In this conversation with Nancy Chung, we explore what it really means to create a culture of belonging in schools, not only for students, but for educators as well. We discuss the importance of community in the classroom, why joy matters in education, and how educators can recover after difficult days without losing their passion for the work they do.

Nancy also shares her journey of becoming a content creator in education, how she started building her online presence, and practical advice for educators who want to begin sharing their voice and ideas through social media.

This episode is a reminder that strong schools are built through relationships, authenticity, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up for one another.

Nancy Chung’s Instagram:

Learn more about Nancy and her work:

Questions for Consideration:

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

X: https://x.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

In this episode, I explore Human Still Required by Jeff Utecht and why this book will still matter 15 to 20 years from now. While it centers on artificial intelligence, its real power is in how it challenges leadership, decision making, and the systems we build in education.

Rather than focusing on tools that will inevitably change, this conversation digs into what does not change: clarity of purpose, intentional design, and the human role in learning. If you are thinking about AI in schools, this discussion will help you move beyond hype and into meaningful, sustainable practice.

Below are key passages discussed in the episode:

“What AI does better than any previous disruption is expose systems exactly as they are. Strong leadership becomes more visible. Weak leadership becomes harder to hide. Productive habits get amplified. Hollow ones collapse faster. AI doesn’t ask schools to change their values—but it does demand that leaders finally be honest about them.”

“There’s a temptation right now to double down on difficulty, or to retreat to paper and pencil, offline tasks, and analog work, to make tasks harder so AI can’t complete them easily. This is a mistake. Harder is not better. Clearer is better. Going offline may limit access to AI, but it doesn’t automatically increase thinking. Harder tasks and analog tools only matter if they are intentionally designed to develop skills. Otherwise, they simply slow the work down without deepening it. Paper-and-pencil work is valuable when the goal is the skill of handwriting, annotation, or sustained attention. But if the goal is judgment, analysis, transfer, or reflection, the medium is secondary to the thinking required. AI doesn’t expose a digital problem. It exposes a design problem.”

“Leaders don’t need to oversell this. They need to name it clearly. Try language like: ‘We’re going to use AI to reduce administrative load, not raise expectations.’ ‘If the tool saves time, we’re reinvesting that time into instruction and support.’ ‘AI can draft and summarize. People still decide.’ ‘If something matters, a human reads it before it goes out.’ ‘We’re not chasing tools. We’re protecting human attention.’ That’s the tone schools need: calm, direct, and grounded.”

“You cannot welcome the future while pretending the past didn’t matter.”

“You cannot standardize personalization.”

“Tradition matters. It carries wisdom, memory, and identity. But tradition without reflection hardens into habit—and habits don’t justify themselves. Many school practices continue not because they work, but because they’re familiar.”

If you are a school leader, educator, or anyone thinking about the future of learning, this episode offers a grounded perspective on how to lead through change without losing what matters most.

📘 Check out the book here: https://a.co/d/00rfVyw2

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

In this conversation, I sit down with Todd Nesloney to talk about what truly creates meaningful leadership and culture in schools.

Todd shares powerful insights from his work with the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA), focusing on why people in education need to feel seen, valued, and appreciated, not just managed. We discuss how authentic leadership is often found in small, intentional moments, and why the best leaders never stop learning from the people around them.

We also explore a timely conversation around nuance in leadership and social media. In a world where online conversations often push people toward extremes, how do we create dialogue that brings people together instead of driving them further apart? Todd shares why great leadership is rarely simple, and why the most meaningful work is often messy, human, and complex.

This episode is full of practical leadership wisdom, thoughtful reflection, and reminders about the importance of connection in education today.

Todd Nesloney Website:

Todd’s Books:

George Couros Blog Post on Todd:

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Is the “system” really the problem in education, or is it something we have more influence over than we think?

In this episode, we challenge a common narrative in education: blaming “the system.” While constraints like standardized testing and schedules are real, many of the limitations we experience are actually created within those constraints. The conversation explores how educators and leaders can rethink their approach by recognizing that systems are made up of people, and people have the power to change them.

Through real examples, this discussion highlights how innovation doesn’t require breaking the system, but rather reimagining how we work within it. From redefining professional learning to creating more meaningful classroom experiences, the focus is on shifting from identifying problems to taking ownership of solutions.

This episode is a reminder that leadership is not just about recognizing what is broken, but about having the courage to propose something better, even within existing expectations.

🔗 Read the full post here:

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

In this conversation with Dr. Peggy Buffington from the Hobart School District, we explore what it looks like to build a future-focused school system while honoring the traditions and values that make a community strong.

Known as the Brickies, Hobart has embraced the mindset of “building the future one brick at a time,” combining innovation, work ethic, and opportunity to create powerful outcomes for students. Peggy shares how the district chose not to fear artificial intelligence when tools like ChatGPT emerged, but instead created teacher pilot groups to explore how AI could expand learning opportunities for students and staff.

