GaETC: The Podcast

Hosted by Lee Green

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Oct 2026

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About the show

This is the exclusive podcast of Georgia’s premiere educational tech conference! For more than two decades, the Conference has played a key role in helping educators at all levels increase their understanding of the role of technology in education and providing the opportunity to learn about the latest in educational technology. This podcast seeks to continue that mission. Hosts Lee Green and Clint Winter will take you on a tour behind the scenes of the conference AND allow you to get better insights on some of your favorite presenters! You can learn more about GaETC by going to www.gaetc.org or find us on your social media platform of choice!

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October 26, 202649 min

Disco Transitions, Waffles, and the Gift of Time: Inside ECSD Gemini School with Hollie Sisk

Can professional development actually feel like a party while handing teachers back hours of planning time? On this episode of GaETC: The Podcast , host Dr. Lee Green sits down with Hollie Sisk, Instructional Technology Assistant Coordinator for Effingham County School District, Google Certified Innovator, and 2026 GaETC Rising Star. Hollie unpacks the massive success of their award-winning ECSD Gemini School, an AI station rotation model that traded dry lectures for 20-minute hands-on stations and hallway disco transitions. Dr. Green and Hollie explore: The 20-Minute Formula: Why forcing participants to shut their Chromebooks and walk to different rooms between short, focused rotations prevents screen fatigue and keeps energy high. Teachers Teaching Teachers: How partnering with Career Academy computer science teachers and high school media specialists built immediate peer trust and credibility. From Classrooms to the Boardroom: How the model expanded across the district, transforming monthly school board reports into visual NotebookLM slideshows and modeling community policy feedback through a custom Board Simulator Gem. PD Playground & Empowering Media Specialists: How Effingham shifted media specialists away from routine break-fix tasks and into certified instructional leaders leading 15-minute PLC learning bursts. The "Co-Teacher" Gem & Connected Apps: How localized district prompts and Gemini connected apps are solving actual educator pain points and giving staff the gift of time. How Well Does Gemini Know Hollie?: A fun round of our signature game touching on connected apps, Georgia Southern roots, and beach reading getaways! Plus, Hollie previews the Rising Star panel and breakout sessions that she and her Effingham team are bringing to GaETC 2026! Connect with Hollie & ECSD Technology: Email: hsisk@effingham.k12.ga.us Instagram & Facebook: @ECSDITJustClicks Join Us at GaETC 2026: Experience the innovation live November 4 through 6, 2026, at the Georgia International Convention Center! Register and build your conference schedule at conference.gaetc.org .

October 23, 202636 min

Strategic Alignment, Military Discipline, and the AI Playbook with Dr. Joe Phillips

What happens when school systems stop viewing educational technology as a back-office utility and elevate it into the core driver of district strategy? On this episode of GaETC: The Podcast , conference chair Kate Crawford steps in to sit down with Dr. Joe Phillips, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer for Fulton County Schools. Drawing on his background as a retired U.S. Army veteran and a national Top 100 EdTech leader, Dr. Phillips breaks down the discipline and systems thinking required to manage technology, accountability, and operational strategy for more than 84,000 students across 106 schools. Kate and Dr. Phillips explore: Strategy Meets Technology: Why the modern edtech leader must partner directly with cabinet chiefs to ensure technology initiatives directly support academic goals, operational efficiency, and board accountability. Military Discipline in K-12 Leadership: Translating mission clarity into standard operating procedures and why operational discipline is critical when turning district vision into daily execution. Systemic District Turnaround: The playbook behind helping Kansas City Public Schools regain full state accreditation after a decade, from basic device reliability to the unexpected impact of classroom breakfast initiatives. Fulton County's AI Governance Playbook: How the district built a walled-garden approach to AI, categorized over 300 use cases into "Explore Now, Explore Later, and Explore Never," and implemented their BOLT philosophy—Building One Less Thing for educators. How Well Does Gemini Know Dr. Phillips?: A candid round of our signature game that covers work-life alignment, family gaming sessions in Palworld, and early morning routines! Plus, Dr. Phillips previews his upcoming featured session on enterprise cybersecurity coming to GaETC 2026. Join Us at GaETC 2026: Hear from top education leaders live November 4 through 6, 2026, at the Georgia International Convention Center! Register and build your conference schedule at conference.gaetc.org .

