GAEL UnscriptED

Georgia Association of Educational Leaders
  • 5.0 (3)
  • EDUCATION

GAEL UnscriptED, the podcast that goes beyond the headlines and handbooks to bring you unfiltered insights from Georgia’s top educational leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Hosted by Ben Wiggins, Executive Director of GAEL, this show dives deep into the challenges, opportunities, and unexpected twists that shape education today. From leadership strategies to policy discussions—and everything in between—GAEL UnscriptED is your go-to source for candid conversations that make an impact. No scripts. No fluff. Just real talk from those leading the way in Georgia’s schools.

  1. 5D AGO

    GAEL UnscriptED S2:E13 | GLISI Part #1

    You can feel it in every school building right now: the pace is relentless, the stakes are high, and even great people can slide into survival mode. We bring in Leslie Hazle Bussey and Jennie Welch from GLISI, the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement, to talk about a different path, one built on leadership development that changes culture, not just calendars. We dig into how GLISI partners with districts across Georgia, including strategic planning with the Georgia School Boards Association, and why their work is designed to be deeply place-based. We also get specific about professional learning: when an intact leadership team steps away from the daily fire drill for experiences like Base Camp and Leadership Summit, trust can form faster, thinking gets clearer, and leaders can start acting with intention. That off-site design is not fluff; it is a practical way to restore capacity and build shared language across a community ecosystem. Then we get to impact. GLISI shares outcomes tied to school improvement and student success, including partner graduation rates that average higher than the state, stronger intent-to-stay signals connected to teacher retention, and meaningful boosts in educator satisfaction. We also explore “Portrait Of A Graduate” work that uses creative student input and empathy interviews to reshape what learning can look like, making it more engaging, relevant, and workforce-aligned. If you care about education leadership, principal coaching, teacher retention, and sustainable school improvement, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review, then tell us: what is one leadership move that kept you in the work?

    32 min

  2. MAR 30

    GAEL UnscriptED S2:E12 | Why GAEL Matters

    Leadership in public education can feel lonely until you find the right people in your corner. We’re joined by former GAEL executive director, Dr. Jimmy Stokes and GAEL COO, Dusty Smith for a fast-moving conversation on how Georgia’s education leaders build community, preserve the best traditions, and show up as advocates when public schools need a stronger voice.  We trace GAEL’s roots back to 1974, the legacy of H. M. Fulbright, and why the summer conference at Jekyll Island still matters for new superintendents, principals, and district administrators. Then we spotlight the partners who quietly strengthen the work, including Bowen Grad and the University of West Georgia, and what it looks like to invest in leadership development that lasts beyond one job or one year.  We also break down the awards and scholarships that carry GAEL’s values forward: the H. M. Fulbright Distinguished Service Award, the Eileen McGill Award, the Skip Yow Award, and the recognition that happens across affiliates. You’ll hear how the Gold Dome Group tracks Georgia education legislation during the session, why coordinated advocacy matters, and how new leaders can plug in quickly. If you care about public school advocacy, education policy, and becoming a more effective school leader, this one gives you both history and next steps.  Subscribe for more GAEL conversations, share this with a colleague who’s new to leadership, and leave a review so more Georgia educators can find the show.

    39 min

  3. MAR 23

    GAEL UnscriptED S2:E11 | Schools Can Use AI Without Letting Cheating Win with Trek Ai

    Students are already using AI for school, whether we approve it or not and that reality is forcing district leaders to make choices fast. We sit down with Erin Burchik of Trek AI and Brent Coleman of GET to get honest about what’s happening in classrooms, what’s going wrong with unapproved tools, and what “safe AI for schools” should actually mean when academic integrity is on the line.  We dig into the accuracy problem that rarely makes it into the marketing. If an AI model can hallucinate, a confident answer can still be the wrong answer, and that is a deal breaker for learning. Erin and Brent explain how Trek AI is built around K-12 content and a Socratic tutoring approach that guides students step by step rather than becoming an answer machine, plus visibility features that let educators coach students early by reviewing logged chats.  We also get practical about the upside for teachers and students: standards aligned support for Georgia classrooms, world language conversation practice, help for English language learners, math walkthroughs from a simple photo upload, and teacher tools that can reduce planning and grading time. The bigger takeaway is a framework for AI policy that feels like a learner permit: guardrails first, skills and judgment next, then broader independence.  If you’re a superintendent, principal, instructional tech leader, or classroom teacher trying to balance innovation with trust, press play and take notes. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with your leadership team, and leave a review so more educators can find it.