We also dive into Hobart’s remarkable early college program, where students can graduate with associate’s degrees, college credits, and industry certifications in areas like Adobe, Microsoft, Autodesk, and healthcare. The program not only saves families thousands of dollars, but also helps students discover meaningful career pathways before making expensive post-secondary decisions.

Throughout the conversation, we discuss:

Peggy also shares how Hobart’s culture encourages educators to take risks, share ideas openly, and continue learning together while staying deeply connected to the traditions that define the district.

If you are interested in AI in education, innovative leadership, early college pathways, or creating schools that prepare students for an ever-changing future, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiring stories.

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

This episode dives into a deeply personal story that reveals how a single moment in childhood can leave a lasting imprint on confidence, identity, and future direction. Reflecting on an experience of being belittled by peers and unsupported by an adult, the conversation explores how negative moments can linger, but also how the presence of a caring adult can redefine how those moments are remembered.

The episode highlights a powerful truth, that growth and pain are not mutually exclusive. While adversity can shape resilience and lead to unexpected opportunities, it does not erase the emotional weight of the experience. From quitting hockey to finding confidence through basketball, this story emphasizes how belief, opportunity, and environment can transform a child’s trajectory.

Ultimately, this conversation is a reflection for educators, parents, and leaders. It challenges us to consider the impact we have in everyday interactions, and how small actions, or inaction, can shape how young people see themselves for years to come.

3 Takeaways:

Get your copy of “Forward, Together” here on Amazon!

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

In this conversation with Rob Santos, we explore the powerful role of teaching artists in education, creativity, and personal growth. Rob shares how great educators do more than inspire passion, they help students confront frustration, injustice, and even hate in ways that push them toward meaningful action and deeper purpose.

We also discuss why vulnerability matters in teaching. Rob explains that students should not only feel known by their teachers, but should also know who their teachers are as people. That connection helps students see themselves in the learning process and creates classrooms built on trust, empathy, and authenticity.

Beyond education, we dive into Rob’s journey in comedy and storytelling, including his television series Beige on Tubi, and how humor can open doors to difficult but important conversations.

You’ll also find information below about the upcoming Arts for Learning HOT Schools Conference, where we continue conversations around creativity, innovation, and meaningful learning experiences for students and educators.

In this episode, we discuss:

Links:

Beige on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/series/300016636/beige

Arts for Learning HOT Schools Conference: https://www.aflct.org/programs/higher-order-thinking-hot-schools/

If you are passionate about education, creativity, leadership, or helping students find purpose through meaningful experiences, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Check out "Forward, Together" here on Amazon: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful shifts in leadership and education today: how to move from conflict to connection. Inspired by ideas from Forward, Together, this conversation focuses on what it truly takes to turn disagreement into progress and transform adversaries into advocates.

Rather than trying to “win” conversations, the key is learning to listen with the intention to understand, not respond. When people feel heard and see their perspectives reflected in the direction of a community, they are far more likely to move from resistance to ownership. As highlighted in Forward, Together, meaningful change starts when we are open to the possibility that our own thinking might evolve.

This episode unpacks practical strategies for educators and leaders who want to build trust, foster collaboration, and create environments where diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes, not deeper divides.

If you want to dive deeper into these ideas and explore actionable ways to shift from opposition to partnership, read more here:

Whether you are leading a school, a team, or a community, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you engage with disagreement and how you build something better, together.

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

In this conversation, I sit down with Christine Dyer to explore the often overlooked role of time and patience in meaningful learning and leadership. We discuss how creating intentional space for reflection supports both student growth and adult development, and why slowing down can actually accelerate progress in education.

Christine also shares her family’s journey from Guatemala to Alaska, highlighting how shifts in environment, light, and culture can deepen our understanding of time, ecology, and relevance in learning. Her perspective challenges us to rethink how we structure time in schools, not as something to manage, but as something to design with purpose.

If you are an educator, leader, or lifelong learner, this episode offers practical and reflective insights on creating the conditions for growth, for yourself and for those you serve.

Check out Christine's site here: https://www.msdyer.com/

3 Questions for Conversation:

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Get your copy of “Forward, Together” here on Amazon! https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

____

What if the way forward in education is not about winning arguments, but about starting from what we already agree on?

In this episode, I explore a simple but powerful mindset shift: when we disagree, we should first identify common ground, then build forward together. Too often in education, conversations get stuck in debate, when in reality, there is far more alignment than we acknowledge.

Using the ongoing discussion around class size as a starting point, I unpack a deeper idea. Across educators, leaders, and communities, there is strong agreement that schools should help students develop skills like grit, communication, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. That belief is reflected in this post from Francis Suarez during a visit to Alpha School:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DV8gjQKDnLV/?hl=en

So if we agree on where we want to go, the real question becomes: are our current structures aligned to help us get there?

This episode challenges the disconnect between vision and reality in education. It is not just about whether class size matters, it is about whether our systems support the future we say we want to build. When we begin with shared beliefs, we create a clearer path toward meaningful, lasting change.

3 Questions to Consider:

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/