Rethinking Learning Podcast: Recent Episodes
Barbara Bray
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Jamie Saponaro is the Senior Director of Community and Professional Learning at ClassLink. She leads thought leader initiatives that bring educational communities together through summits, webinars, and professional learning events. Jamie is the host of LinkedUp: Breaking Boundaries in Education, a podcast dedicated to spotlighting boundary-breaking educators. She just launched her new book: Transforming Classrooms: Building a Culture of Collaboration. I just had to share a picture of Jamie and me at one of the high teas I mentioned in the podcast.
I always ask my guests to share their WHY. What is your WHY? My father taught for 37 years – drafting, architectural drawing, woodshop, technology education, video production – and whenever anyone asked him what he taught, his answer was never that he taught any of those subjects – he always said ‘I teach students.’
That shaped everything about how I think about teaching. Are we teaching the ‘curriculum’? Or are we teaching the ‘students’? Students learn through instructional best practices that allow for differentiation. It is not about teaching the ‘stuff.’ It is about teaching and reaching individual learners.
It is about building a community of students and the conditions for unique learning opportunities from not only their teacher, but also from each other.
**Can you share an overview of your background?****A Jersey girl coming from a family of educators – my father was a teacher, my mother was a teacher, my husband was a teacher and is now a superintendent – education became my path as well, and I’ve been in it for over 35 years. I taught for a dozen years and then became a technology director. I went on maternity leave to start my family, and during that time, I wrote a book called Creative Projects Using Popular Computer Applications. Then, I founded my own company, InTECHgration, as an instructional strategist and technology integration specialist, providing professional learning for teachers and administrators through coaching, mentoring, and hands-on workshops rooted in research-based strategies and high engagement. I also volunteered as the president and executive board member of an education foundation for 10 years.
*Lead of ClassLink’s Thought Leader Initiatives*The industry side of education came knocking, so I gradually took that on full-time and now lead ClassLink’s thought-leader initiatives that promote community building and professional learning for educational leaders through in-person and virtual summit events in pursuit of “linking leaders.”
I am also the co-host of the podcast, “LinkedUp: Breaking Boundaries in Education,” and produce the podcast, “Perspectives: Finding Common Ground,” and additionally produce and host 3 webinar series. As for the rest of my family, my sister was the only one not in education, and my older daughter, Bella, followed in her footsteps in the fashion world. My other daughter, Lauren Rose, is an avionics product designer who is also my graphic designer for my second book, Transforming Classrooms: Building a Culture of Collaboration.
**What Your Book Shares with Teachers and How it Transforms Classrooms****Most educators I have worked with have tried group work, and it failed every time. One student does all the work. Another disappears. A third turns it into a fight. The rest just wait for it to be over
What I want teachers to know is that it is not a flaw in their abilities. It’s actually a design flaw.
Group work fails because it was never designed to work. There is no structure requiring every voice, no accountability that reaches every student, no reflection that builds the skill for next time. Without those elements, we are not doing cooperative learning. We are just putting children in proximity and hoping for the best.
Cooperative learning is different. It is a research-backed structure with 70 years of evidence showing it outperforms individual learning at a statistically significant rate — but only when all the components are present. When we implement it with fidelity, students do not just complete tasks together. They think together. They teach each other. They learn how to belong.
Cooperative learning is different. It is a research-backed structure with 70 years of evidence showing it outperforms individual learning at a statistically significant rate — but only when all the components are present. When we implement it with fidelity, students do not just complete tasks together. They think together. They teach each other. They learn how to belong.
That distinction is the entire foundation of my book Transforming Classrooms: Building a Culture of Collaboration.
I have seen it work so beautifully for students and seen classrooms flourish because of it, so I wrote the book to share the tips and simple tweaks to turn group work into true cooperative learning.
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The Foundation: Five Pillars of Cooperative Learning (TEAMS)To make cooperative learning stick — and to help educators remember what makes it work — I anchor the five research-backed pillars in the acronym TEAMS.
T — Together (Positive Interdependence): We succeed together. No one coasts, no one carries everyone.
E — Each Accountable (Individual Accountability): Every student has a real role. Coasting becomes impossible.
A — Actively Supporting (Promotive Interaction): Students help each other succeed — not just sit near each other.
M — Making Connections (Social Skill Development): students use active, listening, and productive talk to build the skills needed to properly communicate.
S — Self-Reflecting (Team Processing): Teams pause and ask what is working and what needs to change.
Each intentional design component is needed for the structure to work. Remove any one letter, and it becomes flawed group work.
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The Practice: Cooperative Learning StrategiesThe book includes over 40 cooperative learning strategies that are organized by usage of convergent vs divergent thinking as well as where each would fit within a lesson. They are grouped in a matrix and act as a menu to choose the right structure for the right moment. Technology in the classroom has become synonymous with cheating, shortcuts, and students outsourcing their thinking to a chatbot instead of doing it themselves. That worry is valid. But the answer is not to ban the tool. It’s to design the structure around it.
