Talking Technology with ATLIS

In this episode, technology leaders discuss the integration of artificial intelligence in K-12 education with educator Douglas Kiang. The conversation examines essential skills for the AI era—including design thinking, close reading, and version control via GitHub—alongside data privacy considerations, the concept of distant writing, and evolving academic assessment models. Douglas Kiang's Officia...

Live from the ATLIS 2026 Annual Conference, the hosting team is joined by Alex Inman and Tom Wildman to analyze the evolving role of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in independent schools. The conversation addresses the rise of fractional staffing, shifting IT reporting structures under CFOs, and the absolute necessity of cultural alignment when outsourcing school technology services. Knowing Tec...

Evan Harris of Pathos Consulting Group addresses the escalating risks of AI-generated deepfakes and companions within school communities. The discussion highlights the psychological tactics scammers use to bypass critical thinking, the limitations of technical detection tools, and the urgent need for schools to update policies and student safety protocols. Pathos Consulting Group - The organizatio...

Jamie Sullivan, TLIS, joins the podcast to share her veteran perspective on shifting from rigid software platforms to agile, user-centric systems. She discusses the power of regional collaboration through her year-long AI leadership cohort and explains why technology departments must prioritize "academic teching" to keep the focus on student learning. Castilleja School Toddle LMS Veracross Ruvna S...

Ruvna's Marshall Singer and Orah's Matt Varley join the show to discuss the evolving intersection of school safety and technical leadership. The conversation highlights how technology directors are increasingly "quarterbacking" safety through real-time student tracking and Model Context Protocols to bridge data gaps between attendance records and physical locations. Ruvna Safety Platform Orah Stud...

Dr. Akbar Herndon, CTO of Grace Church School and a founder of the NEET conference, discusses his unique journey from professional jazz violinist to technology leader. He shares strategies for building highly diverse IT teams through a culture of belonging and explains why a "human first protocol" is essential when integrating AI into the independent school classroom. Akbar’s LinkedIn Profile Grac...

Dr. Geri Gillespy joins the podcast to discuss the transition from AI consumption to purposeful production. She shares her "three-legged stool" framework for change management and explores the emerging role of AI agents in independent schools. Learn how workforce development and human-in-the-loop practices ensure technology amplifies, rather than replaces, human creativity. Microsoft Elevate for E...

Leaders from Blackbaud and Veracross join the panel to discuss the complexities of AI governance and student data privacy . The conversation covers essential steps for establishing AI policies, understanding international regulations like GDPR and NIST, and the shift toward agentic AI. Gain practical insights on vetting vendors and securing your digital perimeter. Blackbaud , cloud software provid...

This episode is a replay of Season 4, Episode 79 Relive the dynamic opening keynotes from the ATLIS Annual Conference with Felix Jacomino and Claire Goldsmith. Felix, Director of Technology at St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School, reflects on past tech trends to provide a roadmap for future innovation. Claire, Principal of Lamplight Education, discusses harnessing emerging technologies like AI and W...

This episode features a reply of Season 4, Episode 80 of Talking Technology with ATLIS. Below are the show notes and link to the original episode: This episode replays a dynamic panel from the 2025 ATLIS Annual Conference, exploring the future of education with experts in AI, quantum computing, and extended reality (XR). Dr. Jacob Farinholt of Booz Allen, Vriti Saraf of Ed3 DAO, and Patrick Schuer...

Wolfgang Soeldner of the International School of Geneva joins the podcast to discuss the evolving role of IT and ed tech leadership in a global context. The conversation dives into the "collective responsibility" of data compliance under GDPR and the EU AI Act, alongside a provocative look at why AI necessitates a total revolution in student assessment. Ecolint: International School of Geneva Tech...

Dr. Jonathan King joins the podcast to discuss Riverdale Country School's unique approach to technology leadership. He explains the benefits of an engineering-focused mindset, the strategic inclusion of data teams within IT, and a long-term commitment to building talent pipelines that prepare the next generation of technology directors for the community. Riverdale Country School Toddle LMS Flint A...

