Podcast
Talking Technology with ATLIS
Hosted by Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS) · EN
Welcome to "Talking Technology with ATLIS," the podcast for K-12 technology leaders in independent schools. Dive deep into the world of ed tech with us:
🎙️ Leaders you should know: Get ready to rub shoulders with industry experts as they unveil their insights and share game-changing experiences.
💻 Focused Learning: Our guests demystify technical topics and present solutions in an accessible way.
🔌 Partner Talks: Join us at the epicenter of independent school innovation. Forge connections with influential figures from both the association and corporate world. You never know who'll be our next exciting guest!
Connect with us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-of-technology-leaders-at-independent-schools
Website: theATLIS.org
Whether you're tech-savvy or just starting, join us in shaping the future of education. Subscribe now and stay ahead in the ed tech game!
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Strengthening K-12 Cybersecurity and Vendor Risk Management with April Mardock
2w ago00:58:42Tap to summarizeApril Mardock, Chief Information Security Officer at WASIPC, joins the podcast to analyze the primary entry points targeted in K-12 ransomware incidents. The discussion offers actionable guidance on multi-factor authentication, vendor risk management, data retention policies, and using gamified tabletop exercises to prepare school leadership for cyber incidents.April’s LinkedIn profile and email addressCybersecurity tabletop simulation game (Gemini Gem), step into the hot seat of a live cyber attack and lead your team to safetyI Asked 24 Ransomed School Districts How the Attackers Got In - There Were Only Three Answers, LinkedIn article that April authoredK-12 SIX (K-12 Security Information Sharing and Analysis Center), threat intelligence community providing free K-12 cybersecurity guidance, checklist guides, and standardsWISPC, public, non-profit agency in Washington state that provides technology solutions, data management, and cooperative purchasing services to K-12 schoolsCyberforce|Q service from WISPC, building and implementing cybersecurity programs for organizations of all sizesBluum service from WISPC, helping educators leverage technology to create a more effective and engaging student experienceCybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; as the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience, CISA works with partners at every level to identify and manage risk to the cyber and physical infrastructure that Americans rely on every hour of every day. CISA works with partners to defend against today’s threats and collaborate to build a more secure and resilient infrastructure for the future.Secure Cloud Business Application (SCuBA), CISA project providing tailored cloud solutions guidance and secure configuration baselines (SCBs) for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace applications. SCuBA’s guidance aims to protect information that organizations create, access, share, or store in cloud environments.Backdoors and Breaches, incident response card game
Transcribe →Mission-Driven Insights for Modular School Technology Leadership, with Barbara Cohen, TLIS
3w ago00:53:25Tap to summarizeBarbara Cohen, Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Brandeis Marin, joins the podcast to discuss independent school technology department staffing and leadership. Cohen shares strategies for modular job design, aligning technology initiatives directly with school mission, and facilitating constructive parent dialogues regarding student device usage and social health.Brandeis Marin — An independent K–8 Jewish day school in San Rafael, California, where Barbara Cohen serves as Chief Information and Innovation Officer.The Anxious Generation — Book by Jonathan Haidt utilized by Brandeis Marin for community-wide reading and dialogue on youth technology use and supervision.The Six Types of Working Genius — Team assessment framework by Patrick Lencioni referenced for identifying individual natural talents and balancing organizational team dynamics.DISC Profile — Workplace behavior assessment tool used by technology leaders to analyze team communication preferences and working styles.Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools — Network supporting Jewish day schools through peer cohorts, leadership development, and educational technology collaboration.
Transcribe →Board Governance and Cybersecurity Risk Management with Dr. Tim Tillman of Allied Cyber Academy
4w ago00:49:22Tap to summarizeDr. Tim Tillman, founder of Allied Cyber Academy, joins the pod to discuss bridging the gap between school technology leaders and governing boards. The conversation examines framing cybersecurity risk, defining digital duty, establishing disaster recovery plans, and managing emerging challenges like AI and vibe coding.Allied Cyber Academy — Organization founded by Dr. Tim Tillman to train ed tech leaders, school boards, and superintendents on cybersecurity governance and risk management.K12 SIX — Threat intelligence sharing community focused on preventing cyber incidents in K–12 schools.Virginia Department of Education — State education agency where Dr. Tim Tillman previously served as Chief Information Security Officer.
