Talking Technology with ATLIS

David Azar, Systems Administrator at Pingry School, explores the unique transition from corporate IT to the "white-glove" service model of independent schools. He discusses strategies for developing internal talent, the critical importance of reliable infrastructure like Wi-Fi, and how collaborative leadership programs like the ATLIS Leadership Institute (ALI) foster essential professional networks. The Pingry School Pingry’s Values for AI Use Pingry Hall of Fame Pingry Archives Loom, free screen recorder for PC and Mac ATLIS Leadership Institute, education and networking program designed to prepare and support technology leaders in independent schools as they grow into their positions and expand their influence The Lawrenceville School, private, coeducational preparatory school for boarding and day students located in NewJersey Preservica, active digital preservation software Bynder, digital assets management Coquito recipe, popular Puerto Rican holiday drink Rockefeller Center Holidays Marathon movie watching in PJs Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas

Jason Curtis, Director of Technology at the Windsor School, shares insights on navigating career transitions within independent schools. The discussion covers the importance of "listening tours" when starting new roles, the nuances of the interview process, and balancing transparency with current supervisors when seeking new opportunities. The Winsor School: https://www.winsor.edu/  The Hockaday School: https://www.hockaday.org/  Laurel School: https://www.laurelschool.org/  World War Z (Audiobook): https://www.audible.com/pd/World-War-Z-Audiobook/B00BIKAVHS  FirstClass (OpenText): https://www.opentext.com/products/firstclass  Weird NJ: https://weirdnj.com/

In this milestone 100th episode of Talking Technology with ATLIS, Peter Frank takes over the host’s chair to guide Christina, Bill, and Hiram through a celebration of the ATLIS community. Enjoy a curated collection of highlights featuring past guests, "spouses' questions" that put the hosts on the spot, a special conversation with the ATLIS founders about the organization's future, and a special treat to honor the team’s favorite undead recurring topic. Featuring clips from these past episodes of Talking Technology with ATLIS: Driving Deeper Learning with Ray Shay A Journey with ATLIS Founders from Origins to Future Aspirations Data Harmony: Integrating Systems, Empowering Schools Lakeside School's AI Journey and Technology Leadership Lessons, with Jamie Britto From Educator to C-suite: Jim Foley on Leadership, Innovation, and Education Optimizing Independent School Operations through APIs Matt Scully on Innovation and Collaboration Listening Leadership & the Future of Education Photos of our hosts and their spouses

Three independent school technology leaders—Lauren Marquez, John Grube, and Tomarra Londeree—join the show to share their unique pathways to earning the TLIS certification. They discuss how the process validated their expertise, helped them overcome imposter syndrome, and bridged the gap between educational technology and IT operations within their school communities. ATLIS TLIS Certification ATLIS Leadership Institute (ALI) St. Mary's School The Fay School Providence Day School

Buck Crockett, Director of Technology at Almaden Country Day School, joins the podcast to discuss his unique path from wilderness therapy to EdTech leadership. The conversation explores managing Mac OS application frameworks, the philosophy of age-appropriate screen time, and the critical role of IT in campus construction. Buck also shares insights on "peeling back the layers" of support tickets to solve human problems with empathy. Almaden Country Day School Orton-Gillingham Approach Jamf Apple Device Management Sophos Cybersecurity Barracuda Networks Harmony, Inc International Convention and Contest Christina, Bill, and Hiram in the sparkly jackets

Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO and Futurist of Designing Schools, joins the podcast to discuss the rapid acceleration of AI and its impact on the future of work. She explores how schools can manage this change, move beyond app-focused training, and redefine learning to foster human agency. Designing Schools Wings of Wisdom Podcast (Sabba's Podcast) Book: Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin Sparketype Assessment Desert Sands Unified School District AI Guidance Forbes Article: "Agency Is The New Literacy" by Dan Patrick The Knowledge Society (TKS) Alpha School Podcast: The Diary of a CEO Podcast: The Artificial Intelligence Show

