In this special New Year’s Eve edition, we reflect on 2024’s top EdTech tools and trends, share a global education news highlight, and offer actionable tips for the year ahead.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:00 - Tech Tools Countdown

03:45 - Global News Story

04:27 - Looking Ahead to 2025

06:37 - Actionable Tips

07:48 - A Heartfelt Thank You!

In This Episode:

Top Tools of 2024

Global News: South Korea’s AR-based STEM lessons transforming classrooms.

Looking Ahead to 2025: Emerging trends in AI-powered professional development, VR, and sustainable edtech.

Actionable Tips: Tech resolutions to kick off the new year.

References Cited in This Episode:

Austin ISD. (2024). Enhancing student engagement through gamified assessments. District Innovation Report.

Korea Times. (2024). Digital textbooks project expands to STEM education. Korea Times Reports.

Li, S., Johnson, M., & Chen, Y. (2024). AI-powered tutoring: Impact on student performance. Educational Technology Quarterly.

Call to Action:

Watch this podcast on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and other platforms. Please like, share, and comment below your thoughts on today’s episode!

📸 Instagram & TikTok: @thecyclingsuperintendent

📩 Email: thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com

Thank you for listening or watching Teach-Lead-Innovate! Let’s innovate together in 2025.

#TeachLeadInnovate #TechTuesday #NewYearsEve #EdTechTrends #EducationLeadership #StayInspired

Welcome to Teach-Lead-Innovate! On this week’s Forward-Thinking Friday, we explore outdoor learning, a transformative approach that connects students with nature and enriches their education.

Highly Recommend: The Mr Saad Show: https://www.youtube.com/@themrsaadshow

• What is Outdoor Learning? Learn how outdoor spaces can become dynamic classrooms.
• Real-World Examples: Discover programs like Denmark’s forest schools, Berkeley’s Edible Schoolyard, and outdoor science labs in North Carolina.
• Research-Backed Benefits: Explore studies showing how outdoor learning improves academic performance, mental health, and engagement.
• Actionable Tips: Get practical strategies to start incorporating outdoor learning into your curriculum.

1. Belfast Education Authority. (2023). Nature journaling and student engagement. Education Insights, 15(2), 42-49.
2. Kuo, M., Barnes, M., & Jordan, C. (2018). Do experiences with nature promote learning? Converging evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1-9.
3. Louv, R. (2008). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. Algonquin Books.
4. Mygind, E. (2009). A comparison of children's physical activity levels and well-being in the school playground and the school forest. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 37(3), 44-50.
5. Waters, A. (2018). The edible schoolyard: A universal idea. Chronicle Books.
6. Wake County Public Schools. (2023). Outdoor science labs: A new frontier in experiential education. District Research Quarterly, 9(1), 18-24.
7. The Mr Saad Show. (2023). Benefits of Outdoor Education. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtube.com/shorts/ktESSuHJ7Lc?si=qzHjH5Id0cD2x4Sn

Are you incorporating outdoor learning into your teaching or leadership practices? Share your stories and strategies on social media or email me at thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com.

Thank you for tuning in to Forward-Thinking Friday! Let’s continue to innovate and inspire together.

Welcome to Teach-Lead-Innovate! This week’s Motivation Monday is all about the power of progress. Forget massive overhauls or overnight transformations—real success often starts with small, consistent steps.

• The Progress Principle: Discover how small wins drive motivation and creativity, as highlighted by Amabile and Kramer (2011).
• Real Success Stories: Learn from the Freshman OnTrack initiative in Chicago, Finland’s education reform, and formative assessment strategies in classrooms.
• Actionable Tips: Get practical strategies for tracking and celebrating small wins in your teaching or leadership practice.
• Inspiration for the Week Ahead: Shift your focus from perfection to progress and see how small steps can lead to big changes.

• Amabile, T. M., & Kramer, S. J. (2011). The progress principle: Using small wins to ignite joy, engagement, and creativity at work. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Allensworth, E., & Easton, J. Q. (2007). What matters for staying on-track and graduating in Chicago public high schools. Consortium on Chicago School Research.
• Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (1998). Assessment and classroom learning. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 5(1), 7–74.
• Sahlberg, P. (2011). Finnish lessons: What can the world learn from educational change in Finland? Teachers College Press.
• Dobbie, W., & Fryer, R. G. (2011). Are high-quality schools enough to increase achievement among the poor? Evidence from the Harlem Children’s Zone. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 3(3), 158–187.

