Too many schools are trying to sell vanilla… when what they really are is a butterscotch sundae.In this episode, we explore what it truly means to identify and embrace your school’s core identity — not as a yearly theme, not as a marketing slogan, but as something essential to who you are and what you chase every day.Drawing from mission statements, founding charisms, faculty strengths, signature programs, and measurable outcomes, we unpack how schools can:Stop competing on everythingStart leaning into their “big thing”Build culture around itImprove it by 1% at a timeAnd clearly articulate it in one powerful elevator pitchYou don’t have to be everything to everyone. You just have to know who you are — and be excellent at it.If you need help with identifying what makes you different or refining the programs that make you great, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-TogetherTo get a copy of the The Core Identity Clarity Workbook, please visit us here.  Becky Wong has been a teacher, admin, tech coordinator and innovator in Catholic Schools for over 25 years.  She not only assists schools as part of the Tech Team but has been instrumental in guiding the Archdiocese of San Francisco as it navigates the edtech decisions and ever-changing landscape of classroom technology. The In Search of Catholic School Excellence Podcast is brought to you by I Love My Tech Team. When technology doesn’t work, Catholic school leaders lose time, trust, and momentum. We partner with schools to restore reliable systems, empower teachers, and create the foundation for innovative learning centered on students.Lead Your School Into What’s Possible with I Love My Tech Team.Restoring What’s Broken. Advancing What’s Possible.Find out more at https://ilovemytechteam.com

In this episode, I’m joined by Anjanette McNeely, an award-winning kindergarten teacher in Davis County, Utah, who is deeply committed to research-informed classroom practice. Anjanette focuses on translating educational research into practical strategies that help every student build strong foundations in literacy and mathematics.She is LETRS-certified (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) and holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Instructional Design. In addition to her classroom work, Anjanette has served as a literacy coach and curriculum writer. She is currently a Goyen Literacy Foundation Fellow, where she continues to deepen her work advancing evidence-based literacy instruction.Links:Substack:  https://substack.com/@anjanettemcneelyX: Anjanette McNeely (@anjanettemcnee2) / X

In this episode, Priten speaks with Shon Holland, a middle school science teacher at Sells Middle School in Dublin, Ohio. After a first career in hazardous waste management and environmental health and safety, Shon made the leap to education about 20 years ago. His experience with both seventh and eighth graders gives him frontline insight into how adolescents interact with technology. The conversation explores his balanced approach to tools like GoGuardian—using technology to monitor without creating surveillance culture—why he believes giving students responsibility actually lightens a teacher's load, and his blunt assessment that smartphones simply aren't healthy for middle schoolers.Key Takeaways:Misuse is inevitable—guidance is the goal. Middle schoolers can misuse anything from rulers to AI. Instead of trying to eliminate misuse, focus on teaching students how to make tools work for them and guiding them when they stumble.Relationships trump detection tools. Teachers who know their students can spot AI-generated work by recognizing when writing doesn't match a student's voice or level—no software required. Treat violations as learning moments, not punishments.Give responsibility to gain freedom. When you trust students with responsibility and show them consequences aren't personal, they give you space to actually teach. The more ownership they have, the less you need to police.Parents need to parent. The research on smartphones and adolescent brains is irrefutable. Kids don't need iPhones—they need dumb phones, landlines, and parents willing to set boundaries even when their children push back.Know the time and place. Technology and AI are fantastic tools that can differentiate instruction, translate languages, and unlock learning. But sometimes you just need human brain power. The skill is knowing when to use tech and when to walk away.

In this episode of Artificial Intelligence Real Talk, host Jethro Jones sits down with IT and cybersecurity expert Sam Bourgeois to explore how AI is transforming education—and the important questions schools must ask before diving in.Key Topics:AI as an equalizer for students with disabilities – Both Jethro and Sam share personal stories of how AI tools have helped their neurodivergent children communicate and learn in ways previously impossible, introducing the concept of "cognitive equity."Rethinking learning objectives – The conversation challenges educators to ask: What are we really measuring? If AI helps a student achieve the true learning goal, does it matter how they got there?Personalized instruction at scale – From customizing math problems to match student interests to creating AI tutors based on a teacher's expertise, the hosts discuss AI's potential to individualize learning without burning out teachers.Data privacy and risk management – Sam brings his cybersecurity lens to the discussion, raising concerns about student data collection, profiling, the right to be forgotten, and what happens when ed-tech companies get breached or acquired.The irreplaceable human element – Despite AI's capabilities, both agree that authentic human connection in teaching cannot be replaced—and that's where educators should focus their energy.Takeaway: Schools should embrace AI's potential to enhance learning while remaining vigilant about data privacy, asking the right questions, and keeping the focus on what truly benefits students.

In this episode from the Be Podcast Network original series, The Learning Bridge with Richard Gerver, bestselling author, global speaker, futurist, researcher, and consultant Chloe Combi shares her expertise on Generation Z and Generation A.Combi has interviewed over 20,000 young people globally and utilizes that expertise to help schools, brands, companies, governments, and institutions understand and prepare for the present and future.Her expertise, research and data has her in huge demand with global companies, brands and governments and whether they want insight pieces, future-proofing, coaching, high level and entertaining talks, TV or radio work or transformational creative input. In light of the recent Netflix series, Adolescence, this is a timely conversation about supporting young people in incredibly complex times.Subscribe to The Learning Bridge wherever you get your podcasts: https://thelearningbridge.bepodcast.network/subscribe About the hostRichard Gerver is a sought-after speaker, world-renowned thinker, and bestselling author of books including Change and Simple Thinking. His career began in education, first as a teacher and then as a school principal, when he turned the fortunes of a failing school and its pupils around in just two years.Now regarded as one of the world's leading thinkers on human leadership and organizational transformation, Richard has worked with an extraordinary range of people, from elite athletes to former US President Barack Obama. Named UK Business Speaker of the Year three times, Richard has been invited to speak on the world’s most recognized stages, including TED, the RSA and the BBC.