Dr. Kylie Peppler of UC Irvine joins the podcast to discuss the deep connections between art, technology, and learning. She explores how playful learning—from toys to AI—can foster creativity and student agency. Dr. Peppler also offers educators a framework for embracing AI as a creative tool rather than something to fear. Connected Arts Learning: Peppler, K., Dahn, M., & Ito, M. (2023). The Connected Arts Learning Framework: An expanded view of the purposes and possibilities for arts 99learning. The Wallace Foundation. Recrafting Computer Science: Speer, S., Huang, J., Yankova, N., Rose, C., Peppler, K., Orta-Martinez, M. (2023) RoboLoom: An Open-Source Loom Kit for Interdisciplinary Engagement in Math, Engineering, and Textiles. The ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST) 2023. San Francisco, CA. StoryAI: Han, A., Zhou, X., Cai, Z., Han, S., Ko, R., Corrigan, S., & Peppler, K. 2024. Teachers, Parents, and Students’ Perspectives on Integrating Generative AI into Elementary Literacy Education. STEAM: Peppler, K., & Thompson, N. (2024). Tools and materials as non-neutral actors in STEAM education. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 1-38 E-textiles: Peppler, K. & Bender, S. (2013). Maker movement spreads innovation one project at a time. Phi Delta Kappan, 95(3), pp. 22-27. Scratch (scratch.mit.edu): Peppler, K. (2010). Media arts: Arts education for a digital age. Teachers College Record, 112(8), 2118–2153. Connected Learning Lab - UC Irvine, research institute bringing together researchers across social, cultural, and technical fields, currently focused on: Digital Wellbeing, Research-Practice Partnerships, Neurodiversity and Learning, and Growing Up with AI. Build Lab, program at St Christopher’s School combining the best of STEM/STEAM approaches with a broad, skills-based, project-centered focus ATLIS AI resources Christina’s husband Richard’s grandfather, Verne Lewellen, Green Bay Packer | Photo of Richard with cousins

Dr. Jeremy Roschelle and Dr. Pati Ruiz from Digital Promise join the podcast to discuss their learning sciences research into AI's role in education. They share details about an innovative project using AI to improve student reading literacy and explore frameworks for developing AI literacy and responsible use policies in schools. Practitioner Toolkit from Digital Promise, provides resources for collaborative learning that are flexible, adaptable, and rooted in real teaching experience Challenge Map, from Digital Promise U-GAIN Reading, program from Digital Promise seeking to amplify new knowledge about how to use GenAI to create content that matches each student’s interests and strengths, enables dialogue about the meaning of content, and adapts to a student’s progress and needs AI Literacy, framework from Digital Promise to understand, evaluate, and use emerging technology SceneCraft, program from EngageAI Institute with AI-powered, narrative-driven learning experiences, engaging students through storytelling, creativity, and critical thinking As they face conflicting messages about AI, some advice for educators on how to use it responsibly, opinion blog from Jeremy Roschelle Teacher Ready Evaluation Tool, helps standardize the way ed tech decision-makers evaluate edtech products Evaluating Tech Solutions, ATLIS is an official partner with ISTE to expand the presence of independent school vendors and technology solutions in the Edtech Index If you are interested in engaging in research with Digital Promise, or just have a great research idea, share a message on LinkedIn: Jeremy | Pati More Digital Promise articles: GenAI in Education: When to Use It, When to Skip It, and How to Decide – Digital Promise Hearing from Students: How Learners Experience AI in Education – Digital Promise Meet the Educators Helping U-GAIN Reading Explore How GenAI Can Improve Literacy – Digital Promise Guest Post: 3 Guiding Principles for Responsible AI in EdTech – Digital Promise

