LinkedUp: Breaking Boundaries in Education

Recorded LIVE at the 2025 Future of Technology in Education Conference (FETC), in this episode, we’re sitting down with FETC head Jennifer Womble for her insights on the latest trends in education and how they’re shaping the future of learning.

Listen and learn how FETC’s mission inspires educators to use technology as more than a tool and create meaningful learning experiences. Together, we'll explore how #FETC empowers educators by equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and strategies they need to integrate technology into their teaching practices.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Jennifer Womble believes in the value of education and leadership in today's technological world. Since 2010, she has served as the Conference Chair for the Future of Education Technology Conference (#FETC), and she specializes in developing innovative edtech events and hands-on experiences to engage education and leadership audiences, promote learning experiences, and implement modern pedagogy infused with technological tools.

Host of the FETC Webinar Series monthly and named Edtech and eLearning Top Influencers and EdTech Digest Leadership Award, she serves as a judge for the District Administration Top Edtech Products and Reimagine Education Awards.

Connect with Jennifer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennwomble/
Follow Jennifer: https://x.com/JenWomble

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at ⁠classlink.com⁠.

Leaders need practical, actionable strategies to grow and navigate their careers—this episode delivers just that! Join edtech experts Sheryl Abshire, Diane Doersch, Frankie Jackson, and Donna Williamson as they share insights on building strong leadership skills.

Discover strategies that foster creativity, flexibility, and adaptability to tackle evolving challenges. Plus, explore how key topics like vision, strategic planning, ethics, and performance management shape edtech leadership!

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ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Sheryl Abshire is a nationally recognized leader in educational technology with a distinguished career spanning leadership roles in organizations like ISTE and CoSN. Currently, she focuses on promoting technology integration across curriculum areas and continues to influence policy as a member of ISTE's Policy Committee.

Diane Doersch is a former Chief Technology & Information Officer for the Green Bay Area Public Schools and serves as a Technical Project Director for Digital Promise and the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program (#VILs). Diane also serves on the boards of WIT (Women in Technology) Wisconsin and CoSN.

Frankie Jackson is a former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in K-12 education with a software engineering background at NASA. She also has decades of experience in coaching and mentoring. Currently serving on CoSN's advisory board, Frankie is shaping the future of educational technology.

Donna Williamson is the former Technology Director for Mountain Brook Schools where she shaped innovative initiatives and served as a national thought leader in instructional technology for over 30 years. Currently, she facilitates CoSN’s Early Career K-12 CTO Academy, advises ClassLink, and consults for various school districts.

Get "The Savvy Edtech Leader" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9APjmSh

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

Prepare for a podcast showdown like no other! In this episode, recorded live at FETC, Adam Phyall and Carl Hooker, hosts of theUnDisrupted podcast, join Jerri and Jamie for a lively battle of ideas.

Together, we dive into various fun and thought-provoking educational topics, each sharing our unique perspectives and insights. Whether you're a fan of one podcast or both, this episode promises plenty of engaging conversation and a healthy dose of podcast rivalry—who will come out on top for ultimate podcast supremacy? Tune in!

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ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Dr. Adam Phyall is a former high school science teacher who recently served as the Director of Technology and Media Services for Newton County School System in Covington, GA. Since Adam got his first laptop in college, he has been hooked on the fantastic things technology can add. This led to Dr. Phyall working as a Building Instructional Technology Leader, later as a Technology Facilitator, and as the former Director of Technology & Media Services.

Carl Hooker has been a part of a strong educational shift with technology integration since becoming an educator. During his 25+ years in education, he has had a wide range of roles, from teacher to Director of Innovation; he's always had one common belief – the kids need to drive their own learning. As Director of Innovation and Digital Learning at Eanes ISD, he has helped spearhead the launch of the first K12 iPad one-to-one program in Texas.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more atclasslink.com.

What do dueling pianos and leadership transformation have in common? Gregory Offner, Jr., #CLON2025 keynote speaker and author of The Tip Jar Culture, joins us for a dynamic conversation on building engaging, high-performing organizations.

As a former piano bar entertainer turned culture expert, Gregory shares how small moments of recognition can create lasting impact, just like a well-played request at a piano bar. We explore key lessons from his book, the evolution of music venues with high-tech tools, and how leaders can orchestrate meaningful change.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Gregory Offner is an author, musician, and award-winning keynote speaker.

Get Gregory's book "The Tip Jar Culture" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/89Jsql9

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

Curious about bringing AI into your classroom? Dive in with Jack Dougall, an international educator and AI trainer known for his practical, no-nonsense strategies that truly resonate with students and teachers alike. Jack shares how he seamlessly integrates AI into his high school classroom, offering actionable insights you can use right away. Plus, discover Ecmtutors, his groundbreaking peer tutoring initiative that’s transforming education one student at a time. Whether you’re an AI novice or looking to level up your approach, this episode is packed with inspiration and tools to empower your teaching journey.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

With over 15 years of teaching experience, Jack Dougall is a Global AI Trainer and respected voice in education. Recently, he shared his expertise at the 2024 UNESCO Policy Forum in Paris, reinforcing his commitment to ethical AI in education. Jack writes extensively for leading publications such as ISTE, TES, and School Management Plus, and his insights are regularly featured in global forums, podcasts, and panel discussions. Motivated by the educational challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, he founded Ecmtutors, a social enterprise that has provided over 1,000 free one-to-one lessons to students with genuine educational needs.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

Can you teach creativity? This week, we're diving into The ABCs of Creativity with Dr. Melissa Schmitz from Wise HD. Melissa redefines creativity as a teachable skill, not just an innate talent, and highlights its vital role in today's education.