October 22, 202641 min

The Task Before the Tool: AI Literacy, Screen Value, and Sustainable Coaching with Jen Hall

What happens when you strip away the shiny app hype and focus strictly on the learning task? On this episode of GaETC: The Podcast , guest host Clint Winter sits down with instructional technology powerhouse Jen Hall, Content Integration Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools and creator of the go-to resource hub TechTips411.com. Drawing on over 30 years in public education, Jen shares practical, tested strategies for navigating today's fast-moving edtech landscape without burning out. Clint and Jen dig into: The Task Before the Tool: Why starting with clear lesson objectives beats chasing shiny digital novelties every single time. Screen Value vs. Screen Time: Why active student creation (like video production and podcasting) completely changes the screen time debate. AI Literacy as the New Digital Citizenship: How teachers can leverage tools like Gemini and NotebookLM to differentiate instruction, while teaching students how to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs. Sustainable Coaching & Failing Forward: Practical tips for instructional coaches on building trust, targeting single teacher pain points, and why the "undo button" is the best tool in the classroom. How Well Does Gemini Know Jen?: Clint puts Jen in the hot seat for our signature game, testing Gemini's answers against her real classroom history, car camping adventures, and travel goals! Plus, Jen previews her six breakout sessions coming to GaETC 2026, covering Canva, Adobe Express, administrative AI, and secondary literacy. Connect with Jen Hall: Website & Newsletter: TechTips411.com Instagram & Facebook: @TechTips411 X (Twitter): @APSITJen

October 13, 202641 min

Bridging the Dugout and the Classroom: Total Faculty Buy-in with Dr. Shawn Oliver

Why do school districts invest massive budgets into top-tier digital tools, only to watch them turn into digital shelfware by Thanksgiving? In this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, Dr. Lee Green sits down with Dr. Sean Oliver, high school academic support educator, head varsity baseball coach, and girls flag football coach at Fellowship Christian School in Roswell, Georgia. Drawing on four Region Coach of the Year honors, over 200 baseball victories, and doctoral research in professional development, Sean breaks down the parallels between coaching athletic teams and leading school-wide instructional change. He explains why single "sit-and-get" compliance workshops in August fail without continuous follow-up, how to set an unwavering cultural standard across veteran and new teachers alike, and practical strategies for rolling out Canvas and AI walled gardens like Flint AI and Gemini Notebook. Sean also unpacks his philosophy on diagnosing educator pushback, sharing why leaders must assume exhaustion before labeling someone defiant. Plus, Lee and Sean face off in the signature podcast game, "How Well Does Gemini Know You?", testing AI's takes on coaching culture, assistive tech, and the North Georgia food scene. Dr. Oliver will present his session, Total Faculty Buy-In: Getting Teachers to Actually Use New Tech Tools , on Friday morning, November 6 at 9:45 AM at GaETC 2026. Explore Sean's leadership writing at https://coachseanoliverandleadership.com/ and plan your conference schedule at https://conference.gaetc.org/ !

