In this episode of Integrate This! EdTech Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Steven Baule, Associate Professor of Leadership Education and Director of K–12 Administrative Licensure and Doctorate Programs at Winona State University. With over two decades in district and building leadership, Dr. Ball shares powerful insights on:

• What truly makes a strong school leader
• The changing landscape of K–12 licensure and how it aligns with modern educational demands
• Lessons from his journey from social studies teacher to system-level administrator
• How school systems can support teacher leaders and build leadership capacity from within
• The intersection of edtech and leadership training in today’s programs
• Advice for educators considering a leap into administration

🎙️ Whether you're a teacher thinking about leadership, an administrator navigating policy changes, or a district leader mentoring future principals, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.

Connect with Dr. Baule & Winona State’s Leadership Programs → Winona State Ed.D. Program → K–12 Licensure Pathways

College of Education | Winona State University

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In this episode of Integrate This!, we sit down with Stevie Frank, a dynamic digital learning coach from Zionsville, Indiana, recently named one of EdTech Magazine’s 30 K–12 IT Influencers to Follow in 2025. Stevie brings 15 years of classroom and coaching experience and shares how literacy, pedagogy, and relationships anchor her approach to educational technology.

We dive into:

• Her transition from classroom teacher to district EdTech leader
• How she builds trust and relationships with teachers
• The importance of pedagogy-first PD and practical tools like the SAMR model
• How her district navigated the rollout of AI, including MagicSchool AI
• Empowering students through podcasting and creative projects
• Her take on the AI Literacy Framework and what’s next for EdTech

Whether you're an instructional coach, classroom teacher, or tech administrator, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

🔗 Resources from Stevie Frank:

• Website: https://www.steviefrank.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/steviefrank
• Twitter/X: @steviefrank23
• BlueSky: steviefrank.bsky.social

In this follow-up to our conversation with Leon Furze, we explore what it looks like when AI guidance turns into real action. Jen Hegna, Director of Technology at Byron Public Schools, joins us to talk about how her team is building meaningful AI integration across the district.

Jen shares how Byron has adopted elements of Leon’s AI Assessment Scale to shape its own district-wide AI plan — including the development of AI literacy and skills in alignment with their Profile of a Graduate. From professional development to policy-making, she offers a practical, leader-level perspective on where AI belongs in schools today.

🎓 Topics: AI guidance, AI literacy, Profile of a Graduate, tech leadership, district planning 📍 Guest: Jen Hegna | Byron Public Schools 🎤 Recorded live at the Minnesota Thought Leaders AI Summit