Kindergarten to 2035: How Demographics and AI Are Reshaping Schools #FETC

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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We’re facing a time of uncertainty around AI, change, and student futures. The expectations on teachers can feel impossible as we try to personalize learning for every student. What a relief it is to learn that AI might actually assist us rather than overwhelm us. We all need to be having conversations about these changes, and many of those conversations will happen this week at FETC. The Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) is here in Orlando starting this weekend. But this episode isn’t just about FETC; this conversation helps us, as teachers, make sense of change—not just observe it.

You can see the sessions I'll be presenting on the FETC Website

Today’s kindergartners will graduate in 2035. The demographic shifts we’re seeing now, including fewer children and a changing workforce, mean schools can’t afford to plan the future the same way we always have.

So it is fitting that this week we have Jennifer Womble, the conference chair, talking about demographic shifts, using AI as an assistant in the classroom, and how learning is a very human skill we need to nurture. In the age of AI and rapid change, it is hard for many schools to determine where we go next. This conversation is about the future of education and will help all of us, whether we are at FETC or not.

If you're at FETC 2026, let's connect! Here's a list of my sessions.

Key Takeaways for Teachers

• Learning is a human, relational skill that depends on connection, curiosity, and shared experience.
• Today’s kindergarten students will graduate in 2035, and shifting demographics will affect schools, the workforce, and long-term planning.
• Teachers are being asked to personalize learning at a level that is often beyond human capacity without support.
• AI can function as an assistant to help teachers personalize learning and free time for deeper human skills.
• Schools need to rethink what counts as learning and assessment in a world where information is instantly accessible.
• Conferences and professional communities matter because innovation grows through shared stories and face-to-face connection.

Visual Summary

This infographic highlights how demographic shifts, AI, and human-centered learning intersect to shape the future of education.

Google Notebook LM created this infographic using the transcript for this show. Vicki Davis checked it for accuracy.

Listen to the Show

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Jennifer Womble, Author Bio as Submitted

Jennifer Eakin Womble is the chair of the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) which is taking place in Orlando, FL in January 11-14, 2026.

Jennifer Eakin Womble is a nationally recognized leader in education and technology, dedicated to advancing professional development and innovation in the edtech space. Since 2010, she has served as the Conference Chair for the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC)—the largest independent edtech conference in North America—curating high-impact events and professional learning experiences. She also leads the FETC Webinar Series and contributes to District Administration magazine.

A nationally recognized speaker, Jennifer has been honored as an EdTech and eLearning Top Influencer, an EdTech Digest Leadership Award recipient, and serves as a judge for the District Administration Top EdTech Products and Reimagine Education Awards. Previously, Jennifer spent 17 years as a National Board-Certified Teacher, advocating for innovative instructional practices at the district and state level. She has served on the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society, Communities in Schools, Junior League of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Quarterback Club, iTeach, and the Human Intelligence Movement.

A Leadership Florida Education Class 9 member, she has been recognized among the Tallahassee Democrat’s 25 Women You Should Know, Tallahassee State College’s Outstanding Community Woman Award and recognized with the Phi Delta Kappa Leadership in Education Award. A proud Florida State University graduate with degrees in Economics, Social Science and Criminology, lifetime alumni and booster, she remains active in the FSU community, supervising college interns and inspiring the future of education through technology. Whether leading, teaching or volunteering, she spreads her energetic spirit and inspires others to invest in our future—our children!

Blog: www.fetc.org
Twitter: https://x.com/JenWomble
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennwomble/
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jenwomble.bsky.social

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Getting Consistent Results from AI: Understanding the AI Context Window

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Too many teachers are struggling with getting good results from AI. Sometimes it just goes “off the rails,” or they might get good results one day and not the next. The same thing happens with students as they use AI. Problems caused by not understanding how AI works leads to lost time, confusion, and sometimes even student misuse. Much of this problem is related to the context window of AI. How do we understand AI and the context window? How do we teach about this?

