Why Parents Are the Most Powerful Force in Education: Dr. Kathy Weston of Tooled Up Education

Send us Fan MailDr. Kathy Weston is one of the leading national experts on parenting, family life and parental engagement in children's lives. In 2018, she established Tooled Up Education, a holistic bank of evidence-based resources for whole-school communities. Tooled Up supports 166 schools in 8 countries, delivering bespoke CPD for educators as well as 'on tap' resource support for parents.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy parental dialogue is one of the strongest protective factors for children’s wellbeingWhat the pandemic revealed about the strengths and gaps in home–school partnershipsWhy “screen time” is the wrong lens for understanding children’s digital livesHow evidence-based parenting support improves both learning and mental healthHow AI can support parents and educators—without replacing trust or nuance✨ Episode Highlights[00:00:00] Dr. Weston on why technology shouldn’t be scapegoated in children’s lives[00:02:54] How the pandemic reshaped parent–school relationships[00:07:52] Why parents, not schools alone, do the “heavy lifting” in education[00:09:33] The problem with blanket screen time bans[00:13:23] Real examples of digital tools supporting focus, learning, and wellbeing[00:20:25] Introducing AI-powered support for parents inside Tooled Up Education[00:23:23] Dr. Weston on why AI can reduce educator workload without harming pedagogy😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.