A Conversation with Dr. Brian Graham Superintendent, Grand Island Central School District, NY

About Dr. Brian Graham

Dr. Brian Graham is in his ninth year as superintendent of the Grand Island Central School District, leading efforts to integrate emerging technologies and foster innovation in education. Prior to this role, he served as assistant superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services in the West Seneca Central School District. His career in educational leadership spans more than a decade, including seven years as a middle school principal and three years as an elementary principal in West Seneca.

With a deep passion for instructional technology and its role in differentiating instruction, Dr. Graham has worked extensively in professional development for teachers and administrators. He has also helped shape the next generation of educators as an adjunct professor in the Daemen University graduate program for teacher certification.

 

Before moving into administration, Dr. Graham dedicated 16 years to the classroom as a special education teacher, where he championed inclusive and student-centered learning environments. His commitment to innovation extends beyond his district; he currently serves on the External Advisory Board for the Artificial Intelligence Institute for Exceptional Education at the University at Buffalo, helping to shape the future of AI in education, and he is the president of the Erie-Niagara School Superintendents Association.

Podcast Summary

In this Leaders Learning from Leaders episode, host Steve Barkley interviews Dr. Brian Graham, Superintendent of Grand Island Central School District and President of the Erie-Niagara School Superintendents Association. Dr. Graham shares insights from his extensive educational leadership journey, emphasizing the lasting impact of his early experiences as a special education teacher. He underscores how this foundation shaped his leadership philosophy, rooted in the belief that all students, regardless of background or ability, are capable of growth with personalized support.

Dr. Graham highlights the importance of applying a growth mindset and individualized learning strategies across the educational spectrum—not just for students but also for staff and leadership. He stresses the critical need for educators to possess strong emotional intelligence, particularly in an era where content knowledge is readily accessible through technology and AI tools. In the post-COVID landscape, he sees technology—especially AI—not as a threat but as a powerful ally in reducing inequities, enhancing student engagement, and improving professional quality of life for educators.

Grand Island is among the first districts in New York to offer AI tutors to students in grades 6–12 through Khan Academy's Khanmigo, showcasing the district's forward-thinking approach to student support. Dr. Graham describes how AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and NotebookLM can revolutionize curriculum development, student support, and leadership efficiency by quickly processing complex documents and generating curriculum-aligned materials with embedded academic vocabulary.

Dr. Graham encourages current and aspiring superintendents to embrace innovation while balancing their work-life demands. He emphasizes the value of mentorship, superintendent academies, and collaboration, stressing that aspiring leaders should reflect on their personal stories and pursue leadership with authenticity and continuous growth in mind.

He also discusses his two podcasts—Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools and Inspiring Viking Values—as platforms for highlighting education's positive and human side, countering negative public narratives, and celebrating the joy of learning. These initiatives aim to deepen community connection and elevate the voices of educators and students.

Main Topics Covered

1. Leadership Through the Lens of Special Education

Dr. Graham explains how his background in special education fuels a belief in universal student growth through personalized learning, applicable across all educational levels.

1. Emotional Intelligence and Educator Development

Emotional intelligence, relationship-building, and adaptive instruction are essential for modern educators to remain relevant in an AI-driven content landscape.

1. Technology and AI Integration Post-COVID

The pandemic accelerated tech adoption; AI tools like Khanmigo, Claude, and NotebookLM now enhance student learning and professional workflows.

1. AI for Leadership Efficiency and Curriculum Innovation

Dr. Graham demonstrates how AI tools help superintendents manage information overload, create curriculum maps, analyze state assessments, and improve overall job efficiency.

1. Encouraging the Next Generation of Leaders

He offers guidance for aspiring superintendents, including mentorship, leadership academies, and personal reflection as steps toward successful career progression.

1. Public Education Storytelling Through Podcasts

His podcasts amplify joyful, positive narratives from schools, counteract public skepticism, and foster pride in public education.

Dr. Brian Graham's vision is a call to lead with empathy, innovate with purpose, and share stories that restore joy and trust in public education.