The most important conversation with the people shaping tomorrow one lesson at a time. Where educators of all kinds join Jason Padgett to explore preparing students for 'their tomorrow' not 'our yesterday' Episode 47
Episode Summary:
Dr. Bubbles (Ronda Swartz) brings decades of educational leadership to a raw conversation about rolling out School AI to hesitant teachers, why Catholic schools might be perfectly positioned for the AI era, and how project-based learning combined with AI could finally free students to pursue their strengths instead of grinding through weaknesses.
Guest
Ronda Swartz, Assistant Principal at St. Barnabas Catholic School | Former Executive Director for Catholic Charities Archdiocese | Banking professional turned educator | Champion of project-based learning and AI integration in faith-based education
Guest Links
Ronda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rondaswartz3177272065/
Key Timestamps:[00:27] - From banking seminars to education leadership and why administration gets 10x harder[04:30] - Preparing kids for their future, not our past - the tagline that changed everything[08:15] - Why Rockefeller's factory model of education is a trap for student potential[11:45] - Rolling out School AI to six groups of teachers - resistance, fear, and the tractor analogy[15:20] - Why School AI beat Magic School - educators building for educators, not purple glitter[19:30] - The differentiation game changer - same article, fourth grade to twelfth grade reading levels[24:15] - Google vs Microsoft in education and why Gemini might displace Copilot[28:40] - Catholic schools as moral foundations for AI literacy - teaching the right way with the right values[32:50] - Character AI and chatbots seducing kids - the real AI safety conversation we're avoiding[36:20] - Demolition Man, raising AI like children, and why "do as I say not as I do" won't work[40:10] - Using AI as your communication tool - building custom GPTs that understand your boss[43:25] - Dr. Bubbles and personalization - when your AI knows you by name[47:30] - Alpha School's model - two hours of tech, rest is EQ, leadership, and project-based learning[51:15] - The eeky guy framework meets influencer culture - finding what you love that the world needs[54:20] - Life 360, helicopter parents, and why Gen X's "rub dirt in it" childhood built resilience
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