Drawing on her research and experience, Melissa shares practical strategies to foster creativity in schools, empowering students to think critically and innovate. This episode offers fresh perspectives and actionable advice for educators looking to integrate creativity into their classrooms. Join to learn how creativity drives learning, problem-solving, and innovation—and how we can nurture the creative thinkers of tomorrow.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Melissa Schmitz is an award-winning educator recognized for increasing academic success and motivating educational change. She has over 25 years of experience as a public and private educator. Receiving a bachelor's degree in music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in education from the University of Tennessee, and a doctorate in educational leadership and management from Drexel University, Dr. Schmitz is an experienced leader of educational change and organizational development. Currently, she is the senior educational consultant and owner of WISE HD, a workplace for innovative, sustainable education and human development.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

This week, Jamie and Jerri welcome author, speaker, and EdTech leader Serena Sacks-Mandel back to the pod to discuss her powerful new book, Empowered. Serena shares her journey of resilience, from overcoming a trauma-filled childhood and surviving cancer to breaking through workplace gender barriers.

Discover the tools and strategies she used to own her story, find purpose, and transform challenges into strength. Packed with inspiration and actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen for leaders, changemakers, and anyone seeking motivation to reclaim their narrative.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Serena Sacks-Mandel is an award-winning global technology and business leader and author. For over 30 years, she has helped corporate, public, and non-profit organizations fulfill their missions through effective leadership, process excellence, and strategy-focused execution.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

Are the apps on your phone subtly rewiring your brain? Digital sociologist Dr. Julie Albright returns to the pod this week to discuss how social media's dopamine-driven design is reshaping our behavior and society itself.

While humans are naturally wired for connection, the random rewards from these apps are creating ripple effects we can't ignore. Learn more about Dr. Albright's groundbreaking research and explore the psychological and social consequences of our app-driven world.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Julie Albright is one of the leading experts in Digital Sociology. Dr. Albright is currently a Lecturer in the departments of Applied Psychology and Engineering at USC, where she teaches masters courses on the Psychology of Interactive Technologies and Sustainable Infrastructure. She has given keynotes for major data center, energy, and other industry conferences and also appeared as an expert on national media, including The Today Show, CNN, NBC Nightly News, CBS, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and NPR.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

This week, Jerri and Jamie welcome Dr. Jason Gulya to the pod as they delve into AI’s transformative role in higher education. Jason shares how he guides students to adopt a transparent, balanced approach to AI in learning and teaching, exploring AI’s vast potential alongside its complexities, from personalized instruction to responsible use.

With hands-on insights from tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google’s NotebookLM, Jason discusses AI’s capabilities, ethical considerations, and impact on education. He also breaks down his process for creating AI policies, driven by the perspectives of his students every step of the way.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Jason J. Gulya is an English Professor at Berkeley. He earned his PhD from Rutgers University in 2016. He's taught reading and writing at the college level for about 14 years. He's also a writer, researcher, and consultant. Additionally, he works as an AI strategist and consultant. He has taught hundreds of students, faculty, and administrators to incorporate Artificial Intelligence into their lives and courses.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

Ever wonder what it really takes for women to thrive in leadership roles? In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Bessolo and Dr. Carrie Mugridge unpack the hurdles many women encounter, such as imposter syndrome, the Queen Bee effect, and mansplaining, all inspired by Dr. Mugridge's doctoral research.

Together, they go beyond just the challenges women face in the workplace, offering practical strategies to empower women leaders to step up confidently and support one another. Get ready for an insightful conversation on overcoming barriers and fostering a leadership culture that's more inclusive and empowering.

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ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Dr. Carrie Mugridge is a seasoned educator with 24 years of experience spanning various roles within the field of education. Starting her career as a dedicated classroom teacher, she now serves as the Executive Director of Learning Services for Santa Fe Trail USD 434 (KS). Dr. Mugridge is also a passionate researcher, focusing her doctoral dissertation on women in leadership within the educational landscape. Her contributions to the field have been recognized through numerous honors, including being named one of the top 50 Women Leaders in the state of Kansas for 2023.

Jennifer Bessolo, Ed.D. coordinates and leads the MSE Educational Administration and the Ed.D. District Leadership program at the University of Kansas and serves as a professor of practice in both levels of study. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Kansas and has a background in K-12 district and building leadership. Prior to the Professor of Practice position at the University of Kansas, Dr. Bessolo served 17 years in public school roles.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.