Release Note:
This is a re-release of one of our most popular episodes, originally aired as part of our school safety series. As IT and operations teams head into summer project season, we’re revisiting this insightful conversation with Lane Young, whose unique dual role offers practical strategies for integrating safety, technology, and school culture.

In this episode of Learning Through Technology, hosts Alex Inman and Robert Cireddu are joined once again by Lane Young, Director of Strategic Operations and Technology at Phillips Brooks School, to explore the intersection of physical security and technology in schools. They discuss the importance of cross-department collaboration, balancing safety measures with an open school culture, and the impact of funding on security initiatives. Lane shares insights on integrating long-term physical systems with evolving technologies to create cohesive, effective safety strategies. This episode offers practical advice for educators and administrators aiming to enhance school security while maintaining a welcoming environment.

Here are the key touchpoints from the discussion:
The Importance of Integrating Security and Technology
Navigating the Dichotomy of Safety and Openness
Flexibility in Funding for Safety Initiatives
Perception of Safety vs. Reality
Lifecycle Management of Security Systems
The Value of Integrated Roles in Education

Lane Young is the Director of Strategic Operations and Technology at Phillips Brooks School, overseeing the implementation of technology leadership and strategic initiatives. His career in EdTech began unexpectedly after transitioning from a role as a 4th-grade teacher and years of experience working in public libraries. A chance opportunity led him into educational technology, and he quickly rose to a leadership position. In his current role, Lane focuses on executing the school’s strategic plan and managing key areas like safety and security, ensuring digital and physical protection. His journey highlights his adaptability and dedication to educational advancement.

We’d love to hear from you! Send us questions or comments at podcast@stsed.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on:
Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-through-technology/id1713365771

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2jCpGtOzrs8NwQC35xaUwK
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCzWUmvnyyYS7DpK41uhLpJg
Like what you’re hearing on the podcasts and want to dive deeper?
Follow us on https://www.linkedin.com/company/learning-through-technology-podcast/ here.

A big thank you to our sponsors!

FETC:
Join thousands of educators at FETC 2025! Discover the latest in education technology with exclusive sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities. Register by January 13 to save with Standard pricing. Use promo code TECHLEARN2025 to get an additional 10% off. Visit fetc.org to learn more!

ViewSonic:
ViewSonic is your go-to technology partner for engaging students, fostering collaboration, and elevating learning outcomes. ViewSonic is more than a brand- it's your educational edge- offering a broad array of future-ready audio-visual solutions, training, and tools that adapt to your school's changing needs. Explore the possibilities today at viewsonic.com/edu!

Lenovo:
Imagine a future where students can access tools that spark learning, growth, and creativity. At Lenovo, our K-12 solutions are designed to create a world where edtech tools are safe and secure, engaging and easy to use, and built for productivity wherever learning occurs. Visit us at www.lenovo.com/us/en/student/!

We'd like to give a huge thank you to Promethean (https://www.prometheanworld.com/gb/?u...) for sponsoring this episode and helping to make the podcast possible!

Technology has revolutionized nearly every aspect of our lives, and education is no exception. The integration of technology in classrooms has brought about significant changes, offering new opportunities and challenges for both students and educators. However, resistance to this change has been a common hurdle in implementing technology in education.

In this special episode of the Learning Through Technology (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) podcast, we are joined by Phillip J Caposey, Superintendent of Schools, Meridian CUSD 223 (https://www.meridian223.org/) . Join us as we discuss the crucial topics of teacher engagement, technology in education, and parent involvement. Phillip shares the importance of measuring performance and the challenges schools face in evaluating and selecting EdTech solutions. He emphasizes the need for transparency and support for teachers while highlighting the consolidation happening in the EdTech industry.