Today’s guest is Rob the AI Guy. He started his work leading a major social media agency but now runs a thriving community focused on AI agents and automation. He is my favorite AI YouTuber, and I joined his Skool this year, which I’ve found to be my most helpful resource for keeping up with everything AI. Rob clearly explains how AI works, but perhaps the most useful concept he shares is how the context window works. If you’re struggling to use AI well, trying to understand it, or grappling with how to explain it to your students, this is the show for you.

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Key Takeaways for Teachers

• AI tools behave inconsistently because they rely on a limited context window that fills up and resets.
• Starting a new chat can dramatically improve AI responses when results drift or become unreliable.
• Different AI models have different strengths, and using more than one can lead to better outcomes.
• Students need explicit instruction on how AI works so they don’t overtrust or misuse it.
• Critical thinking is more important than memorization in a world where AI can retrieve information instantly.

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Visual Summary

I created this infographic from this show's transcript to give a visual overview of some of the topics discusse din the show. I used Google's Notebook LM.

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Watch the Show

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Listen to the Podcast

Robert Benjamin – Author Bio as Submitted

Robert Benjamin also known as “Rob the AI Guy”

Robert Benjamin breaks down the latest in AI automation as a serial entrepreneur and YouTuber known for making complex technology accessible. Having consulted with over 350,000 clients through his social media agency, he now runs a thriving community focused on AI agents and automation, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business applications.

Blog: https://www.skool.com/ai-automation-school

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The Science of Attention: The Difference One Teacher Makes

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.

We want kids to “pay attention” But is it realistic that they could actually pay attention all the time? How about the attention at the beginning of class? Or multiple peaks of attention?

Myriam Da Silva, CEO of CheckITLearning and author of the first AI neuroscience lesson planning tool, Cleo, talks today about the aspects of attention that can help us be better teachers. She dives into practical examples, research, and we share lots of ideas for helping our classroom students learn while having an engaging, exciting environment (and realistic expectations.)

This show is sponsored by CheckIT Learning. All opinions are that of the respective person.

The, I share a story of Sue and Mrs. Scruggs about the power of 20 minutes of a teacher's attention of a young girl living in Alabama in the 1960's. This is a special story and I hope you enjoy how we've retold and remastered it just for high quality radio.

I hope you enjoy this show. The content is so great, I'm going to also be sharing a full blog post with the ideas in written form, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy the show.

This infographic was created using the transcript of this episode and Google Notebook LM's infographic feature based on the content shared in the show.

Listen to the Show

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Myriam Da Silva – Bio as Submitted

Myriam Da Silva, CheckIT Learning CEO

Myriam Da Silva is a visionary, entrepreneur, AI ethicist, speaker, and artist driven by a singular mission: to inspire people to believe in themselves. Through her work and her story, she empowers audiences to embrace their unique gifts as a force for contribution, leading lives filled with meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.

As the CEO of CheckIT Learning and President of the CheckIT Foundation, Myriam is pioneering a new vision for education grounded in human development. She is the creator of Cleo, the world’s first AI neuro-mentor designed to support teachers and students through the science of learning, and she developed a widely adopted Science of Learning micro-course that helps educators bring neuroeducation into daily practice.

Myriam works with global organizations on AI ethics and child-centered design, including UNESCO, iRAISE, and international coalitions shaping responsible AI in education. She will also be featured on Women in Power, an Inside Success TV series highlighting female leaders who are redefining impact and innovation.

She is the author of the forthcoming book The Black Sheep (2026), a powerful call to reimagine education so that every student’s uniqueness becomes their strength, empowering them to live, lead, and contribute with lasting impact. 

Blog: www.checkitlearning.com

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/myriamdasilva

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post The Science of Attention: The Difference One Teacher Makes appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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Transform Your School with Ethical AI: Insights from Experts

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.

What if AI isn’t the threat—but our unpreparedness is? In this episode, Dr. Nancy Frey and Vickie Echols deliver the playbook every educator and leader needs right now. They explain how to move from “ban or panic” to practical, ethical, human-centered AI use. This AI use supports learning and restores connection.

Nancy Frey, co author with Sal Khan and Douglas Fisher of Teaching Students to Use AI Ethically & Responsibly, shares the wisdom on implementing (or banning) AI and how to move forward in schools.

