Their Parents FaceTime Them In Class? Diego Ochoa and Graham Dugoni Describe A Phone-Free Approach

An Imperfect Leader

INTRO: In this episode of An Imperfect Leader, join us as we delve into the world of education leadership with Superintendent Diego Ochoa, a veteran with over 25 years of experience, and Graham Dugoni, the founder of Yondr – a pioneer in creating phone-free spaces. Together, they discuss the impact of going phone-free on student success and the compelling purpose that drives their work.

Discover how the San Mateo-Foster City Schools district's strategic plan, led by Diego, was influenced by the decision to minimize distractions and create a focused learning environment. Graham shares insights from working alongside school leaders globally, emphasizing that phone-free leads to creativity and innovation, just without all the distractions.

Join the conversation as we uncover the shared goals and aspirations that led educators, parents, and students to want to create meaningful phone-free learning experiences. It's an engaging discussion on leadership, purpose, and the pursuit of student success in a digital age.

I am Peter Stiepleman. Welcome to An Imperfect Leader

BIO: Diego Ochoa has been Superintendent of the San Mateo-Foster City Schools since 2021. He has more than 25 years of educational experience as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, executive director, and superintendent, and has a strong background in curriculum, instruction, special education, equity, student wellness, parent engagement, and school facilities.

Graham Dugoni is the founder of Yondr, the established industry leader in helping educators, performing artists, families, organizations, and businesses all around the world create phone-free spaces (for full disclosure, Yondr is a sponsor of the podcast).

NOTE: At one point, we talk about a school’s compelling purpose or their strategic plans, and how they cannot be achieved if the underlying issue is that nearly 50% of teens say they are online “almost constantly,” which is roughly double the share who said the same thing 10 years ago (that’s according to surveys over time by the Pew Research Center).

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.human-centeredleaders.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

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NEW EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE

"What do we want to create together?" So proud to have co-written the foreword with Zach Taylor to this essential book on Human-Centered School Transformation. If you're a school leader looking to make sense of what you know to be true about schools, check it out. If you're a corporate leader, you will find a pathway to better results in every page.

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AN IMPERFECT LEADER IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

My book, An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is available at Amazon.com. If there is no hyperlink to follow, please go to Amazon.com or peterstiepleman.com to order a copy.