Jethro D. Jones sits down with Simon and Jill from ClassVR at ISTE 2026 to talk about the company's newest VR innovations in education. They dive into Thrive, a sensory regulation product designed to support students who struggle with dysregulation, and preview ClassVR's new STEM library, which lets students safely experience hands-on experiments (like chemistry reactions and dissections) that are often limited by budget or safety concerns in real classrooms. The conversation also explores how VR builds "organic skills" that develop over time, why immersive, judgment-free environments help students practice soft skills, and what schools should consider before adopting VR — from full-solution onboarding to keeping VR sessions short and focused for maximum engagement.

Kate O'Connell, an international education consultant and leadership coach based in Cambodia, joins the podcast to discuss her journey from classroom teacher to headship across four countries. She unpacks the difference between coaching and mentoring, and how she blends both to help school leaders find their own answers. The conversation also covers Link Leaders' new "Leadership Studios"—peer cohorts that create safe spaces for leaders to connect and grow—and why differentiated, problem-based support is key to effective professional development. Kate closes with her mission to humanize education through leadership, and simple advice: get a coach.

In this episode, Craig Randall talks with science teacher Toartou Kargou of The John Cooper School about a fast-paced collaborative activity he uses to introduce new units. Students work in pairs, research a scientist, create a concise presentation, and teach their findings to the class, all within one 80-minute block. Toartou explains how time limits, small groups, random pairings, teacher proximity, and strategic questioning keep students engaged while helping them process information more deeply. He also shares how strong teacher-student relationships create the trust students need to participate, take risks, and learn from mistakes.

Dr. Eric Wearne, Assistant Professor of Economics at Kennesaw State University and Director of the National Hybrid Schools Project, joins Education Talk Radio to explore why he believes education is having a “Napster moment”—a period of experimentation and disruption as families mix traditional schools, hybrid models, homeschooling, online learning, and other options.  We discuss what hybrid schools are teaching us about the future of education, why smaller and more local models are growing, what may be lost as schooling becomes more individualized, and what traditional schools should double down on when they no longer have to do everything themselves. 

You Don’t Have to Lead Alone with Dr. Vince Cascone Building Ownership Around Your School’s Mission What makes a great Catholic school? After 19 years as a principal and seven years as a superintendent, Dr. Vince Cascone believes it starts with strong leadership—but strong leaders don’t do everything alone.  In this episode, Vince shares how principals can stay focused on mission amid the daily noise, build trust through relationships, involve teachers, parents, and students in meaningful ways, and create a sense of shared ownership throughout the school community. From enrollment and retention to leadership teams and student voice, the conversation explores how bringing the right people to the table can help principals carry the load while keeping everyone moving in the same direction.  If you need help with how to center your community on the same page, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/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. Dr. Vince Cascone spent 19 years as a Catholic school principal and 7 years as a superintendent.He’s been where you are. He understands the weight of leading a school community — and he’s seen firsthand what becomes possible when principals have the right support. His school earned a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon award. He’s been recognized as both the NAESP National Distinguished Principal and the NCEA Distinguished Principal of the Year. He also teaches a Master's-level School Leadership course at Benedictine College. "I built Seton Educational Services because no principal should have to do this alone." https://setoned.org/ vcascone@setoned.org 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 dailyjoltofjoy.com