The Leading and Learning Podcast

What happens when a school district stops treating MTSS, community schools, and student support initiatives as separate efforts? Parlier Unified School District found that aligning these systems helped teams move from  fragmented MTSS meetings to a coordinated approach to student support, with  clear action plans, targeted interventions, and stronger support for the whole child. In this...

School leaders are feeling the pressure to better support every student, especially as enrollment climbs and the need for instructional consistency grows. In this episode, Brittany Blackwell sits down with Scott Cole, Director of Teaching, Learning, and Community Engagement at Lower Moreland Township School District in Pennsylvania, to share how a small district made big changes by rolling out a n...

What does it take to introduce AI in a way that genuinely supports teachers and improves student learning? In this episode, Kate Kotsko of Panorama Education sits down with Elizabeth Robinson, MTSS Coordinator, and Samantha Lipscomb, high school science teacher and school improvement leader at Big Rapids Public Schools. Together, they share how their district moved from time-consuming, manual plan...

As AI continues to reshape K-12 education, district leaders are embracing its potential to improve student outcomes and streamline educators' day-to-day responsibilities. In this episode, Brittany Blackwell connects with Dr. Jeremy Sullivan, Director of Innovative Learning and Student Supports at North Kitsap, live from ISTE. Dr. Sullivan shares how North Kitsap is building a thoughtful, system-wi...

Chronic absenteeism has reached alarming levels in many communities, leaving educators looking for solutions that go beyond policies and disciplinary measures. In this episode, Brittany Blackwell sits down with Jenette Fruit, high school principal and incoming superintendent at Earlville Community Unit School District 9. Jenette shares how her district tackled attendance challenges by building str...

States are reimagining graduation readiness, and Brockport Central School District is leading the way with a future-focused, student-centered approach. In this episode, Brittany Blackwell, M.Ed. sits down with Dr. Ryan Lanigan, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at Brockport, to explore how his district moved beyond standardized test scores to embrace a holistic vision for student success, o...

More and more teachers are utilizing AI to change how classrooms operate and give students a stronger voice in their learning.  Stephanie Clinise, a 9th grade English language arts teacher and AI coach at Hatboro-Horsham High School, joins guest host Brittany Blackwell to unpack how educators can lead instructional change from within, using AI as a practical tool for critical thinking, feedba...

Educators are embracing AI in schools to streamline instructional planning and support student achievement, but the real impact happens when teams move from data to action. In this episode, guest host Georgia Bambrick welcomes Amelia Gorman, Instructional Leader at Boston Public Schools, and Dr. Chantei Alves, Inclusion Teacher and Learning Specialist at Boston Public Schools. Together, they explo...

School districts face mounting pressures to boost student achievement and strengthen  instructional coherence, all while navigating the accelerating adoption of AI in education.  In this episode, Georgia Bambrick, Senior Director of Product Engagement at Panorama Education, sits down with Sarah Jay, Executive Director of Equitable Multi-Tiered Systems of Support at Boston Public Schools....

School districts across the country are navigating the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, balancing innovation with safety as they rethink teaching and learning. In this episode, Panorama Education’s Rich Henderson sits down with AI expert Adam Garry to explore district-level innovation in K-12 AI adoption. Together, they break down where most districts are on their AI journey, from setti...

Leaders in education are feeling the pressure and the possibilities as AI continues to move into classrooms, campuses, and central offices.  In this episode, Brittany Blackwell welcomes education strategist and author Dan Fitzpatrick to explore how artificial intelligence is exposing long-ignored challenges in school systems—sparking uncertainty while also creating opportunities for courageou...

AI is transforming classrooms at every level, but what does meaningful learning look like when technology can easily generate student work? In this episode, guest host Brittany Blackwell sits down with high school Spanish teacher and “AI for Educators” author Matt Miller to explore the evolving role of teachers in an AI-driven classroom. Together, they unpack the challenges and opportunities educa...

Driving real impact with AI in schools starts with student outcomes and a clear, sustainable vision, not chasing the newest tools. In this episode, Dr. Casey Bardin, Director of Pupil Services at North Colonie Central Schools, shares how district leaders can implement AI in K–12 education in ways that meaningfully support teaching, learning, and student success. Casey shares how his district moved...

Moving from exploring AI tools to leading AI strategy in education is one of the most important—and challenging—transitions for today’s school and district leaders. While many are excited about the possibilities of AI, few know how to transform that curiosity into a clear, actionable AI vision for their schools. In this episode, Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer shares practical insights into how leaders can s...

How can school districts embrace AI in education while keeping students and teachers at the center? In this episode, Superintendent Lawrence Sanchez of Belén Consolidated Schools (NM) shares how his district is building an AI-positive culture that improves teacher efficiency, strengthens student support systems, and helps staff use data more effectively. Lawrence shares insight into how Panorama E...

What does it really mean to make AI literacy engaging and practical for every teacher and student? As schools look for ways to integrate new technology, it’s easy to turn AI education into another add-on in the classroom, but when it’s truly embedded into each subject area, the impact is transformative. Today’s guest, Marty Creel from Code.org , shares how the right approach to AI can turn somethi...

For many district and school leaders, the first step in implementing AI in their buildings is often the hardest. There’s so much curiosity about how it can be used to improve student experience and learning but how do we turn that curiosity into momentum in our schools and districts? Our guest today, Dr. Marcey Sorensen, is sharing how her district began the journey of implementing the use of AI t...

Welcome to the Leading and Learning with AI Podcast! This is the podcast where top K-12 education leaders and experts explore how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and school leadership—one real story at a time. Hosted by Aaron Feuer, CEO and Co-Founder of Panorama Education, each episode offers a roadmap for implementing AI in your school or district, along with tools, lessons learned, and prac...