Then, Vickie Echols, the author of Author of AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload and Focus on What Matters has productivity tips and ideas for teachers and administrators.

Whether you’re worried about cheating, burnout, misinformation, or the rapid pace of change, these two experts will show you how to make smart decisions that protect brains, build trust, and elevate the work only humans can do.

Infographic Generation Disclosure: A really useful feature of the Nano Banana model in Google Gemini is creating infographics. I used the transcript of this episode to highlight key points for an infographic in Gemini. Then, I opened a new chat and asked it to make an infographic of this content. Keep in mind, you can't do everything in one chat—you need to start a new one. I plan to include this as a helpful feature of episodes.

Watch this video on YouTube.Subscribe to the Cool Cat Teacher Channel on YouTube

Nancy Frey, PhD

Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher have penned a recent book with Sal Khan on AI in schools.

Nancy Frey is a Professor in Educational Leadership at San Diego State and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. She is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California.  She is a member of the International Literacy Association’s Literacy Research Panel. Her published titles include How Teams Work, Kids Come in All Languages, The Social-Emotional Learning Playbook, and How Feedback Works. She can be reached at nfrey@sdsu.edu. 

Blog: https://www.fisherandfrey.com/

Vickie Echols, M. Ed.

Vickie Echols

Vickie Echols is an educator, author, and transformation coach with over 30 years of experience as a principal, curriculum coordinator, university educator, and consultant. She helps school leaders focus on what matters most—students, teamwork, and well-being—while navigating today’s fast-paced educational landscape.

Author of AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload and Focus on What Matters (ISTE, 2024), Vickie blends expertise in leadership, technology, mental health, and school culture to provide actionable, encouraging ideas that inspire lasting change.

When she’s not writing or coaching, she enjoys traveling with her husband, exploring nature, and spending time with family and friends in the Dallas area. Blog: https://www.vickieechols.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562263274833 Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickie-echols YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNtG2Ae2BxBV5cTXel9AAjg

Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

The post Transform Your School with Ethical AI: Insights from Experts appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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How to Build a Reader: 4 Tips to Teach Reading Joyfully

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Teaching students to read unlocks every other subject. We want our children to love reading (and writing) but this show is focused on teaching reading. And wow, teaching reading is big business these days. So many people want to “fix” their reading problems with a curriculum; however, reading and literacy expert Jennifer Burns says that is not possible.

In today's show, Jennifer shares her four foundational “reader builds” that help students see, hear, think and believe like readers. She gives teachers (and parents) a clear, practical way to support every unique learner in the classroom. I loved how she shared information about eye tracking. She also shares an example about how she helped a struggling special needs students turn from helpless to a hopeful participant in reading. I think hearing how someone models the conversations with a child can be so helpful!

I hope you enjoy this show with Jennifer based on “Building Readers from the Playground to Print: Unlock the Magic of Joyful Reading Instruction” published in April 2024.

This podcast is sponsored by Speakable.

Want to bring daily speaking practice to your classroom without adding prep or grading?

Speakable helps language teachers assign speaking tasks, give instant feedback, and leaders can track progress, all with tools aligned to ACTFL and WIDA standards.

✅ Instant AI grading
✅ No setup or training required
✅ Student data and growth insights

👉 Explore how Speakable works, whether you're a teacher or a school leader, you'll find the right place to start.

Check out Speakable

Jennifer Burns – Episode 920 – YouTube

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Podcast

Stream by clicking here.

Subscribe to the Show

Takeaways

1. Effective reading instruction starts with the Fundamental Four.
To teach reading well, Jennifer emphasizes four essential skills: seeing like a reader, hearing like a reader, thinking like a reader, and believing you are a reader. These foundations guide teachers in identifying exactly where each child needs support.

2. Eye training must be taught, not assumed.
Young learners often scan text incorrectly. To teach reading effectively, teachers must model left-to-right tracking, letter shape recognition, and visual attention strategies that help students decode accurately.

3. Short lessons prevent fatigue and improve focus.
Many schools increase reading minutes without recognizing that young children fatigue quickly. To teach reading successfully, shorter, purposeful lessons build stronger retention and reduce frustration.

