What does it take to bring out the best in a group of individuals and transform them into something greater than the sum of their parts?

In this episode of our school-related movie review series, we dive into Miracle (2004), the powerful retelling of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's unbelievable upset over the Soviet Union. It’s a story of vision, discipline, belief, and building a culture of excellence—all themes that deeply resonate in the world of education today.

Joining us for this conversation is Bryan Benway, someone who brings a unique and dynamic perspective to the table. Bryan grew up near Lake Placid, the very town where this historic miracle on ice took place. He spent years as a hockey broadcaster in the Central Hockey League and now serves as Director of Marketing at Bartlett Cocke General Contractors—one of the most respected education-focused construction firms in Texas.

But before transitioning into construction, Bryan spent several impactful years in public education as the Director of Communications for Boerne ISD, where his leadership earned the district nearly 50 statewide awards. With a career that has spanned storytelling, school communications, sports broadcasting, and educational construction, Bryan is the perfect guest to help us explore the parallels between Miracle and the everyday work of school leaders and educators.

From coaching a team to believe in themselves, to navigating doubt, adversity, and pressure with resilience—Miracle is more than just a sports film. It’s a reflection of what great educational leadership looks like: setting a clear vision, building trust, and pushing students and teams to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

 

Takeaways:

• Coach Herb Brooks wasn’t looking for the best players—he was looking for the right ones. In schools, it's not always about the top-performing individuals, but about how the team works together to support every student.
• Brooks had a bold and unconventional vision, and he never wavered from it. Strong educational leaders similarly need to set a clear direction, especially when leading change or overcoming obstacles.
• The infamous “Again!” scene shows how accountability and pushing through discomfort can prepare teams for real-world pressure. In classrooms and school systems, structure and consistent expectations help students and staff thrive.
• Brooks told his players, “Great moments are born from great opportunity.” Educators create those moments every day—when they believe in students, when they champion a struggling learner, or when they stand up for what’s right.
• The miracle happened in Lake Placid—a town with deep personal roots for our guest, Bryan Benway. It’s a reminder that the spaces we create (in schools, stadiums, or communities) can hold meaning and inspire greatness when people feel connected to them.

 

About Bryan Benway:

Bryan Benway brings nearly 20 years of award-winning experience in communications to his role as Director of Marketing at Bartlett Cocke General Contractors. Since joining the company in October 2024, he has led the Marketing Department to earn the SMPS San Antonio People’s Choice Award for the 2024 holiday card design.

Prior to Bartlett Cocke, Bryan served as Director of Communications for Boerne ISD, where his leadership earned the district nearly 50 awards from the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA). His individual accolades include being named a 2020 Hill Country 40 Under 40 honoree by the Economic Development Corporation and receiving the Schreiner University Rising Star Award in 2016.

Bryan’s diverse background also includes serving as District Director for Texas State Representative Kyle Biedermann and as a National Host for Yahoo! Sports Radio, where he hosted a nightly talk show broadcast on more than 800 stations nationwide, including SiriusXM.

 

Learn More About Bryan Benway:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-benway-50b8b073/

 

Learn More About Bartlett Cocke General Contractors:

Website: https://www.bartlettcocke.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bartlett-cocke-general-contractors/

 

 

Connect with host, Kevin Stoller:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

 

Learn More About Kay-Twelve:

Website: https://kay-twelve.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kay-twelve-com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kay_twelve/

 

 

Episode 244 of the Better Learning Podcast

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

 

 

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/

Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/

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