on instructional leadership and tackling chronic absenteeism.

Whether you’re an educator, parent, student, or just passionate about education, this episode offers an inspiring and candid look at how superintendents like Dr. Roberts are shaping the future—one student and one district at a time.

Key Moments

00:00 Insightful Educational Leadership Podcast

05:10 Teaching Journey: A Spiritual Calling

07:29 Transitioning to Iowa: Expectations vs. Reality

12:36 "Aligning Governance with School Needs"

13:22 Fostering Collaborative Education Teams

16:38 Super Tennis Star in Des Moines

Connect with Ian Roberts

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ian-a-roberts-2478b227

Website: https://www.dmschools.org/