Plugged In: ACPE Amplified

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(recorded October 27, 2026)

Episode Sponsor: Managed Methods

Join Marc, Rachel, and our guests:

Corin Ahlberg, Director of Technology at Reynolds School District

and

David Waugh, Sales Team Leader, Managed Methods, Inc.

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We chat this episode about the intersection of data, security, AI, and the humans in the middle. We're in a season of flux on perceptions, feelings, uncertainty in the world and how we navigate it as leaders. We also touch on the ACPE 2027 conference theme, Celebrate IT. And have a rambling welcome back to the PluggedIn studios with our two good friends.

*Oh, and Dungeon Crawler Carl chatter as promised. As well as Desk Set (go watch it!)

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(recorded October 16, 2026)

Join Marc, Rachel, and our fellow board members Shelby Reynolds and Jeff Gibbs.

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We chat this episode about the ACPE 2027 conference theme, Celebrate IT. And roll out some brief glimpses the ACPE workgroup and professional development opportunities that are germinating this year.

*Oh, and stay tuned for Dungeon Crawler Carl chatter this fall. Marc has a new favorite series!

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(recorded February 24, 2026)

Episode Sponsor: Linewize

Join Marc, Rachel, and our guests:

Nicole Andrell, Technology Supervisor at La Center School District

and

Terrisa Reeves, Territory Director, Linewize

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We chat this episode about Women in Tech, AI, webfilters, safety, and security for the humans and tech in our districts. We are thrilled to have Linewize's Terrisa join as our first full-episode sponsor partner. 

*Oh, and Marc finally learned how to pronouce Ilani. 

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(recorded May 18, 2026)

Episode Sponsor: PowerGistics

Join Marc, Rachel, and our guests:

Josh Kesecker, ACPE Board Member and Technology Director at Wallowa County ESD

and

Chris Rowbotham, Director Of Technology at Siuslaw School District 97J

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We chat this episode about BelieveIT—the ACPE 2026 conference, recapping the fun, the quiet moments and heavy work, the laughter, activities, presentations, community, treehouses, and so much. We also welcome Chris Rowbotham to the PluggedIn mics after months of "stealth Chris" on each episode. Marc's fault.

Cory Horton is not on this episode, but is the reason we had so many beautiful stories to tell in this post-conference episode. We love you, Cory! THANK YOU

*Oh, and sometimes, you know, you just want to like chillax and crush your opponent. —Josh K

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(recorded April 7, 2026)

Episode Sponsor: IncidentIQ

Join Marc, Rachel, and our guests:

Steve Langford, ACPE Board President

Cory Horton, ACPE Event Coordinator

and

Matthew Emerzian, CEO of Every Monday Matters and ACPE 2026

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We chat this episode about BelieveIT—the ACPE 2026 conference and the theme. Matthew Emerzian joins us to preview the keynote and his journey to this work and the importance of belonging. Note, Steve's audio did not capture for this episode.

Cory joins us to talk pop culture and about all of the exciting conference elements this year!

*Oh, and Marc's hairline is **still** uneven.

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(recorded December 17, 2025)

Episode Sponsor: Securly

Join Marc, Rachel, and our guests:

Ellen Dorr, Chief of Technology and Strategic Initiatives for the Renton School District and ACPE Board Member

and

Melissa Lim, Learning Technologies Program Administrator at Portland Public Schools

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We chat this episode about leading change through generations of technology innovations, with a focus more on the people change than the technology change itself. We also remember Rob Reiner and celebrate his most quotable, memorable films.

*Oh, and Marc's hairline is uneven post-surgery, or as Nicole says, it adds character.

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(recorded December 11, 2025)

Episode Sponsor: Insight Financial Services

Join Marc, Rachel, and our guests:

Kevin Johnson, Director of Technology at Fife School District and ACPE Board Member

and

Leigh Anne Scherer, Director of Technology & Information Services in the North Clackamas School District

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We chat this episode about technology purchases, levies, long-range planning, replacement cycles, and paying for it all. We also dither on future tech K-12 shifts to the as-a-service model. What comes next?

*Oh, and Kevin and Marci look forward to seeing how many impalements per show there are on Chicago Fire. Noted. 

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(recorded December 4, 2025)

Episode Sponsor: Magic School AI

Join Marc, Rachel, and our guest Kris Hagel, CIO at Peninsula School District.

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We chat this episode about AI. We focus first on the people change that Kris has led in PSD the past four years. And then we settle into a broad-ranging tech and human-focused conversation about AI and its impacts in our lives, schools, and the world.

*Oh, and Marc is mean to Claire Danes, but we're so happy about his successful surgery that we're only slightly mean back to him. Defend Claire Danes.

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(recorded October 14, 2025)

Episode Sponsor: Advanced Classroom Technologies

Join Marc and Rachel for this Season Two opener, with guests: 

Owen Craig, Director of Technology at Nooksack Valley School District 
and 
Matthew Ross, Director of Technology at Napavine School District

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We chat this episode about Esports. Owen and Marc both end up tearing up. Owen and Matthew bring us up to speed on the esports domain, WSSEA in Washington, invisible careers, creating spaces and connection for students, and inspiring each of us to dream.

*Oh, and Matthew will know when esports has made it when the teams have cheerleaders. Brilliant, visible measure of success.

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In this B-Sides track from Plugged In S2 E1, Marc and Rachel chat with Matthew and Owen about the dystopian and utopian themes that showed up in several season one episodes. Marc has special powers. Matthew schools us. And, Owen did the wrong homework assignment, but still gets an A+.