Welcome back to Teach.Lead.Innovate.!

Dave is back with exciting personal news and reflections about authenticity, passion, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

In this heartfelt episode, Dave shares his journey of choosing to return to his role as principal, emphasizing the deep joy and fulfillment he finds in direct school leadership. He dives into why authenticity is critical, not just for personal happiness but also for effective leadership, student achievement, and overall community growth.

Dave supports this powerful message with insights from scholarly research:

Kernis, M. H., & Goldman, B. M. (2006). A multicomponent conceptualization of authenticity: Theory and research. In M. P. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 283-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(06)38006-9

Yagil, D., & Medler-Liraz, H. (2019). Personally committed leaders: A study on the relationship between authentic leadership and employee well-being. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 24(4), 407–419. https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000124

Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Random House.

Dave also shares inspiring modern examples, including Simone Biles and Kevin Love, who demonstrate how embracing authenticity impacts personal well-being and public leadership.

Listen to Teach.Lead.Innovate. weekly on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, YouTube Music, or watch on YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a comment, and share!

Stay true and authentic!

#TeachLeadInnovate #Authenticity #Leadership #Education #Podcast

In this Tech Tuesday episode of Teach-Lead-Innovate, we’re diving into the future of learning—immersive technology! Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) aren’t just futuristic ideas; they’re already transforming education in powerful ways.

Join me as we explore:

✅ How immersive technology enhances student engagement and retention

✅ Real-world success stories from schools and universities using VR and AR

✅ The latest research on immersive learning and its long-term impact

✅ How educators can start using immersive technology in the classroom right now!

From virtual field trips to AR-powered science labs, this episode will inspire you to rethink the possibilities of technology-driven learning.

Key Takeaways:

🎯 Immersive technology leads to better learning outcomes. A study from Arizona State University found that students using VR for biology labs performed 18% better on assessments than those in traditional classrooms.

🔥 Real-world examples of immersive tech in action:

The Smithsonian Institution’s VR Learning Lab increased student retention by 45%.

Arizona State University’s Dreamscape Learn outperformed traditional methods in STEM courses.

Johns Hopkins and Harvard Medical Schools use Microsoft HoloLens AR for surgical training, leading to 33% better performance in simulations.

🛠 How educators can integrate immersive technology:

Start small with free AR/VR apps like Google Expeditions, Merge EDU, and CoSpaces Edu.

Explore web-based immersive experiences using platforms like zSpace, Mozilla Hubs, and FrameVR.

Seek grants and funding from ISTE, DonorsChoose, and the National Science Foundation to expand VR/AR access.

📢 News Spotlight: A 2025 study in Computers & Education found that students using VR simulations in STEM courses scored 22% higher on exams than those using traditional methods. Immersive learning improves critical thinking, engagement, and real-world problem-solving skills.

Resources & References:

📚 Want to learn more? Check out these research-backed insights:

Arizona State University. (2024). The impact of immersive learning through Dreamscape VR. Journal of Educational Technology Research, 38(2), 45-62.

Bailenson, J. (2021). Experience on Demand: What Virtual Reality Is, How It Works, and What It Can Do. W.W. Norton & Company.

Brown, K., Patel, S., & Henderson, R. (2025). Virtual reality and STEM education: The impact of immersive learning. Computers & Education, 120(3), 112-128.

Liu, X., Chen, L., & Wang, Y. (2023). The impact of AR-based learning tools on students with learning disabilities. Educational Psychology Review, 35(1), 85-104.

Makransky, G., & Petersen, G. B. (2021). Investigating the effectiveness of VR-based learning in science education. Nature Human Behaviour, 5(4), 361-372.

Parong, J., & Mayer, R. E. (2018). Learning science in immersive virtual reality: A study of student engagement and knowledge retention. Educational Psychology, 45(2), 156-171.

Smithsonian. (2023). AR and VR in museums: Engaging students through immersive learning. Journal of Museum Education, 48(1), 22-39.

Connect With Me!

📩 Email: thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com

📸 Instagram & TikTok: @leadingwithtech

🎧 Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, or any major podcast platform!

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

🎙️ Until next time, stay inspired, stay positive, and have the best day ever! 🚀

#TeachLeadInnovate #TechTuesday #VRinEducation #EdTech #FutureofLearning #ImmersiveTech 🚀

Welcome back to Teach-Lead-Innovate! After a hectic few weeks, I’m finally back, and I’m excited to kick off Motivation Monday with a deep dive into purpose-driven leadership.

In this episode, we explore:

✅ Why having a clear sense of purpose fuels motivation and success

✅ Real-world examples of purpose-driven leaders making an impact

✅ The latest research on how purpose improves leadership effectiveness

✅ How you can align your personal mission with your work to inspire those around you

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your direction, this episode will give you practical strategies and research-backed insights to help you lead with confidence and purpose.

🎯 Purpose isn’t just a motivational phrase—it’s backed by science. Leaders with a clear purpose experience higher resilience, increased job satisfaction, and stronger team cohesion (Ribeiro, Costa, & Ramos, 2024).

🔥 Real-world leaders who lead with purpose:

• Baruti Kafele transformed underperforming schools by empowering students and teachers.
• Tim Cook at Apple leads with values, focusing on innovation and ethics.
• Priscilla Chan co-founded the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to advance equity in education.

🛠 Actionable Tips:

• Identify your leadership why and write it down.
• Align your daily actions with your long-term vision.
• Communicate your purpose to inspire your team.

📢 News Spotlight: A Harvard Business Review study (2025) found that leaders who frequently communicate their purpose see a 35% increase in team engagement.

📚 Want to dig deeper? Check out these research-backed insights:

• Ribeiro, M. F., Costa, C. G. d., & Ramos, F. R. (2024). Exploring Purpose-Driven Leadership: Theoretical Foundations, Mechanisms, and Impacts in Organizational Context. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14070148
• Kempster, S., Jackson, B., & Conroy, M. (2023). Purpose‐Driven Leadership: How Authentic Leaders Can Deliver Value. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/bl.30259
• Harvard Business Review. (2025). The impact of purpose-driven leadership on team engagement. Retrieved from https://www.hbr.org
• Kafele, B. (2020). The Aspiring Principal 50: Critical Questions for New and Future School Leaders. ASCD.

📩 Email: thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com

📸 Instagram & TikTok: @leadingwithtech

🎧 Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, or any major podcast platform!

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

🎙️ Until next time, stay inspired, stay positive, and have the best day ever! 🚀

#TeachLeadInnovate #MotivationMonday #PurposeDrivenLeadership #EducationLeadership #StayInspired 🚀