In this episode of The EduTechGuys, we tackle the uncomfortable question echoing through faculty lounges across the country — what happens when the person in the principal’s office has barely spent time in a classroom?We break down the “fast-track phenomenon” driving inexperienced educators into administrative roles, from the nationwide leadership shortage to a policy shift that’s turned principals into operational managers rather than instructional leaders. Then we dig into why pedagogical diversity in leadership teams matters just as much as demographic diversity — and the real cost when it’s missing, from teacher burnout to a culture of compliance over connection.If you’re a teacher with your eye on administration, we’ve also got a few practical tips for making the leap with credibility and integrity — including how to diversify your classroom experience, build leadership without a title, and stay grounded in what actually works for kids long after you leave the classroom.

In this Transformative Principal vault episode from the Transformative Leadership Summit, host Jethro Jones interviews Will Parker, a high school principal from northeastern Oklahoma, about implementing KRAs (Key Responsibility Areas) in schools. Will shares how he adapted Dave Ramsey's organizational management concept to create clarity and accountability for all staff members—from secretaries and counselors to administrators. The conversation explores how defining specific responsibility areas upfront prevents confusion, enables cross-training, improves hiring processes, and creates a supportive environment where everyone understands their role. Will emphasizes that KRAs are living documents revisited annually, helping schools manage organizational structure effectively, especially during transitions like budget cuts or staff changes.

In this episode, Priten speaks with Kim Cowperthwaite, an English Language Arts teacher at Freeport Middle School in Maine who has been teaching for over 20 years. Growing up in a tech-forward household in the 1970s and later working in the newspaper industry as it faced digital disruption, Kim brings a unique perspective on technological change. She was among the first teachers in the nation to work in Maine's pioneering one-to-one laptop program starting in 2004. The conversation explores her unconventional approach to AI in the classroom—treating it like "a book or a pencil"—why she believes building community and relationships matters more than policing technology use, and how she helps students recognize when AI has written their work without making it punitive.Key Takeaways:Know your students better than any detector. Teachers who build relationships with their students can identify AI-generated work by recognizing changes in sentence length, structure, and voice—no detection tools required.Make AI conversations transparent, not secretive. Rather than creating a surveillance culture, openly discuss how AI works, when it's appropriate, and how you can tell when it's been used—students respond better to honesty than to policing.Technology should amplify human expression, not replace it. Start with handwritten journals and personal ideas first, then bring in technology as a tool to enhance what students have already created on their own.Teaching self-control is lifelong. Help students recognize their own impulse patterns with technology—the habit of drifting to games during a thinking pause—because they'll need to manage this their whole lives.Focus on the goal, then find the tool. Instead of teaching specific AI technologies that come and go, teach students to identify what they want to achieve first, then select appropriate tools—this approach works for both students and teachers in professional development.

In this panel discussion from the Inch 360 Conference, cybersecurity experts explore the intersection of compliance, insurance, and risk management. Moderated by Maria Braun (Baker Tilly), the panel features Casey Wheeler (Marsh McLennan Agency), Dan Brown (CISA), and Deb Wells (BECU).Key Topics Covered:The Compliance vs. Security MythWhy having SOC 2, ISO 27001, or PCI-DSS doesn't automatically mean you're secureHow to move beyond "check-the-box" compliance to holistic risk managementThe importance of building security in, not bolting it onCyber Insurance EssentialsTop 5 controls insurers look for: MFA, comprehensive backups, email filtering, security awareness training, and wire transfer verificationHow insurance underwriting works and what carriers assessWhy you should contact your carrier FIRST during an incidentCommon policy pitfalls: waiting periods, coverage triggers, and business interruption termsEffective Risk ManagementHow to run meaningful tabletop exercises (not just compliance theater)Why you need to include the right people: IT, legal, HR, facilities, and your insurance carrierThe importance of making cybersecurity a daily habit, not a one-time eventHow to quantify risks and prioritize using heat maps and business impactThird-Party RiskWhy outsourcing doesn't transfer all responsibilityThe growing importance of vendor risk managementHow downstream attacks can impact your operations

Host: John MihalyoThe Catholic School Leaders PodcastEpisode OverviewWhat does Kenny Loggins have to do with Catholic schools?More than you might think.In this episode, John uses the example of Kenny Loggins—known for songs like Footloose and Danger Zone—to explore how institutions sometimes forget the people who helped build them.Catholic schools can fall into the same trap, losing touch with former parents, volunteers, board members, and donors who once played a major role in the school’s success.Strong schools intentionally remember and steward those relationships.Key Takeaways1. Graduation is a transition, not an exit.Families should remain part of the school community even after their children graduate.2. Stay connected with former leaders.Invite past board members, volunteers, and event leaders back for occasional gatherings or appreciation events.3. Practice specific gratitude.Reach out annually with a personal note recognizing the impact of their service.4. Capture your school’s stories.Record and share stories from former families and leaders to preserve your school’s culture and mission.Challenge for This WeekIdentify three former leaders or families your school has lost touch with.Call one.Write one a note.Invite one back into the story.Learn MoreJohn Mihalyo works with Catholic schools across the country through Elementary Advancement Solutions, helping leaders strengthen enrollment, advancement, and long-term sustainability.Learn more at www.elementaryadvancement.comSchedule a time to meet with John here!