October 9, 202643 min

Amy Zock: Tech Plays for Progress, NASA Labs, and Future-Ready Leadership

What does it take to navigate the post-ESSER funding cliff, eliminate software bloat, and build world-class STEM opportunities in a rural school district? In this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, host Dr. Lee Green sits down with Amy Zock, Director of Instructional and Innovative Technology for Decatur County Schools and member of CoSN's Early Career K-12 CTO Academy. Amy shares her unique path from bilingual education to district technology leadership, revealing why tenacity and worthy pursuits are the ultimate drivers of educational change. She details Decatur County's innovative work as a Woz ED K-12 STEM district, including their groundbreaking NASA HUNCH Academy labs where elementary students tackle real-world aerospace challenges using zSpace AR/VR, Kai's Clan robotics, and 3D printing. Amy also discusses launching an AI fellowship that brings instructional staff, operational leaders, and students together to govern artificial intelligence collaboratively. Looking ahead to GaETC 2026, Amy previews her double-header sessions: Scouting for the Future on Wednesday and Tech Plays for Progress: Funding, Refresh Cycles, and Roster Strategies on Friday. She breaks down how districts can establish sustainable refresh cycles, leverage accidental damage protection fees to fund innovative licenses, and lead honest software audits without alienating teachers. Plus, she takes on our game, How Well Does Gemini Know You?, scoring high on leadership philosophy and pinpointing her favorite local spots in Bainbridge like Southern Philosophy and Jalisco's. Catch Amy Zock live at GaETC 2026 on Wednesday, November 4 at 11:00 AM for Scouting for the Future, and Friday, November 6 at 9:45 AM for Tech Plays for Progress. Check the official GaETC conference app to bookmark her sessions!

October 8, 202634 min

Lindsay Head & Elizabeth Mattick: Progress in Play: Bridging Computer Science and Engineering

How do we transform middle school coding from an isolated screen exercise into a tangible, physical invention? In this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, host Dr. Lee Green sits down with Lindsay Head, Instructional Technology Coach for Paulding County School District, and Elizabeth Mattick, Computer Science Teacher at Herschel Jones Middle School. Lindsay and Elizabeth break down their cross-classroom collaboration that brought together student-designed Bloxels video games and hands-on Makey Makey engineering builds. They explain how treating peers as authentic "clients" transformed a routine school assignment into an entrepreneurial venture featuring investor days, play-testing, and real-world problem-solving. From navigating conductors and insulators to designing headbands, wristbands, and cardboard controllers, they illustrate how purposeful play unlocks deeper understanding of science and computational logic. They also share practical strategies for making large-scale collaborations manageable in just three targeted face-to-face sessions, how to flip the script on traditional silent computer labs, and how athletic coaching mindsets help both students and teachers overcome tech frustration one achievable step at a time. Plus, they dive into our game, "How Well Does Gemini Know You?", and Lindsay recaps her favorite eats fresh off a flight from Hawaii. Catch Lindsay Head and Elizabeth Mattick live at GaETC 2026 on Thursday at 12:15 PM for their session, "Progress in Play: Bridging Computer Science and Engineering."Lindsay will also present an afternoon session on Thursday at 4:15 PM. Connect with Lindsay via email at lhead@paulding.k12.ga.us .

October 8, 202644 min

Demystifying AI in Grades 3-5 with Trista Clark

How do we talk to our youngest learners about artificial intelligence when they are already encountering recommendation engines, smart speakers, and generative image tools every single day? In this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, host Dr. Lee Green sits down with Trista Clark, Computer Science Specialist at Trip Elementary School in Gwinnett County Public Schools, to break down what authentic, age-appropriate AI literacy looks like in elementary school. Managing a specials rotation across a massive school of over 1,700 students, Trista shares how Gwinnett's CS for All initiative introduces computational thinking, unplugged logic, robotics, and digital ethics starting all the way in kindergarten. She explains why waiting until middle or high school to teach AI ethics is too late, how to help kids view AI as a pattern-matching machine and people-pleaser rather than an all-knowing oracle, and how to introduce concepts like machine learning and dataset bias using accessible tools like Quick, Draw! and Google's Teachable Machine. Trista also gives an exclusive sneak peek into her upcoming GaETC 2026 session, where she is sharing three completely turnkey, classroom-ready lessons covering AI foundations, algorithmic bias, and generative illustration for student writing. Plus, she takes on our game, "How Well Does Gemini Know Trista Clark?", sparking great conversation about student critical thinking, classroom monitoring, and the essential comfort of a Friday night recovery meal. Catch Trista Clark live at GaETC 2026 on Wednesday at the Georgia International Convention Center. Make sure to download the official conference app to bookmark her session and stop by the Circuit Lounge to say hello.

