School Leaders Project

Epizode

• 
  AI Literacy in Any Class with Matt Miller 30.09.2026 42min

  In this episode of School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with Matt Miller, author of AI Literacy in Any Class, for a deeply practical and refreshingly human conversation about AI, teaching, and the future of learning. Together, they explore what AI literacy actually looks like in real classrooms, beyond prompting and hype. Drawing from his experience teaching high school Spanish, Matt shares how small moments of curiosity, critique, and conversation can help students bu...
• 
  AI in schools: what happens when schools stay out? With Al Kingsley 23.07.2026 48min

  In this episode of The School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with education leader and author Al Kingsley to explore AI in education, AI in schools, and what it really means to be AI literate today. While many conversations about artificial intelligence in the classroom focus on tools, prompting, or policies, this episode takes a different angle. Together, Cindy and Al unpack AI literacy as a thinking discipline. One grounded in judgment, critical thinking, and teacher expert...
• 
  The 100: Meet the Founding Panel 09.07.2026 46min

  In this episode of School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn is joined by Denise Pope, Jay McTighe, and Eric Hudson, the founding panelists of The 100. The 100 is a new national initiative designed to recognize and connect 100 educators who are advancing some of the most meaningful, innovative, and sustainable work happening in independent schools today. More than an award, it is an effort to surface powerful ideas, celebrate the people behind them, and create a community where innovation ...
• 
  How Gilman School Uses Data to Drive Real Change 24.06.2026 40min

  In this episode, Cindy Blackburn sits down with Rachel Gorsky, Director of Institutional Research and Data Analytics at Gilman School, to explore how schools can actually use data to drive meaningful change. They unpack what institutional research looks like in K–12 independent schools, how to move from vague questions to actionable insights, and why combining qualitative and quantitative data is essential for understanding school culture. Rachel shares her process for analyzing school climat...
• 
  Building AI literacy in schools, lessons from Pingry School 06.05.2026 39min

  On this episode of the School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with Dr. Danielle Mirliss, Director of Research and Academic Innovation at Pingry School, to explore how schools can build AI literacy with purpose, ethics, and trust. Danielle shares how Pingry has shifted from creating rigid AI policies to grounding its approach in clear values, keeping relationships, critical thinking, and student agency at the center of teaching and learning. Together, they unpack what families...
• 
  How Aurora Public Schools is rethinking equity, AI, and instruction 23.04.2026 43min

  On this episode of the School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with Antonio Vigil, Director of Innovative Classroom Technology at Aurora Public Schools, to explore what it really takes to transform public education in a moment of rapid change. Together, they unpack how Aurora Public Schools is rethinking equity, AI, and instruction through its districtwide strategy, Destination APS. Antonio shares powerful stories of using AI to support multilingual learners, build belonging t...
• 
  Institutional Research in Independent Schools with Eric Heilman (CIRIS) 23.04.2026 42min

  In this episode, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with Eric Heilman from CIRIS to unpack a question many independent school leaders are quietly asking: What is institutional research, and how is it actually used to make better decisions in schools? Together, they explore how institutional research can move beyond dashboards and compliance to support clearer questions, healthier data culture, and more human decision-making. Eric shares how schools can democratize access to data, distinguish betw...
• 
  Why Castilleja Chose Toddle for Curriculum, Grading, and AI 09.04.2026 47min

  In this episode of The School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with Jamie Sullivan, Director of Academic Technology at Castilleja School. Jamie shares how her team moved from scattered tools and grading confusion to a unified platform that actually worked for teachers and students. From curriculum design to AI integration, this conversation reveals how Toddle became more than just a vendor, it became a partner in the learning journey. Whether you’re a school leader, tech direct...
• 
  How school should use AI: Lessons from Vinnie Vrotny (The Kinkaid School) 09.04.2026 40min

  On this episode of The School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with Vinnie Vrotny, Director of Innovation and Technology at The Kinkaid School, to unpack one of the most pressing questions facing schools today: How should schools actually use AI? Rather than treating AI as just another tool, Vinnie reframes it as a major change-management challenge. He shares how Kinkaid moved from uncertainty to clarity by starting with guiding principles, then building AI policies and accepta...
• 
  What is instructional leadership? Principal Kafele’s guide to supporting teachers 09.04.2026 43min

  On this episode of The School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with legendary educator, author, and speaker Principal Baruti Kafele to unpack one of the most important and uncomfortable questions in school leadership: What is my value instructionally to the teachers I supervise? In this conversation, Principal Kafele challenges school leaders to move beyond management and discipline and step fully into their role as instructional leaders. Drawing on decades of experience as a t...
• 
  Are We Teaching Students, or Just Training AI Models? With Tony Frontier 09.04.2026 56min

