In this episode of Learning Through Technology, we sit down with Troy Sladen, Director of IT at Morongo Unified School District, and a man with deep roots in the very community he serves. From racing two-stroke motorcycles to racing against the clock during COVID, Troy’s journey is anything but typical. He shares how he went from finance major to consultant, entrepreneur, and finally tech director—navigating the evolving landscape of school technology while never losing sight of what matters most: community impact and student success.

Troy offers a rare inside look at what it means to be "the guy"—the one fixing the printer, planning five-year forecasts, and answering support calls while installing infrastructure. He also unpacks how he scaled the department strategically, managed burnout, worked cross-functionally with curriculum leaders, and turned special education tech use into one of his most profound sources of inspiration.

Key Moments

06:40 Tech Evolution: Data Storage Changes

10:17 Doctor's Warning Sparks Career Shift

11:11 Reevaluating Career Benefits

17:05 Technology Pivot During COVID

17:59 Expansion of Tech Maintenance Team

21:13 "Community-Driven Financial Stewardship"

25:12 Integrating Tech in Education

28:11 Building for Growth, Not Minimums

33:40 "Tech Transformation in Special Ed"

35:50 Project-Based Learning Engages Students

38:03 Outdated Tech Sparks New Growth

43:04 "Great Teachers Adapt and Innovate"

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

You’ll appreciate this episode if you’ve ever built something from nothing—or wanted to. Troy Sladen brings a pragmatic, community-first mindset to the conversation, paired with clear lessons in leadership, resourcefulness, and perseverance. Whether you're a veteran tech director, an aspiring leader in edtech, or just someone who wants to understand the very human side of technology in schools, this episode delivers depth, authenticity, and actionable insight. Plus, there’s a great story about a special education classroom that might just stick with you for good.

Connect with Guest – Troy Slayden

Website: https://www.morongousd.com/page/meet-our-team

Connect with Hosts – Alex Inman & Bob Cireddu

LinkedIn – Alex Inman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexinman/
LinkedIn – Bob Cireddu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-cireddu

Subscribe to Learning Through Technology for more conversations with the innovators shaping K-12 education.

In this episode of Learning Through Technology, we sit down with Dr. John Morgan—CTO, former chemistry teacher, and unofficial Lord (yes, really)—to explore what it truly means to lead through chaos. Dr. Morgan shares his journey of transitioning between two school districts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, each presenting its own challenges and opportunities for innovation.

He unpacks the ingenuity behind the "Level 0" tech ticket, a system that empowered school staff to handle basic tech issues without IT intervention—a small shift with massive impact. We dive into how his team grew through creative problem-solving, how he deliberately fosters a culture of psychological safety and experimentation, and why disagreement is not only welcome but essential.

From automation strategies to intentional talent turnover, from cyber threats to scope creep, John brings clarity, honesty, and humor to the ever-expanding role of tech in education. And yes, we cap things off with the story behind his royal title, bestowed by none other than Groupon.

Key Moments

04:28 Streamlined Tech Support Strategy

07:01 Menifee Team Growth Reflections

11:49 Encouraging Constructive Disagreement in Leadership

15:15 Funding and Data Security Challenges

16:28 Technology Challenges and Budget Uncertainty

20:09 Automating Tech with Fresh Talent

23:36 "Rapid Growth in Edutech Innovation"

26:08 Automating Tasks to Level Zero

30:02 "Final Interview Question Ritual"

33:40 "Level Zero Tech Ticket Concept"

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

You’ll love this episode if you’re a tech leader navigating change, a school administrator trying to stretch limited resources, or just someone curious about how real leadership looks in the face of uncertainty. Dr. John Morgan doesn’t just share best practices—he shares the mindset that makes them possible. It’s a conversation full of practical insights, candid reflections, and even a few good laughs. Whether you're in the trenches or at the top, this one’s for you.

Connect with Guest – Dr. John Morgan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedrmorgan

Connect with Hosts – Alex Inman & Bob Cireddu

LinkedIn – Alex Inman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexinman/
LinkedIn – Bob Cireddu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-cireddu

Subscribe to Learning Through Technology for more conversations with the innovators shaping K-12 education.

In this episode of Learning Through Technology, Alex and Bob sit down with Dr. Brett Geithman, Superintendent of the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District in Marin County, California. Known for his visionary leadership and deep roots in education, Dr. Geithman shares how he's guided his district through transformative change, from pioneering inquiry-based learning models to rolling out a district-wide AI initiative.

Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at how Brett and his team are building a forward-thinking educational ecosystem—anchored in a long-term vision called Vision 2036—that prepares students not just for high school, but for a future deeply intertwined with technology and innovation.

Brett also discusses the nuanced challenges of implementing change, including how to align stakeholders from skeptical parents to seasoned educators, and the importance of crafting tech policies that are inclusive, strategic, and deeply human-centered. The conversation also delves into how AI is being used responsibly and innovatively, not just in classrooms, but at the district level—from data analysis to administrative efficiency.

Key Moments

04:45 Ensuring Cohesive Learning Across Disciplines

08:28 AI's Role in Future Education

11:31 "BRISK AI Pilot Next Year"

16:23 Inviting Teachers to Explore AI

20:07 Diverse Inquiry into AI Integration

21:06 AI Workshop and Community Engagement

25:24 Backward Mapping Student Skills

28:59 Tech-Driven Learning in Larkspur Schools

31:02 "The Art of Teaching"

37:19 Unexpected Life Lessons

38:15 "Be Like Bob" Slogan

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

If you care about the future of education, this episode will leave you inspired. Dr. Geithman’s thoughtful, measured approach to integrating AI in schools offers a refreshing counter-narrative to fear-based reactions. His belief in inquiry-based learning, student agency, and the art of teaching speaks to anyone who believes education is more than content delivery—it’s a craft that shapes lives.

Whether you’re an educator, parent, policymaker, or tech enthusiast, you’ll walk away with actionable insights on leadership, innovation, and what it truly takes to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. Plus, you’ll hear a moving story about the teacher who inspired Brett’s journey into education—a poignant reminder of the power of mentorship and the enduring impact of great teaching.

Connect with Guest – Dr. Brett Geithman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-geithman-509580355

Connect with Hosts – Alex Inman & Bob Cireddu

LinkedIn – Alex Inman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexinman/
LinkedIn – Bob Cireddu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-cireddu

In this powerful episode of Learning Through Technology, hosts Alex Inman and Bob Cireddu sit down with David Wildy, Chief Technology Officer at Dublin Unified School District in California, for a candid conversation about the front-line realities of managing technology in K–12 education.

David pulls no punches as he discusses the operational grind balancing infrastructure demands, refresh cycles, and phishing attacks with the strategic vision required to align IT with instructional priorities. He shares how being part of the Ed Services team, rather than the business office, has given his department a more direct path to classroom impact, and how his small but mighty 14-person team supports over 12,000 students across a rapidly growing district.

Whether you're an edtech leader or an administrator trying to bridge instructional goals with technology systems, this episode is packed with both ground-level insights and big-picture strategy.

Key Moments:
03:00 – The Real Threat: Phishing, not firewalls
05:05 – Teacher Training vs. Email Fatigue: A Catch-22
07:18 – From Keenan to ESET: Building smarter cyber training
08:30 – Why IT Belongs in Ed Services: Curriculum alignment in action
10:50 – Coaching Connections: Using EdTech coaches to scale support
13:00 – Supporting Everyone: Not just teachers, but staff and admin
15:20 – The Thought Leadership Trap: No time at 30,000 feet
17:23 – The Budget Cliff: Post-ESSER tech maintenance
19:06 – Cybersecurity at Night: Risk, insurance, and reality
22:27 – Staff or Service? The outsourcing debate
24:01 – Tech Impact on Learning: Making the case through data
26:14 – Flexibility Over One-Size-Fits-All
28:00 – A Music Teacher’s Legacy: How Mr. Tristan shaped a tech leader

Why You’ll Love This Episode:
Real Talk from a District CTO
David doesn’t gloss over the hard parts—he walks us through the daily demands and long-term vision of school tech leadership.

Instructional Alignment, Not Silos
Hear how his team works side-by-side with curriculum and EdTech coaches to ensure technology supports teaching, not just operations.

Security Without Fear-Mongering
From phishing to ransomware to insurance, David offers a clear-eyed view of the threats schools face and how to prepare.

Connect with Guest – David Wildy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-wildy-mpa-ba41b95

Connect with Hosts – Alex Inman & Bob Cireddu
LinkedIn – Alex Inman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexinman/
LinkedIn – Bob Cireddu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-cireddu

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.

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A big thank you to our sponsors!

FETC:
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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:
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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...)
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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.

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