IETL Podcast

Screen time has become one of the most debated topics in education, often framed as a simple question of “how much is too much?” But what if that’s the wrong question?In this episode of the IETL Podcast, Tony and MJ are joined by Cooper Sved to unpack the findings from his recent Blaschke report for CoSN. Together, they explore what the research actually says about screen use in schools and challenge some of the most common assumptions driving current conversations.The discussion moves beyond screen time as a metric and into a more nuanced look at how students are using technology, what that means for teaching and learning, and how leaders can make more informed decisions in a space filled with competing pressures from parents, policymakers, and practitioners.Listeners will walk away with practical insights on how to approach screen time policies, balance community expectations, and focus on intentional technology use that supports student outcomes.Key Topics:What the Blaschke report reveals about screen time in educationWhy “how much” may matter less than “how”Common misconceptions about screen use in schoolsImplications for district leaders and policy decisionsPractical strategies for applying research in real-world settingsFinal Thought:This episode challenges leaders to shift the conversation from limiting screen time to designing meaningful, purposeful learning experiences with technology.

In this episode of the IETL Podcast, we welcome Tara Thomas, registered lobbyist for AASA, The School Superintendents Association, for an in-depth federal policy update focused on the issues that matter most to K–12 education leaders.Tara breaks down the latest developments in Congress and federal agencies, including education funding priorities, E-Rate and connectivity updates, cybersecurity and student data protections, and how shifting political dynamics may impact school districts nationwide. She also shares insight into what superintendents, technology leaders, and district administrators should be watching closely in the months ahead.Whether you are responsible for policy, budgeting, technology, or strategic planning, this episode offers timely, practical context to help you stay informed and prepared.Listen in to stay connected to the federal landscape shaping education today.

In this episode of the IETL Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Steve Webb to explore how technology is shaping the future of school safety. From surveillance systems and access controls to emergency communication tools, technology-based security solutions are playing an increasingly central role in keeping students and staff safe.But with innovation comes challenges. Who owns these systems — the superintendent, the security team, or the technology department? How do schools prepare technology leaders who may feel undertrained or under-resourced to manage physical security tools? And what about liability when systems fail or expectations aren’t clear?Dr. Webb brings his experience and insights to discuss the real-world implementation challenges and opportunities that districts face, the importance of collaboration across leadership teams, and what emerging technologies may redefine school safety in the years ahead.Whether you’re a superintendent, CTO, or part of a district security team, this episode will give you practical perspectives on navigating the complex landscape of school safety and technology.Get involved with IETL - Join a Committee- Professional Learning- Membership- Communication- ETL Women Empower (I-WE)If you are interested, don't hesitate to get in touch with either MJ or Tony.Make sure to sign up for the IETL ParentSquare to stay up-to-date on everything IETL!

Enjoy our yearly tradition of interviewing CoSN 2025 Attendees to find out what the one thing is that they will take away from the conference.

Join MJ and Tony, in this second special episode of the IETL Podcast, host a panel of Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) while we dive into a dynamic book study of The Savvy Edtech Leader. Join us as these edtech experts unpack key insights, share real-world applications, and discuss how the book’s strategies align with the challenges and opportunities in K-12 technology leadership. From navigating digital transformation to making strategic tech investments, this conversation is a must-listen for education leaders looking to make informed, impactful decisions in an ever-evolving tech landscape. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion filled with actionable takeaways!Learn more about Audio Enhancement from their Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVEkc5lN4Tw

Join MJ and Tony, in this special episode of the IETL Podcast, host a panel of Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) while we dive into a dynamic book study of The Savvy Edtech Leader. Join us as these edtech experts unpack key insights, share real-world applications, and discuss how the book’s strategies align with the challenges and opportunities in K-12 technology leadership. From navigating digital transformation to making strategic tech investments, this conversation is a must-listen for education leaders looking to make informed, impactful decisions in an ever-evolving tech landscape. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion filled with actionable takeaways!

Join MJ and Tony on this episode of the Illinois Educational Technology Leaders (IETL) Podcast for an insightful discussion on women in technology and the power of allyship. In this episode, we explore the challenges, successes, and strategies for fostering inclusivity in the tech field. Hear from inspiring leaders who share their experiences, best practices, and actionable ways to support and uplift women in the industry. Whether you're a tech professional, educator, or advocate, this conversation will leave you empowered to be a stronger ally and champion for equity in technology. 🎙️ #IETL #WomenInTech #AllyshipItems referenced in the podcasthttps://www.cosn.org/women-supporting-their-careers-finding-the-right-mentor/https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/user/agg/blindspot/indexgc.htmhttps://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/publications/speak-up-at-school/in-the-moment/basic-strategies

Is the Department of Education going to close?  How do we prepare for a new Federal Administration?  Explore the answers to these questions and many others as a new Federal Administration takes charge of the White House.Join special guest Noelle Ellerson Ng with MJ and Tony as they discuss a second Federal update.

