In this episode of the EdTech Startup Podcast, 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 episode from the Inch360 Conference, cybersecurity expert Heather Stratford explores how AI is revolutionizing phishing attacks and social engineering tactics. She breaks down the rapid adoption of AI—with ChatGPT reaching 100 million users in just two months—and explains how criminals are weaponizing machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing to create highly personalized, sophisticated attacks.Stratford examines real-world breaches including the MGM hack and a $25 million deepfake Zoom scam, demonstrating how attackers combine voice impersonation, social engineering, and AI-generated content to bypass traditional security measures. She reveals the shocking accessibility of cybercrime tools, with AI-powered phishing kits available for just $20.The episode emphasizes that once-a-year security training is no longer sufficient. Stratford advocates for weekly micro-learning sessions, monthly phishing simulations, and role-specific training—especially for executives, accounting teams, and anyone with financial access. She stresses that while technology defenses are important, the human element remains the most vulnerable layer, making continuous employee education critical in the AI-driven threat landscape.

Rod made the move back to the classroom after years as a leadership and instructional coach. In this episode, he reflects on the surprises of returning to teaching—and how his experiences beyond the classroom shaped his transition. We talk specifically about how he has changed his writing instruction and his emphasis on student dialogue.Resources:The Literacy Cookbook (Sarah Tantillo)literacycookbook.com/about-us.phpInside Teaching: How Classroom Life Undermines Reform (Mary Kennedy)Follow Rod on:X/Twitter:  Rod (@rodjnaquin) / XLinkedIn: (1) Rod Naquin | LinkedInFacebook: (2) FacebookSubstack: Rod J. Naquin | SubstackPodcast: Why I'm giving students the claims - Pocket Casts

In this episode John Payne shares the steps, the challenges and successes of working with Catholic Virtual to fill a staffing need. He lays out some simple steps to get parent buy-in and the strategies that made the partnership successful. For the Creative Staffing Playbook, please visit us here.  If you need help planning for your unique staffing situation, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-TogetherOur mission at Saint Veronica Catholic School is to provide a Catholic education that fosters spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical growth. We aim to develop the whole person and prepare our students to become responsible citizens of the world. Our school is committed to academic excellence and provides a challenging curriculum that prepares our students for success in high school and beyond. We believe that every student is unique and has the potential to make a positive impact in the world.In partnership with each family and the St. Veronica Parish community, and as ministers who participate in the mission of Jesus Christ, St. Veronica Catholic School strives to keep Christ’s image present in the world while providing a quality education which instills Christian stewardship and academic excellence.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 of "Morning Motivation for Educators," host Danielle Neufer discusses her journey from burnout to thriving in teaching. She introduces "well work," focusing on self-care and resilience, and encourages educators to maximize their strengths and embrace joy in their profession. Join her for actionable steps to enhance personal well-being and student impact.