Technology Essentials in Education Episode 19:
Nurturing the Whole Child in a Tech-Heavy World

About the Episode

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica is joined by Dr. Chaunté Garrett, CEO and founder of Empowering Learners and Leaders to Excel, to discuss the critical balance of supporting the "whole child" in digital classrooms. Dr. Garrett redefines the whole child framework through three essential pillars: academic, social, and physical safety. Together, they explore how technology can be a powerful ally—not as a replacement for human connection, but as a way to scale mental health support and elevate student voice. Dr. Garrett shares her insights on intentional system rollouts and data-driven decision-making, urging educators to shift from "keeping up" with technology to "growing with it."