PowerSchool Powercast

Most educators are sitting on a goldmine of student data, but the wrong data (or disconnected data) leads nowhere. Continuous improvement starts with the right insights at the right time. In this episode, ed-tech experts unpack why data is the cornerstone of getting better every day, for every student. We break down how teachers and admins use platforms like Schoology to turn scattered numbers int...

In Episode 29, hosts Kellie Ady and Ericka Waterman explore the transformative power of AI in education, moving beyond simple productivity hacks to real impact. Join the conversation with Becca Young, product manager at PowerSchool, as they discuss how AI can personalize learning and empower students. Discover the innovative "Socratic mode" that emphasizes student thinking. Learn about essential a...

Join Ericka & Kellie as they reveal how face-to-face connections at Connect PA spark innovation and collaboration in education. Featuring guests Chris Cromwell, MaryBeth Clifton, and Jennifer Scudder, this episode dives into the power of real-world interactions to generate fresh ideas and practical strategies. Learn how these insights can enhance resource management and boost engagement. Don’t...

Screen time in schools is under renewed scrutiny, and the conversation is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. In this episode of the Schoology Learning Podcast, Ericka and Kellie unpack the growing pushback on student screen time and what it really means for educators, districts, and EdTech leaders. From recent district decisions to roll back one‑to‑one devices to emerging state legislation, the...

In this episode of the Schoology Learning Podcast, Kellie and Ericka talk with Canva’s education team about why Canva has become a favorite integration for teachers. Learn how educators are using Canva inside Schoology to create engaging content, streamline classroom workflows, and explore new AI tools designed to save teachers time and spark student creativity.

Schoology Champions submitted their biggest questions and Dani Patterson is bringing them to the podcast. In this episode, Dani sits down with Ericka Waterman and Kellie Eady to get answers on the future of Schoology assessments, strategies for sharing EdTech updates across districts, and improvements coming to the Schoology and PowerTeacher Pro gradebook sync. Plus, stick around for a fun rapid-f...

In this episode, Kellie and Ericka continue the 2026 conversation on partnerships and innovation, this time welcoming a special guest from Microsoft. Last time, we met with Google. This time, we get to hear from Microsoft and explore how their tools are working alongside Schoology to support teaching and learning. You’ll hear about: • The new Microsoft 365 LTI integration and how it simplifies too...

In this episode, Kellie and Ericka kick off 2026 with exciting updates and a special guest from Google. You’ll hear about:- What’s new in Schoology including the upcoming Student Assignment Dashboard - Recent improvements to Google Assignments and grading workflows - How Gemini and AI tools are being integrated directly into Schoology- A conversation with Vivek from Google for Education on AI, lea...

Curious how Schoology superusers stay connected, supported, and inspired? In this episode, Kellie Ady and Ericka Waterman sit down with Jenelle Stevens and Dani Patterson to explore: -What the PowerSchool Champions program is and how any educator can join -How champions earn swag, access exclusive events, and connect with other users -The Schoology User Toolbox and why it’s the go to spot for vide...

Curious about how AI is shaping education? Kellie Ady and Ericka Waterman sit down with Nikki Navta from Code.org to explore:- What Hour of AI is and how it builds on Hour of Code- Why computer science and AI literacy matter for every student- Free, cross-curricular resources like AI for Oceans and Coding with Poetry- How to integrate Code.org with Schoology for easy classroom use- Professional le...

Ever wonder how apps like Nearpod or Google integrate with Schoology? Clare Stenger joins Kellie & Ericka to explain: -How the Partners Program works -What LTI and ISV mean -How Schoology becomes the hub for teaching & learning A behind-the-scenes look at app integrations and vendor collaboration. Don’t forget to check the User Toolbox link at the bottom of your Schoology page for more gui...

In this episode, Kelly and Ericka explore how Schoology empowers parent involvement through: -Easy parent account setup -Multilingual support -Weekly parent digests -Visibility into student progress and AI interactions -New features like persistent late flags Tune in for practical tips and updates to help families stay connected to learning. Don’t forget to check the User Toolbox link at the botto...

