Leading Learning Without Walls: Rethinking Engagement, Data, and AI in Online Education with Marie Hanna
In this episode of The So What Podcast, host Shweta Gandhi, CEO and Founder of Strived, sits down with Marie Hanna, Superintendent of Ohio Connections Academy, to explore what it takes to lead a fully online public school in a rapidly changing education landscape.
With over four decades in education and nearly two decades in virtual learning, Marie shares how online education has evolved from basic digital tools to sophisticated, data-driven systems. She unpacks the realities of engagement in a virtual environment, how her team balances flexibility with accountability, and why teaching students to use AI responsibly is now a core priority.
From improving graduation rates to supporting diverse student needs, this conversation highlights how intentional systems, strong relationships, and focused data use can drive meaningful outcomes, even outside traditional classrooms.
Key Moments
03:10 Major shifts in education over the last few years
04:40 Academic integrity in an AI-driven world
07:01 Why critical thinking matters more than ever
08:57 Using data to improve graduation rates
10:46 Avoiding data overwhelm and focusing on key signals
11:05 What teachers should actually track
12:35 The role of engagement in student success
14:54 Measuring engagement in a virtual environment
16:16 Creating a culture of experimentation and innovation
19:15 Rethinking report cards and accountability systems
24:33 Flexibility and personalization in virtual schools
26:51 Top challenges: AI, mental health, and policy constraints
29:34 What’s working: culture and career pathways
Why You’ll Love This Episode
Marie brings a rare perspective, having led both traditional and virtual schools through multiple waves of change. Her insights cut through the noise, focusing on what actually drives student success: clarity, connection, and intentional use of data.
If you’re a district leader navigating AI, struggling with engagement, or trying to make sense of overwhelming data, this episode offers grounded, experience-backed guidance that you can apply immediately.
Connect with Marie Hanna | Superintendent, Ohio Connections Academy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-hanna-440b9114
Website: https://www.connectionsacademy.com/ohio-eschool/
Connect with Shweta Gandhi and Strived
Shweta Gandhi | Founder and CEO, Strived
About The So What Podcast
The So What Podcast explores how school system leaders make sense of complexity when data, strategy, and real classroom outcomes are misaligned. The show is designed for district and charter leaders working to turn fragmented information, competing priorities, and limited capacity into clear decisions that improve teaching, learning, and long-term sustainability.
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The So What Podcast for more conversations with leaders working to transform data into meaningful action for schools and students.