An additional specialized framework that considers the integration of technology that I developed is called QUEST.
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QUEST is a five-stage framework for collaborative inquiry, design-thinking, and purposeful technology use within problem-based learning.Q — Question Generation — where students generate their own questions first, individually, then as a team, from their own curiosity and prior knowledge. Human thinking has to come before any tool or research.
U — Unpack and Explore — where teams research using multiple sources, and yes, AI tools are now a part of this phase. There are roles involved that are part of the structured cooperative learning.
E — Evaluate and Verify — and this is the AI literacy component. Teams apply what I call the ABCD Check to every source they find, including AI-generated content: Is it Accurate? Is there Bias? Is it Complete? Is it directly relevant? This phase is not consumption of information – it is an interrogation of it.
S —Synthesize and Create — where teams take everything they have gathered, evaluated, and debated, and build something new together through genuine consensus and individual accountability ( the skills developed through ongoing cooperative learning). The PBL end product has to reflect every team member’s thinking — not just whoever talks the most.
T —Think About Thinking – metacognition. Teams reflect on how they collaborated, not just what they produced.
The whole model is built on the belief that technology should be a collaborative thinking partner, never a replacement for thinking.
This framework gives teams of students the structure to use design-thinking and critical thinking to go on a problem-based learning “QUEST” collaboratively without losing their own voice in the process.
The most important element in any classroom has always been the human beings in it. TEAMS and QUEST are structures, but the goal underneath them is about helping students think, connect, and grow collaboratively to prepare them for the future ahead.
transformingclassrooms.com
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*Jamie Saponaro*‘s Contact InformationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiesaponaro/
Emails: intechgrationed@gmail.com
jsaponaro@classlink.com
The post Building a Culture of Collaboration with Jamie Meola Saponaro (EP186) appeared first on Barbara Bray.
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Olivia Odileke is the founder of Kampus Insights Inc. and the creator of Lead Spark Team, a platform designed to help schools move professional development beyond inspiration and into measurable instructional change. Olivia also created the Spark Curiosity AI Coach, which helps educators spark student curiosity through short, inquiry-based learning experiences at the beginning of a unit.
Your WHY My why is simple, but it runs deep: I want every student, teacher, and leader to love to wonder again. I want them to fall in love with growing their mind, discovering their potential, and nurturing the natural gifts already inside of them.
Education has always been more than content delivery to me. At its best, learning should awaken something in us. It should invite students, teachers, and leaders to wonder, question, grow, and see new possibilities in themselves.
That is the heart of my work.
I believe curiosity is one of the most powerful things we can protect in education. When students are curious, they lean in. When teachers are curious, they become designers of learning instead of simply deliverers of content. And when leaders are curious, they create the conditions for people to grow.
Through Kampus Insights CC, Lead Spark Team, the Spark Curiosity AI Coach, Spark Curiosity EDU, and Fearless Educator Radio, my work centers on one big idea: helping educators move from inspiration to action, and from action to meaningful instructional change.
*What challenged you to start Kampus Insights? What were the problems you saw that you knew you could make a difference?*I started Kampus Insights CC because I kept seeing the same disconnect in schools. Teachers were attending professional development, getting inspired for the day, but then returning to classrooms where the actual shift in practice was hard to sustain.
I understood that because I was a teacher. I worked in Title I schools for many years. I know what it feels like to care deeply about students while also feeling overwhelmed by pacing guides, testing pressure, behavior challenges, and the daily responsibility of trying to meet every learner’s needs.
The problem I saw was that teachers did not need more information thrown at them. They needed practical tools, meaningful support, and small instructional shifts they could actually use.
They needed professional development that did more than motivate them for a moment. They needed support that helped them change what happens in the classroom.
That is what challenged me to build Kampus Insights and eventually Lead Spark Team. I wanted to help schools move beyond, “That was a great workshop,” into, “We can actually see this changing teacher practice and student engagement.”
Lead Spark Team was created to help schools turn professional development into measurable instructional change. It gives leaders and teachers a way to focus on a specific instructional practice, reflect on implementation, gather evidence of growth, and build momentum over time.
You can learn more about Kampus Insights here:
https://kampusinsights.com
Being curious is all about wonder and magic. How do you spark curiosity?I spark curiosity by helping teachers create moments where students get to wonder before they are told what to know.
A lot of times in education, we start with the answer. We introduce the vocabulary, explain the concept, model the process, and then ask students to respond. But curiosity often happens before the explanation.
It happens when students notice something, question something, make a prediction, compare ideas, or realize there is a gap between what they know and what they want to understand.
That is where Micro Inquiry comes in.
A Micro Inquiry Task is a short learning experience that gives students something to observe, discuss, sort, compare, predict, or figure out before the lesson begins. The teacher then uses guiding questions to help students make meaning together.
