School on a Mission Podcast
Welcome to "School on a Mission," the podcast for educators by educators. We're here to help school leaders navigate the ups and downs of leadership in education. Join us for candid conversations, practical advice, and inspiration from experienced educators and experts. Whether you're a seasoned leader or an aspiring administrator, we've got you covered. Tune in and join the mission to create thriving learning environments for the next generation. The School on a Mission podcast is brought to you by Growing Leaders powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation. You can learn more about the work of transforming the lives of students at growingleaders.com. Would you like to be featured on the School on a Mission Podcast? Fill out this form to tell us a little about yourself, and our team will review it! https://growingleaders.typeform.com/to/fcu3ZRTv
Episodes
🎉 Season 2 Finale!
We couldn’t close out this season without tackling one of the biggest conversations in education today: digital equity. In this electrifying final episode of School on a Mission, we sit down with Cinthia Diaz, Director of Community Impact at Oakland Undivided, to unpack what it really means to close the digital divide—and why access to technology is more than a convenience… it’s a necessity.
From lau...
In today’s episode, we’re joined by the vibrant and insightful Maisha Wilder, an educator who’s spent her career helping students—of every age—find their voice and thrive. Maisha offers a fresh, grounded perspective on the role of technology in education, urging teachers to treat it not as the star of the show, but as the costume that supports the performance.
From working with elementary students to guiding colle...
In this forward-looking episode, we sit down with Joe Fatheree—Illinois Teacher of the Year, global educator, and AI researcher—to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of learning. With over 35 years of classroom experience and a deep understanding of emerging tech, Joe shares what schools need to know right now about integrating AI effectively and ethically.
He unpacks both the possibilitie...
What if kindergartners could design stop-motion films and high school students could learn coding through drones? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Sally Creel—known affectionately as “Agent STEM”—joins the School on a Mission podcast to reveal how emerging technologies are not just enhancing education but redefining it.
Dr. Creel, STEM Director for Cobb County School District, shares her unconventional journ...
Can students really change the world while still in high school? In this episode, we dive into the power of project-based learning with award-winning educator Brian Copes and two of his incredible students. From building prosthetic legs for amputees in developing countries to designing off-road utility vehicles and solar-powered backpacks for Ukrainian teachers, Brian’s students are proving that learning doesn’t have ...
🤖 Are Schools Using Tech the Right Way? Students Have the Answers! 🎧
In this episode of School on a Mission, hosts Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak turn to the real experts on classroom technology—students themselves! The Maxwell Leadership Student Ambassadors (MLSA) join the discussion to share their firsthand experiences with emerging tech in schools.
🎓 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The best digital tools that ha...
🌿 Can Learning Thrive Without Screens?
In this episode of School on a Mission, hosts Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts explore the world of screen-free, outdoor learning with Brett Dabb, founder of Colorado Nature School. In an age where screens dominate education, Brett shares why some schools are choosing to ditch technology and take learning outside—literally.
🎒 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why screen-free school...
📊 Are You Using Data to Transform Student Success? Or Is It Just Sitting on a Spreadsheet?
In this episode of School on a Mission, hosts Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak sit down with Dr. Denise Pope, Senior Lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Education and co-founder of Challenge Success, to discuss how educators can use data-driven insights to improve student engagement, well-being, and belonging.
💡 What You’ll...
🚀 Discover Your Community Engagement Superpower! 🚀
In this episode of School on a Mission, hosts Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts dive into the power of social media for school leaders with special guest Will Parker, founder of Principal Matters, LLC. 🎤✨
In Part 2 of this engaging series, Will shares game-changing strategies for using social media to foster community engagement, strengthen school culture, and b...
In this episode, hosts Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak discuss the evolving role of social media in education with expert Dr. Jill Johnson. They explore the importance of practical skills in schools, the concept of student-led social media, and the real-world experiences that come from content creation. The conversation highlights the significance of digital citizenship, the power of authentic storytelling, and the need ...
In today's episode, Gina and Andrew explore the intersection of technology and education, focusing on the importance of accessibility in the classroom. Our guest, Lindsay Foster, discusses various aspects of accessibility, including the difference between small a and capital A accessibility, the impact of digital environments, and practical steps educators can take to enhance accessibility. She also highlights to...
In this episode of the School on a Mission podcast, hosts Andrew McPeak and Gina Wath engage in a thought-provoking conversation with educator Jed Stefanowicz about the future of education. They discuss the importance of creating future-ready classrooms that prioritize emotional intelligence alongside academic achievement. The conversation covers innovative teaching strategies, the shift from content consumption to cr...
In this episode, Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak discuss the evolving landscape of education with guest Cory Hafer, an engineering teacher who is transforming the traditional classroom model. They explore the importance of curiosity, hands-on learning, and the innovative use of technology in education. Cory shares his journey into teaching, the challenges he faces, and his strategies for fostering a collaborative and eng...
In this episode, Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts discuss the controversial topic of classroom device usage, particularly smartphones, with Josh Andrew, head of Atlanta Classical Academy. They explore the implications of technology in education, the importance of attention in learning, and the school's no-phone policy, which fosters direct human interaction and engagement among students. The conversation emphasizes t...
In this episode, Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak kick off Season Two by discussing the idea of digital citizenship. They explore the challenges and innovations technology brings to education, emphasizing the importance of responsible online behavior for both students and adults. The conversation highlights the emergence of the Luddite Club, where students are intentionally stepping back from social media and sharing insi...
Get excited for Season 2 of the School on a Mission Podcast, kicking off on January 16, 2025! Join co-hosts Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak as they explore the amazing ways technology is changing education for the better. This season, they’ll chat about fun topics like using artificial intelligence in the classroom, adopting phone-free and screen-free days, and finding smart ways to boost learning outcomes with data.
In our last episode of season one of the School on A Mission podcast, Gina and Andrew discuss the often-overlooked value of failure in education, exploring how embracing setbacks can foster resilience and innovation. Through personal stories, they highlight the importance of taking risks and rethinking traditional views of success. Together, they champion a classroom culture that sees failure as an essential part...
In this episode, co-hosts Gina and Andrew go behind the scenes of Career and Technical Education (CTE) with guest Dave Huffman to explore how these programs are preparing students for diverse career paths. Dave shares valuable insights on the critical role school administrators play in supporting workforce readiness, from overcoming implementation challenges to building partnerships with the community. Together, they ...
In this episode, Andrew and Gina dive into the Habitude value of Cathedral Building, a mindset that goes beyond the daily grind to focus on the bigger picture. Building something meaningful takes time, energy, and resources, and it can often feel like you’re just “laying bricks.” But great leaders and dedicated builders keep the vision of their “cathedral” in mind—the end goals that make the effort worthwhile. Th...
In this episode, Gina and Andrew discuss the role of parental involvement in education with two incredible school leaders, Taylor Hasty and Rosie Lowndes. Together, they unpack the real-life opportunities and challenges of building meaningful partnerships between schools and families, focusing on how these relationships can truly support students’ learning and growth. Whether in traditional classrooms or virtual space...
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