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This episode of the Independent School Moonshot Podcast is sponsored by Blackbaud.

Blackbaud helps independent schools unify admissions, advancement, academics, and finance so leaders spend less time chasing data and more time leading. Visit https://www.blackbaud.com to learn more.

What happens when a teacher changes your life, and that story becomes the blueprint for leading schools through the age of AI?

In this episode, Kalyan Balaven, Head of Dunn School in California, discusses his new book, Speaking Truth, Teaching Humanity. Kal shares how his mentor, Mr. Lindsay, shaped his philosophy of seeing every student for who they truly are, and how that same spirit of authentic connection must guide AI integration in schools today.

Through personal reflection and practical examples, Kal shows how AI can free educators to focus on what matters most: human relationships, purpose, and belonging. He reframes AI not as a threat but as a tool to amplify humanity, challenging schools to lead with courage, curiosity, and heart.

What You'll Learn from Kal Balaven:
Humanity comes first: AI should enhance authentic relationships, not replace them.

AI is the new calculator: Just as calculators elevated math thinking, AI can elevate creativity and problem-solving when used wisely.

Schools must evolve from information economies to relational economies: Education's value lies in reflection, empathy, and connection, not content delivery.

Faculty need space to experiment: At Dunn School, AI cohorts and pilot projects let teachers test, share, and learn without fear.

Belonging and inclusion are core to innovation: Kal's "Inclusion Menu" exercise shows how community building and AI intersect to strengthen culture.

Recommended Next Steps
Read Speaking Truth, Teaching Humanity: Reflect on how mentorship, empathy, and ethics shape your leadership.

Run an "Inclusion Menu" session: Ask your team what helps them belong, digitize the results, and use AI to organize insights.

Pilot an AI cohort: Select teachers across divisions to explore classroom and admin use cases, then share findings.

Audit your time: Identify tasks AI could streamline to create more space for human connection.

Revisit your mission: Ask whether your school's approach to AI reflects its deepest values about students and learning.