Join MJ and Tony with special guest CoSN CEO Keith Kreuger for a federal update.  Keith discusses the Cybersecurity Pilot with the FCC, E-Rate, the USAC legal case, and other federal updates.

Join MJ and Tony in listening to takeaways from CoSN 2024!Reminder: Workshop #1 is 9/27!

Join the IETL Podcast Book Study of Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. This is the third and final episode, in which IETL members will discuss specific parts of the book and how we can incorporate them into our teams.Linke to the book:  https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VWGIRK08Q0JY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.w76IhuhS1xFA1chXSrOSQR3LBKoCtjz-lyrV1Lil7MkIsSnx9WCtCCCOCkCgm4NiNJZpLoij4gyhtX8Zk0-InVujLZiqo0Owu3C6sQ4zx6t3H1Fmm5k5_34P-LddKytdpbau9zK8_-2VoVw0DTPB6NyhvZ75ykeZFV4XnizX2bpXrvnabTCmmLBN-HxU939n2VI7uFk2n8DSjLpE79g5H59xF0sakfj4xow1J0pfW34.qqWLdHXTxb92jQhCKR2cWRgmdZ4WGGuLn4Z6NSbRw2M&dib_tag=se&keywords=Unreasonable+Hospitality&qid=1708107390&sprefix=unreasonable+hospitality%2Caps%2C354&sr=8-1

Join the IETL Podcast Book Study of Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara.  This is the second of three episodes where IETL members will discuss specific parts of the book and how we can incorporate them with our teams.Linke to the book:  https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VWGIRK08Q0JY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.w76IhuhS1xFA1chXSrOSQR3LBKoCtjz-lyrV1Lil7MkIsSnx9WCtCCCOCkCgm4NiNJZpLoij4gyhtX8Zk0-InVujLZiqo0Owu3C6sQ4zx6t3H1Fmm5k5_34P-LddKytdpbau9zK8_-2VoVw0DTPB6NyhvZ75ykeZFV4XnizX2bpXrvnabTCmmLBN-HxU939n2VI7uFk2n8DSjLpE79g5H59xF0sakfj4xow1J0pfW34.qqWLdHXTxb92jQhCKR2cWRgmdZ4WGGuLn4Z6NSbRw2M&dib_tag=se&keywords=Unreasonable+Hospitality&qid=1708107390&sprefix=unreasonable+hospitality%2Caps%2C354&sr=8-1

Join the IETL Podcast Book Study of Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara.  This is the first of three episodes where IETL members will discuss specific parts of the book and how we can incorporate them with our teams.Linke to the book:  https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VWGIRK08Q0JY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.w76IhuhS1xFA1chXSrOSQR3LBKoCtjz-lyrV1Lil7MkIsSnx9WCtCCCOCkCgm4NiNJZpLoij4gyhtX8Zk0-InVujLZiqo0Owu3C6sQ4zx6t3H1Fmm5k5_34P-LddKytdpbau9zK8_-2VoVw0DTPB6NyhvZ75ykeZFV4XnizX2bpXrvnabTCmmLBN-HxU939n2VI7uFk2n8DSjLpE79g5H59xF0sakfj4xow1J0pfW34.qqWLdHXTxb92jQhCKR2cWRgmdZ4WGGuLn4Z6NSbRw2M&dib_tag=se&keywords=Unreasonable+Hospitality&qid=1708107390&sprefix=unreasonable+hospitality%2Caps%2C354&sr=8-1

Join MJ and Tony in talking with Noelle Ellerson Ng, AASA's Associate Executive Director of Advocacy give a Federal Legislative Update.  We cover topics including current bills impacting technology and educational funding, FCC updates, eRate, and Cybersecurity. Want to join our book study?  Sign up at the link below!https://forms.gle/BJMvjB3nitapLojV8

Listen to eSports coach Bryan Tallitsch on how to start and maintain an eSports program in your school district!Want to join our book study?  Sign up at the link below!https://forms.gle/BJMvjB3nitapLojV8eSports LinksIHSA linkhttps://www.ihsa.org/Sports-Activities/The-Future-Games-HereThere can be a very low barrier to entry, and still time to sign up, find a few students who can compete in the titles, and show up on game day. This is also where most of the college recruitment comes from.IHSEA linkhttps://www.ihsea.org/Matches all year long, has very dedicated and helpful staff, low cost ($200 for the whole year), has a very active discord, online games during the week, and in-person tournaments every few months. Highly recommended for any Illinois club wanting to take this even a little bit seriously. Finals are usually double elimination, which is exciting.PlayVS linkhttps://playvs.com/I didn't mention this tournament organizer, but they are the easy button for matches. It usually has a high cost (Over $1k per year) but next semester is free. Schools are competing from multiple states here, which is fun, and the skill ceiling is very high. Presentation made by Cory Ulrich, Mathue Wurtz, and myself if anyone wants to get into the nitty-gritty of setting up eSports from an IT perspective:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PYViQwJOQqrgnqdF3echt0cqM-LfJiwey284_Uc16Ns/edit?usp=sharing

