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🎉 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 a convenience… it’s a necessity.

From launching a city-wide coalition during the chaos of the pandemic to driving Chromebooks into the hands of students in need, Cinthia reveals how Oakland Undivided went beyond buzzwords to build a model of equity that works. We talk about internet deserts, real-world tech barriers, and the game-changing power of community collaboration. You’ll hear how school leaders can leverage data, coalitions, and funding opportunities to make access universal and sustainable—especially for students navigating housing instability or tech literacy gaps.

Plus, Cinthia shares the little-known secret that could reduce your district’s hotspot costs by 80%, the role of phone banking in family engagement, and why digital inclusion is about so much more than logging in.

✨ This episode is both a celebration and a call to action. If you’re passionate about creating schools where every student has a seat—and a screen—at the table, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

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 elementary students to guiding college transfer hopefuls, Maisha shares practical tools, creative analogies, and a heartfelt reminder that the most essential element in the classroom isn’t a device—it’s the teacher. Whether you’re struggling with tech integration or looking for a way to deepen digital citizenship in your classroom, this conversation is for you.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Tech as a tool, not the teacher: Why technology should support, not replace, human connection in the classroom.

• Digital safety & stewardship: How to guide students toward mindful, ethical tech usage—starting in elementary school.

• Accessible innovation: Strategies for making classroom tech inclusive and equitable for all learners.

• Digital dilemmas: Creative ways to engage students in conversations about online behavior and real-world consequences.

• Authentic Intelligence > Artificial Intelligence: A new definition of AI that centers the educator’s unique influence and style.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

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.

He unpacks both the possibilities and the pitfalls—from helping students with disabilities build thriving careers to protecting human connection in an increasingly digital world. You’ll hear how AI is helping teachers reduce burnout, personalize learning, and spark innovation—and why this moment might be the most important turning point in modern education.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• AI in the classroom: Why the goal isn’t to replace teachers—but to empower them.

• Academic integrity in an AI world: How co-authorship, not copy-paste, can teach accountability.

• Practical applications: From writing support to quantum physics card games, AI can enhance learning across subjects.

• Responsible integration: How schools can build policies, create “sandboxes,” and engage early adopters.

• The human side: How we preserve empathy, connection, and SEL in an age of intelligent machines.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

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 District, shares her unconventional journey from elementary teacher to national leader in educational innovation. She unpacks how schools can adopt VR, AR, AI, robotics, drones, and more—not just for the flash, but to deepen learning, boost engagement, and equip students for the ever-changing workforce.

From overcoming the fear of new tech to involving students in designing their own learning experiences, this episode is packed with insights for teachers, administrators, and tech-curious educators alike. Learn how to shift your mindset from “How do we stop it?” to “How do we harness it for good?” and hear what’s actually working in classrooms today—from Georgia to Ukraine.

🔹 Key Topics:

• Equipping teachers to innovate without fear

• How VR, drones, and AI are transforming student engagement

• Balancing screen time with meaningful learning

• Partnering with businesses and universities for tech integration

• Listening to student voices to build interdisciplinary and relevant learning

• The future of education in a tech-driven world

🎧 This episode will challenge your thinking, spark your imagination, and inspire you to say yes to the future of education. Don’t miss it!

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

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 are proving that learning doesn’t have to stay inside the classroom—it can transform lives.

We’ll hear how Brian turned his own struggles as a young teacher into a groundbreaking hands-on curriculum, how his students went from rebuilding golf carts to defeating college engineering teams, and why real-world problem-solving might be the key to unlocking students’ motivation and leadership potential.

Plus, you’ll learn how you can bring project-based learning into your own classroom, even if you don’t have access to fancy tech or big budgets. If you’re an educator looking for fresh ways to engage students—or just someone who loves seeing young people do the impossible—this episode is a must-listen!

🔹 Key Topics:

• The power of learning by doing

• How students designed affordable prosthetic legs

• Overcoming barriers to project-based learning in schools

• The importance of administrative support for innovation

• Real-world skills beyond the classroom

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to lead your school on a mission! 🚀

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

🤖 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 Episode:

✅ The best digital tools that have actually helped students learn

✅ Phone bans in schools—good idea or overreaction?

✅ How students balance screen time vs. real-world learning

✅ The tech features students wish schools would implement

✅ How student voices should be included in school technology decisions

💡 “If schools want to use tech effectively, they need to ask the people who use it every day—us!” – MLSA Student

🔗 Want to Learn More?

Find out how to get involved with the Maxwell Leadership Student Ambassador Program—a leadership journey for middle school to college students. Click the link in the show notes!

🎙️ Tune in now to hear what the next generation really thinks about tech in education! 🚀

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

🌿 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 Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why screen-free schools are gaining traction & how they impact learning

✅ The science behind hands-on, nature-based education

✅ How outdoor classrooms boost problem-solving, creativity, and resilience

✅ The unexpected benefits of removing instant answers & encouraging discovery

✅ How educators in traditional schools can integrate outdoor learning today

📢 “We’ve been learning from nature since the beginning of time—it can’t steer you wrong.” – Brett Dabb

Whether you’re an educator, school leader, or parent, this episode will challenge the way you think about technology and learning—and may just inspire you to step outside.

🔗 Explore More:

Visit ColoradoNatureSchool.com to learn more about their screen-free, outdoor education model.

🎙️ Listen now and discover how going back to basics could be the key to student success! 🚀

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

📊 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, well-being, and belonging.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The three crucial factors that drive student success—engagement, well-being, and belonging

✅ How schools can collect and use data beyond test scores to create real change

✅ Why shadowing students for a day can uncover the most valuable insights about school culture

✅ Practical data collection strategies that require no fancy tech—just curiosity and conversation

✅ How small changes—like modifying homework policies—can dramatically improve student learning experiences

🎧 If you want to move beyond numbers and use data to create thriving school environments, this episode is a must-listen!

🔗 Resources & Links:

Visit challengesuccess.org for free resources on student well-being, engagement strategies, and data collection tools.

🎙️ Listen now and take your school’s leadership to the next level! 🚀

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.