Dan McGee, TLIS, Chief Technology Officer at Laurel School, joins the podcast to discuss why being a tech director is the best job in a school. He shares insights into his expansive role, which includes enterprise-level risk management, major construction projects, and the "archeological dig" of offboarding a long-tenured Head of School. Laurel School, all-girls private school in Shaker Heights, OH Swank, movie and TV show licensing Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (TLIS), ATLIS’s certification program ATLIS Board of Directors Huddle camera, wireless and wired cameras with pan, tilt, and optical zoom capabilities TRS-80, one of the earliest mass-produced and mass-marketed retail home computers, launched in 1977 by Tandy Corporation

Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact at Google, joins the podcast to discuss her journey from classroom teacher to tech leader. She shares practical ways educators can use Google Gemini to support diverse student needs and save time, while also addressing critical data privacy considerations and introducing a brand-new hub of AI resources for teachers. Jennie on LinkedIn Courageous Edventures, discover your own version of innovation, using the limitless possibilities of educational technology Phillips Exeter Academy Google for Education Learning Center Get Started with Google for Education products Google for Education training, catalog of quick lessons and comprehensive courses to build curriculum https://ai.google/literacy, AI literacy resources and trainings that empower students, educators, and families to use AI effectively, safely, and responsibly Google NotebookLM KPop Demon Hunters Carnac the Magnificent, character from The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson Voltaire, French Enlightenment writer, philosopher (philosophe), satirist, and historian

Ari Betof, co-founder of Mission and Data, joins the podcast to discuss the critical importance of making mission-driven, data-informed decisions. He explores the common challenges schools face with data governance and system migrations, emphasizing the need for longitudinal consistency and strong leadership partnerships to turn raw data into a compelling strategic story. Mission & Data, dedicated to the effectiveness, health, and vitality of educational institutions and other organizations EMA’s Impossible Questions Podcast, from the Enrollment Management Association EMA’s Enrollment Spectrum Podcast, exploring the central tenets of enrollment management strategy, focusing on components embodying the spectrum Articles by Ari Betof on Medium.com Stevenson School, independent Pre-K–12 boarding and day school located on California's Monterey Peninsula  Center for Institutional Research in Independent Schools (CIRIS), supporting the work of institutional research practitioners as they help schools collect, analyze, and operationalize data in support of their mission

Nikole Blanchard, Director of Innovation and Technology at The Dunham School, joins the podcast to discuss her leadership philosophy. She shares how to foster an approachable, innovative culture through project-based learning, providing individualized professional learning for faculty, and empowering campus champions to help spread new ideas and tools effectively. The Dunham School  Apple Distinguished Schools: ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) ASCD SAMR Model CoSpaces Edu Canva

Presented by Blackbaud Dr. Alison Lee, Chief R&D Officer of The Rithm Project, joins the podcast to discuss the collision between the youth loneliness epidemic and the rise of AI. She shares research on why young people are turning to AI for connection and explains her five principles for "pro-social AI," offering a hopeful framework for nurturing human relationships in a tech-saturated world. The Rithm Project, Alison’s substack  The Rithm Project on LinkedIn Five Principles for Prosocial AI, how to design (and choose) technology that strengthens human connection Deepfakes to Deep Trust: Navigating AI's Impact on Connection, Learning, and Belonging, slide deck from presentation at ASCD Annual Conference 2025 Spark Toolkit, resource from The Rithm Project designed for teens and young adults to create spaces, tools, and activities that help young people develop meaningful connections with others Character AI, platform that allows users to interact with AI-powered chatbots that can be customized to have unique personalities and behaviors

Presented by Claro Rafael Cordero, Director of IT and Facilities at The Riviera Ridge School, joins the podcast to discuss his unique dual role. He shares how a background in project management and cybersecurity prepared him to manage everything from network infrastructure to campus operations, and how he aligns these efforts to create a future-ready learning environment. Riviera Ridge School Rafael’s LinkedIn profile NYSAIS Education, Information, and Technology (NEIT), conference produced by New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) JAMF, enterprise Apple product management and security ATLIS Leadership Institute (ALI), education and networking program designed to prepare and support technology leaders in independent schools Photos of Christina’s daughter’s “new teacher supplies haul”, Photo 1 | Photo 2

