In this episode of the EdTech Startup Showcase, host Jeff Bradbury interviews Mike Cronley, co-founder and CEO of Class Composer and former third-grade teacher. Mike shares his journey from the classroom to entrepreneurship, sparked by a casual conversation with his school's music teacher about students being incorrectly placed together. This "aha moment" led him to develop Class Composer, a software solution that helps elementary schools create balanced, equitable classroom rosters. Over seven years, Mike transitioned from teaching while developing his idea as a side project to fully committing to his startup. The conversation explores the challenges of the traditional paper-based class placement process, the importance of listening to customers, and advice for educators considering entrepreneurship.

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.

After attending DLAC — the Digital Learning Annual Conference — founded by John Watson, one thing is clear: the digital learning community doesn’t retreat under constraints. It builds.Yet, for some, the question persists:Was distance learning just a pandemic stopgap? Or is it a durable part of education’s future?In this episode, John Watson joins us to unpack what the field actually learned from 2020 — and what it didn’t.One of the most persistent misconceptions, he argues, is the conflation of emergency remote instruction with purpose-built online learning. High-quality digital programs take months or years to design. What happened during the pandemic was an emergency pivot. Those are not interchangeable.More importantly, this conversation reframes the debate entirely. The future isn’t “online versus in-person.” It’s about expanding options.What We ExploreWhy online learning should be compared to real on-the-ground alternatives — not idealized versions of school.How digital access enables other opportunities (CTE pathways, dual enrollment, flexible schedules), not just online coursework.Why hybrid models are emerging as one of the most dynamic growth areas in K–12.What personalization actually means — beyond superficial choice menus.How AI may reshape agency, instruction, and lifelong learning in unpredictable ways.A powerful story of a student who moved from functional dropout status to graduate school through a hybrid pathway.Throughout the conversation, a consistent theme emerges: Success should not be measured at the system level alone. It has to be measured at the level of individual students and the futures they’re building. Distance learning isn’t valuable because it’s digital. It’s valuable because it creates flexibility where rigidity used to exist.A Shift in PerspectiveInstead of asking whether distance learning has a future, perhaps the better question is:How do we design systems where digital tools expand human possibility — rather than merely digitize existing constraints?The schools represented at DLAC are not arguing for replacement models. They are building blended ecosystems that combine online coursework, face-to-face experiences, internships, community partnerships, and emerging technologies in ways that make school more adaptive.Episode LinksLearn more about DLAC and their year-round professional learning communities: https://www.deelac.comExplore additional episodes and resources: https://www.cilc.org/podcastAbout the HostsSeth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning, which designs structured live virtual and global learning experiences that expand student connection across classrooms and continents.Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell work with CILC to support educators in implementing high-quality digital learning experiences across grade levels.🎧 Listen in for a grounded conversation about what’s hype, what’s durable, and why distance learning is less about modality — and more about access, design, and student futures.

For our 50th episode of The Smarter Campus Podcast, we’re stepping back to ask a bigger question: What is school actually for in an age of AI?Zia Hassan—educator, professional coach, and PhD researcher at Johns Hopkins University—joins Zach for a thoughtful conversation about how generative AI is reshaping student motivation, classroom dynamics, and the very purpose of learning. Rather than focusing on tools or tactics, Zia explores how students mature in their AI use over time—learning to protect the parts of their work that make them feel “alive and human” while outsourcing the mundane.The episode challenges control-based approaches to academic integrity and reframes AI not as a shortcut to police, but as a catalyst forcing education to move from “getting the right answer” to “asking the right questions.” Zia makes a compelling case for ungrading, personal knowledge management, and designing productive struggle—all while keeping relationships at the center.As we mark 50 episodes, this conversation captures what the podcast has always been about: not hype, not fear—but deep thinking about how AI can help us build more humane, motivation-driven learning environments.

Are you on the driver's seat of your career?Meet Karen Ann Bulluck!Karen is a transcendent leadership specialist, bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur who inspires women leaders to transcend conventional expectations and live more meaningful, authentic lives.  She is the founder of Daring to Transcend™, a boutique executive coaching practice focused on helping leaders EXPLORE what matters, INTEGRATE the whole self, and FLOURISH in new dimensions.Karen is a Bestselling Author of the novels “Embracing Trust”, “Discovering Power” and “Pursuing Truth”. She is also a Master Storyteller and Speaker whose mission is to inspire change in business culture.Karen writes bestselling novels about women leaders and the workplace experience. She explores the many conflicts and issues that women (and men) face in the corporate world. Karen was the first woman promoted to Executive VP at AM Best Company. Her extensive corporate experience at an executive and board member informs her creation of situations that are relatable, realistic, AND inspirational. On this episode, she not only shares her own corporate experiences and lessons, she gives a synopsis into corporate life through her characters.Listen as Karen shares:- men vs women in driving our careers- why integrity is so key- when an organization does not share your values- identifying your skills as an individual contributor- how leaders can empower their team members- when you don't agree with the corporation's direction- when caught up in corporate titles- how to rebuild trust - at work and at home...and so much more!Connect with Karen:Website: https://daringtotranscend.comAdditional Resources:"Embracing Trust" by Karen Ann Bulluck (also on Amazon)Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and review:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-drive-your-own-career-w-karen-ann-bulluck/id1614151066?i=1000752410377Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7aj93Hwp8XKdKl6Oj4sgGF?si=_NySY9tfR2W1GrJJnFjWwwhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/7aj93Hwp8XKdKl6Oj4sgGFYouTube: https://youtu.be/twH0-5rlE4U?si=evX5ThYn_7whLubr