4. A reader’s mindset influences reading success.
Students who don’t see themselves as readers often disengage. Jennifer shows how teachers can build confidence through quick wins, affirming language, and modeling what thinking like a reader sounds like.

5. Text variety strengthens comprehension and transfer.
To teach reading beyond basic decoding, children must experience poems, riddles, recipes, stories, and decodables. Different text types develop flexible thinking and real-world reading skills.

6. High-performing schools focus on each child’s “literacy life.”
Instead of relying solely on curriculum, strong schools observe reading behaviors throughout the day. To truly teach reading, instruction must adapt to real student needs — not just program pacing.

7. Curriculum is a tool, not the teacher.
Jennifer warns that overreliance on curriculum limits personalization. Effective teachers use materials strategically while keeping the focus on individual learners and their reading growth.

Jennifer Burns – Bio as Submitted

Jennifer Burns, reading literacy expert

Jennifer Burns is a literacy consultant, author, speaker and coach who uses a student-centered approach in all of her work. This approach creates collaborative conversations that make teaching, learning and growth fun. Her signature approach helps create opportunities for students to engage successfully with volumes of types of reading. Outside of teaching, Jennifer loves to walk, read, spend time with family and find fun coffee shops.

Blog: https://www.buildingareader.com/

Facebook: BuildingaReader

YouTube: @buildingareader

Podcast: Building a Reader Podcast https://www.buildingareader.com/podcasts/building-a-reader

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post How to Build a Reader: 4 Tips to Teach Reading Joyfully appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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6 Ideas for Teaching Writing Now With Nancy McCabe

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.

In this episode of The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, award-winning author and writing professor Nancy McCabe shares six timeless, creative ideas to help your students rediscover the joy of writing. She explains how free writing, sensory exploration, and some simple writing activities can awaken student creativity. I also love how she celebrates that imperfection might be the best thing to happen to writing in the age of AI as you teach writing!

This podcast is sponsored by Speakable.

Want to bring daily speaking practice to your classroom without adding prep or grading?

Speakable helps language teachers assign speaking tasks, give instant feedback, and leaders can track progress, all with tools aligned to ACTFL and WIDA standards.

✅ Instant AI grading
✅ No setup or training required
✅ Student data and growth insights

👉 Explore how Speakable works, whether you're a teacher or a school leader, you'll find the right place to start.

Check out Speakable

YouTube: 6 Ideas for Teaching Writing Now with Nancy McCabe

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Listen to the Podcast

Stream by clicking here.

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Table of contents

• YouTube: 6 Ideas for Teaching Writing Now with Nancy McCabe
• Listen to the Podcast
• 1. Start with Free Writing to Build Fluency
• 2. Use Turning Points and Sensory Details to Generate Ideas
• 3. Connect Reading and Writing through Imitation
• 4. Take Writing Outside the Classroom
• 5. Celebrate Flaws and Embrace Imperfection
• 6. Writing Is Thinking
  • Key Takeaway
  • About Nancy McCabe – Bio As Submitted

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I wanted to pull together her six points as they were so great, but it is worth a listen just because she talks about common mistakes and what she has learned.

1. Start with Free Writing to Build Fluency

Nancy begins every class, regardless of age group, with free writing. This practice encourages students to write continuously for a set time — without worrying about grammar or correctness. It unlocks creativity and helps them “think on paper.”

“No matter what age I’m teaching, I usually start with free writing… seeing what comes out.”

Teachers can use 10-minute writing sessions to build stamina and reduce perfectionism in students who fear the blank page.

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2. Use Turning Points and Sensory Details to Generate Ideas

Nancy often asks students to list turning points in their lives — those pivotal moments that changed them — and then explore them through sensory writing. Focusing on sights, sounds, smells, and feelings brings writing to life.

Try giving students a list prompt like:

• Ten moments that shaped who you are today
• Ten places that remind you of someone important

Then, have them pick one and write about it using rich detail.

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3. Connect Reading and Writing through Imitation

Nancy recommends a powerful but often overlooked technique: imitative writing. Students choose a favorite story or poem and rewrite it by swapping in their own nouns, verbs, and details. Noun for noun. Verb for verb.

