School on a Mission Podcast

Send us Fan Mail 🤖 Are Schools Using Tech the Right Way? Students Have the Answers! 🎧 In this episode of School on a Mission , hosts Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak turn to the real experts on classroom technology—students themselves! The Maxwell Leadership Student Ambassadors (MLSA) join the discussion to share their firsthand experiences with emerging tech in schools. 🎓 What You’ll Learn in This...

Send us Fan Mail 🌿 Can Learning Thrive Without Screens? In this episode of School on a Mission , hosts Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts explore the world of screen-free, outdoor learning with Brett Dabb , founder of Colorado Nature School . In an age where screens dominate education, Brett shares why some schools are choosing to ditch technology and take learning outside—literally. 🎒 What You’ll Lea...

Send us Fan Mail 📊 Are You Using Data to Transform Student Success? Or Is It Just Sitting on a Spreadsheet? In this episode of School on a Mission , hosts Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak sit down with Dr. Denise Pope , Senior Lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Education and co-founder of Challenge Success , to discuss how educators can use data-driven insights to improve student engagement, wel...

Send us Fan Mail 🚀 Discover Your Community Engagement Superpower! 🚀 In this episode of School on a Mission , hosts Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts dive into the power of social media for school leaders with special guest Will Parker , founder of Principal Matters, LLC. 🎤✨ In Part 2 of this engaging series, Will shares game-changing strategies for using social media to foster community engagement,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak discuss the evolving role of social media in education with expert Dr. Jill Johnson. They explore the importance of practical skills in schools, the concept of student-led social media, and the real-world experiences that come from content creation. The conversation highlights the significance of digital citizenship, the power of...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Gina and Andrew explore the intersection of technology and education, focusing on the importance of accessibility in the classroom. Our guest, Lindsay Foster, discusses various aspects of accessibility, including the difference between small a and capital A accessibility, the impact of digital environments, and practical steps educators can take to enhance...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the School on a Mission podcast, hosts Andrew McPeak and Gina Wath engage in a thought-provoking conversation with educator Jed Stefanowicz about the future of education. They discuss the importance of creating future-ready classrooms that prioritize emotional intelligence alongside academic achievement. The conversation covers innovative teaching strategies, th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak discuss the evolving landscape of education with guest Cory Hafer, an engineering teacher who is transforming the traditional classroom model. They explore the importance of curiosity, hands-on learning, and the innovative use of technology in education. Cory shares his journey into teaching, the challenges he faces, and his strategies...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts discuss the controversial topic of classroom device usage, particularly smartphones, with Josh Andrew, head of Atlanta Classical Academy. They explore the implications of technology in education, the importance of attention in learning, and the school's no-phone policy, which fosters direct human interaction and engagement among s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak kick off Season Two by discussing the idea of digital citizenship. They explore the challenges and innovations technology brings to education, emphasizing the importance of responsible online behavior for both students and adults. The conversation highlights the emergence of the Luddite Club, where students are intentionally stepping b...

Send us Fan Mail Get excited for Season 2 of the School on a Mission Podcast , kicking off on January 16, 2025! Join co-hosts Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak as they explore the amazing ways technology is changing education for the better. This season, they’ll chat about fun topics like using artificial intelligence in the classroom, adopting phone-free and screen-free days, and finding smart ways to...

Send us Fan Mail In our last episode of season one of the School on A Mission podcast, Gina and Andrew discuss the often-overlooked value of failure in education, exploring how embracing setbacks can foster resilience and innovation. Through personal stories, they highlight the importance of taking risks and rethinking traditional views of success. Together, they champion a classroom culture that...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, co-hosts Gina and Andrew go behind the scenes of Career and Technical Education (CTE) with guest Dave Huffman to explore how these programs are preparing students for diverse career paths. Dave shares valuable insights on the critical role school administrators play in supporting workforce readiness, from overcoming implementation challenges to building partnershi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Andrew and Gina dive into the Habitude value of Cathedral Building , a mindset that goes beyond the daily grind to focus on the bigger picture. Building something meaningful takes time, energy, and resources, and it can often feel like you’re just “laying bricks.” But great leaders and dedicated builders keep the vision of their “cathedral” in mind—the end goals t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Gina and Andrew discuss the role of parental involvement in education with two incredible school leaders, Taylor Hasty and Rosie Lowndes. Together, they unpack the real-life opportunities and challenges of building meaningful partnerships between schools and families, focusing on how these relationships can truly support students’ learning and growth. Whether in t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak are joined by expert guest Kara Mallory, a parent and educator, to discuss the critical role of parental involvement in education. Kara emphasizes the importance of communication and transparency between parents and teachers and shares insights on the need for collaboration between home and school. Throughout the conversation, they exp...

Send us Fan Mail Trust isn't built overnight; it requires consistent, intentional actions and commitment from teachers, students, parents, and administrators. In this episode, Gina and Andrew explore the essential role of trust in creating a positive and effective educational environment. They will discuss practical strategies for fostering trust, such as transparent communication, showing em...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Gina and Andrew explore the crucial role of psychological safety in fostering student engagement and academic success with expert insights from Dr. Michelle Braillard . We discuss how creating a safe environment allows students to take academic risks, express themselves, and engage more deeply in learning. Dr. Braillard shares practical steps for educators and sch...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the importance of creating well-rounded school environments and fostering investment in extracurricular activities. Our guest, an experienced educator and speaker, Patrick Erwin, shares insights into why schools should focus on more than just academics. We discuss the role of extracurricular programs in student development, effective strategies for impl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we focus on supporting students with autism and special needs beyond graduation, exploring innovative approaches to help them succeed in post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. Our guest, Dr. Ashley Johnessee , Principal of Haw Creek Elementary, shares her insights on creating inclusive environments that empower students with diverse abilitie...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the impact of individualized education on student learning and development. Our guest, Kaleb Wachala, shares his personal journeys with personalized learning, discussing creating opportunities for students to explore career paths and gain real-world experience. He discusses the challenges and rewards of launching such initiatives and offers practical st...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the concept of "Splashes and Waves," drawing inspiration from young elephants raised without role models who splashed water to avoid seeing their reflections. This metaphor highlights the tendency of some leaders to shy away from self-reflection, mirroring unhealthy behaviors. We discuss the crucial role of self-awareness and emotional intelli...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of School on a Mission , co-hosts Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak are joined by special guest Kevin Gilmore to explore the transformative power of mentorship in shaping the learning and development of school leaders. They dive into how mentors can profoundly impact personal growth and career aspirations, sharing inspiring stories that highlight the ripple effects of s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Gina and Andrew will take a closer look at the widespread problem of teacher burnout and how it affects both the well-being of educators and their ability to be effective in the classroom. We'll dive into the different reasons why school leaders and teachers experience burnout, including the heavy demands of their jobs, the constant pressure to meet expectati...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Andrew, Gina, and Tim Elmore dive into the transformative power of equipping individuals with essential life skills. Joined by acclaimed author and leadership expert Tim Elmore, listeners explore how intentional schools make a difference in their communities, shaping academic success and fostering strong connections and values. From visionary leadership to innovat...