This episode of Difference Makers is brought to you by a digital subscription to the Savannah Morning News.

Ann Levett grew up in Savannah, but headed up North to get experience and an education — returning in May of 2017 to be the superintendent of Savannah-Chatham public schools. Levett has been everywhere in her time — a stint at Yale University, school boards in Conneticut — and she knows what needs to happen to make education better in the city of Savannah. She sits down with Adam to discuss growing up in the city, how it has changed over time, what is being done already that is cause for excitement with the school system and what the present climate dictates when it comes to school safety.

(1:30): Growing up in Savannah

(4:00): Influence of her education and work experience up in Connecticut

(9:55): How can we help our struggling schools?

(16:21) How partnering with community businesses has helped students in the long-run

• Gulfstream celebrates student learning and leadership (SMN, May 30, 2013)
• Savannah-Chatham schools ramping up advanced learning options (SMN, Nov. 5, 2017)
• Kessler invests $500,000 in school partnership (SMN, Apr. 26, 2018)

(21:01) Dual Enrollment program

• Advanced course enrollment rises for Savannah-Chatham students (SMN, Dec. 22, 2016)
• Superintendent: Savannah schools moving forward (SMN, Mar. 22, 2018)

(24:38): What they are doing about teacher retention

• Teacher recruiting a year-round task in Chatham County (SMN, June 18, 2018)

(30:50): What is being done in Savannah-Chatham schools about security following recent school shootings around the country?

• Savannah-Chatham school board wants action on school safety (SMN, Mar. 7, 2018)

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.