This exercise helps students internalize structure and rhythm, deepening their understanding of what makes strong writing work.

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4. Take Writing Outside the Classroom

Writing field trips can transform your classroom’s energy. I share how visiting a cemetery inspired her, and Nancy shares her own cemetery story. She had her students to write about life, memory, and meaning — each in completely different ways.

Even a short walk across campus or around the neighborhood can inspire powerful writing.

“Just going to different places and thinking about the different approaches you could take to writing about that can be really great.”

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5. Celebrate Flaws and Embrace Imperfection

In a world filled with AI-generated text and polished prose, Nancy says we should celebrate flaws as proof of authentic voice. Imperfection shows process, humanity, and originality.

She reminds us that attempting to be “writing perfectly on the first try shuts down creativity.” The best writing grows from detours, mistakes, and messy drafts.

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6. Writing Is Thinking

Nancy closes with a reminder every teacher should remember: writing is not the product of thinking — it is thinking.

Encourage students to write to discover, not just to display what they already know.

“We don’t want them to think before they write. We want them to think as they write.”

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Key Takeaway

Good writing teaching isn’t about getting it perfect — it’s about helping students enjoy the process of discovery. Whether through free writing, field trips, or celebrating mistakes, these ideas remind us that writing is as human as thinking itself.

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About Nancy McCabe – Bio As Submitted

Nancy McCabe, author talks about writing on today's show.

Nancy McCabe is the author of nine books, most recently the middle grade novel Fires Burning Underground (Fitzroy/Regal House 2025), the comic novel The Pamela Papers: A Mostly E-pistolary Story of Academic Pandemic Pandemonium (Outpost 19, 2024), the ya novel Vaulting through Time (CamCat 2023), and the memoir Can This Marriage Be Saved? (Missouri 2020).

Her work has appeared in Michigan Quarterly Review, Prairie Schooner, Gulf Coast, Salon, and Newsweek, received a Pushcart, and been included ten times on notable lists of annual Best American anthologies. She directs the creative and professional writing program at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and teaches in the low-residency graduate program in writing at Spalding University.

Blog: https://www.nancymccabe.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancy.mccabe.92/

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Nancy McCabe and 6 ways to teach writing

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post 6 Ideas for Teaching Writing Now With Nancy McCabe appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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Captivate, Care, and Culture

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Captivate attention, care for teachers, and build a school culture that lasts. In this back-to-school episode, Jheri South, Dr. Marc Isseks, Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson (Dr. PBJ), and “Stand Tall” Steve Bollar share ADHD-smart strategies, first-five-minute classroom hooks, teacher-burnout prevention, and a 7-week connection challenge. Use these quick wins to start the year strong.

Watch This On YouTube

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Listen to This as a Podcast

Segment Guide

Segment 1 — Jheri South (ADHD in the classroom): Clear common myths, understand rejection sensitivity, and use novelty, interest, challenge/competition, urgency, and passion to move learners from stuck to started.

Segment 2 — Dr. Marc Isseks (Captivate): Schools are for education, not regulation. Retire the “do now,” front-load your best, and design hooks that hold attention through the bell.

Segment 3 — Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson (Dr. PBJ): Name burnout, build micro-breaks, protect planning time, and set boundaries by deciding what you’re unwilling to lose.

Segment 4 — “Stand Tall” Steve Bollar: Launch a 7-week connection challenge and use the five levels of decision-making so people feel seen, heard, and empowered.

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Vocabulary from This Episode 📚

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD): Intense emotional response to perceived rejection; protect confidence with private checks and clear feedback.
First-Five-Minute Hook: A deliberate, high-energy opening that creates curiosity and cognitive tension tied to your day’s most important learning.
Micro-breaks: Short, purposeful pauses that reduce stress and improve focus; schedule them and model them.
Seven-Week Connection Challenge: A low-cost, high-frequency routine to build belonging through names, quick compliments, friendly gestures, smiles/eye contact, light humor, and visible greetings.
Five Levels of Decision-Making: A clarity tool that signals how input will be used (from “I’ll decide” to “You decide within boundaries”) to boost trust and ownership.