It is like lighting a small spark before building the fire. The goal is not to teach the entire lesson in that moment. The goal is to create the reason students want to learn the lesson.
To support teachers in creating these moments more easily, I created the Spark Curiosity AI Coach. The coach helps educators design short, curiosity-based learning experiences that can be used at the beginning of a unit or around challenging concepts.
You can explore the Spark Curiosity AI Coach here:
https://ai.sparkcuriosityedu.com
*What does it look like when curiosity is sparked? What are some results and outcomes from this work?*Some of the most meaningful outcomes from my work have come through the messages teachers send after they experience a Spark Curiosity session, use a Micro Inquiry Task, or try the Spark Curiosity AI Coach.
I have had teachers share that they felt a difference in their classroom almost immediately. They noticed students talking more, wondering more, and participating in ways they had not seen before. Some teachers have shared that the approach helped them rethink how they start a lesson because they saw how powerful it can be to give students space to think before they are given information.
Those moments matter to me because they show that instructional change does not always have to begin with something massive. Sometimes it begins with one small shift.
One teacher might begin a unit with a question instead of a definition. Another might allow students to compare images, patterns, or scenarios before introducing vocabulary. Another might use the Spark Curiosity AI Coach to create a quick inquiry experience that gives students a reason to care about the content.
The result is not just engagement for the sake of engagement. The deeper outcome is that students begin to see themselves as thinkers. Teachers begin to see themselves as designers of learning. And schools begin to see that professional development can lead to real classroom practice when teachers are supported with tools, structure, and follow-up.
That is the kind of change I care about: practical, visible, and rooted in the everyday realities of teaching.
*What is Fearless Educator Radio?*Fearless Educator Radio is music for teacher wellness and empowerment.
I created it because so many educators are not just looking for another strategy or tool. They are looking for renewal. They need something that helps them breathe, reflect, reset, and remember that their work still matters.
Fearless Educator Radio features original songs created for educators around the real emotional journey of teaching: stress, doubt, purpose, courage, joy, resilience, and healing.
The broader platform is Fearless Educator Radio. One creative project within that platform is Fearless: Soundtrack of a Fearless Educator. The soundtrack tells the story of an educator moving from burnout to boldness—rediscovering her spark, reclaiming her voice, and stepping into confidence, purpose, and power.
For me, music is another way to reach the heart of educators. Professional learning speaks to practice, but music can speak to the part of the educator that is tired, hopeful, discouraged, brave, and still showing up.
You can listen and learn more here:
https://fearlesseducator.com
**What’s next for you?****What’s next is Spark Curiosity EDU: The Experience 2026, happening July 31 and August 1 in Austin, Texas.
This is not a traditional sit-and-get conference. It is an immersive professional learning experience designed for educators who want to bring curiosity, creativity, and deeper student thinking back into learning.
The experience brings together teachers, leaders, instructional coaches, and education innovators for two days of powerful conversations, hands-on learning, and practical strategies. We will focus on how to spark student curiosity, how to use AI in meaningful and responsible ways, and how to help educators reconnect with the joy and purpose of teaching.
For me, Spark Curiosity EDU is more than an event. It is a space where educators can breathe, imagine, learn, and leave with something they can actually use.
My hope is that people do not just leave inspired. I want them to leave equipped, connected, and ready to spark change in their own schools.
Learn more about Spark Curiosity EDU:
https://sparkcuriosityedu.com
*About Olivia Odileke*Olivia Odileke is the founder of Kampus Insights Inc. and the creator of LeadSpark Team, a platform designed to help schools move professional development beyond inspiration and into measurable instructional change.
She is also the creator of the Spark Curiosity AI Coach, a tool that helps educators design short, inquiry-based learning experiences that spark student curiosity at the beginning of a unit or around challenging concepts.
Olivia has over 15 years of experience as an educator, instructional coach, edtech trainer, and professional learning facilitator. She has worked extensively with Title I schools and has trained thousands of educators across the country. Her work focuses on curiosity-driven learning, instructional practice, AI-supported lesson design, teacher wellness, and helping schools create learning environments where students, teachers, and leaders grow with purpose.
She is also the creator of Fearless Educator Radio, a music-for-teacher-wellness platform featuring original songs written to help educators reduce stress, restore clarity, and reconnect with why they started.
*Connect with Olivia*Kampus Insights CC:https://kampusinsights.com
Lead Spark Team:https://app.leadsparkteam.com
Spark Curiosity EDU: https://sparkcuriosityedu.com
Spark Curiosity AI Coach:https://ai.sparkcuriosityedu.com
Fearless Educator Radio:https://fearlesseducator.com
Email: olivia@kampusinsights.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviaodileke
“I want every student, teacher, and leader to love to wonder again.
The future belongs to the curious.”
The post Sparking Curiosity, Building Confidence, and Moving PD Into Action with Olivia Odileke (EP185) appeared first on Barbara Bray.
