SMILE Factor

The conference may be over, but the learning doesn't have to stop! This week, Matt and Laurie reflect on the energy, ideas, and connections from MassCUE and discuss how educators can turn conference inspiration into meaningful action. Attending a conference is just the beginning. The real impact happens when we bring those ideas back to our schools, share what we've learned, and take steps...

SMILE Factor Podcast: Getting Ready for MassCUE 2026! MassCUE excitement is in the air! This week, Laurie and Matt share a sneak peek at their upcoming conference sessions, what they're most excited about, and the power of connecting, collaborating, and learning alongside fellow educators. From fresh ideas to meaningful conversations, we're ready for an incredible MassCUE 2026

This week on the SMILE Factor, we welcome Carl Hooker for a conversation about screen time and students. How much is too much? And is it really about the amount of time on a screen, or what students are actually doing with that time? We dig into finding the right balance, making technology use purposeful, and keeping learning at the center. Tune in and join the conversation!

I is moving fast—but innovation without safety isn’t the goal. This week on the SMILE Factor Podcast, we’re talking about AI through a safety and security lens. From protecting data to building smart guardrails, we explore how schools can embrace the possibilities of AI while keeping students, staff, and systems protected. Innovation matters. So does trust. Let’s make sure we’re building both. Tun...

This week on the  SMILE Factor Podcast , we’re talking cybersecurity and why keeping staff informed, aware, and engaged is one of the strongest defenses a school district can have. From recognizing potential threats to building everyday habits, cybersecurity works best when everyone understands they have a role to play. Tune in as we talk about building awareness, communicating often, and creating...

On this week’s SMILE Factor Podcast, Laurie shares the AI work she has been doing directly with students, what she learned from the experience, and how students responded when given opportunities to explore AI in meaningful ways.

Steve joins us to talk about keeping our focus on that journey and recognizing the impact we can make along the way. Because learning isn’t just about reaching the next benchmark. it’s about what happens on the way there.

AI isn’t just something we should be talking about with students, it’s something we should be exploring alongside them. On this week’s  SMILE Factor Podcast , Laurie shares the AI work she has been doing directly with students, what she learned from the experience, and how students responded when given opportunities to explore AI in meaningful ways. We also talk about practical tips for schools an...

New SMILE Factor Podcast Episode! This week, Laurie and Matt welcome Steven Marchetti for a conversation about what happens between the benchmarks. In education, we spend a lot of time focused on outcomes, assessments, and the next milestone. But some of the most important learning happens in between—through the challenges, relationships, growth, reflection, and experiences that shape the journey....

Making Memories That Matter The lessons students remember aren’t always in the curriculum. This week, we’re talking about creating moments, connections, and memories that students carry with them long after they leave our classrooms.

As we head into the first weeks of a new school year, it’s easy to focus on schedules, routines, curriculum, and everything that needs to get done. But some of the most impactful moments we create for students aren’t found in a lesson plan. On this week’s SMILE Factor Podcast, Laurie and Matt are talking about the power of making memories, building connections, and creating experiences students wi...

As summer winds down and teachers prepare for a new school year, the latest episode of the Smile Factor Podcast offers a refreshing look at how educators can energize themselves and their students. We share our experiences gearing up for the academic year and the excitement surrounding new technology and teaching methods.

As summer winds down and teachers prepare for a new school year, the latest episode of the Smile Factor Podcast offers a refreshing look at how educators can energize themselves and their students. Laurie and Matt share our experiences gearing up for the academic year and the excitement surrounding new technology and teaching methods.

SEASON 4 IS HERE! Summer Learning. Fall Energy. Fresh SMILES. The SMILE Factor Podcast is back! 🎧 Episode 1 is LIVE!

WE’RE BACK! Season 4 of the SMILE Factor Podcast is officially here! Laurie and Matt are kicking things off by catching up, reflecting on an incredible summer of learning, and looking ahead to all the energy, possibilities, and excitement that come with a new school year. New conversations. New guests. New ideas. And plenty of reasons to SMILE. Season 4 starts NOW. Let’s SMILE!

Everyone leaves ISTE inspired, energized, and filled with new ideas. But what happens after the conference ends? In this episode of  The SMILE Factor , we reflect on our biggest takeaways from ISTE 2026 and explore how educators can turn inspiration into meaningful action. We discuss the moments that challenged our thinking, the conversations that mattered most, and practical ways to avoid letting...

Sometimes the most valuable thing we bring home from a conference isn't a new strategy. It's a renewed sense of purpose. Joy Lives in the People and this episode is live from Confluence. We share lessons from an incredible event in Texas and why relationships, gratitude, and community remain at the heart of great education.

This week, we welcome Carl Hooker and Matt Holley to the SMILEFactor podcast to talk all things Confluence, an incredible event that brings technology, innovation, and education together in Lubbock, Texas on June 8. We dive into what makes Confluence such a powerful learning experience, why collaboration matters, and how events like this help educators connect, grow, and bring fresh ideas back to...

In this episode, we talk about getting back into a routine after a setback. Whether it is a tough week, a missed goal, or a moment that knocks you off track, the key is not perfection, it is the next step. We discuss how small actions, grace, and consistency can help us reset, refocus, and move forward with purpose.

This episode explores the power of taking risks and learning from the flops along the way. Growth rarely comes from playing it safe. Matt and Laurie discuss why some of the biggest lessons often come from ideas that did not work as planned, how setbacks can become stepping stones, and why embracing risk can lead to unexpected opportunities. Because sometimes the moments that feel like failures bec...

This week, we welcome Matt Holley for a conversation that hits at the heart of what it means to lead, teach, and take risks. His message is simple but powerful. Impact does not start loud, it starts brave. We talk about the small moves that create big ripples. Trying something new, stepping into discomfort, and taking chances even when they might flop. Because in education and leadership, it is no...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Marialice B.F.X. Curran for an important conversation about digital wellness. Together, we explore how educators can help students build healthy, balanced, and responsible relationships with technology. From online behavior to screen time, digital identity, and well-being, this episode highlights why digital wellness is not just a tech topic, it is a human one.

In this episode, Matt and Laurie explore how enthusiasm is contagious and why the energy we bring into a space can spark innovation. They share how passion, optimism, and a willingness to lean in can inspire new ideas and move people to action.

In this episode, Laurie and Matt focus on the power of collaboration and what it really looks like in action. We talk about how working together across roles, departments, and perspectives leads to better ideas, stronger outcomes, and real impact in schools.

In this episode, Laurie and Matt explore how to find value in even the smallest moments, especially in and around your classroom. From quick student interactions, objects collecting dust, to everyday routines, we unpack how noticing the little things can shift your mindset, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful impact.