Roll Call is back! Hosts Brian Murray and Josh Symonds sit down with Becky Donovan, Risk Management Consultant at AJ Gallagher, whose work with schools across North America is transforming how educators think about risk, relationships, and readiness.

Becky's refreshing approach puts people first — she believes effective risk management begins with empathy, communication, and proactive culture. Together, the trio explore how schools can prepare for crises, update outdated policies, manage reputational threats, and navigate emerging risks like AI use, cyber safety, and student data privacy.

From on-the-ground stories of real incidents to reflections on leadership, trust, and humanity in the face of crisis, this episode is an engaging look into how schools can move from reactive to proactive risk prevention — and why "Don't Hesitate, Delegate" should be the new mantra for every educator.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Becky Donovan

01:00 - Human-First Response to Crisis

03:10 - Why Relationships Matter in Risk Management

06:10 - The Hidden Gaps in School Risk Planning

08:30 - Updating Codes of Conduct (and Why It Matters)

10:30 - Specialized Codes for Specialized Contexts

14:00 - Making Risk "Manageable" for Teachers

15:30 - Brian's Field Trip Story and Lessons Learned

20:00 - When the Unexpected Happens

25:00 - AI, Cybersecurity, and Data Privacy in Schools

30:00 - Blanket Permissions vs. Informed Consent

34:00 - Emerging Risks for Schools

36:00 - Social Media, Reputation & Crisis Response

40:00 - Data, Consent, and Collaboration

Connect with Becky Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmwithbecky/

Aj Gallagher: https://www.ajg.com/

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding, an award-winning, feature-rich boarding school management tool used by over 400 schools in five continents to manage risk, increase efficiency, and improve communication in boarding school management.

To learn more about REACH Boarding, its features and integrations, visit www.reachboarding.com

Empowering the Future of Independent Education & Boarding School Management

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Roll Call, don't forget to share your favorite episodes with your colleagues on social media to help us spread the word and help more education professionals stay at the forefront of independent education and boarding school management techniques to empower the future of the education environment.

RC027 - Telling Your School's Story with Ryan Koral

"When you can relate, empathy grows and you feel connected to what you are watching." - Ryan Koral

"If you're not sharing stories and you're not taking about why you do this work, getting to your own heart and soul of why you care then you are missing the main element..." - Ryan Koral

This week on the Roll Call Podcast:

• How Ryan came to film making
• Finding the moments
• Getting started
• Creating authentic content
• Getting the good stuff
• Asking the right questions
• Changing the world

Resources Mentioned:

• Enroll Films: https://www.enrollfilms.com

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding, an award-winning, feature-rich boarding school management tool used by over 400 schools in five continents to manage risk, increase efficiency, and improve communication in boarding school management.

To learn more about REACH Boarding, its features and integrations, visit www.reachboarding.com

Empowering the Future of Independent Education & Boarding School Management

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Roll Call with Brian Murray and Josh Simons, the show helping education professionals stay at the forefront of global education trends. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave your honest review.

Don't forget to share your favorite episodes with your colleagues on social media to help us spread the word and help more education professionals stay at the forefront of independent education and boarding school management techniques to empower the future of the education environment.

RC026 - The Evolution of the Boarding Experience with Keith Driscoll

"The boarding experience has changed...We are not going to make you into something, but you have the opportunity to make yourself into something." - Keith Driscoll

"Boarding is not a separate program. It is an integrated part of the school." - Keith Driscoll

This week on the Roll Call Podcast:

• Boarding at SMUS
• The evolution of the boarding experience
• Hiring the right people
• The triple threat
• Creative compensation

Resources Mentioned:

• St. Michaels University School: https://www.smus.ca/

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding, an award-winning, feature-rich boarding school management tool used by over 400 schools in five continents to manage risk, increase efficiency, and improve communication in boarding school management.

To learn more about REACH Boarding, its features and integrations, visit www.reachboarding.com

Empowering the Future of Independent Education & Boarding School Management

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Roll Call with Brian Murray and Josh Simons, the show helping education professionals stay at the forefront of global education trends. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave your honest review.

Don't forget to share your favorite episodes with your colleagues on social media to help us spread the word and help more education professionals stay at the forefront of independent education and boarding school management techniques to empower the future of the education environment.

RC025 - Restorative Practices in Education with Bridget Johnson

"We want everyone to come out of the situation feeling like they have been heard, respected and supported in being their best self." - Bridget Johnson

"Using restorative practices does not mean there are no consequences for misbehaviour...its about restoring the harm that was done." - Bridget Johnson

This week on the Roll Call Podcast:

• Bridget's path to working in Education
• Restorative Practice
• It takes work and vulnerability
• Being authentic
• Fair process
• Moving towards managing relationships, not discipline.

Resources Mentioned:

• Bridget - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/
• https://deansroundtable.org
• https://www.iirp.edu/

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding, an award-winning, feature-rich boarding school management tool used by over 400 schools in five continents to manage risk, increase efficiency, and improve communication in boarding school management.

To learn more about REACH Boarding, its features and integrations, visit www.reachboarding.com

Empowering the Future of Independent Education & Boarding School Management

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Roll Call with Brian Murray and Josh Simons, the show helping education professionals stay at the forefront of global education trends. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave your honest review.

Don't forget to share your favorite episodes with your colleagues on social media to help us spread the word and help more education professionals stay at the forefront of independent education and boarding school management techniques to empower the future of the education environment.