What are your small wins this week? Share them with me on Instagram @thecyclingsuperintendent or via email at thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com. Let’s celebrate progress together and inspire each other to keep moving forward!

Thank you for tuning in to Teach-Lead-Innovate. Remember: Small wins lead to big impact. Have a fantastic week!

Welcome back to Teach-Lead-Innovate! After a hectic few weeks, I’m finally back, and I’m excited to kick off Motivation Monday with a deep dive into purpose-driven leadership.

In this episode, we explore:

✅ Why having a clear sense of purpose fuels motivation and success

✅ Real-world examples of purpose-driven leaders making an impact

✅ The latest research on how purpose improves leadership effectiveness

✅ How you can align your personal mission with your work to inspire those around you

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your direction, this episode will give you practical strategies and research-backed insights to help you lead with confidence and purpose.

🎯 Purpose isn’t just a motivational phrase—it’s backed by science. Leaders with a clear purpose experience higher resilience, increased job satisfaction, and stronger team cohesion (Ribeiro, Costa, & Ramos, 2024).

🔥 Real-world leaders who lead with purpose:

• Baruti Kafele transformed underperforming schools by empowering students and teachers.
• Tim Cook at Apple leads with values, focusing on innovation and ethics.
• Priscilla Chan co-founded the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to advance equity in education.

🛠 Actionable Tips:

• Identify your leadership why and write it down.
• Align your daily actions with your long-term vision.
• Communicate your purpose to inspire your team.

📢 News Spotlight: A Harvard Business Review study (2025) found that leaders who frequently communicate their purpose see a 35% increase in team engagement.

📚 Want to dig deeper? Check out these research-backed insights:

• Ribeiro, M. F., Costa, C. G. d., & Ramos, F. R. (2024). Exploring Purpose-Driven Leadership: Theoretical Foundations, Mechanisms, and Impacts in Organizational Context. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14070148
• Kempster, S., Jackson, B., & Conroy, M. (2023). Purpose‐Driven Leadership: How Authentic Leaders Can Deliver Value. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/bl.30259
• Harvard Business Review. (2025). The impact of purpose-driven leadership on team engagement. Retrieved from https://www.hbr.org
• Kafele, B. (2020). The Aspiring Principal 50: Critical Questions for New and Future School Leaders. ASCD.

📩 Email: thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com

📸 Instagram & TikTok: @leadingwithtech

🎧 Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, or any major podcast platform!

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

🎙️ Until next time, stay inspired, stay positive, and have the best day ever! 🚀

#TeachLeadInnovate #MotivationMonday #PurposeDrivenLeadership #EducationLeadership #StayInspired 🚀

Welcome to Teach-Lead-Innovate! On this week’s Thriving Thursday, we’re exploring mindful leadership, a powerful practice for fostering wellness, balance, and sustainability in education.

• What is Mindful Leadership? Learn how mindfulness can transform the way you lead and teach.
• Real-World Examples: Discover how Visitacion Valley Middle School, Evanston/Skokie School District 65, and Longfellow Elementary are using mindfulness to promote well-being and success.
• Research-Backed Benefits: Explore the science behind mindfulness, including its impact on stress, decision-making, and relationships.
• Actionable Strategies: Get practical tips for incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine.

1. Evanston/Skokie School District Report. (2023). Leadership practices for well-being. District Leadership Brief, 15(3), 8-12.
2. Jennings, P. A., & Greenberg, M. T. (2009). The prosocial classroom: Teacher social and emotional competence in relation to student and classroom outcomes. Review of Educational Research, 79(1), 491-525.
3. Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. Hyperion.
4. Nir, J. (2022). Mindfulness in urban education: Case studies from San Francisco schools. Educational Leadership Review, 33(2), 21-29.
5. Siegel, D. J. (2012). The mindful brain: Reflection and attunement in the cultivation of well-being. W. W. Norton.
6. Jones, S. M., et al. (2021). Enhancing teacher resilience through mindfulness practices. Journal of Educational Research, 58(4), 362-378.