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Kat Crawford, an Instructional Designer and Justice and Accessibility Advocate, specializes in designing innovative digital solutions, facilitating professional learning, and supporting the transformation of school systems to enhance student engagement. Kat never really left the stage—she traded the bright lights of theatre class for designing learning experiences that students actually want to eat up as the Lunch Lady. She spent over a decade disrupting the technology divide inside secure schools, fueled by her core belief: every student deserves a seat at the table—and a learning experience worth savoring.
Your WHY My work spans various roles, including directing and designing national curriculum initiatives, teaching graduate courses, and leading digital adoption for alternative and secure schools, all driven by my passion for student success and inclusion. All of my work is driven by my core belief that all students deserve a high-quality education.
I run on stories. On second chances. On the sacred mess of being human.
Background as an Educational Technology LeaderAs an educational technology leader with over 20 years of experience, I specialize in designing innovative digital solutions, facilitating professional learning, and supporting the transformation of school systems to enhance student engagement. With expertise in curriculum design, technology integration, and instructional coaching, I have worked with school districts in 47 states to promote educational equity and impactful learning experiences.
Executive Director of Digital InnovationFrom 2020 to 2024, I was the Executive Director of Digital Innovation at the Schlechty Center. My responsibilities included:
- Managing school district clients nationwide from the classroom to the boardroom in designing work centered around engagement.
- Customizing district proposals to design innovative work in person and virtually through on-site workshops, meetings, and trainings.
- Driving adoption and implementation of technology in professional learning sessions using educational technology tools aimed at equity, accessibility, and collaboration for all students.
- Leveraging client relations from year to year to maintain proposal renewals and growth opportunities with new and existing districts.
- Working closely with cross-functional teams to support our work nationally.
The Lunch LadyMy alter ego, The Lunch Lady, is an apron-wearing, tray-slinging voice inside every educator, reminding us that meaningful learning isn’t prepackaged—it’s handcrafted, messy, and deliciously authentic. It’s lunchtime, and The Lunch Lady is cooking up something new for
the classroom. The way this came about is when I was asked to dress up like a chef for an ISTE playground. Everyone looked like a chef, but that wasn’t me. I remember Chris Farley as the lunch lady, and that was it.
https://lunchladyedu.com
The Secret Recipe for Student Agency is now Breakfast in Banter
Today’s special? A three-course meal filled with deeper learning, sprinkled with innovation, and stuffed with student agency – served piping hot! Your reservation is ready because every student deserves a seat at the table – and a learning experience worth savoring. Don’t start from scratch! It’s time to reveal the secret recipe for Mystery Meat: Learning experiences worth devouring. Step into the kitchen and start cooking meaningful learning – no more prepackaging or reheating. Let’s transform classrooms into cafeterias of curiosity, choice, and creativity. Come hungry – you’ll want seconds.
Figma and how it is aligned with your WHYI am the Education Program Manager for Figma. We support K12 educators, schools, and districts in bringing collaboration and creativity to the classroom through FigJam and Figma. The current focus includes in-person training, community building, and scaling impact through virtual programming.
Your Consulting Company: How Might WeWe empower school districts to push beyond traditional boundaries by fostering innovative solutions that address complex challenges. We specialize in designing transformative systems and initiatives for educational institutions, with a strong focus on alternative schools. Our services include individual and team coaching, customized professional development, and dynamic workshops. We don’t just respond to existing needs—we inspire new possibilities, helping schools discover what could be and build toward what will be.
Kat Crawford’s Contact InformationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dramatickat/
X: https://x.com/dramatickat
LL (X): https://x.com/LunchLadyEDU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dramatickat
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramatickat/
LL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunchladyedu/
Lunch Lady Headshots: The Lunch Lady Plain Background
I was looking forward to talking on my virtual porch with Kat Craford, the Lunch Lady. I didn’t know about Kat’s theatre background, but it makes sense. She is Dramatickat on social media and uses humor and her theater experience in her presentations. Her stories had me laughing. Knowing how she came up with the Lunch Lady was perfect. She watched Chris Farley and said, I can do that. I just loved our conversation and hope you did, too. Please share the podcast and this post with your friends.
The post Learning Experiences Worth Savoring with Kat Crawford (EP184) appeared first on Barbara Bray.
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Hanna Kemble-Mick, school counselor, dean of elementary school counseling, Indian Hills Elementary School, Topeka, Kansas. Hanna is a 2025 School Counselor of the Year® finalist, Therapy Dog mom, and Tech/AI enthusiast. I met Hanna through her mom, Jerri Kemble, when they were presenting with firefly wings. Then I had a one-to-one conversation with Hanna, and that was it… she had to be a guest on my show.
Your WHY and What Brings You JoyMy “why” is building schools where students are truly seen, where creativity is valued, and where opportunity is not reserved for a lucky few. I root for the underdog, the underserved, and students in rural communities who deserve the same expansive possibilities as anyone else. What brings me joy is connection, continuous learning, dogs, polka dots, and the everyday magic of my students growing into who they are meant to be.
