In this episode of The Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach sits down with Claire Drolet, Access Services Librarian and Assistant Professor at Delaware Valley University, to talk about her journey from being an AI skeptic to finding practical ways to use the technology without abandoning the values that made her skeptical in the first place. Claire shares the project that changed her perspective: a diversity audit of her university library's roughly 900-book leisure reading collection. What traditionally required librarians to manually sample a fraction of a collection became an opportunity to combine her own expertise with AI. Using ChatGPT and custom bots in BoodleBox, Claire developed a workflow that helped her analyze books in minutes rather than hours while still requiring her judgment and information literacy throughout the process. The conversation explores why using AI well can actually demand more critical thinking, not less. Claire discusses prompt refinement, verifying outputs, understanding where models fail, and why educators don't necessarily need to embrace AI to recognize the importance of understanding it. Claire and Zach also explore what assessment should look like in an AI-enabled world and whether traditional assignments like the 12-page term paper are still the best way for every student to demonstrate learning. For educators who remain skeptical of AI, Claire's story offers a different path forward: you don't have to become an AI evangelist. You can experiment, question the technology, maintain your standards, and decide where it genuinely makes your work better.

Have you ever stayed silent in a meeting, only to hear someone else share your idea and receive all the praise? Or perhaps you've worked with a leader who dominates every conversation, leaving little room for anyone else. Both behaviors can come from the same place: insecurity. In Episode 8 of The Humility Advantage, J. Alexander explores Quiet Confidence: How to Speak Up Without Arrogance or Shrinking. Drawing on a memorable experience as a young Marine Corps captain, real-world healthcare leadership scenarios, and personal reflections, J. explains why authentic confidence isn't about being the loudest person in the room. It's about knowing your worth, speaking with clarity, and remaining humble enough to listen. In this episode, you'll discover: Why insecurity can cause leaders to shrink or dominate. What a Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant taught J. about leadership presence. Why quiet confidence matters for healthcare communication and patient safety. How to communicate concerns without arrogance or defensiveness. Two practical tools: the Clarity Script and the Curiosity Cue. Why you don't need everyone's approval to remain confident in your worth. One powerful reminder: "You don't have to dominate the room. You don't have to disappear from it. You just have to show up, know your worth, and make your contribution." Develop the person first, then the leader. Explore leadership coaching, speaking engagements, and organizational culture development at https://excelerateyoucoaching.com. Follow The Humility Advantage on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a leader who needs to hear that their voice matters. Less ego. More impact.

Some people call them Soft Skills. Others call them Life Skills. Schools call them Social Emotional Learning Rob calls them Boost Skills - the skills that put today's youth in the driver's seat of their own future. Connect with Rob: Website: https://boostprogram.com/ Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review: Apple: Spotify: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkPr6dtxLgg

What can day schools learn from boarding schools? In this episode, David Cicero talks with educational consultant Jeffrey R. Quebec about the surprising relationship between structure and independence—and why young people may become more independent not when we step back, but when we provide the right support around them. They explore the role of relationships, community, and the boarding-school advisor model, and what day-school leaders might borrow to ensure students have adults who know them beyond the classroom.

Your Personal Advisory Team – Building the Support Every School Leader Needs In this episode, Thomas and Becky explore why every school leader needs a personal advisory team—a trusted network of mentors, colleagues, friends, and experts who can offer advice, encouragement, and honest feedback.  From navigating difficult decisions to brainstorming new ideas, they discuss how the right people can bring fresh perspectives and help principals avoid the isolation that often comes with leadership. Learn how to identify the people already in your corner, build new connections, and create a support system that helps you lead with greater confidence, clarity, and purpose. If you need help with building your advisory team or want us on yours 😉, 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.  Resources Mentioned:  Grace - Song by Rebecca Loebe (Does not seem to be online but check out her other stuff. Her voice is amazing and so is her writing) Book: 40 Chances by Howard G Buffet - Stories of trying to solve the world’s hunger. So good.  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