AI is the hottest topic in edtech currently.  Come listen to MJ and Tony talk with Andrew Ko, former AWS and Mircosoft edtech leader and IETL member Michael Marassa, on the impacts and policy implications of AI in Illinois.

Join MJ and Tony as they reflect on the past CTO summit, membership growth and introduce season 6 of the IETL podcast.

Season 5 comes to an end with MJ and Tony talking about the explosion of AI in education, CoSN's newly released strategic Plan, ways to get involved in IETL, and transitions.AI Resourceshttps://wakelet.com/wake/ItnnuMz7WByinQt30DKz-

Join MJ, Tony, and a bunch of other Illinois IETL members talk live at CoSN!  Learn about what our colleagues thought was the most impactful session that they attended.  Additionally, Keith Krueger the CEO of CoSN announces that CoSN 2024 is in Miami!If you have never attended the CoSN conference, this is a great way to join in from afar.

Our book group title this school year is *Upstream - The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen* by Dan Heath.  Join MJ, Tony, and our fantastic panel as we dissect the first of three sections of our book Upstream.Please join our discussion by tweeting and including the hashtag #IETLUpstream

Our book group title this school year is *Upstream - The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen* by Dan Heath.  Join MJ, Tony, and our fantastic panel as we dissect the first of three sections of our book Upstream.Please join our discussion by tweeting and including the hashtag #IETLUpstream

Our book group title this school year is *Upstream - The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen* by Dan Heath.  Join MJ, Tony, and our fantastic panel as we dissect the first of three sections of our book Upstream.Please join our discussion by tweeting and including the hashtag #IETLUpstream

MJ and Tony take some time to reflect on season 4 of the IETL podcast.  We also review the gift guide if you are looking for any last-minute gifts.  Finally, we are introducing Season 5 and our NEW BOOK STUDY, Upstart!If you are interested in joining the Upstart Book Study fill out the form below.https://forms.gle/oj8Luqvp8eQQNDm36

Have you ever had such a hard time finding staff that you needed to look for a Managed Service Provider?  If not, listen as two of our fellow colleagues talk about how they have used MSPs.

Imagine starting as a first-time CTO or changing districts and realizing that your team is not working the way you expected.  What next?  How do you design and build a team that works for the ever-changing role of technology support?  What physical and political barriers will you need to overcome?Listen in as MJ, Tony, and our guest Don talk about how do you design and build your team.

Welcome back to a new school year and, more important, Season 4 of the IETL podcast.  MJ and Tony have special guests, Michael Marassa and Michael Arensdorff on, to talk about summer projects and Staffing.Come listen to four different Technology Department structures, struggles with filling positions, and unique solutions.  Additionally, hear about a joint venture with IASBO to gather data on salary and benefits for all technology department members.  If you have questions about the survey, please email MJ or Tony.This is the first in our series on hiring and maintaining staff in this challenging time.IETL Workshop 1 Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkrrSKNA4KeDLbxYQ44IYEgMJetVg-3vmpo_nue_L4h1gHfg/viewform

It is Summer Project time!  Come listen into some tips and tricks on how to deal with construction, deployment, preperation and other summer projects. MJ's favorite game:https://www.amazon.com/Haywire-Group-Dicecapades-Board-Game/dp/B001ANOHNC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=7OW2SUC4IAXZ&keywords=dicecapades%2Bgame&qid=1652986460&sprefix=diceca%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-3&th=1CoSN at Senate Hearing:https://statescoop.com/senate-education-cybersecurity-erate-cosn/

The 2022 CoSN Conference in Nashville is just over one week away! Listen along as MJ and Tony talk with the one and only Keith Krueger on all of the AMAZING learning opportunities at this conference.There is still time to sign up and attend in person or virtual. Click here to find out more: https://cosnconference.org/register/CoSN advocates for all educational institutions. Please help support these efforts by bidding on items in the Silent Advocacy Auction: https://one.bidpal.net/cosnconference/welcome

It is hiring season!  Are you struggling to find the right person for your open positions?  Has your department evolved or does it need to?  Listen along as John Armstrong describes what he is doing to help combat the staff shortage! ****Spoiler Alert**** This episode is a teaser for the next IETL workshop!  Make sure to sign up to attend 4/1 at Pinstripes, where we will have some HR experts on hand to dive deeper into this topic.https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUQ6EdOFu2XiG990VEEvGEWaYux_TKtCgkiQKHa0R8FlrHDg/viewform