Your Background (what it was like in school, growing up, what you always wanted to be)I grew up in a rural community with a big heart, where everyone knew each other and helping others was simply part of everyday life. My parents, Kurt and Jerri Kemble, modeled what it meant to show up for others, and that spirit carried through our town. All of my grandparents lived nearby, so my childhood was filled with time around their kitchen tables, lending a hand to neighbors, and taking part in community service.
When I was little, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian because of my love for animals. I loved school and felt connected there until my senior year, when my mom became superintendent, and I transferred to the district where she worked. Suddenly, I felt out of place. In true teenage fashion, I joined the track team and filmed basketball games, volunteering for anything that would get me out of the building. Even then, I was learning how much belonging and environment shape a person’s experience.
I am fortunate to have a loving family and live in Lawrence, Kansas, with my husband, Dalton, two dogs, and a cat.
Becoming a School Counselor: Describe what it meant to you when you figured out your calling.I graduated from college with a degree in advertising and began a career I genuinely enjoyed. I loved my job and deeply respected my boss, but something within me kept whispering that the work was not fulfilling my soul. I knew I wanted to make a different impact, so I decided to return to school to become a counselor. My boss met that decision with incredible kindness, allowing me to continue working while attending graduate school full-time, a generosity I have never forgotten.
When I first contacted the counseling program, the response felt uncertain and discouraging. There were questions about whether this path was truly right for me and how a background in marketing and advertising fit into the counseling world.
While I understand their perspective now, at the time, it planted seeds of imposter syndrome and left me wondering if I truly belonged. Yet, as the program continued, so did my clarity of purpose. I discovered that the skills I brought with me, including communication, creativity, understanding people, and connecting messages to meaning, were not detours but strengths. Looking back, I would not change the path at all. It shaped my resilience, deepened my empathy, and affirmed that this calling was exactly where I was meant to be.
Junior Coaches Program
Junior Coaches began as a restorative program designed to support students who struggle with peer conflict and behavior by building problem-solving skills and confidence. The group included older students who practiced these skills together and then took them to recess, where they supported younger students in navigating conflicts and challenges. This felt more comfortable and natural for them than stepping into that role with their own classmates, and it gave them a meaningful way to lead.
Paws and Claws grew alongside it as a project-based learning group where students design, create, and donate pet products to a local animal shelter. I love both of these groups because they move beyond simply talking about skills and instead create depth through authentic skill-building. Students are not just learning what to do. They are practicing empathy, responsibility, collaboration, and problem-solving in real and meaningful ways.
School Counselor of the Year 2025 FinalistBeing named a 2025 School Counselor of the Year Finalist has been a wild and humbling ride. I still catch myself looking at photos from Capitol Hill and thinking, Did that really happen? It has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.
https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/hanna-kemble-mick
For a moment, you feel fully seen, valued, and celebrated as an educator and as a school counselor, and I find myself wishing every person in education could experience that kind of affirmation. The connections, friendships, and shared purpose have been next level. This truly feels like the gift of a lifetime.
Through this experience, I have built lasting relationships with educators across the country and have had the opportunity to share my message about elevating school counseling and keeping it future-focused through keynotes and presentations in districts and conferences nationwide. I am deeply grateful to ASCA for opening doors I never imagined, and for creating an experience I wish every school counselor could have.
Firefly Effect Presentations and more
I have had the meaningful opportunity to present alongside my mom through the Firefly Effect and the Life Hack Lab for Women Who Lead. These experiences focus less on quick fixes and more on intentional navigation, introspection, and reflection. Together, we invite participants to pause, examine their paths, and reconnect with their purpose while building the courage to lead with authenticity and resilience. Sharing this work with my mom has made it even more special, blending a personal story with professional insight in a way that resonates deeply with the women we serve.
AI Integration and what that means for Educators and School CounselorsWhen I present on AI integration for educators and school counselors, I emphasize intentional use and meaningful impact. Rather than using technology for its own sake, I encourage professionals to ask why they are using it and how it supports students and strengthens their work. We explore how AI can expand access to support, streamline tasks, and open new pathways for learning, while remaining grounded in ethical, safe, and student-centered practices.
At the same time, I stress as technology becomes more present in our lives, human skills become even more essential. Skills, like empathy, communication, critical thinking, self-awareness, creativity, and ethical decision-making, empower students to use technology. wisely and to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The goal is not to replace the human element, but to amplify it, empowering counselors and educators to extend their reach, deepen relationships, and better support the growth and well-being of the students they serve.
Hanna’s Keynote in Mississippi
What’s next?Speaking engagem
ents and presentations, writing a book, giving back to the profession, and continuing to be a champion for students!
