Perspectives: Finding Common Ground

Real People, Real Conversations

Bringing together the diverse perspectives of thought leaders, this podcast series serves as a forum to socialize and problem solve education-based interoperability issues to ultimately find common ground.

Join us for conversations on the various issues impacting vendor-school relationships and to create a forum for problem-solving, new ideas, and collaboration.

Series Introduction  Perspectives Podcast Episode 0

Get To Know Your Host

Patrick Devanney

Senior VP of Strategy & Partnerships, ClassLink

Patrick oversees ClassLink’s portfolio of integration partners, managing technical integrations for single sign-on and rostering to ensure that educators and students across the world can access the resources they need to be successful. A veteran of education technology, Patrick has been a long-standing advocate for interoperability and collaboration among providers, using his uniquely panoramic view of both the strategic and practical imperatives to foster true industry collaboration.

Explore the Series

Watch the episodes below and make sure to subscribe to the series on your preferred channel.

Episode 49

Built by Students for Students

August 11, 2026 What happens when students stop waiting for someone else to solve the problems they see in education? In this episode of Perspectives, we bring together three young innovators who turned real challenges into ideas, tools, and solutions of their own.

Episode 48

What Is E-Rate Acceptable?

July 14, 2026 One of K-12 education's most influential funding programs is under a sweeping FCC review, and a new question has entered the conversation: What role should screen time play in the future of E-rate? From policy and advocacy to district leadership, we're breaking down the purpose of E-rate and what's at stake for students, educators, and communities nationwide.

Episode 47

Outcomes-Based Contracting

June 16, 2026 School districts spend billions on educational technology every year, but too often, those investments don't deliver for students. In this episode, our guests explore outcomes-based contracting and what it really takes to build contracts and partnerships that work for kids.

Episode 46

The Promises & Challenges of Digital Credentials

May 12, 2026 A diploma may open the door, but it no longer tells the whole story. In this episode, leaders from higher education and the education consulting space unpack the evolving world of digital credentials and why these tools are gaining momentum across education and workforce development.

Episode 45

Shared Responsibility: Managing Student Data Privacy

April 7, 2026 Data privacy agreements are not just paperwork. They are a test of how well districts, vendors, and the entire education ecosystem show up for students. In this episode, an edtech attorney, a district leader, and a data privacy specialist get real about what shared responsibility actually looks like.