    34 min

  4. MAR 16

    GAEL Unscripted S2:E10 | Cancel School? The Forecast says "You're Facebook Famous"! Part #2 with Mitch Young

    Ever wonder what really drives a snow day decision? We pull back the curtain with Superintendent Dr. Mitch Young to map the real playbook behind closures and delays—from scanning multiple forecast models to walking buildings at dawn and keeping a community’s economy in mind. The stakes go far beyond “school’s out”: buses must start, roads must be safe end to end, power has to hold for heat and meals, and nearly half the staff may be commuting from other counties facing different conditions. We share how a focused inner circle—safety, transportation, facilities, communications, and the chief of staff—meets in tight, frequent check‑ins, translating shifting data into clear choices. Relationships power the process: utility providers offer restoration timelines, the hospital flags workforce pinch points, county leadership and the sheriff align messaging, and neighboring superintendents compare conditions so families don’t get mixed signals across district lines. Instead of chasing social media’s clock, we commit to accuracy, a predictable communication order, and transparent reasoning, so principals, the board, staff, and families all know what’s happening and why. The toughest call might surprise you: reopening. Conditions rarely improve evenly; shaded hills and back roads can lag days behind. We talk through how to return the safe majority while directly supporting families on inaccessible routes with targeted communication and online options. You’ll also hear how our team captured lessons from a first-year storm into a simple SOP and a short explainer video, turning chaos into a repeatable process. If you care about student safety, instructional time, and a community that can plan with confidence, this candid breakdown will change how you see the next forecast. If this was helpful, follow the show, share it with a friend who leads in schools or local government, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find it.

    31 min

  5. MAR 10

    GAEL UnscriptED S2:E9 | Leading Schools Starts With Trust with Mitch Young

    What does it take to lead 43 schools without losing the soul of each community? We brought in Superintendent Mitch Young of Forsyth County Schools to pull back the curtain on a playbook that trades micromanagement for trust, and slogans for a simple, living framework that people actually use. Mitch’s path from coach to teacher to principal to superintendent reveals a steady theme: leadership is coaching at scale. He explains how Forsyth’s leader profile—centered on relationships, effective communication with active listening, intentionality that avoids jumping to solutions, and growing leaders at every level—keeps the district coherent without stamping out local identity. We dig into why the principalship often feels like the “best job” in education, how to turn assistant principal tasks into real leadership reps, and why classified leaders in custodial, nutrition, transportation, and front offices are the hidden engines of culture. We also explore a counterintuitive hiring strategy: interview and develop principal candidates before roles open, then match strengths to schools for better fit and longer tenures. Mitch shares how the district resists top-down impulses by co-creating initiatives with school leaders, uses active listening to anticipate the consequences of decisions, and treats the tension between autonomy and brand as a healthy force that drives performance. The result is a district experience families recognize—clear expectations, consistent care, and leaders who multiply other leaders. If you’re building leadership capacity in any system—school, nonprofit, or business—you’ll leave with practical moves: define a few shared expectations, invest in every layer of staff, slow down to listen, and give real autonomy with clear checkpoints. Subscribe, share this episode with your team, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so we can keep elevating the conversation.

    35 min

  6. MAR 2

    GAEL UnscriptED S2:E8 | How Georgia 4-H Helps Kids Become Beyond Ready For Work And Life

    What happens when a trusted school partner meets a statewide youth movement with real pathways to growth? We sit down with Georgia 4-H leaders Melanie Biersmith and Mandy Marable, plus alumna Alyssa Haag, to trace how classroom access, summer camps, and student leadership create confident, capable young people across all 159 counties. From fifth-grade introductions to statewide conferences, we unpack the design behind 4-H: nurture sparks, connect youth with caring adults, and turn engagement into agency. You’ll hear how 4-H at the University of Georgia blends standards-aligned lessons with hands-on adventures, including the beloved Summer GAEL coastal program that gives families high-quality childcare and kids a living lab on Georgia’s shore. Alyssa’s journey—from freezing during an early speech to majoring in consumer economics at UGA—shows how judging teams, district project achievement, and camp counseling transform nerves into poise, and curiosity into a calling. We dig into agriculture as both Georgia’s number one industry and a powerful hook for life skills, demystifying careers from poultry science to environmental stewardship while shaping smarter consumers and advocates. Civic engagement runs through it all. Local service projects lead to teen leadership and a sea of green at the Capitol, where hundreds of 4-Hers learn how policy is made. We spotlight statewide camps and conferences that build independence, community, and direction, and we recognize the Georgia 4-H Foundation and honors like the Green Jacket and Friend of 4-H for sustaining excellence. Principals, parents, and district leaders will find practical ways to open the first door—say yes to your county 4-H agent and watch opportunities multiply. If this conversation sparks ideas for your school or family, share it with a colleague, subscribe for more stories that matter, and leave a quick review with your favorite 4-H memory or takeaway.

