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Support Student Well-Being Through Focused Learning and Meaningful Human Connection
Thursday, February 19, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EST
Presented by Julie A. Vitale, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, Oceanside Unified School District (CA); April M. Moore, Ed.D., Superintendent, Sierra Sands Unified School District (CA); Jennifer Andrulewicz, M.S.Ed., Chief Growth Officer, Generation Faraday; and Katey Secrist, Account Executive, West, Generation Faraday
Sponsored by Generation Faraday
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Today’s schools are navigating a complex learning environment shaped by constant connectivity, rising student stress, and increasing demands on educators. Creating conditions where students can focus deeply, engage authentically, and build meaningful human connections has become both more challenging—and more essential—than ever.
This edLeader Panel explores how school leaders can intentionally design learning environments that support student focus, well-being, and connection while addressing the realities of modern technology use. Drawing on research, district leadership experience, and practical implementation examples, the panelists examine how distractions, digital habits, and schoolwide systems influence learning, classroom culture, and student mental health.
Viewers explore key insights related to attention, anxiety, engagement, and emotional well-being, and consider how continuous access to smartphones and digital content shapes students’ school experiences. This session emphasizes that supporting student wellness requires thoughtful, context-specific strategies and examine how schools incorporate structured phone management as one element of a comprehensive effort to reduce distractions and promote healthier learning environments. District leadership perspectives share how intentional policies, shared expectations, and consistent phone-management practices can strengthen instructional focus, improve school climate, and support student well-being.
Viewers leave with a clearer framework for evaluating approaches that strengthen focus, support student well-being, and foster meaningful human connection—along with practical ideas adaptable to their own school communities. This recorded edLeader Panel is of interest to middle and high school teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.
About the Presenters
Julie A. Vitale, Ph.D., serves as Superintendent of the Oceanside Unified School District. She has held district and site leadership roles, including assistant superintendent, director, high school principal, assistant principal, and teacher. Dr. Vitale earned her Ph.D. in urban educational administration from Claremont Graduate University, along with graduate degrees from California State University San Bernardino and the University of La Verne. She teaches at Concordia University and helped design their Ed.D. program.
A nationally recognized leader, Dr. Vitale has received honors including Superintendent of the Year, CGU’s Urban Leadership Alumni Achievement Award, SDCOE’s Lighthouse Award for Equity, and ERDI’s Resilient Leader Award. She serves on the AASA Governing Board and is a mentor to aspiring superintendents. Dr. Vitale has presented at national, state, and local conferences and is published on various topics, including creating affirming schools for LGBTQ+ students and staff, system reform, and courageous leadership.
Dr. April Moore has worked in education for 27 years, beginning as a high school English teacher. She then worked as an administrator for the county offices of Riverside and San Bernardino, assisting schools and districts with educational technology and literacy. She served as a high school assistant principal, coordinator of secondary education, principal, director, and assistant superintendent prior to taking her current position as Superintendent.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vanguard University, a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Technology from Chapman University, and a Doctor of Education with an emphasis in K-12 Leadership from the University of Southern California. She is passionate about preparing all students to follow their dreams beyond high school. She has presented on the topics of dual enrollment and educational technology, and has been an international presenter on the topics of digital badges and student assessment.
Jennifer Andrulewicz is a dynamic education technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving K–12 growth strategy, global expansion, and strategic partnerships. She currently serves as Chief Growth Officer at Generation Faraday, where she leads initiatives focused on expanding impact, partnerships, and adoption across education markets. Prior to joining Generation Faraday, she held executive roles at leading education companies, including YONDR, Britannica Education, Teachstone, Amplify, and Pearson, leading high-impact sales teams and scaling businesses across the U.S., Latin America, and international markets.
Beginning her career as a high school teacher and administrator, Jennifer has remained deeply committed to education. She holds an M.S.Ed. in education administration from The Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Spanish literature from The Catholic University of America. Known for her expertise in K–12 leadership and global partnerships, she continues to advance innovative, equitable learning solutions worldwide.
Katey Secrist is an education partnerships and sales professional committed to helping school communities create safer, more focused learning environments. She serves as an Account Executive at Generation Faraday, where she works with K–12 district leaders across the West Coast to support the adoption of signal-blocking solutions that reduce digital distractions and strengthen student engagement.
Katey partners closely with educators and administrators to implement effective device-management strategies that foster healthier boundaries with technology and promote classroom success. Known for her collaborative approach and experience supporting districtwide initiatives, she plays an important role in advancing efforts to improve focus, school climate, and student well-being. With a strong passion for education, Katey brings a thoughtful, practitioner-informed perspective to conversations about creating distraction-free learning environments.
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Generation Faraday is on a mission to create distraction-free environments where students, educators, and communities can thrive. At our core, we design and deliver signal-blocking Faraday bags and solutions that eliminate smartphone distractions in schools, homes, and other shared spaces—helping learners stay focused, engaged, and present. By completely blocking cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals, our technology enables schools to implement effective phone-free policies without taking devices away, giving teachers more time to teach and students more opportunities to learn. Built on trusted signal-blocking technology used by law enforcement and military partners, Generation Faraday products are proven tools for boosting classroom focus, reducing conflicts, and fostering healthier digital habits beyond the school day. Together with educators, parents, and partners, we’re advancing a movement toward balanced technology use and more mindful learning environments.
