School on a Mission Podcast

Send us Fan Mail How do we prepare students not just for graduation—but for life? This episode kicks off our special summer series on School on a Mission , highlighting the educators, mentors, coaches, nonprofit leaders, and community partners who are helping students thrive beyond the traditional classroom. Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak welcome Penny Abbott, Executive Director of the Foundation fo...

Send us Fan Mail What does it look like to lead with purpose for more than five decades—and still be growing? In this powerful Season 3 finale of School on a Mission , we sit down with Linda Jolly, a lifelong educator whose 55-year career spans classrooms, coaching, counseling, campus leadership, district administration, and regional service. From her early days as a teacher and coach to her curre...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartwarming and honest episode of School on a Mission , we sit down with Caroline Hall, a first-year fourth-grade teacher in Georgia who just wrapped up her first year in the classroom. With vulnerability, humor, and a whole lot of heart, Caroline reflects on what it means to step into education, build resilience, and keep showing up—especially when the work gets messy. F...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of School on a Mission , we step into the world of higher education with Dr. R.D. Saunders, President of Ohio Christian University. With a leadership journey rooted in faith, humility, and decades of experience, Dr. Saunders shares what it means to lead in today’s pressure-packed higher ed landscape. From faculty burnout to enrollment shifts to personal resilience,...

Send us Fan Mail What’s really going on with Gen Z—and how can we support them without lowering the bar? In this eye-opening episode, Andrew McPeak sits down with Dr. Tim Elmore—renowned author, founder of Growing Leaders, and generational expert—to unpack the unique mental health challenges facing Gen Z today. From relentless academic pressure to the silent weight of social media, Dr. Elmore expl...

Send us Fan Mail In a world of standardized tests and high-stakes pressure, veteran educator Sheila Peterson offers a refreshing reminder: school can still be joyful. In this energizing episode, Sheila shares how humor, play, and honest relationships can reignite passion—for students and teachers alike. From grape-catching contests to classroom dance parties, Sheila’s joy-filled approach isn’t jus...

Send us Fan Mail Vision without action is just a dream—but action without vision? That’s a recipe for burnout. In this episode of School on a Mission , Dr. Neil Gupta, Superintendent of Oakwood City Schools and a nationally recognized leadership voice, joins Andrew and Gina for an inspiring and deeply practical conversation about what it takes to turn bold ideas into meaningful change. Dr. Gupta s...

Send us Fan Mail In this moving and deeply practical conversation, Tyree Rivers—Climate & Culture Systems Consultant for Columbus City Schools—joins Andrew and Gina to explore the quiet crisis affecting so many schools: relational disconnection. From student loneliness to teacher burnout, Tyree unpacks how emotionally rich, relationally safe environments don’t just feel better—they function be...

Send us Fan Mail What if the most powerful thing you can do as a leader… is say nothing at all? In this powerful two-host episode, Andrew and Gina explore how listening —truly listening—is one of the most overlooked and underutilized tools in a leader’s toolkit. With no guest this time, it’s a heart-to-heart conversation filled with relatable stories, practical strategies, and leadership wisdom ab...

Send us Fan Mail What makes a great leader? According to Patrick Erwin, it’s not just vision or charisma—it’s trust. In this compelling live interview, School on a Mission co-hosts Andrew and Gina sit down with Patrick M. Erwin, Curriculum Director at the Maxwell Leadership Foundation and a nationally recognized speaker, to unpack how trust and authenticity shape emotionally resilient schools. Fro...

Send us Fan Mail What if emotional resilience wasn’t about pushing through—but about tuning in? In this powerful episode of School on a Mission , emotional wellness advocate and Sōmōcom Lab founder Chelsea Elliott joins Andrew and Gina to explore how adults can model emotional intelligence in ways that prevent burnout and promote balance. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply empowering episode, Principal Pam Bibik joins Andrew and Gina to share what every school leader needs to hear: boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re essential. With over two decades of transformational leadership experience, Pam opens up about the lessons she’s learned—from burnout to breakthrough—and how setting healthy boundaries can actually make us better leaders. Y...

Send us Fan Mail Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the daily reality for countless educators. In this candid and empowering episode of School on a Mission , professional school counselor Lindsay Burnell Carson joins Andrew and Gina to explore what emotional resilience really looks like in today’s schools. From teacher fatigue to student anxiety, Lindsay pulls back the curtain on the mental health...

Send us Fan Mail In this energizing and heartfelt episode, Andrew and Gina sit down with Coach Dominie Dwyer —educator, youth mentor, and founder of LIV3D Youth —to explore how mindfulness transforms classrooms, teams, and hearts. Coach Dwyer shares his journey from retail to the classroom to coaching, revealing how mindfulness and authenticity help students thrive emotionally and academically. Th...

Send us Fan Mail Season 3, Episode 1 In this powerful kickoff to Season 3, co-host Gina Watts flips the script and interviews Andrew McPeak about something every leader wrestles with—rediscovering their “why.” Whether you’re a classroom teacher, a district leader, or anyone guiding the next generation, this episode offers practical, heartfelt wisdom on reigniting your purpose, especially when burn...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 3 of School on a Mission —the podcast for leaders shaping the next generation through education, innovation, and values that matter. Preview a powerful new season filled with authentic conversations, real-world impact, and the stories you won’t hear anywhere else. From coaches driving statewide change to teachers sparking transformation in a single classroom, thi...

Send us Fan Mail 🎉 Season 2 Finale! We couldn’t close out this season without tackling one of the biggest conversations in education today: digital equity . In this electrifying final episode of School on a Mission , we sit down with Cinthia Diaz, Director of Community Impact at Oakland Undivided, to unpack what it really means to close the digital divide—and why access to technology is more than...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we’re joined by the vibrant and insightful Maisha Wilder, an educator who’s spent her career helping students—of every age—find their voice and thrive. Maisha offers a fresh, grounded perspective on the role of technology in education, urging teachers to treat it not as the star of the show, but as the costume that supports the performance. From working with el...

Send us Fan Mail In this forward-looking episode, we sit down with Joe Fatheree—Illinois Teacher of the Year, global educator, and AI researcher—to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of learning. With over 35 years of classroom experience and a deep understanding of emerging tech, Joe shares what schools need to know right now about integrating AI effectively and ethically...

Send us Fan Mail What if kindergartners could design stop-motion films and high school students could learn coding through drones? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Sally Creel —known affectionately as “Agent STEM”—joins the School on a Mission podcast to reveal how emerging technologies are not just enhancing education but redefining it . Dr. Creel, STEM Director for Cobb County School Distr...

Send us Fan Mail Can students really change the world while still in high school? In this episode, we dive into the power of project-based learning with award-winning educator Brian Copes and two of his incredible students. From building prosthetic legs for amputees in developing countries to designing off-road utility vehicles and solar-powered backpacks for Ukrainian teachers , Brian’s students...

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,...