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Quick Wins to Try Monday 🧰

• Start with novelty or a short challenge; give time-boxed tasks and clear success criteria.
• Replace “do now” with a 3-minute hook; save the best for first (demo, dilemma, or story).
• Protect planning time with rotating coverage; schedule micro-breaks on purpose.
• Post the seven-week challenge where everyone can see it;
• If you are a principal, model the decision-making levels with real examples and teach them to your staff.

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Guest Bios as Submitted

“Stand Tall” Steve Bollar

“Stand Tall” Steve Bollar, former principal and leadership consultant

Steve Bollar, a.k.a. Stand Tall Steve, is an educational thought leader, former Superintendent of Schools, principal, author and a school culture and motivation expert.  He is known for his quick wit, creative thought, and humorous personality.  

Steve has been identified as one of the Top 30 Global Gurus In Education. He is the author of the leadership book Stand Tall Leadership, school culture book Just Do This… and is a co-author of the book series 10-Minute Classroom Starters. 

Steve openly shares his knowledge, experiences and creativity with others. He currently speaks to students, staff and communities throughout the world about how to think differently about schools, education, and life.

Dr. Marc Isseks

Dr. Marc Isseks, author of Captivate

Dr. Marc Isseks is a third-generation educator with 30 years of experience. He has served as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, and building administrator in Brooklyn and Long Island. Marc is passionate about sharing strategies to increase student engagement and ensuring that schools cultivate the nurturing and invigorating learning environment every student deserves.  A self-proclaimed Educational Pyromaniac, Marc is dedicated to lighting fires under people who work and setting fire to systemic conventions that do not. 

Blog: marcisseks.com

Twitter: @marcisseks

Linked In: @marcisseks

YouTube: @edupyro Podcast:

State of Ed Podcast www.stateofedpodcast.com

Dr. Patrice Bucker Jackson “Dr. PBJ”

Dr. Patrice Bucker Jackson “Dr. PBJ”

Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson, known in her community as Dr. PBJ, gives educators the strategies for accomplishing purposeful work without burnout. Dr. PBJ is an educator of almost 25 years and an Executive Coach for more than 10 years. She holds a doctoral degree in Education Administration, served in executive leadership at colleges and universities, and facilitated leadership training as a faculty member for the Center for Creative Leadership.  Dr. Jackson worked in higher education at many levels, from student assistant to President’s Cabinet and is the recipient of several professional awards and accolades.   Dr. Jackson founded EduCare Training and Consulting, LLC through a purpose of pouring in to those who pour out so much. Much of her work is specifically focused on equipping and refreshing educators.  Compassionate work can carry a high price tag:  your mind, body, spirit and relationships may be in distress as you serve the needs of others.  Dr. Jackson leads her community to serve well without paying an ultimate price. Dr. PBJ is the creator and host of the Disrupting Burnout podcast as well as the author of the Amazon best-seller, Disrupting Burnout: The professional woman’s LIFELINE to finding purpose.

Blog: https://www.patricebucknerjackson.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drpatricebucknerjackson

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-buckner-jackson-ed-d/

Podcast: https://www.patricebucknerjackson.com/podcast

Jheri South

Jheri South, ADHD Specialist

Jheri South ADHD Specialist | Teen & Parent Coach | Headspace Hub Founder Jheri South is a Certified Teen & Parent Coach, Master ADHD Instructor, mom of 7 neurodivergent kids, and founder of Headspace Hub. Jheri supports individuals with ADHD using practical coaching strategies that work, no therapy, just real results. She also empowers teens, parents, and families to communicate better, build confidence, and overcome habits that hold them back. Creator of ADHD Simplified, Jheri offers 1:1 coaching, online courses, and in-person workshops to help people take control of their lives. Learn more + free resources:

🔹 Website: https://jherisouth.com/

🔹 ADHD Quiz: https://jherisouth.com/page/adhd-quiz

🔹 ADHD Webinar: https://jherisouth.com/page/adhd-emotions-webinar-opt-in

🔹 ADHD Simplified Course: https://jherisouth.com/page/adhd-simplifed

Blog: https://jherisouth.com/

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