In this episode, Priten and Jessica Maddry examine how surveillance culture and rigid policy enforcement are eroding trust and genuine learning in schools. From cell phone bans that criminalize normal behavior to reading programs that strip away the joy of stories, they explore how the gap between written policies and their ethical implementation has created environments of control rather than connection. The conversation spans zero-tolerance enforcement, AI detection tools, and the critical importance of human relationships in education.Key Takeaways:Policies should serve ethics, not replace them. Following rules isn't the same as doing the right thing. When a student has their phone off in their pocket but gets suspended because it's not in their backpack, the punishment no longer serves the policy's original intent of reducing distraction.Surveillance culture damages the learning environment. Constant monitoring and zero-tolerance enforcement create an atmosphere where students feel unsafe and disengaged. When students associate school with punishment rather than growth, absenteeism and mental health crises follow naturally.Deep literacy is becoming a privilege again. Many students no longer read books from start to finish, instead consuming only passages for standardized tests. This loss of story-based learning strips away both the joy of reading and critical thinking skills.AI detection is an unwinnable arms race. The cycle of AI detectors, humanizers, and humanizer-detectors demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of how to address academic integrity—tools cannot replace the trust and relationships needed for genuine learning.Human connection is irreplaceable in education. Whether it's a professor scrapping class to process a difficult moment with students, or a teacher stepping aside to comfort a struggling child, the most impactful educational experiences come from authentic human relationships—something no technology can replicate.About Jessica Maddry:Jessica Maddry is an educator, strategist, and cofounder of BrightMinds AI, where she works with schools and districts to integrate AI ethically, intentionally, and with educators at the center. Her work focuses on helping systems move beyond hype toward human-centered, purpose-driven design– supporting policy, implementation, and systems change so technology strengthens learning, equity, and student well-being rather than undermines them.

Fear running your decisions? People-pleasing eroding your impact? It's time to lead like a humble legend – from core values, not chaos.Hosts Alex and Janin drop the "Navigate Power" blueprint on The Humility Advantage. Debrief fears, realign with your values, and craft a purpose-driven legacy that outlives you.Unlock inside:✅ Fear vs. Values audit – spot what's hijacking your leadership✅ 10-min debrief: Reconnect, navigate, vision your 5-year legacy✅ Purpose hacks for high-stakes worlds like healthcare (neurodivergent-proof!)Stop surviving – start thriving as a values-led leader. Your team, your legacy, deserves it.👉 Play now, lead bolder, and share #NavigatePower on LinkedIn!Subscribe for humility-fueled wins on culture, burnout, and unbreakable teams.

AJ Crabill explains that school boards should represent community values and set student outcome goals—not micromanage operations. Effective boards match words with actions by consistently monitoring learning data, while most fail by getting distracted from their core mission: ensuring children actually learn.AJ Crabill serves as National Director of Governance at Council of the Great City Schools. He recently served as the Conservator at DeSoto (TX) ISD, as Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency, and as board chair of Kansas City (MO) Public Schools. The 3rd edition of his bestselling book, "Great On Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Become Effective” was released last month.Links:YouTube: Bing VideosWebsite: Airick Journey Crabill | AJ Crabill | aj-crabill.com

A strong onboarding experience doesn’t just help a new teacher survive the first weeks—it sets the tone for classroom success and increases the odds they’ll stay with your school long-term. In this episode, we break onboarding into three essentials: a point person (mentor) who provides relational support, clear operations and expectations (schedule, procedures, safety, materials, communication norms), and practical curriculum/tech readiness (SIS, gradebook, devices, classroom tools). We also explore what a “dream scenario” looks like—small gestures, consistency, and meaningful ways for new teachers to contribute without being buried in extra duties. The takeaway: make support visible, make information easy to find, and make community connection intentional.If you need help with your onboarding new teacher process, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-TogetherTo get a copy of the New Teacher Launch Kit, 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, Priten speaks with Nathán Goldberg, a philosopher-statistician whose career weaves together two unlikely threads: professional soccer and democratic activism. As Vice President of the US Soccer Federation and founder of both Harvard Forward and Bluebonnet Data, Nathán has spent years thinking about who gets to sit in the rooms where decisions are made—and why it matters.Key Takeaways:Voting isn't enough—perspective is. The people impacted by decisions need to be in the rooms where those decisions get made.Outsiders can win. Harvard Forward gathered 4,500 signatures on parchment paper, won board seats, and a decade of resistance to divestment collapsed within a year.Institutions resist until they can't. Harvard ignored them, then attacked them. It didn't work.The model scales. The same playbook worked at Yale and Penn State. One elected climate scientist shifted Penn State's investment policy.Soccer has the same problem. 4 million youth players, zero recent youth players in governance. About Nathán Goldberg:Born and raised in México, Nathán Goldberg Crenier is a new(ish) American who is passionate about using the power of democracy and sports to make the world a better place. He has been recognized in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his work in progressive politics and nonprofit management, in the New York Times for his work as an electoral organizer and climate advocate, and in the Sports Business Journal New Voices Under 30 list for his work as a soccer executive. He is also a proud recipient of the 2025 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans as he pursues his JD at Harvard Law School, having graduated with a joint degree in philosophy and statistics from Harvard College, where he played for and captained the D1 varsity men’s soccer team.