In this episode, Priten speaks with Brian Merusi, a special education teacher at Niles High School working with students aged 14–19 who have cognitive impairments. Brian brings two decades of international teaching experience across Abu Dhabi, Poland, Penang, and rural development contexts. The central tension: how do we unlock AI's potential for accessibility and student expression while protecting students from its ethical risks and exploitation?Key Takeaways:Speech-to-text accessibility tools matter more to this population than ChatGPT ever will. For students with typing challenges and diverse communication styles, the ability to speak and have systems capture their thinking credibly is transformative in ways that generative AI is not.Pandemic developmental delays hit hardest where social interaction was irreplaceable. Students with cognitive delays experienced compounding losses during remote learning—missing not just content but windows of social and executive development that cannot be fully recovered later.Teachers are curators of development, not content deliverers. Brian frames his role as shepherding students toward independent learning and workforce readiness, making technology decisions based on what advances that mission, not on what's trendy.AI's dual promise and peril is most acute for students with fewer safeguards against manipulation. The same tools that could help students with dyslexia access reading can also draw them into harmful spaces they wouldn't otherwise encounter—requiring active pedagogical intervention.Educators need unified policy guidance, not individual teacher judgment calls on authenticity. Without district-wide clarity on what constitutes authentic work in an AI world, each teacher invents their own standard, creating inconsistency and confusion.Brian Merusi is a mission-driven educational leader and community developer who combines over four decades of diverse global experience with a passion for practical solutions. Deeply rooted in Special Education and Learning Support across the U.S., Malaysia, the UAE, and Poland, his career also encompasses executive roles as a biotech CEO and development leadership in the D.R. Congo and Uzbekistan. A specialist in technology integration, Brian currently leverages this unique cross-sector expertise to create accessible learning environments where technology opens doors for every student.

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we dive into how to navigate challenging student behavior, especially those Tier 2 and Tier 3 situations that feel overwhelming and constant. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of extreme behaviors on your own, this episode will shift your perspective and remind you that behavior is not a solo job. You’ll learn why a team-based approach is essential, how to identify the right people to support behavior in your building, and the three simple steps to creating a system that actually works. Barb breaks down how to move from reactive, frustrating meetings to focused, solution-driven conversations that support both teachers and students.Learn more about A Team Approach to Handling Challenging Student Behaviors

Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with licensed pediatric psychologist Dr. Caitlin Khoury about her role in developing Lovevery's Reading Skillset. Dr. Khoury shares her journey from graduate school research and reading clinics to clinical practice assessing children for learning disabilities, and how those experiences shaped her approach to creating evidence-based reading materials for families. The conversation explores the core components of the Reading Skillset—including phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and oral language development—and how play makes learning to read joyful and engaging. Dr. Khoury offers practical guidance on using alphabet books intentionally, maximizing wordless picture books for storytelling, practicing shared reading with turn-taking, and selecting decodable books that match a child's developing skills. She also discusses signs that children are ready to transition to chapter books and how series can build reading stamina and lifelong love of reading.About Dr. Caitlin Khoury:Dr. Caitlin Khoury, PhD, is a licensed pediatric psychologist and product strategist at Lovevery. She specializes in integrating behavioral health care with children’s academic learning needs, with particular expertise in early literacy development. Her research and dissertation focused on the relationship between early literacy skills and self-regulation in young children. Dr. Khoury previously worked at the National Institute for Direct Instruction and has extensive experience partnering with families to identify targeted learning supports through comprehensive evaluations. She also supported the development of Lovevery’s Reading Skill Set, translating literacy science and child development research into practical, parent-friendly tools that support early reading success.Lovevery Reading Skill Set: The Reading Skill Set | Reading Programs for Kids | Lovevery

