More Opportunities, More Connections – Expanding School Programs Without Breaking the Budget What if your school could offer more opportunities for students without adding significant costs or stretching your staff even thinner?  In this episode, Thomas and Becky explore creative, affordable ways to expand enrichment programs, clubs, and extracurricular activities by tapping into the talents of teachers, parents, alumni, and community partners. From music and STEM to study halls, service projects, and student-led clubs, they share practical examples of how schools can start small, make the most of existing resources, and build programs that students love.  Discover how a few thoughtful additions can strengthen student engagement, deepen family connections, and help every child find something that makes school special. If you need help with planning a new program, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://techteam.fun/Build-IT-Better-Together To receive a copy of the Catholic School Excellence Toolkit - A Reflective Workbook for Visionary Catholic School Leaders,  click here. It is the companion to the podcast: In Search of Catholic School Excellence. 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

From Six Teachers to a Movement: Building Professional Development That Lasts About This Episode Most professional development begins with enthusiasm and ends before it changes classroom practice. In this episode of Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works, Gene Tavernetti talks with Suzannah Evans and Dr. Shane Saeed about the Science of Learning Collaborative in Colorado’s St. Vrain Valley School District. What began in 2019 as a small book study nearly disappeared during COVID-19, shrinking to six committed educators. Instead of giving up, Suzannah and Shane built a voluntary, sustained model of professional learning that now connects more than 100 teachers across a large district. They explain how the collaborative creates practical learning, peer accountability, teacher leadership, and a network where educators can test ideas in classrooms and return to learn from one another. The conversation is a useful reminder that lasting professional learning does not require a massive initiative. It can begin with a few people, a worthwhile question, a small pilot, and enough patience to let the work spread through trust and word of mouth. What You’ll Learn Why one-and-done professional development rarely produces lasting change. How a six-person learning group grew into a district-wide collaborative. Why voluntary participation can create stronger motivation and accountability. How hybrid meetings, reflection, and classroom application support busy teachers. Ways to build teacher leadership and a cross-school community of practice. How to start small, choose an effective pilot group, and let results spread organically. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome and introducing Suzannah Evans and Shane Saeed 02:37 — The Science of Learning Collaborative begins 06:24 — From a 2019 book study to six teachers during COVID 12:01 — Designing a flexible, sustained professional-learning model 15:47 — Peer learning, accountability, and teacher leadership 24:00 — Building momentum across a large district 36:00 — Voluntary participation and meaningful buy-in 46:17 — Scaling a grassroots writing initiative 50:12 — Start with a small pilot and let the work speak 54:15 — The origins and classroom logic of the FAST framework Resources St. Vrain Valley Schools Vrain Waves: Necessary Condition — Learning Together Suzannah Evans on LinkedIn Suzannah Evans on X Dr. Shane Saeed on X Teach FAST / TESS Consulting Group About the Guests Suzannah Evans is an instructional coordinator at St. Vrain Valley School District and a facilitator of the district’s Science of Learning Collaborative. Dr. Shane Saeed is an elementary ELA curriculum coordinator, author, speaker, and co-host of the Vrain Waves podcast. Together, they support educators in turning evidence-informed ideas into practical classroom improvement.

About This Episode What happens when reading becomes joyful, musical, and deeply interactive? In this episode of Reading Inspires, Dr. Erin Bailey talks with Eric Litwin, the award-winning author of the original Pete the Cat books, about helping children build a lifelong relationship with reading. Eric shares how his experience as a classroom teacher led him to create books built around call-and-response, repetition, movement, humor, and prediction. They discuss why playful language and human connection matter so much for early literacy, how families can turn everyday routines into songs and chants, and why reading instruction works best when children experience both strong foundations and genuine joy. What You’ll Learn How call-and-response and repetition invite children to participate in reading Why music, movement, and playful routines help develop language and phonemic awareness How families and educators can make ordinary moments opportunities for joyful language Why human interaction is essential when children are learning language and reading How the idea of becoming a reading hero can guide intentional, engaging practice Chapters 0:00 — Welcome and introduction 1:00 — Eric Litwin’s journey from classroom teacher to author 8:00 — Call-and-response, repetition, and joyful reading 16:00 — Building literacy through language, movement, and routines 25:00 — Screens, human interaction, and the reading foundation 32:00 — The Poop Song, phonemic awareness, and playful learning 39:00 — Becoming reading heroes through human, engaging, recurring, intentional practice 45:00 — What reading inspires for Eric Resources Eric Litwin — Learn more about Eric’s work, books, music, and literacy resources. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes — The interactive picture book that invites children to sing, predict, and respond. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons — A story about counting, resilience, and responding to change with joy. The Poop Song — A playful example of using humor, repetition, and music to support language and learning. The Power of Joyful Reading: Help Your Young Readers Soar to Success! — Eric’s guide, co-written with Dr. Gina Pepin, to making reading joyful and engaging.

In this episode of The Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach sits down with Elijah Craft, a Computer Science and Psychology student at Furman University and Student Fellow for Emerging Technologies, to hear what the AI conversation actually looks like from the student perspective. Elijah describes an interesting “convenience paradox” emerging among students. While some enthusiastically embrace AI and others strongly oppose it, there is a growing group that distrusts or even dislikes AI while continuing to use it because of the convenience it provides under demanding academic workloads. The conversation also explores one of the biggest sources of tension on campuses: unclear AI policies. Elijah explains why blanket bans can create confusing gray areas and how greater transparency around what is—and isn’t—acceptable can help students make better decisions. He also shares examples of faculty using AI as a study partner rather than simply a shortcut or replacement for learning. For educators trying to understand how students are navigating this moment, Elijah offers simple advice: be specific about expectations and actually spend time using the technology yourself. Bridging the AI divide between students and faculty may start with more open conversations about what students are already doing.

What happens when the leader who teaches emotional intelligence struggles to manage his own emotions? In this deeply personal episode of The Humility Advantage, J. Alexander shares a recent professional experience that challenged his confidence, tested his emotional resilience, and reminded him that even experienced leaders can struggle to remain centered. Through honest reflection and real-world healthcare leadership examples, J. explores why centered leadership isn't about never losing your composure. It's about learning to regain it without allowing self-criticism, disappointment, or fear to define your worth. In this episode, you'll discover: Why even emotionally intelligent leaders struggle under pressure. The three anchors of centered leadership: Clarity, Courage, and Consistency. How to distinguish constructive self-reflection from destructive self-criticism. Why humility requires accountability AND self-compassion. Two practical strategies for turning painful experiences into leadership wisdom. How to maintain confidence without becoming defensive, cynical, or arrogant. One powerful reminder: "You don't have to keep punishing yourself to prove that you've learned the lesson." Whether you're a healthcare executive, physician, manager, or emerging leader, this episode offers an important lesson: Your mistakes and disappointments are experiences you can learn from, not identities you must carry. You can keep the wisdom without carrying the wound. Ready to develop the person behind the leader? Explore leadership coaching, speaking engagements, and organizational culture development at: https://excelerateyoucoaching.com Discover J. Alexander's book, The Humility Advantage: Revealing the Leader Within. Subscribe to The Humility Advantage on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a leader who needs encouragement. Less Ego. More Impact. Develop the person first, then the leader.