How do we move students from simple compliance to authentic engagement? In this episode, Senior Instructional Coach Daniel Rock and Leadership Coach Erin Anderson-Williams sit down with Dr. Tony Johnson, founder of Captivate Perspectives. With over 25 years of experience across K-12, CTE and higher education, Johnson shares how educators can bridge the gap between generational value systems and redefine student motivation for an AI-driven world. 

​We dive into the “Why” behind student motivation, the intersection of love languages in the school house and how AI can be repurposed from a shortcut into a powerful, personalized learning tool. 

​Key Discussion Points

• ​Identifying the Student’s “Why”: Why motivating a student requires understanding their unique generational value system rather than imposing our own.
• ​The Quarter Zip Phenomenon: How current social media trends are influencing how young men of color view their professional trajectories and “greatness.”
• ​AI as “Tutor Mike”: A practical guide to using prompt engineering to turn AI into a personalized, voice-activated tutor for specific subjects like biology.
• ​Love Languages in Education: Why understanding how a student receives and gives love—whether through quality time or words of affirmation—is a key lever for engagement.
• ​Thought Partnership vs. AI Generation: The importance of teaching students to be authentic critical thinkers who can contribute at a conference table without a computer.

​Featured Guest

​Dr. Tony Johnson is a former turnaround principal, district CTE director and senior leader in higher education. Since 2019, he has led Captivate Perspectives, working with school systems and government partners to prepare students and adults for what comes next. 

You can find this episode on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.