Kevin Warenda, Director of IT Services at The Hotchkiss School, joins the pod to discuss the intersection of business acumen and technical leadership. Learn how Kevin utilizes Agile methodology to manage complex financial system migrations and the construction of a data warehouse for institutional research while maintaining organizational continuity amidst senior leadership churn. The Hotchkiss Sc...

Transitioning from "first-gen" technology leadership requires more than just a handoff; it’s a strategic evolution. Retired directors Daisy Steele, Jeff Dayton, and Larry Kahn join the podcast to discuss the shift from building servers to managing complex ecosystems. They share essential insights on "brain dumps," outsourcing, and mastering "people chess" during retirement. Veracross (School Infor...

Laura Tierney, CEO of The Social Institute, joins the pod to discuss shifting the narrative from technology bans to intentional usage. Explore fresh data on student AI perceptions, the rise of private backchannels, and why tech leaders must act as "quarterbacks" in fostering student-centered social etiquette in an evolving digital world. The Social Institute , organization equipping students, fami...

Ethan Delavan, TLIS, Director of IT at the Northwest School, joins the podcast to discuss managing "relevance creep" in independent schools. He shares his unique approach to technology leadership, including the development of a "Technology and Society" academic pathway and the intentional use of a parent tech advisory board to gain industry insights while maintaining curricular boundaries. Ethan D...

Dr. Jill Brown, Director of Professional Learning at CoSN, joins the hosts to discuss her transition from an independent school leader to a national association executive. The conversation highlights common challenges across public and private school sectors, including staffing pipelines, cybersecurity, and practical strategies for managing the rapid integration of AI in the classroom. CoSN , prof...

Lauren Marold and Becky Barrett of Preston Hollow Presbyterian School join the show to discuss their remarkable seven-month total campus relocation. They share insights on leveraging assistive technology and native accessibility tools to empower students with learning differences, emphasizing intentionality and the creation of "technology learning profiles" to support long-term student success. Th...

James Palmieri, CEO of NBOA Advisory Services, joins the podcast to discuss the evolving relationship between school business offices and technology departments. He shares insights on managing the "double gap" in independent school financial models and emphasizes the importance of early technology involvement in capital projects. NBOA , business leadership for independent schools NBOA Advisory Ser...

David Azar, Systems Administrator at Pingry School, explores the unique transition from corporate IT to the "white-glove" service model of independent schools. He discusses strategies for developing internal talent, the critical importance of reliable infrastructure like Wi-Fi, and how collaborative leadership programs like the ATLIS Leadership Institute (ALI) foster essential professional network...

Jason Curtis, Director of Technology at the Windsor School, shares insights on navigating career transitions within independent schools. The discussion covers the importance of "listening tours" when starting new roles, the nuances of the interview process, and balancing transparency with current supervisors when seeking new opportunities. The Winsor School The Hockaday School Laurel School World...

In this milestone 100th episode of Talking Technology with ATLIS, Peter Frank takes over the host’s chair to guide Christina, Bill, and Hiram through a celebration of the ATLIS community. Enjoy a curated collection of highlights featuring past guests, "spouses' questions" that put the hosts on the spot, a special conversation with the ATLIS founders about the organization's future, and a special t...

Three independent school technology leaders—Lauren Marquez, John Grube, and Tomarra Londeree—join the show to share their unique pathways to earning the TLIS certification. They discuss how the process validated their expertise, helped them overcome imposter syndrome, and bridged the gap between educational technology and IT operations within their school communities. ATLIS TLIS Certification ATLI...

Buck Crockett, Director of Technology at Almaden Country Day School, joins the podcast to discuss his unique path from wilderness therapy to EdTech leadership. The conversation explores managing Mac OS application frameworks, the philosophy of age-appropriate screen time, and the critical role of IT in campus construction. Buck also shares insights on "peeling back the layers" of support tickets t...

Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO and Futurist of Designing Schools, joins the podcast to discuss the rapid acceleration of AI and its impact on the future of work. She explores how schools can manage this change, move beyond app-focused training, and redefine learning to foster human agency. Designing Schools Wings of Wisdom Podcast (Sabba's Podcast) Book: Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin Spar...