How are you integrating mindfulness into your leadership or teaching? Share your insights and stories with me on social media or email me at thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com.

Thank you for tuning in to Thriving Thursday! Let’s continue fostering balance and wellness in education together.

Welcome to Teach-Lead-Innovate! On this week’s Forward-Thinking Friday, we’re tackling one of the most exciting—and sometimes intimidating—topics in education today: artificial intelligence (AI).

• Why AI Matters: Explore how AI is transforming education by automating tasks, personalizing learning, and enhancing decision-making.
• Leadership in the AI Era: Learn how school leaders are leveraging AI for data-driven decision-making while navigating ethical concerns.
• Actionable Steps: Discover practical tips for incorporating AI into your teaching or leadership practice today.
• Looking Ahead: Reflect on how we can embrace AI responsibly to innovate and create equitable learning environments.

1. Holmes, W., Bialik, M., & Fadel, C. (2022). Artificial intelligence in education: Promises and implications for teaching and learning. Educational Technology Research and Development, 70(3), 671-689.
2. Luckin, R., Holmes, W., Griffiths, M., & Forcier, L. B. (2021). Intelligence unleashed: An argument for AI in education. Learning, Media and Technology, 46(2), 125-140.
3. Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2023). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(1), 1-22.
4. Williamson, B., & Eynon, R. (2022). Big data in education: The digital future of learning, policy, and practice. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 33, 100533.

1. AI can improve student outcomes through personalized learning and real-time feedback.
2. Leadership strategies must include ethical considerations and policies for AI use.
3. Teachers and leaders can start small, educate themselves, and collaborate to integrate AI effectively.

• Connect: Share your experiences or questions about AI in education with me on Instagram @thecyclingsuperinterintendent or via email at thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com.
• Explore: Check out professional development courses on AI to stay ahead of the curve.

Join us for an eye-opening conversation on how AI is shaping the future of education and leadership. Let’s innovate together!

This week's show features Cordarius Williams, a middle school math teacher, sharing his mission to transform the lives of teenagers by changing the way they think. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students and helping them develop a positive mindset. Cordarius discusses the challenges in the education system, the evolution of teaching and technology, and the need for more male Black educators. He also introduces his mentorship program, Coach Williams University, which aims to inspire and empower students. Cordarius highlights the significance of emotional support and the role of educators in shaping students' lives.

📚 What You'll Learn:

- Building relationships with students is crucial for their success and well-being.

- Math can be taught as a metaphor for life, teaching students problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

- Transforming teenagers' thinking requires tapping into their subconscious and addressing emotional needs.

- Parents and teachers play a vital role in changing students' thinking and boosting their self-esteem.

- The education system needs to evolve and adapt to incorporate technology and innovative teaching methods.

- Attracting more male Black educators requires creating pathways and opportunities for them in the profession.

🔗 Connect with Cordarius Williams:

TikTok & Instagram: @coachwilliamsuniversity

E-Mail: coachwilliamsllc@gmail.com

Learn more about Coach Williams University: http://coachwilliamsuniv.com

🔗 Connect with Dave Walker:

TikTok & Instagram: @thepedalingprincipal

E-Mail: thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com

Website: http://dmwalker.com

Articles on the Medium: https://medium.com/@thepedalingprincipal

AJ Bianco, an assistant principal with a passion for innovative teaching practices, shares his journey into education and his leadership style. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with middle school students and meeting their diverse needs. AJ discusses his approach to discipline and conflict resolution, focusing on restorative practices and conversations. He also highlights the significance of social-emotional learning and supporting teachers' well-being. AJ explores the future of education with advancements in AI and technology. He concludes by sharing his various podcasts and how to connect with him.

🔗 Connect with Assistant Principal, AJ Bianco:

Instagram: @ajbianco

🔗 AJ's Podcasts:

PodcastPD - https://www.podcastpd.com

PodcastPD YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@podcastpdshow

ReflectED - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

The Chase for 28 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🔗 Connect with Dave Walker:

TikTok & Instagram: @thepedalingprincipal

E-Mail: thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com

Website: http://dmwalker.com

Articles on the Medium: https://medium.com/@thepedalingprincipal