Hanna’s Contact InformationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannakemble/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hanna.kemble
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannamickedu/
Email: hannamickedu@gmail.com
I was looking forward to my talk on my virtual porch with Hanna Kemble-Mick. I just loved it and hope you did, too. I knew Hanna was a School Counselor Finalist and an amazing speaker, but I also know her as Jerri Kemble’s daughter. When I saw the two of them in their Firefly Wings, I just had to get to know Hanna better. You can see the joy in our selfie from the FETC conference.. Enjoy the post that Hanna created here. Then please share our conversation with your friends.
The post Unlock the Power of AI in School Counseling with Hanna Kemble-Mick (EP183) appeared first on Barbara Bray.
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Dr. Martha Umana, Founder of AIA (AI4Educator), author, and bilingual educator, is known as The Bridge. She helps parents and teachers thrive in the AI era by prioritizing human skills for future-ready kids.
For over two decades, Dr. Umama has worked at the intersection of school and home, guiding families and educators in raising children who are emotionally intelligent, cognitively strong, and future-ready.
Your WhyMy WHY is the child and the adults around the child. I kept seeing students who could produce impressive work, but they could not explain it, verify it, or revise it. When the process is missing, the child is not protected: teachers cannot assess fairly, and parents cannot mentor confidently at home. I do this work to keep learning honest across school and family life, and to build the human skills that remain stable. no matter what AI becomes: judgment, self-regulation, empathy, and truth seeking.
Your BackgroundI was born and raised in Latin America. Because I have lived and worked across countries and languages, I am careful about what transfers and what does not. What I focus on is universal: children learn when adults stay connected, expectations are clear, and revision is safe.
Growing up, learning was a deeply social experience. Adults helped you improve without shaming you. That balance, accountability, and connection became central to how I work with teachers and families. I do not romanticize any system. I simply pay attention to what protects children: high expectations paired with dignity, and correction paired with care.
Early in my career, I held leadership roles in higher education, including Academic Affairs Director and University Professor. Later, I moved to the United States as an adult, built a business, and eventually returned to education in public schools. Looking back, that shift mattered because it gave me the three lenses I needed: system, workplace, and relationship.
AI Changed the Conditions of Learning, and Why This is UrgentAI did not just add a tool. It changed the conditions of learning for children and for the adults guiding them. AI accelerates output, but it does not build the internal capacities a child needs to live well. It can generate language, answers, and even persuasive arguments, but it cannot build a child’s self-regulation, empathy, moral judgment, or ability to verify what is true.
Those skills are formed through guided practice and accountability. If we do not prioritize them now, we will confuse productivity with competence. We will raise students who can perform, but cannot explain, check, or revise under pressure. That is why I say that human skills are the stable line of support when the future is hard to predict.
From school safety to AI governance: why emotional and identity harms appear first.
The Role Shift for Teachers and ParentsTeachers are no longer competing as holders of information. Information is everywhere. What is scarce now is judgment, verification, and authorship. So the teacher’s role shifts. Teachers become accountable architects of thinking: they design what students must know and show independently, what can be supported, and what must be verified, so learning is not replaced by polished output.
Parents face a role shift, too. Parents have a new factor shaping childhood: algorithmic influence. It shapes what children see, what they repeat, what they normalize, what they desire, and sometimes what they fear. Parenting shifts from policing screens to mentoring attention, values, safety, and truth seeking.
The child is the only person who lives in both worlds every day. That is why home and school must be coherent: shared expectations for explanation, verification, and revision keep the child protected.
Coherence before capacity: Protecting teacher thinking in the age of AI
Coherence Before Capacity, and What I BuiltMy organizing principle is Coherence Before Capacity. It means we align roles, boundaries, and evidence of learning first, before we scale tools, training, or adoption. Capacity without coherence just scales confusion. Coherence is what protects meaning, protects dignity, and protects the child as an author of their own learning.
I founded AI4Educator to help teachers use AI in a way that protects teacher authority, student authorship, and feasibility. That is why I built two practical supports.
Question: When AI saturates STEM ecosystems, what protects the learning process?
For teachers, I developed an Epistemic Principle: a simple way to decide what must be independent, what may be supported but verified, and what artifacts make thinking visible. I built the agent to operationalize that in teacher planning, so those protections show up in lessons without adding workload.
For parents, I created The Bridge: a shared language that brings home and school together in the same direction through explanation, verification, and revision.
The Bridge Script, One Routine That Works at Home and SchoolDuring one of my parent education classes, a mom came in upset. Her fourth grader’s writing had been flagged as AI because it sounded too perfect. But when we slowed down, the real issue was epistemic. When the student was asked to explain the writing in their own words, the thinking was not visible.
The child was caught between two worlds. At school, the teacher needed evidence of learning. At home, the family needed homework done, and fast answers were everywhere. So I gave the mom one shared script that works at home and school.
- Show Me: Show me your process: plan, notes, draft, and what you changed.
