Behind the Bell

In this episode, we discuss chronic absenteeism with Hedy Chang, founder of Attendance Works. She shares insights on addressing chronic absence in schools, emphasizing data-driven strategies, relationship building, and community partnerships to improve student attendance and outcomes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:34 What Attendance Works does and its impact

05:03 Creating a national metric for chronic absence

07:01 Using data to understand and address attendance issues

10:02 Why all absences matter for student learning

14:39 Shifting mindset from blame to support

16:16 Practical district strategies for improving attendance

20:22 Community partnerships and addressing barriers

27:41 First steps for districts new to attendance work

33:55 Resources and next steps for districts

This podcast is hosted by School Technology Associates.

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In part two of AI in the Classroom, we dig into the implementation side of AI adoption with Jared Covili, Administrator of Digital Teaching and Learning at Jordan School District in Utah, leader of one of the largest-scale intentional AI implementation efforts in K–12. Hear what made his AI rollout so successful, how he addressed concerns, used peer-to-peer learning, and put in place intentional use. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI in K-12 Education

01:04 Leadership Buy-In

10:30 Navigating Challenges

15:08 Integrating AI into the Learning Process

19:25 Fostering Adoption Among Skeptical Staff

24:13 Practical Implementation

32:11 Reflecting on the Journey

34:33 The Future of AI in Education

This podcast is hosted by School Technology Associates.

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In part one of AI in the Classroom, we sat down with Jared Covili, Administrator of Digital Teaching and Learning at Jordan School District in Utah, leader of one of the largest-scale intentional AI implementation efforts in K–12. He grew Jordan School District’s AI initiative from a 100-teacher pilot to adoption by more than 2,000 educators districtwide. Jared shares real classroom examples and how he focuses on how to use AI well: with intention, clear guardrails, and a focus on deepening student thinking rather than replacing it.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI in Education

05:22 Jared's Role and Background in AI Implementation

10:06 Real-World Applications of AI in Classrooms

15:47 AI Tools and Platforms Used in Schools

20:06 Teacher Training and Adoption of AI

25:24 Challenges and Opportunities with AI in Education

30:08 Future of AI in Classrooms

38:42 Conclusion and Next Steps

This podcast is hosted by School Technology Associates.

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In this episode, we engage in a meaningful conversation with Shannon Curtis, a high school band teacher at Buffalo High School in Minnesota, about the vital role of arts and music programs in K-12 education. Explore how band fosters creativity, connection, and belonging among students, emphasizing the emotional intelligence developed through music education. Shannon shares his experiences, the structure of band programs, and the challenges of funding and access to instruments. Highlighting the importance of advocating for the arts and the long-term benefits of music education for students' personal and academic growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:50 Meet Shannon Curtis: A Band Teacher's Journey

08:00 Emotional Intelligence in Music Education

10:25 The Structure of Band Programs

15:12 Building a Supportive Music Community

19:12 The Role of Band in School Culture

22:40 Advocating for the Arts in Education

29:08 Funding Challenges in Music Programs

34:10 Creative Solutions for Sustaining Arts Programs

39:15 Access Barriers to Band

44:38 What Students Take Away from Band

48:00 The Value of Arts in Education

This podcast is hosted by School Technology Associates. 

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In this episode, we sit down with Mike Bianco, Vice President of Information and Data Security at Skyward, and Greg Faas, Information and Data Security Analyst at Skyward to take a look at the most frequent cyber attacks school districts face. From phishing to data breaches, we discuss why schools are increasingly targeted, how human behavior plays a major role in security systems, and what the key vulnerabilities districts need to be aware of are.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity in Education

05:01 Common Types of Cyber Attacks

16:12 DDoS Attacks in K-12 Schools

20:26 Business Email Compromise and Human Element

23:06 Identifying Vulnerabilities in School Districts

26:47 Understanding the Target: Why Schools?

28:30 Keeping Up with Technology: The Upgrade Dilemma

30:21 Prevention and Protection: Strengthening Cybersecurity

33:35 Building a Culture of Cybersecurity Awareness

38:03 The Future of Cyber Threats: AI and Personalization

42:45 Actionable Steps for Schools: MFA

This podcast is hosted by School Technology Associates.

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Welcome to Behind the Bell, a podcast by School Technology Associates where we pull back the curtain on what’s really happening in K‑12 schools. We’ll be diving into hot-button topics like digital dependency, fitness, and classroom culture. We’ll talk about cellphone bans, student engagement, and what schools are trying next.

We’re also digging into student absenteeism and learning loss, especially after the pandemic. You’ll hear conversations around AI and generative tools; how students are using them, what it means for learning, and how schools are responding. Plus: cybersecurity, tech integration, and how schools are navigating these changes in real time. We’ll even cover creative ways families can support learning over the summer without turning it into school at home; think real-life learning, curiosity, screen time with purpose, and more.

And here’s the part we’re really excited about… our guests! You’ll hear from school administrators, teachers, and tech directors as we explore how these issues show up in real classrooms. We’re bringing in thought leaders, Skyward partners, and change-makers from around the country who are reimagining what school can look like and sharing real stories, not just data.

These aren’t just interviews. They’re conversations that get real about what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next for K–12 education.

This podcast is hosted by School Technology Associates.
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In this inaugural episode of the Behind the Bell podcast, hosts Jessie, Pat, and Adam discuss the critical topic of screen time in education with guest Spencer, a high school Spanish teacher. They explore the impact of technology on learning, the challenges of digital dependency, and the implementation of a new cell phone policy aimed at reducing distractions in the classroom. Spencer shares his insights on effective teaching strategies, the importance of balancing technology use, and the community's response to the policy changes. The conversation emphasizes the need for schools to adapt to the evolving technological landscape while supporting students' well-being and learning outcomes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Screen Time in Education

05:39 Spencer's Journey as an Educator

11:39 Screen-Free Days and Student Engagement

17:19 Balancing Screen Time: Effective Teaching Strategies

23:25 The Necessity of Phones in Education

29:07 Apps Distracting Students

35:29 Advice for Implementing Technology Policies

This podcast is hosted by School Technology Associates.
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