In this episode of the Schoology Learning Podcast, hosts Kellie Ady and Ericka Waterman dive into the complex world of educational standards—how they're used, understood, and evolving across districts.  Featuring special guest Kristen Morton, Product Manager for Unified Standards Management, the conversation explores:    -The difference between technical vs. adaptive challenges in implementing sta...

We're joined by Dr. Susannah O’Bara, Superintendent of Denton ISD in Texas, for an inspiring conversation about leading one of North Texas's most dynamic and diverse school districts through remarkable growth and transformation. In this episode, Dr. O’Bara shares her extraordinary 34-year journey with Denton ISD, from teaching in a district of under 10,000 students to now leading over 33,000 stude...

In this episode of Powercast: Schoology Learning, hosts Kellie Ady and Ericka Waterman welcome special guest Kristen Morton, PowerSchool’s “standards guru,” to unpack standards-aligned workflows ahead of ISTE and how clearer standards design can improve teaching, grading, and reporting. They’ll cover: -Why terminology gets messy and how a shared approach helps teachers find and tag the right stand...

In this episode of Powercast, Jeff Pelzel sits down with Gil Mara, Chief Educational Technology and Information Services Officer at Torrance Unified School District, just two days before his retirement after 35 years in education. They explore Gil's journey from middle school science teacher to CTO, discussing the evolution of educational technology from overhead projectors to AI integration. Gil...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast from EDGE! In this episode, we speak with Jill Pierce, Executive Director of the Tennessee Educational Technology Association (TETA), for a fascinating conversation about pioneering educational technology leadership in Tennessee. Jill shares her remarkable journey from owning a video store at 19 to becoming one of the early female CTOs in education. She spea...

In this episode of Powercast: Schoology Learning, hosts Kellie Ady and Ericka Waterman share takeaways from recent events and their first in-person meetup. They explore global perspectives on AI, grading transparency, and how Schoology is evolving to better support teachers, students, and parents. They’ll cover: - What educators, researchers, and leaders are saying about AI in learning - Why clari...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast from EDGE! In this conversation, host Jeff Pelzel sits down with Dr. David Stashevsky, Assistant Superintendent of Daleville Community Schools in Indiana, to explore how a small district can think big about leadership, data, and innovation. Dr. Stashevsky shares the strategies behind Daleville’s impressive growth, from building leadership capacity to leverag...

In this episode of Powercast: Schoology Learning, hosts Ericka Waterman and Kellie Ady welcome special guest Keenan, Product Manager for PowerSchool Curriculum and Instruction. Together, they explore how the free Lesson Planner integration with Schoology can transform everyday planning, make sharing easier, and bring the power of AI directly into the teacher workflow. They’ll cover: How the Lesson...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast from EDGE! In this episode, we hear from Giovanni Joseph, CTO of the Ministry of Education in Bermuda, in a fascinating conversation about leading educational transformation in a unique island environment. Giovanni shares his journey of modernizing Bermuda's education system. He discusses the challenges and advantages of island life—where everyone knows ever...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast! We're joined by Dr. Brent Raby, Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at West Aurora School District in Illinois, for an inspiring conversation about transforming education through innovative professional learning and comprehensive support systems. In this episode, Dr. Raby reveals how his district improve staff retention by nearly 10%—by movin...

Welcome to another episode of Powercast from EDGE in Nashville! We're joined by Dr. Michele Collier, Superintendent of Escambia County Schools in Alabama, for an inspiring conversation about transforming rural education through strategic implementation and community-centered leadership. In this episode, Dr. Collier shares how Alabama has achieved remarkable success in education since COVID. She di...

In this episode of Powercast, Jeff Pelzel sits down with Dr. Jeremy Thompson, Deputy Superintendent at Denton ISD, live from the PowerSchool EDGE 2025 conference in Nashville. They explore how Denton is using AI and PowerSchool Connected Intelligence to automate manual tasks, streamline budgeting, and scale systems across a rapidly growing district. Dr. Thompson shares how real-time data dashboard...

What happens when our systems evolve slower than the world around them? In this episode of Powercast , Curtiss Barnes, CEO of 1EdTech, joins us from the 2025 ISTE Conference in San Antonio, TX, to confront the complacency that slows progress in K-12 systems. From the early days of edtech startups to today’s most urgent challenges, Barnes shares how interoperability standards like LTI gave some com...