    31 min

  7. FEB 23

    GAEL UnscriptED S2:E7 | Teach in the Peach

    Georgia wants teaching to be a first‑choice career, not a fallback—and we brought in the right guide to show how. We sit down with Selena Blakenship, veteran teacher, beloved principal, district HR leader, and now the voice behind Teach in the Peach, the statewide effort to recruit, support, and celebrate Georgia’s educators. From simplifying certification to elevating classroom stories, Selena shares a clear plan to fill vacancies, strengthen schools, and keep great teachers in the profession. We dig into the tools candidates actually need: a one‑stop website that maps steps for high school students, career changers, and out‑of‑state teachers; direct links to district HR pages and open roles; and resources for educators looking to move within Georgia. We also explore solutions that change the math on staffing—registered teacher apprenticeships that let people earn while they learn, pre‑apprentice pathways in high schools, and grow‑your‑own pipelines that lift paraprofessionals into hard‑to‑staff classrooms. Along the way, Selena shows why retention is the new recruitment, with induction and mentoring programs that push early‑career retention toward 85–90 percent. What sets Georgia apart is not only competitive pay and a strong retirement system, but a decade of aligned support from RESAs, districts, universities, and state leaders. We talk about the new Teacher Ambassador pilot amplifying positive teacher voices, Future Georgia Educator Days that spark interest early, and Educator Signing Day that honors commitments to teach. We also highlight a simple but powerful CTA: nominate an educator on the Teaching the Peach site so the state can broadcast more of the everyday impact happening in classrooms. If you care about teacher recruitment, school culture, and building a durable pipeline, you’ll find practical steps and fresh energy here. Listen, share with your HR team or principal group, and help us spread the word. Subscribe for more conversations with Georgia’s education leaders, and leave a review with one idea you’re taking back to your district.

    30 min

  8. FEB 15

    GAEL UnscriptED S2:E6 | How Executive Coaching Transforms Georgia’s School Leaders

    Leadership feels different when someone is asking the right questions instead of handing you quick fixes. We sit down with co-directors Kerensa Wing and Rickey Edmond to unpack how executive coaching is reshaping growth for Georgia’s school leaders—principals, assistant principals, district directors, and superintendents—through a safe, structured, and goal-driven process that outperforms traditional mentoring. From the ground up, this statewide effort was built on research, storyboarding, and relentless feedback. Kerensa and Rickey explain how an advisory board of RESA directors, superintendents, universities, and GAEL affiliates helped refine the model, and why partnerships with the Georgia Department of Education and regional networks unlocked trust and access. You’ll hear how they selected coaches with growth mindsets, trained them with Engage to Learn, and standardized practice using the GROW model and the Grow Lab platform—anchoring every session in clear goals, data, and progress. We take you inside the engine room: how districts self-selected, why confidentiality is non-negotiable, and what the matching process looks like when analytics and human judgment produce a 98% fit. The conversation moves from structure to impact—ten sessions a year, flexible formats, Georgia Leads-aligned rubrics—and the real-world outcomes when leaders own their development. Whether you’re building a pipeline from teacher leader to AP, stabilizing a school through turnover, or seeking a sounding board as a superintendent, this episode shows how coaching turns reflection into results. If you believe “so goes leadership, so goes the organization,” you’ll find a playbook here for sustainable improvement and courageous growth. Subscribe, share with a colleague who leads, and leave a review telling us the one question you wish someone would ask you right now.

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

GAEL UnscriptED, the podcast that goes beyond the headlines and handbooks to bring you unfiltered insights from Georgia’s top educational leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Hosted by Ben Wiggins, Executive Director of GAEL, this show dives deep into the challenges, opportunities, and unexpected twists that shape education today. From leadership strategies to policy discussions—and everything in between—GAEL UnscriptED is your go-to source for candid conversations that make an impact. No scripts. No fluff. Just real talk from those leading the way in Georgia’s schools.

Information

  • Creator
    Georgia Association of Educational Leaders
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GAEL UnscriptED
  • Show Website
    GAEL UnscriptED

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