- Explain It: Tell me in your own words what you meant and why you chose it.
- Check It: Verify one key claim or one step with a second source or method.
- Change It: Update your work based on what the check revealed. Correct an error if needed. If you are right, strengthen your evidence and explanation so that your thinking is visible.
This simple routine helps both teachers and parents protect learning integrity without turning adults into AI police.
The Bridge is available on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-bridge-home-school-7378959523816009728/
Harnessing the Wind of Change:
From Digital Police to Digital Mentors
Book: How to Stay Calm While Raising Resilient KidsBy Dr. Martha Umana and Ioannis Anapliotis
Overwhelmed by endless parenting advice? Craving real‑world tools you can trust and use today?
How to Stay Calm While Raising Resilient Kids delivers precisely what the latest consumer research shows parents need:
Actionable, Science‑Backed Practices, no fluff or jargon, just bite‑sized scripts and routines grounded in developmental research.
Emotional Support & Reassurance, a warm, empathetic voice that reminds you you’re not alone in the chaos.
Modern, Holistic Solutions, from mindful screen‑time strategies to gentle discipline, work‑life harmony, and nutritional guidance.
Available at https://www.amazon.com/Stay-Calm-While-Raising-Resilient/dp/B0FG2LRKQN/
Books: ME Time (11 books)The Me Time Series By Dr. Martha Umana and Ioannis Anapliotis
Born from the heart of How to Stay Calm While Raising Resilient Kids, this 10-book series invites children and families into calm, connection, and creativity, one meaningful activity at a time.
Each book offers simple, open-ended prompts that spark imagination and emotional growth through hands-on experiences. These are not just activity books. They’re invitations—to slow down, to tune in, and to share time that feels nourishing for both child and adult. Created for real families with real lives, the Me Time Series helps you bring calm and creativity into your home, without pressure or overwhelm. Perfect for ages 4 to 9. No special supplies needed. Just time, presence, and a little space to explore together.
Book: Mindful Moments: A Beginner’s Guide to Practical Meditation for Daily Stress by Dr. Martha UmanaUnlock tranquility and balance with “Mindful Moments,” your essential guide to integrating meditation seamlessly into your bustling schedule.
Mindful Moments equips you with a practical toolkit that fits effortlessly into any lifestyle, ensuring that serenity is just a breath away, no matter how hectic your day may seem.
What’s next for AI in 2026 and beyondIn 2026 and beyond, I expect the conversations to grow in three visible ways.
First, systems will move from excitement about tools to clarity about boundaries: what must remain human, what can be supported, and what must be verified.
Second, the assessment will change. Schools will not be able to treat polished output as evidence of learning, so we will see more emphasis on process artifacts: drafts, reasoning, oral explanation, verification steps, and revision trails.
Third, the real differentiator will be human skills. AI will keep getting better at generating, but it will not build a child’s judgment, self-regulation, empathy, or truth-seeking. Those have to be deliberately practiced through routines at school and at home. That is why I focus on Coherence Before Capacity. If we get coherence right first, roles, evidence, and verification routines, then capacity, tools, and training can scale without damaging learning.
The next era is not tool adoption, it is learning integrity: making thinking visible, verification routine, and human skills non-negotiable.
The Future-Ready Classroom
Featured on page 39 of the Eduverse Newsletter
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/693508ed2b.html#page/1
Dr. Martha Umana’s Contact Information https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-martha-umana-4127a31b/
Email: dr.marthaumana@gmail.com
I always learn so much from Dr. Martha Umana. Each time we talk, I find out something new about her and her background. This is why I love these conversations on my virtual porch. I appreciate all the work Martha did to create this blog post that complements the podcast. Enjoy, and please share it with your friends.
The post Building Future-Ready Schools and Families with Dr. Martha Umana (EP182) appeared first on Barbara Bray.
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Dr. Aditya Nagrath helps students overcome mathematics anxiety. He is the creator and founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy. With a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Sciences, he has spent over 30 years in industry as a software engineer, author, leader, speaker, and serial entrepreneur working on projects ranging from atomic clocks to iOS and Android apps to Amazon’s Kindle Fire. Dr. Nagrath shares how confidence and belief are essential in overcoming math anxiety and shaping a child’s success in mathematics.
Your WHY
I help children and the adults who support them overcome mathematics anxiety and build real confidence with numbers.
My mission is to empower children with mathematics. Right now, about 4 out of 5 students start kindergarten unprepared for the kindergarten math curriculum. Underneath that statistic is something very human: a language gap around quantities.
Children often don’t have a solid, intuitive grasp of what words like “three,” “ten,” or “five” really mean, and have not connected them with symbols on a page. When the language and ideas aren’t there yet, math can quickly feel like a foreign language. My “why” is closing that gap—so that every child has the conceptual language of quantity they need before they ever have a chance to say, “I’m just not a math person.”
