Unlock 360

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud speaks with Principal Christopher Medinger of Farragut Elementary School in Culver City, California. Chris shares his unconventional path into education, from coaching youth basketball to launching a K–8 charter school, designing a new campus, and eventually leading in Culver City Unified.

He reflects on the power of parent partnership, the routines that create stronger home–school connections, and why simple conversations like “car talk” can transform a child’s confidence and motivation. Chris also discusses the role of AI in classrooms and why students still need to read, write, think, and generate their own ideas to be ready for the future.

00:00 Welcome and introduction to Principal Christopher Medinger

01:03 Early career, switching from economics to teaching

04:18 Recruiting families and opening with a full K–8 enrollment

07:34 Teaching parents to support learning during Covid

10:26 The power of parent involvement and daily learning conversations

14:20 Chris’s side life as “Captain Chris” on dolphin cruises

16:10 Moving to Farragut Elementary and learning the community

19:09 Using car talk, bedtime chats, and Bloom’s Taxonomy at home

21:42 Preparing students for a future shaped by AI

24:27 The importance of analyzing student work and scratch paper

31:48 The future of learning and the urgency for high level thinking

33:43 Where to learn more about Culver City Unified

This conversation highlights practical, human ways parents and educators can work together to support student growth. From AI readiness to family engagement to building a schoolwide culture of belonging, Chris offers clear ideas leaders can put into action right away.

Connect with Christopher Medinger
Email: christophermedinger@ccusd.org
Website: https://farragut.ccusd.org/ 

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Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.

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