"I love my job. And I'm really, really good at it. And I'm going to save your son."
-Dr. Zain Khalpey

In a recent ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, heart surgeon Dr. Zain Khalpey recalled sharing those very words with a mother whose son, Craig, a young, seemingly healthy hockey player from Arizona, suffered a cardiac arrest before a match and collapsed on the ice. Craig's heart had stopped for 83 minutes and, by most accounts, he wasn't expected to survive. However, thanks to Dr. Khalpey's remarkable talent and extraordinary passion for his job, he did. Dr. Khalpey saved Craig's life.

Dr. Khalpey's mindset is a powerful one and exactly the kind of attitude all educators need to have every day we go to work. As an educator who has served the students of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) for more than two decades, I know the challenges that so many of them often face. That's why, as we begin a new school year and welcome our students back to class next week, we'll seize every opportunity in JCPS to have moments like Dr. Khalpey had - important chances to say, "I love my job. And I'm really, really good at it. And I'm going to save a child's life."

In recent days, I've had the great opportunity to take that very message to our teachers, principals, and central office administrators, because at the end of the day, student success must be and will be the fundamental basis for everything we do in JCPS. And I know the same is true for our partner Metro United Way because when a child succeeds in school we all win. Metro United Way brings together people and resources to tackle our community's most significant challenges and we are grateful for the MUW network of support our families and teachers lean on to help each child reach their full potential. As I travel throughout the community, what's clear to me is this: there's a renewed energy and fiery passion permeating through JCPS. I've seen and felt it firsthand, and I'm excited about just how special this upcoming school year can be for our students and district as a whole.

I'm honored to begin this new school year leading our district as acting superintendent, and I'm committed to ensuring that the same energy and passion our district has now and will have on day one will be maintained throughout the entire school year. At the end of the day, our schools must be about an unwavering commitment to high expectations coupled with an environment of high support all year long. Our kids deserve nothing less.

To ensure that happens, I'll be in our schools every week. In fact, I'm thrilled to be visiting eight of our schools on the first day of classes. And in the weeks and months ahead, I want families to know that I'll be a strong and visible presence in many more of our schools - striving to ensure that each establishes and maintains a safe and healthy school culture where teachers can teach and students can learn.

We really are fortunate in JCPS to have so many talented and passionate educators who are a lot like Dr. Khalpey. They love their jobs, and they're really, really good at them. And they're always searching for that next opportunity to help a child who may need saving.

Dr. Martin "Marty" Pollio assumed the role of acting superintendent of the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) district on July 2, 2017.

For 20 years, Dr. Pollio has dedicated his career to serving the students of JCPS. He is a long-time administrator and educator whose focus is improving culture and climate across the district, increasing student achievement, and implementing deeper learning strategies to make lessons come alive for students and teachers.

Dr. Pollio began his career with JCPS in 1997 as a social studies teacher at Shawnee High School. He went on to serve as a teacher and assistant principal at Waggener High School before taking the helm as principal of Jeffersontown High School from 2007-2015. Dr. Pollio was the principal of Doss High School when he was selected as the acting superintendent.

Dr. Pollio received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and his master's degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He earned his doctorate from the University of Louisville in 2012.

Dr. Pollio and his wife Jessica are the parents of one daughter who is a JCPS student.