The Future of High School Network is a Carnegie Foundation initiative that embraces a new educational architecture built on a competency-based model that prioritizes meaningful learning over seat time. Two school divisions in Virginia, Henrico and Roanoke Counties, are full participants, and host Tom Landon sat down with Dr. Tinkhani White of the Foundation and two representatives from Roanoke County to learn how theory is becoming practice in Virginia High Schools.

For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below.

https://youtu.be/_dYn_h1ZNf0

Virginia Cyber Range is an incredible free resource for Virginia schools who want students to learn how to defend against cyber attacks without putting their school's network in danger from hacking, phishing, and ransomware. Dr. Shannon Beck shares how the program, based at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, offers a secure, web-based space that provides state of the art instruction, lesson plans, and an online community of learners.

For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below.

https://youtu.be/iJgZMnH9Mso

Holly Sawyer at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake loves her job teaching English Language Learners, and she works hard to make sure that her students get the chance to learn the language of computer science while also learning English.

For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below.

ttps://youtu.be/iqZFo2R2F2I

In this episode we meet Dr. Deborah Crawford, the Virginia Department of Education's Computer Science Educator of the Year for 2025. Her work, with many other partners, has brought world class Data Science instruction to both teachers and students in grades K-12.

For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below.

https://youtu.be/RHA2-mWKRwI

Host Tom Landon sits down with two stand up comedians and educators who use humor to help teachers improve their practice AND get through the day smiling. Esteban Gast and Devin Siebold were both keynote speakers at the 2025 VSTE Conference and they willingly shared how "keeping it light" can improve classroom connections.

For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below.

https://youtu.be/1FsrqGhgV_8

On this episode of ActiVAtED Learning we meet the winners of the 2025 VSTE Awards for Coach of the Year, Leader of the Year, and VSTE Honors. Chad Huff is theInstructional Technology Specialist at Corporate Landing Elementary School, Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Jennifer Thomas is the Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Library Media Services for Portsmouth Public Schools, and is the 2025 VSTE Leader of the Year. Terry Lowry was awarded the VSTE Honors of the Society. She's been a beacon in Virginia’s educational technology landscape for decades. Beginning her career as a teacher and later serving as Director of Technology at Wakefield School, she has consistently demonstrated the vision and courage to transform teaching and learning through technology.

For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below.

https://youtu.be/nUYMITsPMA8

Dr. Kim Richardson has had a long career in Hampton Roads, VA as a teacher, coach and administrator, and host Tom Landon caught up with her at the Virginia Society of Technology in Education's annual conference in Virginia Beach where they spoke before a live audience about coaching, continuous learning, and what she's learned about leadership.

For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below.

https://youtu.be/mkYmmGWy9JY

It's not always obvious when a student has a learning disability like dyslexia, especially when it's a smart and well-behaved child like Micah Vanover. His dad, Daniel is an ITRT in Wise County, and mom Katie is a reading specialist in nearby Lee County, but neither really noticed that Micah struggled with reading until they witnessed it themselves during the remote learning era at the start of COVID. They came up with an innovative solution by turning to audio books to help Micah follow the printed words as he read and listened. You won't want to miss this inspiring episode!

For a video version of this podcast, please click the link below.

https://youtu.be/DaIS_9rWrYY