GAEL UnscriptED
GAEL UnscriptED, the podcast that goes beyond the headlines and handbooks to bring you unfiltered insights from Georgia’s top educational leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Hosted by Ben Wiggins, Executive Director of GAEL, this show dives deep into the challenges, opportunities, and unexpected twists that shape education today.
From leadership strategies to policy discussions—and everything in between—GAEL UnscriptED is your go-to source for candid conversations that make an impact. No scripts. No fluff. Just real talk from those leading the way in Georgia’s schools.
Episodes
9 episodes
Inside the 2025 GAEL Legal Issues Conference with Cory Kirby of PKKN
Attorney Cory Kirby pulls back the curtain on the most pressing legal challenges facing Georgia's schools today in this engaging and informative conversation. With 25 years of experience representing school districts, Kirby shares why the upcom...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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17:24
School Safety & Alyssa’s Law: How CENTEGIX CrisisAlert™ Protects Students
The landscape of school safety has transformed dramatically in recent years, with technology now playing a pivotal role in protecting our most vulnerable populations. In this powerful episode of GAEL UnscriptED, host Ben Wiggins sits down with ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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31:33
Beyond Paperwork: The Human Side of School HR
What does it take to build a world-class human resources department that truly supports educators and school leaders? In this illuminating conversation, Monica Batiste draws from her remarkable 32-year journey through education to reveal the in...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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35:04
Teachers Don't Leave Schools, They Leave Leaders: A Guide to Retention
Dr. Jolie Hardin takes us deep into the hidden rhythms of the school year that every educational leader should understand but few ever discuss. Drawing from her 11 years as a principal and extensive work in district leadership, Dr. Hardin unvei...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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32:18
Leading with Heart
What does it really take to lead a school district? Two accomplished Georgia superintendents pull back the curtain on their leadership journeys in this illuminating conversation.Dr. Robbie Hooker (Clark County Schools) and Philip Brown ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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31:09
From Classroom to Doctoral Dissertation: Education Leaders Share Their UGA MFE COE Experience
Ever wondered what it really takes to pursue a doctoral degree while leading a school or district? Three dynamic educational leaders from across Georgia pull back the curtain on their journeys through UGA Mary Frances Early College of Education...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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30:16
Cats Out of the Bag: Valdosta's Viral Social Media Strategy
The social media revolution happening at Valdosta City Schools has everyone talking—even education leaders 200 miles away. What started as a creative approach to combat the "summer slide" has transformed into a community movement that's doubled...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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34:11
Uber Dad to Principal: Leadership Lessons from Kevin Gaines
Kevin Gaines didn't just return to his alma mater – he transformed it. As principal of Hart County High School for the past 13 years, Gaines has cultivated a remarkable legacy of leadership that balances consistency, innovation, and a deeply pe...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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24:53
Beyond the Classroom: Why Leadership Networks Matter
GAEL Unscripted debuts with an inside look at the Summer GAEL Conference, where over 1,400 education leaders gathered to strengthen Georgia's schools through professional learning, networking, and family engagement opportunities. Ben Wiggins is...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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33:12