Growing Up in Public: What The Phoneless Future Means For School Operations

Dr. Devorah Heitner is the author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN Opinion. She has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology & Society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern. She is delighted to be raising her own teenager and she lives with her family in Chicagoland. You can follow her on Substack and on Instagram @devorahheitnerphd.

Bradley Lands serves as the Chief Technology Officer at The Langley School, where he masterfully oversees all technology initiatives including educational technology, IT infrastructure, data systems, and cybersecurity. Under his leadership, he has successfully implemented strategic visions that enhance teaching and learning through innovative technology solutions.

A recognized leader in education technology, Bradley holds TLIS certification and prestigious designations as both a Google for Education Certified Trainer and Innovator, as well as an Apple Distinguished Educator. These credentials reflect his unwavering commitment to professional excellence and continuous growth in the field.

Bradley's passion lies in leveraging cutting-edge technology to create engaging, effective learning environments that empower both students and educators to thrive in today's digital world.

Ravi Persaud is Director of Academic Systems at Grace Church School in New York City, where he leads educational technology initiatives and academic infrastructure. With nearly nine years at the school, he has spearheaded mobile app development, streamlined critical academic systems, and co-administers platforms including Blackbaud LMS and Google Apps for Education. As an educator, Ravi taught Digital Tools & Citizenship to high school students, helping them develop essential technology competencies. A former Teach For America corps member in the Bronx, Ravi established technology infrastructure in under-resourced schools and implemented 1-1 tablet initiatives. His diverse background includes IT support, operations management, and leadership roles. Through his unique blend of technical expertise and pedagogical innovation, Ravi brings valuable insights to discussions on educational technology implementation, digital citizenship, and academic systems management.

Marshall Singer is a passionate problem solver and seasoned entrepreneur dedicated to supporting school safety through innovative technology. As the Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Ruvna, he leads strategic planning and cross-functional teams that have transformed how over 600 school districts and independent schools communicate critical information with their communities, including vital emergency response capabilities that help schools identify which students are safe during lockdowns and crisis situations.

With nearly a decade of experience in educational technology, Marshall has dedicated his career to making schools safer and smarter places. Under his leadership, Ruvna has developed an intuitive platform that streamlines daily operations, communications, and emergency management systems that are now relied upon by educational institutions across the United States. His commitment to innovation in all forms and his practical experience creating a system that protects school communities positions him as an insightful voice on the intersection of technology, safety, and educational advancement.

Lisa Goff is the Security & Risk Manager at Isidore Newman School, where she brings over three decades of management expertise to educational operations. In her current role, Lisa leverages her background in technology integration and retail management to implement comprehensive security protocols and risk mitigation strategies for the school community. Prior to her security focus, Lisa served as Technology Support & Integration Specialist at Newman, facilitating technology adoption across educational programs. Her extensive 24-year career as a Retail Store Manager with Gentry Corporation developed her exceptional skills in vendor relationships, inventory management, and team leadership. Lisa's unique combination of retail operations experience and educational technology background enables her to approach institutional security with both meticulous attention to detail and strong communication skills, making complex security concepts accessible to all stakeholders.

Yi Zheng is the Director of Data Management and Information Systems at Marymount School of New York, where she leverages her extensive experience with educational database systems and cross-functional team leadership. With over a decade of experience in educational institutions and non-profits, Yi has developed expertise in Blackbaud platforms, Google Workspace implementation, and custom solutions for educational environments. Previously, she served in development and database management roles at New Visions for Public Schools and Asia Society, where she managed grant distributions and implemented budget tracking systems. Yi's background in both administrative leadership and hands-on program work with students gives her a unique perspective on integrating technology solutions that serve educational missions while improving operational efficiency.

Dave Levin is the Director of Technology at Head-Royce School in Oakland, California, where he has served in technology leadership roles for over 16 years. With extensive expertise in educational technology integration, Dave specializes in creating innovative solutions that enhance teaching and learning environments. His work includes developing custom Google Workspace applications, streamlining data systems across platforms like Blackbaud and Finalsite, and implementing strategic faculty training programs that significantly increase technology adoption. This leadership experience enables Dave to approach educational technology with both technical expertise and a deep understanding of collaborative learning environments.