Roll Call Podcast

On today's episode of Roll Call, Brian and Josh welcome Dr. Susan Baldridge, Executive Director of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of boarding schools and the challenges school leaders are navigating today.   Susan shares her perspective on the evolving "triple threat" faculty model, changing workforce expectations, staff wellness, resid...

On today's episode of Roll Call, Brian and Josh welcome Vanessa Wade, Assistant Head of School at King's-Edgehill School, for a thoughtful conversation on what AI is already changing inside schools — and what leaders need to pay closer attention to before the shift moves even faster. Vanessa brings the perspective of a school leader working at the intersection of student well-being, discipline, le...

On today's episode of Roll Call, Brian and Josh welcome Dr. Alec Couros, professor of educational technology and media and director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Regina, for a deep and timely conversation on the role of AI in education. The conversation explores one of the biggest challenges facing schools today: how to integrate AI while maintaining strong pedagogy...

On today's episode of Roll Call, Brian and Josh sit down with Gabriel Flacks, co-founder of Linkr and a humanities instructor at Champlain College in Saint-Lambert, Quebec, for a wide-ranging conversation about experiential learning, virtual exchange, and what happens when traditional institutional software no longer fits the way students actually learn. Gabe shares how his work as an educator — a...

On today's episode of Roll Call, Brian and Josh welcome Keith Krass, Vice President of Partnerships and Global Strategy at Veracross, for a real-world look at how technology has shifted inside independent schools over the last decade. What used to be a "necessary evil" has become central to operations, student safety, and decision-making — and the people leading technology are increasingly becomin...

On today's episode of Roll Call, Brian and Josh sit down with Melissa Cassel, Dean of Students at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, to talk about what it really means to support teenagers in a place where school isn't just academics — it's a double curriculum of rigorous classes and intense artistic training, all inside a 24/7 boarding environment.   Melissa shares how she landed at Walnut Hill alm...

On today's episode of Roll Call, Brian and Josh welcome Rob DiMartino, co-founder and Chief Evangelist at Finalsite, to unpack a truth school leaders are feeling in real time: your digital presence isn't marketing anymore — it's your first campus visit.   Rob breaks down how independent schools can honor tradition without living in the rearview mirror, and why the strongest brands aren't built on...

On today's episode, Brian and Josh welcome Mike Johnson, founder of Clearpath and veteran security professional to the pod, whose work with schools worldwide highlights a critical truth: you can't secure a campus with hardware alone.   Mike makes the case that true safety is social, emotional, and physical — and that many schools over-invest in the physical while underestimating what's happening i...

Roll Call is back! Hosts Brian Murray and Josh Symonds sit down with Becky Donovan, Risk Management Consultant at AJ Gallagher, whose work with schools across North America is transforming how educators think about risk, relationships, and readiness. Becky's refreshing approach puts people first — she believes effective risk management begins with empathy, communication, and proactive culture. Tog...

RC027 -  Telling Your School's Story with Ryan Koral   Ryan Koral has over 18 years of experience as a documentary filmmaker and entrepreneur, Ryan is all about building partnerships with clients and sharing authentic stories that inspire action, highlight legacies, and help businesses grow. Ryan is also the founder of Enroll Films. Enroll Films began with a vision to revolutionize how educational...

RC026 - The Evolution of the Boarding Experience with Keith Driscoll   Keith Driscoll has thirty years of experience in education. For the last seventeen years he has been at St. Michaels University School in Victoria, British Columbia where he is currently the Director of Boarding and Student Life.   "The boarding experience has changed...We are not going to make you into something, but you have...

RC025 -  Restorative Practices in Education with Bridget Johnson   Bridget Johnson is one of the founders of The Deans' Roundtable, a former Dean of Students and she has experience working in boarding schools. Bridget is currently working in the field of Restorative Practice and Restorative Justice.    "We want everyone to come out of the situation feeling like they have been heard, respected and...

RC024 -  Change Management and Leadership in Schools with Courtenay Shrimpton   Courtenay Shrimpton is the Lead Consultant at Blue Sky Thinkers. Courtenay has been a leader in Independent Education and has held positions of leadership for the last 30 years.  From the moment Courtenay began his career he has driven new program development. From Student Leadership models, to Advisory Programs, Maker...