Interested in earning your Certified Educational Technology Leader designation?  Listen as MJ and Tony talk with two newly certified CeTL Technology Directors about their process.CETL Framework: https://www.cosn.org/careers-certification/framework-of-essential-skills/CETL Information: https://www.cosn.org/careers-certification/cetl-certification/value-of-the-cetl/

Welcome to Season 3!  MJ and Tony reflect on the 2022 IDEAcon conference and leadership lessons from Jeff McCausland from Diamond 6.  If you want to learn more about professional learning from Diamond 6, visit their website.   https://www.diamondsixleadership.com/#FullyChargedhttps://illinoisascd.org/professional-learning-opportunities/upcoming-conferences-workshops/event/2022/01/20/fullycharged-the-7-habits-of-highly-effective-leaders-featuring-julie-adams

Over the past two seasons, we have explored focusing on our social and emotional health.  This week MJ and Tony talk with Julie Adams, one of the authors of #FULLYCHARGED.  Julie shares the importance of taking care of ourselves, staff, and students.  She explains the importance of the science behind social-emotional health and sums it all up with the saying of Maslow over Bloom.Link to Julie Adams #FullyCharged BooksLink to the Nuclear Ramen Pictures

This is our second episode in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion theme.  During season 1 we focused specifically on gender equity in the Technology world, in this episode MJ and Tony talk to three amazing leaders about ways Technology leaders can disrupt the status queue.Suggest podcasts on DEI work- Leading Equity Center- Nice White Parents- Teaching Hard History- Speaking Out- Speaking of Racism- Be Antiracist - Cult of Pedagogy

The technology department is thought of as the break-fix department in many organizations, but it is so much more! With every student, teacher, and staff member using technology daily, it is time to tell our story and the fantastic things we do to engage with our communities.Join MJ and Tony as they talk with the D214 Community Outreach department, a former TV producer and teacher, on ways to share our story.!!!Spoiler Alert!!! The Nuclear Noodles from the show can be found at the Amazon link below.Samyang Hek Buldak Extra Spicy Roasted Chicken Ramen Nuclear Edition 10 Packhttps://www.amazon.com/Samyang-Buldak-Roasted-Chicken-Nuclear/dp/B01N39YUIG

What does the life of the CTO look like after you recover from a Cyber Event?  Join MJ and Tony with Jason Barthel of Rockford Public School District to discuss what happens after the event. Jason explains how his team worked through a cyber event and what they focused on next.  Not only will you hear the lessons learned from the cyber event but also a step-by-step recount of what life looks like after.

What is the difference between a Habit and a Goal?  Listen in as MJ and Tony explore the first part of Atomic Habits by James Clear.  Join in on our Twitter chat of what are the Atomic Habits of a CTO!

Welcome to the first episode of our second season!  In this episode, we meet our new cohost, MJ, and review the shortest summer yet and the accomplished projects.  Additionally, we outline some topics for this season, including a book study of Atomic Habits by James Clear.Make sure to subscribe to get each of our episodes delivered automatically!

Our final episode of Season 1 focuses on summer projects and reflections on our podcast.

The 2020 - 2021 school year brought many challenges, one of which was the increased awareness of the inequities of home internet access.  Join our guests: Matt, John, and Brian as we review the CoSN Home Internet Survey results and talk about how we are using ESSER and ECF to address this challenge.

One of the biggest roles that a CTO has to get right is preparing our budgets!  This is the second episode in our timely series where we talk with Michael the CTO at New Trier about his process.   We also discuss the impact and uses of the COVID impact funds such as CARES and ESSER.

COVID-19 has changed many things in our world and increased the demand for more innovative technology solutions.  These solutions have put new stress on already taxed CTOs and technology departments.  Listen as another IETL member tells his story on how he is managing the stress through a focus on Social-Emotional Health.

Technology has been historically male-dominated departments.  This was confirmed in a recent CoSN document showing only 25% of the US CTOs are female.   In this episode, we are lucky to have two female IETL members who share their journey to becoming a CTO.

Are you looking at making a change this year?  Did new leadership get hired at your current district?  These situations can be challenging and overwhelming.  John and Tony talk with  Don Ringelestein about his transition planning from his most recent change as well as tips and tricks for CTOs on building relationships.  

COVID-19 has changed many things in our world and increased the demand for more innovative technology solutions.  These solutions have put new stress on already taxed CTOs and technology departments.  Listen as one IETL member tells his story on how he is managing the stress through a focus on Social-Emotional Health.