PowerSchool Powercast

Welcome to another episode of Powercast! In this episode, hosts Dr. Rick Fernandez and Ryan Imbriale are joined by Alison DeMarco, Director of Digital Teaching and Learning at Elizabeth Forward School District, for a dynamic conversation about innovation, agency, and the evolving role of technology in K-12 classrooms. Alison shares how Elizabeth Forward maintains its reputation as a future-ready d...

In this episode of Powercast: Schoology Learning, hosts Ericka Waterman and Kellie Ady revisit some of the most overlooked yet powerful features in Schoology that can make the back-to-school season (and beyond) smoother for everyone. From course templates that save teachers hours to adviser associations that give staff better visibility into student progress, they explore how “going back to the ba...

Couldn’t make it to ISTE 2025? We’ve got you covered. In this episode of the Schoology Learning Podcast, Kellie and Ericka share highlights from the biggest edtech event of the year, including fresh perspectives from customers who presented on how they use Schoology in innovative ways. What you’ll hear in this episode: The unique merge of ISTE and ASCD for the first time ever Why ISTE is called th...

Differentiation just got easier in Schoology. In this episode of the Schoology Learning Podcast, Kellie and Ericka dive into the brand-new Conditional Release feature—one of the most requested updates ever. Learn how it works, why it matters, and how it can transform both everyday instruction and credit recovery. Topics include: -The difference between student completion rules and conditional rele...

AI is changing education fast — and Schoology’s PowerBuddy for Learning is leading the way. In this episode of the Schoology Learning Podcast, Kellie and Ericka are joined by Melissa Scholten, Director of Product Management, to explore what’s new, what’s next, and how PowerBuddy is making teaching and learning easier. Topics include: -New PowerBuddy tools like the lesson hook and student choice bo...

It’s spring cleaning season—and not just for your yard! In this episode of the Schoology Learning Podcast, Kellie and Ericka share end-of-year best practices every teacher and admin should know: -Backing up courses and using personal resources -Naming conventions and grading groups -Cleaning up your digital “junk drawer” -Using PowerBuddy for summer prep and planning ahead -Tips to wrap up smoothl...

Professional development doesn’t have to live in a separate system! In this episode of the Schoology Learning Podcast, Kellie and Ericka explore how districts can use Schoology for PD—from course templates and grading groups to media albums, conditional release, and even PowerBuddy for quick icebreaker ideas. Whether you’re planning summer academies, organizing PLCs, or just looking for smarter wa...

In this episode of Powercast: Schoology Learning, hosts Ericka Waterman and Kellie Ady revisit a classic tool that often gets overlooked: discussion boards. Once a staple of online learning, discussion boards are just as powerful in today’s classrooms — both virtual and face-to-face — for boosting engagement, equity, and student voice. They’ll explore: -Why discussion boards are still relevant pos...

In this episode of Powercast: Schoology Learning, hosts Ericka Waterman and Kellie Ady dive into the power of course templates — and why they might be one of the most underused features in Schoology. From providing new teachers with a starting point to streamlining grade setup and curriculum distribution, templates can save time and ensure consistency across classrooms. They’ll explore: -How distr...

In this episode of Powercast: Schoology Learning, hosts Ericka Waterman and Kellie Ady dive into the long-standing challenge of differentiated instruction — and whether technology is finally catching up to make it a reality. They’ll explore: -Why differentiation has been a decades-long goal in education -Carol Ann Tomlinson’s four pillars of differentiation and how they apply today -How Schoology...

In this episode of Powercast: Schoology Learning, hosts Ericka Waterman and Kellie Ady dig into a challenge that many districts face — how to communicate effectively with parents. From jargon-filled messages that confuse families to innovative ways districts are using Schoology to simplify communication, they explore what’s working, what isn’t, and how to make things better. They’ll cover: -Why ed...

In this episode of Powercast: Schoology Learning, hosts Ericka Waterman and Kellie Ady dive into the hot (or cold!) topic of snow days. From the magical feeling of an unexpected day off to the new reality of virtual learning, they explore how districts are balancing tradition with technology. They’ll discuss: -The joy vs. the tradeoffs of snow days -Equity concerns around meals and access -How vir...

