The Leading and Learning Podcast

Panorama Education
  • 5.0 (3)
  • How To
  • Biweekly Series

This is the podcast where top K-12 education leaders and experts explore teaching, learning, and school leadership, one real story at a time. Hosted by Panorama Education, each episode features candid conversations with district and school leaders who are tackling today’s biggest challenges and creating meaningful change for students, educators, and communities. From improving attendance and strengthening literacy to supporting educator wellbeing and driving student success, you’ll hear how leaders are turning insights into action. Each episode highlights lessons learned, practical strategies, and approaches that can help your team move from ideas to impact. Whether you’re leading a classroom, school, or district, this show offers real world examples, fresh perspectives, and actionable takeaways from districts doing the work every day.

  1. Episode 1

    1. Keeping People at the Center of AI in Education with Dr. Marcey Sorensen

    For many district and school leaders, the first step in implementing AI in their buildings is often the hardest. There’s so much curiosity about how it can be used to improve student experience and learning but how do we turn that curiosity into momentum in our schools and districts? Our guest today, Dr. Marcey Sorensen, is sharing how her district began the journey of implementing the use of AI throughout her district in an effective and intentional way. In this episode, Dr. Marcey Sorensen, superintendent of La Joya ISD in Texas, is giving us an inside look at how she began utilizing AI throughout her district. She shares why identifying the pain points that AI can help solve within the district is a great starting point, how she got her staff to buy-in to utilizing AI at the beginning, and why she ensures that the AI tools that are used are in alignment with the needs and concerns within her district and classrooms. Dr. Sorensen is a wonderful example of how great leadership can help tackle real challenges in education by finding ways AI can support educators and improve the education for so many students. 🎧Check out the full shownotes: http://www.panoramaed.com/podcast Connect with Panorama Education: Visit our websiteFollow us on Instagram @panorama_educationFollow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@panoramaeducation3485/podcastsFollow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/panorama-education/

    23 min

  2. Episode 2

    2. Making AI Literacy Engaging with Marty Creel

    What does it really mean to make AI literacy engaging and practical for every teacher and student? As schools look for ways to integrate new technology, it’s easy to turn AI education into another add-on in the classroom, but when it’s truly embedded into each subject area, the impact is transformative. Today’s guest, Marty Creel from Code.org, shares how the right approach to AI can turn something “boring” into exciting, hands-on learning that helps students build essential knowledge and understanding. In this episode, Marty Creel joins us to share his insight into what AI literacy should look like in today’s classrooms and why embedding it within content areas matters. He discusses the value of subject-specific AI, ways to make learning more engaging for students, the importance of accessible tools for all learners, and practical steps for system leaders to support responsible and effective AI adoption. He shares real feedback from teachers utilizing the Hour of AI activities, classroom stories like using Minecraft to teach the importance of training AI, and advice for school and district leaders who want to encourage thoughtful integration without overwhelming staff.  🎧Check out the full shownotes: http://www.panoramaed.com/podcast Connect with Panorama Education: Visit our websiteFollow us on Instagram @panorama_educationFollow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@panoramaeducation3485/podcastsFollow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/panorama-education/

    21 min

  3. Episode 3

    3. Embracing AI for Student and Teacher Success with Lawrence Sanchez

    How can school districts embrace AI in education while keeping students and teachers at the center? In this episode, Superintendent Lawrence Sanchez of Belén Consolidated Schools (NM) shares how his district is building an AI-positive culture that improves teacher efficiency, strengthens student support systems, and helps staff use data more effectively. Lawrence shares insight into how Panorama Education’s AI-powered tools are helping educators reclaim valuable time, streamline student data, and collaborate more efficiently across classrooms and campuses. He explains how his team uses AI ethically and responsibly, supporting student surveys, streamlining paperwork, implementing targeted attendance interventions. Lawerence emphasizes the importance of building systems focused on student outcomes, transparency, and community engagement. 🎧Check out the full shownotes: http://www.panoramaed.com/podcast Connect with Panorama Education: Visit our websiteFollow us on Instagram @panorama_educationFollow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@panoramaeducation3485/podcastsFollow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/panorama-education/

    23 min

  4. Episode 4

    4. AI Leadership and Strategy with Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer

    Moving from exploring AI tools to leading AI strategy in education is one of the most important—and challenging—transitions for today’s school and district leaders. While many are excited about the possibilities of AI, few know how to transform that curiosity into a clear, actionable AI vision for their schools. In this episode, Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer shares practical insights into how leaders can shift from fragmented pilots to purposeful, values-driven AI implementation. Julia dives into the major arc of AI adoption in K–12 education and what it takes to lead with purpose, ethics, and coherence. She explains why community engagement, strategic abandonment, and transparent communication are essential for successful AI leadership. Throughout the conversation, we explore the progression from AI literacy to AI leadership and long-term AI strategy, the power of authentic community engagement, and the vital role of leaders’ values in guiding future decisions. 🎧Check out the full shownotes: http://www.panoramaed.com/podcast Connect with Panorama Education: Visit our websiteFollow us on Instagram @panorama_educationFollow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@panoramaeducation3485/podcastsFollow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/panorama-education/

