Perspectives with Dr. Ward - Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

Stronger Together: How Teaming Transforms Middle School

In this episode, Dr. Ward is joined by Willoughby Middle School Principal Mr. Jim Greene and child psychiatrist Dr. Molly McVoy for a thoughtful conversation about the middle school years. Together, they discuss adolescent development, the importance of connection, and how the teaming model helps students feel seen, supported, and prepared for success.  Jim Greene is the Principal of Willoughby Middle School, bringing 22 years of experience in education as a collaborative and student-centered leader. Throughout his career as a principal, assistant principal, teacher, and instructional leader, he has focused on building a positive school culture, supporting staff development, and creating meaningful learning experiences for all students. He is passionate about helping students grow into confident, resilient individuals ready for success both in and beyond the classroom. Dr. Molly McVoy is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (CWRU). She is the Rocco Motto Endowed Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and was the training director for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship for 11 years. She is a researcher, educator, and clinician with expertise in biomarkers, pediatric psychopharmacology and underserved pediatric populations. She has numerous peer-reviewed publications, is a 2020 Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Scholar for her work on EEG and has a growing research program, in collaboration with colleagues on school mental health, self-management and mind-body interventions for youth with chronic health and psychiatric conditions. Music Credit: "Let's Celebrate" by Rewob Special thanks to Lighthouse Media Services

Building AI Confidence and Literacy in Education: Rebecca Bultsma, AI Ethics Researcher and Education Strategist

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics Researcher Rebecca Bultsma lives in the messy space between AI hype and AI reality, helping education leaders cut through the chaos and noise to find what actually works for students and educators. As an AI ethics researcher at the University of Edinburgh with a focus on K-12 ethical implementation, Rebecca is dangerously good at AI but appropriately worried about its risks - making her the ideal guide for districts that want to enhance learning opportunities without compromising student safety or educational integrity. Having developed professional development programs for large districts and crafted AI policies for educational organizations, her keynotes and workshops deliver customized, actionable strategies for curriculum development, assessment, communication, and operations. Rebecca has trained thousands of educators across North America and internationally, regularly contributes to Canada's Digital Governance Standards Institute, and co-hosts the AmpED to 11 podcast. Her mission: help education professionals build AI capabilities that enhance student outcomes without losing what makes teaching meaningful. Music Credit: "Let's Celebrate" by Rewob Special thanks to Lighthouse Media Services