In this episode, Priten talks with Joe Carver, Associate Head of School at The Meadow School. Joe shares his unconventional journey from debate coach to technology director to school leadership. He discusses his philosophy of values-driven technology integration—one that involves all stakeholders, resists both hasty adoption and knee-jerk resistance, and centers the teacher-student relationship. He explores how schools can thoughtfully embrace AI and educational technology by using core values as a North Star, building cultures of innovation through targeted adoption, and preparing educators to stay conversant with emerging tools. Joe emphasizes the importance of reverse-engineering what students miss in digital-first communities and advocates for data-informed, iterative decision-making that protects what matters most while navigating what's coming.

Key Takeaways:

• Schools shouldn't rush to adopt every new technology. Taking time for thoughtful due diligence and involving all stakeholders (teachers, division directors, student support services) leads to better outcomes than being the first to implement.
• Technology decisions should trace back to institutional core values. If a tool can't be connected to values like inquiry or community, it's a hard no.
• Implement a three-tier approach: no access for youngest students, guided access for middle grades, and unfettered access for upper school. 
• Educators must remain conversant in emerging technologies even if they choose not to adopt them. You can't effectively guide students away from tools you don't understand.
• Today's students are building digital communities without the face-to-face foundation previous generations had. Schools must explicitly teach digital norms and social skills that used to develop naturally through in-person interaction.

About:
JOSEPH CARVER is the Associate Head of School at The Meadows School, a Prek-12 independent school in Summerlin, Nevada and the Head of School Elect for the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Previously, Joseph served as the Chief Innovation Officer at The Meadows and the Director of Technology at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart.

A sought-after speaker and panelist on technology, he has presented at a series of national conferences, including  ATLIS, NDCA, FCIS, and FETC, on topics ranging from social media in schools to ongoing education for non-instructional staff. Joseph has worked alongside the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning. His focus is on a data-driven, mind and brain education approach to decision-making in all aspects of school life.  Additionally, he is a certified Situational Leadership facilitator and a graduate of both the ATLIS Leadership Institute and the Center for Humane Technology’s Foundations of Humane Technology program. Joseph is also the founder and host of “At the Meadow”, a popular podcast focused on Innovation in independent schools.

Joe’s experience as instructional faculty, coach, and administrator at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart has profoundly impacted his “mission-informed” approach to technology integration in schools. Joe currently oversees Technology and Innovation, Advancement, Communications, Athletics, and Admissions at The Meadows School. Joe was unanimously selected as a recipient of the 2025 ATLIS PIllar Award, recognizing his many contributions and long-standing service to and leadership within the independent school educational technology community.