Some of the talking points of the episode include:

• The need for schools to provide support and growth opportunities to teachers
• The need for schools to adopt and measure the effectiveness of EdTech solutions
• Importance and impact of parental inputs
• How teachers can impact and influence a student's learning process

Phillip’s journey in education began in the heart of Chicago, where he established himself as an award-winning teacher. He is passionately committed to leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences. His rapid ascent in educational leadership saw him become one of the youngest principals at age 28, and he soon took on the role of superintendent at Meridian CUSD 223.

Beyond his administrative accomplishments, Phillip is also a prolific author with several books to his name, addressing various facets of educational leadership and technology integration. His expertise and insights have graced the pages of The Washington Post, NPR, and CBS this morning. He is also a highly sought-after speaker and consultant.

Episode Resources:

• Phillip J Caposey on LinkedIn ( / mcusdsupe )
• For help evaluating your school’s edtech, visit www.educollaborators.com/edtech-audit (http://www.educollaborators.com/edtec...)
• Meridian CUSD 223 website (https://www.meridian223.org/)
• STS Education Website (https://stsed.com/)
• STS Education on LinkedIn ( / school-tech-supply )

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on:

• Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...)
• Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2jCpGtO...)
• Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...)

Instructions on how to do this are here (https://www.fame.so/follow-rate-review)

In this episode of the Learning Through Technology podcast, Alex and Bob dive into the rapidly evolving world of AI in education with Lindy Hockenbary, a leading voice in edtech and instructional design. Lindy, an expert in helping educators navigate technology integration, shares her insights on how AI is changing the landscape of learning and teaching.

Lindy discusses the urgent need for educators to rethink traditional assessments, highlighting how AI can now handle tasks like writing essays or answering multiple-choice questions with high accuracy. She emphasizes the importance of moving away from product-focused learning and shifting towards process-focused assessments, where students critique AI-generated work to deepen their understanding. Lindy also offers practical advice for teachers new to AI, suggesting simple activities to get started and explaining how AI can be a powerful tool for creating more personalized and relevant learning experiences.

This episode is packed with actionable insights on how educators can embrace AI and use it to foster creativity, critical thinking, and student engagement in the classroom.

Like what you’re hearing on the podcasts and want to dive deeper?

Episode Timestamps:
03:12 - AI Literacy: First Steps for Educators
08:47 - From Fears to Foundations: Overcoming AI Anxiety
14:53 - AI as a Companion, Not a Replacement
19:32 - Cultivating AI Literacy in Students
25:54 - Rethinking Assessments
29:00 - Shifting Focus in AI-Aided Learning
33:35 - For Educators New to AI
37:46 - The Future of Education

Episode Resources:
Lindy Hockenbary on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindyhockenbary/
Lindy Hockenbary Intechgrated PD Website : https://www.intechgratedpd.org/
Hapara Website : https://hapara.com/
Alex Inman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexinman/
Robert Cireddu on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-cireddu/
Educational Collaborators on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educational-collaborators/
EduTech Group Website: https://www.edutech-group.com/
STS Education Website: https://www.sts-education.com/
STS Education Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sts-education/

We'd like to give a huge thank you to ViewSonic for sponsoring this episode and helping to make the podcast possible!

As technology revolutionizes industries worldwide, education is no exception. Integrating technology in classrooms has brought about significant changes, offering new opportunities and challenges for students and educators. However, the lack of women in tech leadership often creates hurdles unique to implementing technology in education.

In this special episode of the Learning Through Technology podcast, we are joined by Christine Feenstra, Executive Director at CUE, a national education association serving thousands of educators. Join us as Alex and Bob think back to their years as tech directors and discuss the power of conferences to amplify personal and professional growth. They delve into the benefits of attending conferences and emphasize the value of finding community and learning from your peers. They share their insights on how to get the most out of the conference experience. They also provide practical tips for mentoring new team members to ensure they make the most of the investment made in sending them to conferences.