    25 min

  5. Episode 5

    5. Centering Student Success with AI in Schools: A District Leader’s Perspective with Dr. Casey Bardin

    Driving real impact with AI in schools starts with student outcomes and a clear, sustainable vision, not chasing the newest tools. In this episode, Dr. Casey Bardin, Director of Pupil Services at North Colonie Central Schools, shares how district leaders can implement AI in K–12 education in ways that meaningfully support teaching, learning, and student success. Casey shares how his district moved from early curiosity about AI to a responsible, goal-aligned strategy rooted in academic excellence and instructional priorities. He explains how North Colonie began by using surveys to better understand student experiences and evolved into leveraging Panorama Education’s AI tools to strengthen MTSS processes, improve instructional consistency, and measure progress with real-time data. The conversation highlights how thoughtful AI integration can boost instructional rigor, increase engagement, and create more consistent, student-centered experiences across schools. 🎧Check out the full shownotes: http://www.panoramaed.com/podcast Connect with Panorama Education: Visit our websiteFollow us on Instagram @panorama_educationFollow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@panoramaeducation3485/podcastsFollow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/panorama-education/

    22 min

  6. Episode 6

    6. Rethinking Meaningful Learning and Student Work in the Age of AI with Matt Miller

    AI is transforming classrooms at every level, but what does meaningful learning look like when technology can easily generate student work? In this episode, guest host Brittany Blackwell sits down with high school Spanish teacher and “AI for Educators” author Matt Miller to explore the evolving role of teachers in an AI-driven classroom. Together, they unpack the challenges and opportunities educators face, from redefining student engagement and meaningful assignments to ensuring critical thinking remains central in an ever-changing learning environment. Matt shares how AI is impacting day-to-day classroom practice, why focusing on the learning process over the final product matters more than ever, and how assignments must evolve to keep students actively involved in their learning. This conversation also explores practical strategies for keeping the “human in the loop,” scaffolding rigor without leaving students behind, and using AI to support—not replace—essential teaching skills. 🎧Check out the full shownotes: http://www.panoramaed.com/podcast Connect with Panorama Education: Visit our websiteFollow us on Instagram @panorama_educationFollow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@panoramaeducation3485/podcastsFollow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/panorama-education/

    32 min

  7. Episode 7

    7. Shifting Strategy and Culture for Educational Leadership in an Age of AI with Dan Fitzpatrick

    Leaders in education are feeling the pressure and the possibilities as AI continues to move into classrooms, campuses, and central offices.  In this episode, Brittany Blackwell welcomes education strategist and author Dan Fitzpatrick to explore how artificial intelligence is exposing long-ignored challenges in school systems—sparking uncertainty while also creating opportunities for courageous leadership and decision-making. Together, they dig into why districts are experiencing decision-making paralysis around AI adoption, how teachers and school leaders at every level can influence positive change, and the mindset shifts educational leadership needs to navigate an AI-driven future. Dan breaks down actionable frameworks for AI leadership and shares practical guidance for superintendents, principals, and classroom educators. Listeners will learn how to build an AI strategy before writing policy, foster a culture that balances innovation with trust, and empower leadership even when resources are limited. Dan also offers insights on sustainable change, authentic assessment in the age of AI, and the adaptability required to shape the future of education in an AI-powered world. 🎧Check out the full shownotes: http://www.panoramaed.com/podcast Connect with Panorama Education: Visit our websiteFollow us on Instagram @panorama_educationFollow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@panoramaeducation3485/podcastsFollow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/panorama-education/

    31 min

  8. Episode 8

    8. Enhancing Curriculum with Strategic AI in Education: Practical Approaches with Adam Garry

    School districts across the country are navigating the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, balancing innovation with safety as they rethink teaching and learning. In this episode, Panorama Education’s Rich Henderson sits down with AI expert Adam Garry to explore district-level innovation in K-12 AI adoption. Together, they break down where most districts are on their AI journey, from setting guiding principles and building effective AI literacy plans, to piloting classroom AI tools and responding to ever-changing technology. Adam shares practical insights into how curriculum teams are using AI to enhance instructional materials and personalize student learning. He also explains how districts can leverage AI for curriculum feedback, interdisciplinary unit design, and streamlining supplemental resources. In addition, Adam highlights the importance of strong data, context, and clear rubrics to generate high-quality AI outputs. This conversation also explores how AI supports emerging areas like Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways and individualized graduation planning, empowering educators and administrators to focus on high-quality instruction while keeping student needs at the center. 🎧Check out the full shownotes: http://www.panoramaed.com/podcast Connect with Panorama Education: Visit our websiteFollow us on Instagram @panorama_educationFollow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@panoramaeducation3485/podcastsFollow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/panorama-education/

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

This is the podcast where top K-12 education leaders and experts explore teaching, learning, and school leadership, one real story at a time. Hosted by Panorama Education, each episode features candid conversations with district and school leaders who are tackling today’s biggest challenges and creating meaningful change for students, educators, and communities. From improving attendance and strengthening literacy to supporting educator wellbeing and driving student success, you’ll hear how leaders are turning insights into action. Each episode highlights lessons learned, practical strategies, and approaches that can help your team move from ideas to impact. Whether you’re leading a classroom, school, or district, this show offers real world examples, fresh perspectives, and actionable takeaways from districts doing the work every day.

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