How difficult is it to have difficult conversations?Meet Maren Perry!Our conversation with Maren Perry, founder of Arden Coaching, zooms in on the essential leadership skill of navigating difficult conversations. It explores why leaders shy away from discomfort and provides a strategic framework for delivering feedback that fosters growth rather than resentment.The Courage to Lead Through ConflictDifficult conversations are often the "gift" that organizations need most but receive least. Most people avoid these interactions because they fear discomfort or worry about damaging relationships. However, true leadership is defined by the courage to engage in these moments rather than shying away from them. When leaders avoid tough talks, it creates a systemic ripple effect that impacts performance and trust across the entire organization.The Leadership Promotion TrapSubject Matter ExpertPromoted for technical skills (e.g., Accounting, Marketing).People LeaderRequires a "totally different set of skills" focused on human dynamics.The Feedback ParadoxThere is a striking irony in modern workplaces: while leaders fear giving feedback, employees at all levels are actually craving it. Workers want to know where they stand and how to improve; they find it "triggering" and confusing to receive positive performance reviews only to be passed over for promotions or let go later. Holding back constructive truth is not a kindness; it is a barrier to an employee's informed decision-making and career growth.Strategic Framework: The 5 CsTo navigate these conversations effectively, Perry introduces the "5 Cs" framework, emphasizing two critical components: Collaboration and Clarity.Collaborative Approach: Instead of confronting someone "across the table," a leader should sit on the "same side" as the employee. This involves checking one's own intent—ensuring the feedback is meant to support, not embarrass—and asking for permission to share observations.Radical Clarity: Leaders must avoid "hedging their bets" or using overly tentative language. Being "kind but clear" ensures the recipient understands exactly what happened and what needs to change, without leaving the room confused. The "5 Cs" Conversation Starter1. Check Intent: Is this meant to help or serve the other person?2. Get Buy-In: "I noticed something... is it okay if I share that with you?"3. Be Collaborative: Use a tone that invites the other person to share their side.4. Be Clear: Avoid hesitant language; state the observation directly.5. Assume Positive Intent: Leave space for your assumptions to be wrong.Navigating Modern Crises: Layoffs and RTOPerry applies these principles to two major contemporary challenges:Layoffs: Leaders should view layoffs not as a failure, but as a "turning point." While painful, approaching the conversation without the assumption of "total disaster" allows for a more open, supportive delivery.Return to Office (RTO): Success in RTO mandates depends on "enrolling" employees in the why—focusing on collaboration and innovation that doesn't happen virtually—rather than just offering superficial perks like pizza parties.To-DoPractice the "5 Cs" framework to develop the skill and mindset required for tough talks. Visit ardencoaching.com/arden8 to download the white paper on the eight essential leadership dimensions. Schedule regular one-on-one meetings to build rapport and understand team members' individual sensitivities. Shift the internal narrative of difficult conversations from "conflict" to "the core job of a leader." ConclusionLeadership is not just about subject matter expertise; it is about the willingness to be uncomfortable. By mastering the art of the difficult conversation through clarity, collaboration, and courage, leaders can transform organizational culture and empower their teams to reach their full potential.Connect with Maren:Website: https://ardencoaching.com/FREE Resources:The Arden 8 Leadership DimensionsListen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-have-difficult-conversations-a-guide-for/id1614151066?i=1000762404844Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/08PdMuO3pK7OP90RTZ8P3W?si=2LSL92VsR_CR7v661CX15ghttps://open.spotify.com/episode/08PdMuO3pK7OP90RTZ8P3WYouTube: https://youtu.be/4Q49OdB0jj4

In this episode of The Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Pearsall, Assistant Provost for Teaching and Learning at the American College of Financial Services, to explore how institutions can move from uncertainty to intentional AI adoption. Drawing on her background in biochemistry and computational modeling, Elizabeth offers a thoughtful perspective on how AI is reshaping both learning and leadership in higher education.The conversation traces a familiar journey many educators are experiencing—from fear of replacement to curiosity sparked by practical use. Elizabeth emphasizes that successful adoption doesn’t come from isolated efforts, but from shared ownership across campus. By bringing together faculty, IT, HR, and leadership, institutions can create environments where AI is explored responsibly and collaboratively.The episode also highlights a critical shift in what it means to be “literate” in an AI-driven world. Beyond using tools, students and educators must develop the ability to question, verify, and interpret information with skepticism. For higher-ed leaders, this is a grounded conversation about how to start small, build confidence, and create systems that support both innovation and trust.