Some of the talking points of the episode include:

• The history and mission of CUE
• Christine’s commitment to enhancing the professional development of teachers
• How to Build a professional community at conferences
• The state of educational technology in schools
• The importance of integrating mentorship and inclusivity in teaching
• Successful strategies and examples of integrating technology into education
• Bob and Alex’s tips for getting you out of your comfort zone

Christine stands at the forefront of education technology as the executive director of CUE, where she spearheads initiatives that foster a community for educators who want to integrate technology intentionally into the classroom. Her journey in this field is marked by a profound commitment to enhancing learning experiences and teacher professional development. Before her tenure at CUE, Christine's career spanned various influential roles across a variety of sectors, including education, healthcare, and child development.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Google Podcasts

Instructions on how to do this are here.

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Learning Through Technology, hosts Alex Inman and Bob Cireddu explore the challenges and strategies for hiring a modern K-12 technology director. Together, they:

• Examine how the role of technology director has evolved from its origins in the late 1990s/early 2000s to today's complex demands
• Discuss why traditional staffing models (1 tech person per 1,500 devices in schools vs. 1:60 in corporate settings) create unique challenges in educational environments
• Highlight the three key pillars of an effective tech director: IT management expertise, educational technology leadership, and strategic vision
• Explore the differences between hiring candidates from corporate IT backgrounds versus those with educational experience
• Consider the importance of soft skills and school culture understanding in technology leadership roles
• Delve into solutions like managed service providers (MSPs) and EdTech audits to support successful technology leadership transitions
• Share practical resources for schools, including job description repositories and hiring best practices

The hosts conclude by announcing a two-month pause in new episodes, encouraging listeners to stay connected through LinkedIn and their rebroadcast episodes.

We’d love to hear from you! Send us questions or comments at podcast@stsed.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Instructions on how to do this are Here.

Like what you’re hearing on the podcasts and want to dive deeper?

Follow us on LinkedIn here.

Show Notes:

Other Resources:

• Alex Inman on LinkedIn
• Robert Cireddu on LinkedIn
• Educational Collaborators Website
• Educational Collaborators on LinkedIn
• EduTech Group Website
• STS Education Website
• STS Education on LinkedIn

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Technology has revolutionized nearly every aspect of our lives, and education is no exception. Integrating technology in classrooms has brought about significant changes, offering new opportunities and challenges for students and educators.

In this episode of Learning Through Technology, hosts Alex Inman and Robert Cireddu are joined by Victor Hicks, Founder and Program Owner at Coding with Culture. They discuss the impact of culturally relevant STEM education and how it empowers underserved communities. Coach Hicks shares his journey from teacher to entrepreneur and emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and representation in tech. The conversation explores design thinking, the role of AI in education and offers practical advice for educators aiming to implement culturally responsive curriculum. Tune in for inspiring insights on transforming education!

Here are the key touchpoints from the discussion:

• Intro
• Empowering Underserved Communities in STEM
• The Leap from Educator to Entrepreneur
• Building Confidence Through Cultural Relevance
• Design Thinking as a Learning Tool
• Navigating the Future of AI in Education
• Advice for Implementing Culturally Relevant Curriculum

Victor "Coach" Hicks is a passionate educator and entrepreneur dedicated to transforming tech education and championing HBCUs and Black empowerment. With over 20 years of experience, he founded Coding With Culture, an organization that bridges the digital divide through a "Kindergarten to HBCU" pathway in computational and design thinking. Coach Hicks' innovative curriculum celebrates heritage while equipping students with essential skills. His work fosters inclusivity and inspires the next generation of tech leaders by integrating Afro-futurism, coding, and design thinking into immersive learning experiences.

We’d love to hear from you! Send us questions or comments at podcast@stsed.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Instructions on how to do this are Here.

Like what you’re hearing on the podcasts and want to dive deeper?

Follow us on LinkedIn here.

Other Resources:

• Victor Hick on LinkedIn
• Coding With Culture Website
• Alex Inman on LinkedIn
• Robert Cireddu on LinkedIn
• Educational Collaborators Website
• Educational Collaborators on LinkedIn
• EduTech Group Website
• STS Education Website
• STS Education on LinkedIn

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so