In this episode of Powercast: Schoology Learning, hosts Ericka Waterman and Kellie Ady open up about a challenge that’s hitting even the most seasoned educators: burnout. From grading overload to shifting district priorities, they explore the many factors weighing on teachers today and how small changes can make a big difference. Tune in as they discuss: -Why even veteran teachers are considering...

In this episode of the Schoology Learning Podcast, Ericka Waterman and Kellie Ady dig into how the world of K–12 assessments is changing—and what that means for educators using Schoology Learning. With final exams being phased out in some states and conversations about AI-driven cheating on the rise, it's the perfect time to rethink how we assess student learning. The hosts explore: - Why more edu...

In this episode of the Schoology Learning Podcast, hosts Ericka Waterman and Kellie Ady are serving up “a few of their favorite things” from recent Schoology updates that are making everyday teaching smoother, especially in the elementary space. They cover exciting enhancements like submission controls for younger learners, mastery view access for parents, and creative ways to use PowerBuddy’s con...

How do we build systems that adapt as quickly as our students grow? In this episode of Powercast, Bill Bass, Innovation Coordinator for Parkway Schools, former ISTE Board President, and longtime advocate for student-centered learning, joins us from the 2025 ISTE Conference in San Antonio, TX, to reimagine what education can be when it’s driven by curiosity, flexibility, and real-world relevance. F...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast! Today’s conversation comes from ISTE 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, where we sat down with Sue Moore, Director of Instructional Technology and Curriculum for Meriden Public Schools in Connecticut. In this episode, Sue shares her district's innovative approach to AI integration in education, moving beyond the common fears of cheating and automation to focus on...

In this episode of Powercast, Dr. Rick Fernandez talks with Julia Fallon, Executive Director of SETDA, about the future of educational technology and the systems that support it. They explore the evolving role of AI in schools, the importance of defining appropriate use cases, and why modernization means more than just digitizing outdated processes. Julia also highlights a critical issue often ove...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast! In this episode, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Keith Konyk, Superintendent of Elizabeth Forward School District, to explore how future-ready initiatives are shaping classrooms and improving student engagement. Keith shares how his district is embracing innovation—from immersive virtual reality experiences in math and science to iPad-based AR applic...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast! Today, we're sitting down with Ryan Imbriale, Group Vice President of PowerSchool, Education Strategy, for an insightful conversation about the evolution of educational technology and what districts need to prioritize today. In this episode, Ryan breaks down the watershed moments that have transformed edtech—from ubiquitous internet access and interactive w...

In today’s episode, Dr. Rick Fernandez and Ryan Imbriale sit down with Dr. Sheryl Abshire, former Chief Technology Officer for Calcasieu Parish School Board and long-time edtech advocate, to explore the evolving role of technology in K–12 education. Together, they dive into the promises and pitfalls of integrating modern tools, especially AI, into classrooms. From future-proofing today’s students...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast! In this conversation, Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by Jesse Roy, Director of Education Strategy at PowerSchool, and Helen Westmoreland, Director of Family Engagement at National PTA, to discuss what authentic, modern family engagement really looks like in today’s schools. Together, they unpack the challenges school districts face in building meaningful rela...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast! Today, we’re sitting down with Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN (Consortium for School Networking), for an essential conversation about the critical challenges and victories shaping K-12 technology today. In this episode, Keith breaks down the monumental Supreme Court decision that preserved E-Rate funding—a $9 billion program that's been the backbone of school t...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast: Superintendent Spotlight! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Brian Markarian, Superintendent of Hawthorne Unified School District, for a compelling discussion on leadership, innovation, and staying true to your core values. With years of experience in the same district, Dr. Markarian shares what it takes to lead with longevity—emphasizing the importance...

Welcome to the latest episode of Powercast: Superintendent Spotlight , where we explore innovative leadership in the Tomball Independent School District! In this episode, Dr. Rick Fernandez and co-host Jeff Pelzel sit down with Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora to discuss critical K-12 topics, including a deep dive into the advantages of using AI in school districts when it comes to strateg...