RC024 - Change Management and Leadership in Schools with Courtenay Shrimpton

Courtenay has been a leader in Independent Education and has held positions of leadership for the last 30 years.

From the moment Courtenay began his career he has driven new program development. From Student Leadership models, to Advisory Programs, Maker Spaces, Arts-Co-curricular initiatives and so much more.

"The process by which you understand who you are, where you are and where you need to go I think is really critical." - Courtenay Shrimpton

"It's the great leadership TEST: Trust, Empower, Support and Thank. You have to TEST all the people around you." - Courtenay Shrimpton

This week on the Roll Call Podcast:

• Why is change in schools so difficult?
• Prioritizing what matters
• Getting started
• Where are you and where are you going?
• Aligning with your vision and mission
• Using data to drive change
• Profile of a leader
• Shifting culture

Resources Mentioned:

• https://blueskythinkers.ca

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding, an award-winning, feature-rich boarding school management tool used by over 400 schools in five continents to manage risk, increase efficiency, and improve communication in boarding school management.

To learn more about REACH Boarding, its features and integrations, visit www.reachboarding.com

Empowering the Future of Independent Education & Boarding School Management

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Roll Call with Brian Murray and Josh Simons, the show helping education professionals stay at the forefront of global education trends. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave your honest review.

Don't forget to share your favorite episodes with your colleagues on social media to help us spread the word and help more education professionals stay at the forefront of independent education and boarding school management techniques to empower the future of the education environment.

RC023 - Building Trust with Students Through Accessibility, Boundaries and Caring with Brooklyn Raney

"What you mandate, what you tolerate, what you evaluate, what you celebrate, is what you perpetuate." - Brooklyn Raney

"Cheerleading, challenging, comforting or coaching. All four are needed and we have the ability to use all four to express care..." - Brooklyn Raney

This week on the Roll Call Podcast:

• Brooklyn's professional updates
• The ethics and requirements of care
• How trust is built: Accessible, Boundaries, Caring
• Structures for advisory
• Success story
• New versus experienced teachers
• Levels of boundaries
• How relationships benefit learning
• Does it work in a boarding school?
• Getting back to BASICS
• Tips to get started

Resources Mentioned:

• https://www.onetrustedadult.com

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding, an award-winning, feature-rich boarding school management tool used by over 400 schools in five continents to manage risk, increase efficiency, and improve communication in boarding school management.

To learn more about REACH Boarding, its features and integrations, visit www.reachboarding.com

Empowering the Future of Independent Education & Boarding School Management

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Roll Call with Brian Murray and Josh Simons, the show helping education professionals stay at the forefront of global education trends. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave your honest review.

Don't forget to share your favorite episodes with your colleagues on social media to help us spread the word and help more education professionals stay at the forefront of independent education and boarding school management techniques to empower the future of the education environment.

RC022 - The Value of Experiential Learning with Graham Vogt

"It doesn't count as teaching unless the kids actually learn it." - Graham Vogt

"We've got to help kids become more comfortable with being uncomfortable..." - Graham Vogt

This week on the Roll Call Podcast:

• Experiential learning
• Knowing how hard to push
• Connecting out-trips to education
• How much traditional education content is necessary?
• Experiencing "the moment" with a student
• Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable
• Taking risks

Resources Mentioned:

• https://www.rosseaulakecollege.com

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding, an award-winning, feature-rich boarding school management tool used by over 400 schools in five continents to manage risk, increase efficiency, and improve communication in boarding school management.

To learn more about REACH Boarding, its features and integrations, visit www.reachboarding.com

Empowering the Future of Independent Education & Boarding School Management

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Roll Call with Brian Murray and Josh Simons, the show helping education professionals stay at the forefront of global education trends. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave your honest review.

Don't forget to share your favorite episodes with your colleagues on social media to help us spread the word and help more education professionals stay at the forefront of independent education and boarding school management techniques to empower the future of the education environment.

RC021 Connecting With The Community Inside And Out Of The Classroom with Dr. Chris Thurber

"One thing that can help schools recover would be the intentional daily weaving in of Social-emotional curricula to endow kids with skills they need..." - Dr. Chris Thurber

"It's really important that in the well-intentioned enthusiastic effort to get kids caught up academically that we not eclipse some of the non-structured free time that kids have during the school day to interact with one another..." - Dr. Chris Thurber

This week on the Roll Call Podcast:

• Dr. Chris' background
• Students social and emotional wellbeing coming back to school
• Are students behind academically?
• Social-emotional learning
• Enlisting the help of parents
• Lessons from online learning
• Are schools seeing a higher need for student care?
• Online access to mental health professionals
• Getting the school back on track

Resources Mentioned:

• Phillips Exeter Academy
• Dr. Chris' Book: The Unlikely Art of Parental Pressure

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding

This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding, an award-winning, feature-rich boarding school management tool used by over 400 schools in five continents to manage risk, increase efficiency, and improve communication in boarding school management.

To learn more about REACH Boarding, its features and integrations, visit www.reachboarding.com

Empowering the Future of Independent Education & Boarding School Management

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Roll Call with Brian Murray and Josh Simons, the show helping education professionals stay at the forefront of global education trends. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave your honest review.

Don't forget to share your favorite episodes with your colleagues on social media to help us spread the word and help more education professionals stay at the forefront of independent education and boarding school management techniques to empower the future of the education environment.