Transcribe →Flipping the AI Classroom with Vibe Coding and Version Control
Jul 700:45:38Tap to summarizeIn this episode, technology leaders discuss the integration of artificial intelligence in K-12 education with educator Douglas Kiang. The conversation examines essential skills for the AI era—including design thinking, close reading, and version control via GitHub—alongside data privacy considerations, the concept of distant writing, and evolving academic assessment models.Douglas Kiang's Official Blog — The speaker's primary digital publication repository covering classroom workflows, design thinking, and the "AI Forward" series.AP Computer Science Principles (College Board) — The advanced secondary curriculum framework for which Douglas Kiang served as a materials developer and independent project assessment architect.GitHub — A software repository and version control platform integrated into the Menlo School curriculum to manage student multi-branching project workflows.Google Workspace for Education — A secure productivity environment leveraged by school technology departments to keep user data in-house and isolated from external AI training datasets.Perplexity AI — An information discovery and conversational search engine provided to high school students to enable multi-engine comparative analysis.Google NotebookLM — A personalized AI research assistant noted for its widespread popularity among students evaluating internal course source documents.ResearchGate: Distant Writing Paper — The scholarly publication by Professor Luciano Floridi of Yale University detailing the transition of authors into design directors.
Transcribe →Optimizing School Technology with Fractional Staffing and Strategic MSP Alliances
Jun 1600:44:22Tap to summarizeLive from the ATLIS 2026 Annual Conference, the hosting team is joined by Alex Inman and Tom Wildman to analyze the evolving role of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in independent schools. The conversation addresses the rise of fractional staffing, shifting IT reporting structures under CFOs, and the absolute necessity of cultural alignment when outsourcing school technology services.Knowing TechnologiesEducational Collaborators
Transcribe →Securing Independent Schools Against Deepfake Deception and AI Companions with Evan Harris
May 1900:33:08Tap to summarizeEvan Harris of Pathos Consulting Group addresses the escalating risks of AI-generated deepfakes and companions within school communities. The discussion highlights the psychological tactics scammers use to bypass critical thinking, the limitations of technical detection tools, and the urgent need for schools to update policies and student safety protocols. Pathos Consulting Group - The organization founded by Evan Harris focused on deepfake safety and crisis readiness for schools.Reality Defender - A digital forensics tool mentioned for its use in identifying AI-generated content.KnowBe4 - A cybersecurity awareness platform discussed in the context of phishing and deepfake training."Fake" by Perry Carpenter - A recommended resource for understanding the science of deception and human nature.Presidium - An organization cited for its data on the rise of youth-to-youth abuse within independent schools.Adaptive Security - A company providing cybersecurity training for high-stakes organizations.
Transcribe →Centering Pedagogy through Agile Systems and Collaborative AI Leadership
May 1200:52:57Tap to summarizeJamie Sullivan, TLIS, joins the podcast to share her veteran perspective on shifting from rigid software platforms to agile, user-centric systems. She discusses the power of regional collaboration through her year-long AI leadership cohort and explains why technology departments must prioritize "academic teching" to keep the focus on student learning.Castilleja SchoolToddle LMSVeracrossRuvna Safety SolutionsEric Hudson (Facilitator)Coachella Music Festival (Mentioned)SeniorNet (Mentioned)TLIS Certification
Transcribe →The Evolving Intersection of School Safety and Technology Leadership with Matt Varley and Marshall Singer
May 500:57:32Tap to summarizeRuvna's Marshall Singer and Orah's Matt Varley join the show to discuss the evolving intersection of school safety and technical leadership. The conversation highlights how technology directors are increasingly "quarterbacking" safety through real-time student tracking and Model Context Protocols to bridge data gaps between attendance records and physical locations. Ruvna Safety PlatformOrah Student TrackingModel Context Protocol (MCP)Tron (1982)
Transcribe →Human-First Protocols and Building Diverse Tech Teams with Dr. Akbar Herndon
Apr 2800:57:31Tap to summarizeDr. Akbar Herndon, CTO of Grace Church School and a founder of the NEET conference, discusses his unique journey from professional jazz violinist to technology leader. He shares strategies for building highly diverse IT teams through a culture of belonging and explains why a "human first protocol" is essential when integrating AI into the independent school classroom.Akbar’s LinkedIn ProfileGrace Church SchoolNYSAIS Education, Information, and Technology (NEIT) ConferenceBlack Swan Quartet, Akbar’s jazz group and recordingWeather Report, jazz fusion bandMax Roach, jazz drummer and composer
Transcribe →Purposeful AI Agents with Microsoft Education’s Dr. Geri Gillespy
Apr 2100:56:04Tap to summarizeDr. Geri Gillespy joins the podcast to discuss the transition from AI consumption to purposeful production. She shares her "three-legged stool" framework for change management and explores the emerging role of AI agents in independent schools. Learn how workforce development and human-in-the-loop practices ensure technology amplifies, rather than replaces, human creativity.Microsoft Elevate for Educators, program designed to provide educators and school leaders with access to a global community, professional development, and resources to confidently integrate AI into teaching and learning.Cyber Tabletop Simulation GameElevate webinars -- available to all? She mentioned “webinar I did yesterday”Copyright gemMofongo, dish from Puerto Rico with plantains as its main ingredientFungo, special baseball bats used for training
Transcribe →