  Description: On this episode of The School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with author and education thought leader Tony Frontier to explore what it really means to use AI with intention in schools. Together, they dig into some of the most urgent questions facing educators today: What happens when AI tools become embedded in every part of the teaching and learning cycle? Are we empowering learners, or just automating the system? And how can school leaders ensure AI supports de...
• 
  Rachel Skiffer of Head Royce on AI in Education, School Leadership, and the Future of Learning. 09.04.2026 32min

  In this episode of The School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn talks with Rachel Skiffer, Head of School at Head Royce in California, about what it means to balance tradition and innovation in education. Rachel shares how her team approaches AI in education , not as a threat, but as a tool for deepening curiosity, creativity, and human connection. From rethinking classroom technology and cell phone policies to preserving what’s timeless about great teaching, she explores how schools can ...
• 
  How Superintendent Glenn Robbins Transforms Schools Through Design and Futures Thinking 09.04.2026 39min

  In this episode of The School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with Superintendent Glenn Robbins of Brigantine Community School District to explore what school innovation really looks like when it’s grounded in design thinking, futures thinking, and deep community partnership. From swim programs and junior lifeguard certifications to a thriving eSports arena, hydroponics walls, Shark Tank–style business partnerships, and the now-famous Mr. Rogers Project, Glenn shares how he l...
• 
  AI in Independent Schools: Louis Tullo on Teaching, Learning, and Belonging 09.04.2026 36min

  In this episode of The School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with Louis Tullo, Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Ravenscroft School, for a deep and refreshingly human conversation about AI in independent schools.Together, they explore how AI can strengthen belonging, support metacognition, deepen learning, and free teachers to focus on the work only humans can do. Louis shares how his background in theater, corporate IT, research on student procrastination, and clas...
• 
  Sue Brookhart on Formative Assessment 09.04.2026 47min

  In this episode of Toddle’s School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with assessment expert Sue Brookhart to unpack what makes formative assessment so powerful. Sue shares a clear, practical definition of formative assessment, walks through her Formative Learning Cycle (the 3 questions every teacher should ask), and explains the mindset shift that transforms classrooms from teacher-centered to student-centered. You’ll also hear how clarity in learning targets and success c...
• 
  Worokya Duncan of NYSAIS on Growing Teacher Engagement 09.04.2026 34min

  In this episode of The School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn talks with Worokya Duncan, Associate Director for Professional Learning at NYSAIS, about how schools can reignite teacher engagement and design professional learning that truly sparks curiosity and joy. Worokya shares what she’s seeing across independent schools, teachers seeking purpose over perfection, choosing balance without losing passion, and redefining what meaningful professional growth looks like. Together, they expl...
• 
  What Does Imposter Syndrome Look Like in School Leadership? With Elizabeth Dampf 08.04.2026 40min

  In this episode of The School Leaders Project, host Cindy Blackburn sits down with author and principal Elizabeth Dampf to unpack one of education’s quietest struggles, imposter syndrome in school leadership. Together, they explore how self-doubt shows up for principals, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders; why confidence and vulnerability must coexist; and how growth mindset and reflection can transform the way we lead. You’ll hear Elizabeth share insights from her book Am I Cut Out f...
• 
  The Secret to Effective Change Leadership in Schools with Anne Sena 27.11.2024 46min

  How do you lead change in schools while keeping people at the center? In this episode, we explore how technology, change management, and human connection all come together in modern education. Anne Sena, Director of Technology at St. David's School, shares her unique insights from a career that spans corporate America and independent schools. We dive deep into: How to lead change with empathy and emotional intelligenceThe powerful connection between technology and human-centered leadershipNav...
• 
  EdTech Success Through Inclusive Change with Alex Inman 21.11.2024 53min

  In this episode of the School Leaders Project, we’re thrilled to welcome Alex Inman, a leader in EdTech and change management, to explore the transformative journey of educational technology—from the first one-to-one programs to the latest AI innovations in schools. Join us as we dive deep into the lessons that past tech shifts can teach us about implementing AI effectively. Alex shares his insights on inclusive change management and why collaboration is key to making EdTech initiatives thriv...
• 
  A Masterclass on Service Learning with Raj Mundra 05.11.2024 40min

  How do we raise young leaders who see the world as their classroom and service as their responsibility? In this episode of the School Leaders Project, we sit down with Raj Mundra, an expert in education and civic engagement with over three decades of experience in shaping independent school students into compassionate, community-focused leaders. Raj takes us on a journey, sharing: The Power of Purpose: Dive into the “Portrait of a Graduate” and discover how schools can mold students into acti...