October 6, 202649 min

Tony Vincent on Vibe Coding, 3D Printspiration, and Apple Notes

What happens when one of education's most beloved innovators dives headfirst into vibe coding with AI, rapid 3D printing, and everyday productivity hacks? In this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, co-hosts Clint Winter and Kris Plummer catch up with returning GaETC featured speaker Tony Vincent of Learning in Hand. Marking his 17th year presenting at GaETC, Tony shares what has been his most productive, creative stretch to date. He reveals the story behind Teacher Hive, his new platform showcasing hundreds of teacher-created micro-apps built using natural-language AI prompts. Tony explains how educators can transition from passive AI consumers into creators of practical classroom utilities, touching on his sessions Your Chatbot is an App Builder, Hop Aboard the Tool Bus, and Digital Snacks. The conversation also shifts to Tony's hands-on maker side with Printspiration, featuring glowing classroom manipulatives, custom keyboard clickers, and personalized student tools printed on his Bambu Studio setup. Plus, Tony breaks down why Apple Notes is his ultimate organizational brain with over 3,000 notes and built-in AI transcription workflows. Tony also tackles our game, How Well Does Gemini Know You?, trading laughs with Kris Plummer’s robot voice and evaluating AI predictions on visual design, keeping tech fresh after 25 years, and the absolute necessity of post-presentation naps. Catch Tony Vincent in person this November at GaETC 2026 at the Georgia International Convention Center, and be sure to sit near the front row for the best prizes. Connect with Tony's latest projects, micro-apps, and newsletter at learninginhand.com and teacherhive.app.

October 2, 202644 min

From Library to Launchpad: Modernizing Learning Spaces with Robbie Reed of Nisewonger

How do we take school media centers from traditional quiet rooms and transform them into dynamic, collaborative learning hubs without losing their foundational core? In this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, host Dr. Lee Green sits down with Robbie Reed from Nisewonger Audio Visual Center to talk about modernizing school learning spaces across Georgia. A former middle school educator of 13 years in Coweta County and University of West Georgia alumnus, Robbie now travels the state helping schools bridge the gap between AV installations and actual classroom practice. He shares how districts can move away from letting tech sit unused in storage boxes by focusing on ongoing teacher support, simple starting points, and practical learning zones. Robbie explains how introducing basic broadcast and podcast setups gives students an authentic voice, builds face-to-face communication skills, and offers alternative ways for learners to show what they know beyond traditional testing. Robbie also dives into his upcoming GaETC session, breaking down how to establish distinct learning zones using equipment schools already have before pursuing major upgrades. Plus, he takes on our game, "How Well Does Gemini Know Robbie Reed?", tackling questions about avoiding edtech graveyards, low-cost space upgrades, and the essential roadside stop for Buc-ee's tacos across Georgia highways. Catch Robbie Reed presenting Wednesday, November 4 at 11:00 AM at GaETC 2026, or visit the Nisewonger team in the exhibit hall. Learn more about their work at nisewongerav.com or reach out directly at robbie@nisewongerav.com .

October 2, 202647 min

Multimodal Learning, Accessibility, and Tag-Team Coaching with Kristin Carter and Royce Ennett

How can classroom technology serve as the ultimate equalizer for student voice, literacy, and conceptual understanding? In this episode of GaETC: The Podcast , host Dr. Lee Green and Clint Winter catch up with a dynamic instructional coaching duo from Live Oak Elementary in Newton County Schools: Kristin Carter (Literacy & Social Studies) and Royce Ennett (Math & Science). Kristin and Royce share their classroom-tested strategies for breaking through pencil fatigue and cognitive overload using multimodal platforms like Book Creator. From supporting twice-exceptional and dyslexic learners with speech-to-text to letting young mathematicians record audio explanations of geometry patterns, they illustrate how technology removes barriers so every student can shine. They also unpack their collaborative coaching philosophy, explaining how active listening, co-planning, and clarifying what lies ahead helps teachers breathe easier and thrive in high-stakes environments. Plus, Kristin and Royce take on our signature game, "How Well Does Gemini Know You?", knocking out questions on math-literacy intersections, hands-on inquiry, and their favorite lunch spots on the historic Covington Square! Connect with Kristin and Royce: Session: Engaging Students with Multimodal Text (Wednesday at GaETC 2026) School: Live Oak Elementary, Newton County School System X: @CartersLilLions