RC023 - Building Trust with Students Through Accessibility, Boundaries and Caring with Brooklyn Raney   Brooklyn Raney, is a former Dean of Students and the Founder of One Trusted Adult.   One Trusted Adult offers research-based programs and professional development opportunities that teach the fundamentals needed to build strong connections and healthy boundaries with young people.   "What you ma...

RC022 - The Value of Experiential Learning with Graham Vogt   Graham Vogt, Assistant Head of School, Academics at Rosseau Lake College   "It doesn't count as teaching unless the kids actually learn it." - Graham Vogt   "We've got to help kids become more comfortable with being uncomfortable..." - Graham Vogt   This week on the Roll Call Podcast:      Experiential learning Knowing how hard to push...

RC021 Connecting With The Community Inside And Out Of The Classroom with Dr. Chris Thurber Dr. Chris Thurber, Associate Director of Counselling & Psychological Services at Phillips Exeter Academy.   Dr. Chris joins us this week to discuss how schools are operating and what their experience has been in a post-covid era.   "One thing that can help schools recover would be the intentional daily weavi...

RC020 The Impact of Technology on Youth Mental Health with Bill Hudenko Bill J. Hudenko, Ph. D.  Founder & CEO , Trusst Health Inc.   Research Assistant Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College   Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine   Bill Hudenko , Ph. D. has significant experience in the fields of both mental health and technology...

RC019 Creating and Nurturing Community and Culture with Jed Wartman Jed Wartman, Dean of Students, The Governor's Academy. Jed graduated with a BA from Bowdoin College and received a MEd from Harvard University. He came to The Governor's Academy after working in higher education for fifteen years. Jed has experience in student activities, residential life, student conduct, leadership development,...

RC018 Shifting Recruitment and Enrolment to the Virtual Space with Peter Curran Peter Curran, Associate Head of School, and Dean of Admission at Blair Academy. He joined the faculty at Blair in 2011 following four years as the Dean of Students at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs. He completed his undergraduate work in History and French at Bowdoin College in 2001, and earned his M.Ed in...

RC017 Time Utilization vs. Time Management with David Silcock David Silcock has had a long career working in school leadership positions in New South Wales, Australia. In 2004 he was appointed as Principal at Alstonville High School. Prior to that he was Principal at Bourke High School in Western New South Wales. David was one of the first Principals in New South Wales appointed  to the role of Pr...

RC016 The Value of Connection: Creating a Safe and Happy Learning Environment with Janeen Silcock Janeen Silcock is the Principal of Ballina Coast High School in Ballina, New South Wales, Australia. Janeen began her teaching career 39 years ago, initially training as a primary teacher. Her career evolved with her passion for literature and performance, and she spent many years as english drama tea...

RC015 Improving Leadership, Teaching and Learning in Our Schools with Generative Dialogue with Dr. David Townsend David was born in Sydney Australia in 1942. After graduating teachers college he taught for 6 years in New South Wales during the 1960's.  David moved to Alberta, Canada in 1967 where he worked as a classroom teacher before becoming Vice Principal and then Principal of Hays School. Lat...

RC014 A New Paradigm for School Staffing Models with Dr. Greg Martin Dr. Greg Martin is the Upper School Dean, Perkiomen School and the Principal at Teach, Coach, Live Consulting. He has talked and written at length about boarding schools, the triple threat within them and how to make our schools better.  Dr. Greg Martin joins us this week to discuss traditional and boarding school staffing. Greg...

RC013 Crafting a Unique and Bespoke Educational Experience with Aileen Lee & Dr. Spencer Fowler Mrs. Aileen Lee is Chief Strategy Officer at The Affiliated High School of Peking University's education group which supports twelve campuses across China.  Aileen previously served as the Deputy Head of School at The Affiliated High School of Peking University's Dalton Academy, in addition to Director...

RC012 Preparing Educators to be Transformational Change Agents with Dr. Jill Alexa Perry Dr. Jill Alexa Perry is the Executive Director at Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). She is a Professor of the Practice, Administrative and Policy Studies, University of Pittsburg.  Her research focuses on professional doctorate preparation and education, organizational change in higher educat...