Presented by Claro Dr. Marquis Scott, Assistant Head of School at The Lawrenceville School, joins the podcast to share his remarkable career journey from CTO to senior administration. He discusses how the problem-solving and systems-thinking mindset from IT are transferable to roles in HR, communications, and strategic planning, offering actionable advice for aspiring tech leaders. The Lawrenceville School The First 90 Days, by Michael Watkins; book with strategies for conquering the challenges of transitions NAIS Article - Systems Thinking (Marquis Scott) Book Marquis is reading this summer - - Shift by Ethan Kross Marquis' doctorate thesis -  The Role of System Thinking Tools in Enhancing Diversity Directors' Insight into Employee of Color Retention Rates: A Phenomenological Study

Best-selling author Dr. Catlin Tucker joins the podcast to discuss her journey from a teacher in crisis to a leading voice in educational technology. She unpacks the core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and makes a powerful case for student-led learning, exploring how AI can serve as an indispensable partner for designing equitable and engaging experiences that combat teacher burnout. CatlinTucker.com, Catlin’s website Catlin’s LinkedIn profile Education Reimagined: Student-led Learning | Dr. Catlin Tucker | TEDxFolsom CUE (Computer-Using Educators) The UDL Guidelines from CAST Google's NotebookLM SchoolAI Class Companion CK-12 Foundation

Rachael Rachau and Patty Sinkler of the Collegiate School join the podcast to discuss their innovative shift from digital citizenship to a broader digital health and wellness curriculum. They share how using anonymized student screen-time data sparks powerful conversations and how a new phone-free policy has delightfully increased student engagement. From Digital Citizenship to Digital Health and Wellness, slide deck from presentation at ATLIS Annual Conference 2025 Example digital health and wellness curriculum for 9th grade, lessons and activities Center for Humane Technology, organization leveraging public messaging, policy, and tech expertise to enact change in the tech ecosystem and beyond The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World by Devorah Heitner Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World by Devorah Heitner Common Sense Media Google's Teachable Machine Photos of Christina's daughter's "teacher supplies haul" - Photo1 | Photo2

In this episode, we talk with Anne Sena, Director of Operations and Technology at St. David’s School. Anne shares her compelling journey from a fast-paced corporate career at Cisco to impactful leadership in an independent school, offering key insights on managing institutional change, building trust with faculty, and navigating an expanding technology role. St. David’s School Anne’s LinkedIn Profile ATLIS / NAIS AI Collaboration Resources Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, book by sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life, book by Bridget Schultz ATLIS Leadership Institute, education and networking program designed to prepare and support technology leaders in independent schools as they grow into their positions and expand their influence. Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included), by Pooja Lakshmin, M.D. Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time, by Brigid Schulte The Secret of My Success, 80’s film with strong female character in corporate environment

This week, we're joined by David Boxer, TLIS, CIO of The Blake School. David shares his intentional approach to building leadership capacity within his technology team and fostering a culture of collaboration. He details the school’s methodical, PLC-driven strategy for developing critical AI literacy and discusses the growing role of data governance. The Blake School Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (TLIS) certification Center for Institutional Research in Independent Schools (CIRIS), an organization to support the work of institutional research practitioners as they help schools collect, analyze, and operationalize data in support of their mission Breakthrough Collaborative Asana Project Management Apple Distinguished Educator Program Google for Education Certified Innovator Program 28 Years Later, zombie film

Join us for a conversation with Nate Doelling, Director of Technology at Seoul Foreign School. Nate shares his extensive experience leading technology in international schools across several continents, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of his global career. Discover the nuances of international school technology management. Nate Doelling’s LinkedIn profile Seoul Foreign School Toddle, learning management system Managebac, multi-curricula teaching and learning platform Seesaw, learning experience platform connecting teachers, administrators, students, and families Brisk Teaching, Chrome and Edge browser extension that helps teachers with curriculum, feedback, and differentiation Magic School AI, AI platform for teachers and students 9ine, service that simplifies data protection, compliance, and cyber security requirements for schools