Your Background: What Math Was Like for YouGrowing up, I was not always the kid who just “got” mathematics. It did not all come naturally. My mother played a huge role in changing that story for me. Every summer, she would gather the math books for the following year and have me study for a few hours a day so I could be ready when school started.
At the time, it sometimes felt tedious, but looking back, that steady, structured exposure is what gave me the understanding and confidence to persevere in math, instead of turning away from it. Early discipline and support are big reasons why I eventually earned my Ph.D. in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Denver.
Because I know firsthand what it’s like not to instantly understand math—and what a difference the right support can make—I’m passionate about giving other children the kind of foundation and encouragement that changed everything for me.
Elephant Learning Elephant Learning is my way of scaling that kind of support and structure to as many families as possible. The system focuses on the language and concepts of quantity first, then builds steadily toward more advanced ideas.
On average, students in our system learn about 1.5 years of mathematics in just ten weeks, using Elephant Learning for only 30 minutes per week. By meeting students at their true level and strengthening the underlying language of math, we help them move quickly and confidently—without the pressure and anxiety that so many of us grew up with.
My goal is simple: to make sure that the next generation doesn’t inherit the same fear of math that so many adults carry today, and instead experiences mathematics as a tool for thinking, problem‑solving, and empowerment.
Book: Rethinking Math Learning https://amzn.to/44bDN94
Book: Treating Mathematics Anxiety https://amzn.to/3KdZy1d
- Resources: Course and Videos
- 30 Second Math Hack and more tips
What’s next for you?Writing a textbook on Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages.
Dr. Nagrath’s Contact Information
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityanagrath/
Website: https://www.elephantlearning.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anagrath/
Email: anagrath@elephantheadsoft.com
It was great to have Dr. Aditya Nagrath join me on my virtual porch. I was one of the students who was anxious about math. I even said, “I don’t do math,” because I struggled with it. Listening to the strategies he shared about making math relevant and real makes so much sense. As a professional developer working with math teachers, I saw the power of math. I could see math everywhere. I understand the idea Dr. Nagrath mentioned about math being like a language we can learn if we practice it. I hope you enjoyed our conversation as much as I did. Please share this post and podcast with your friends, and make sure you connect with Dr. Aditya Nagrath.
The post Dismantling Math Anxiety with Dr. Aditya Nagrath (EP181) appeared first on Barbara Bray.
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With over 20 years as a listening expert and researcher, Dr. Laura Janusik empowers caregivers, leaders, and growth seekers to build stronger, more compassionate relationships. Transforming workplace communication through training and workshops, Laura guides caregivers navigating cognitive decline. Laura’s work is rooted in the science and practice of listening, helping people connect with clarity, patience, and understanding in every part of life.
Your WHY about ListeningI took my first listening course in my master’s level program because my mentor, Dr. Andrew Wolvin, was a listening scholar. I knew he’d be writing my letters of recommendation, so I figured that if I showed a little interesr of his passion, the letters might be better. Within 2 weeks of that class, my life had changed! I couldn’t believe what listening actually was, and how I had been the world’s worst listener for over 30 years!
When I realized that the quality of listening determines the quality of the relationship, I was hooked!
I, too, became a listening scholar, and my passion has been to help people develop better personal and professional relationships through the power of listening.
Most communication problems aren’t about what we say; they’re about how our brains listen.
I help business leaders, caregivers, and coaches strengthen their communication through neuroscience-based listening strategies. When you understand how the brain processes messages, you can create connections, reduce stress, and build trust in every conversation.
Listening to Change, LLChttp://listeningtochange.com/
Listening to Change helps Coaches, Leaders, Executive Leadership Teams, Sales Teams, Groups, and Individuals listen and speak with purpose to increase shared understanding, decrease time on projects, and build a positive company culture. Consulting, training, and coaching are customized for each client.
- Create Alignment
- Deepen Connections
- Grow through Action
Why Listening is an Important SkillListening takes intention, awareness, and practice, and it appears different depending on who you are and the challenges you face. It is also dependent on the context, including with whom you’re speaking, the purpose of the conversation, and your goal.
Whether you’re leading a team, caring for a loved one, or seeking personal growth through coaching, the right strategies can help you listen more effectively, increase trust, and build stronger, more compassionate connections.
Most people don’t think of listening as being a part of communication. I like to use this equation: Communication = Sending Messages + Receiving Messages. And, most miscommunication occurs because of poor listening, not poor speaking. If we learn to listen even 10% better, our conversations and relationships will improve.
How Listening is Important in BusinessListening is important in business because it’s the best skill to create alignment. It is the skill that helps teams get on the same page and work towards the same goal. A business cannot exist without communication, so it seems counterintuitive to me when a business doesn’t invest in communication training.
Listening is the one skill that influences all of those primary business goals, such as getting projects completed on time, increasing sales, and achieving higher customer satisfaction.
There are two best ways someone can develop better listening in business. The first is through coaching, and the second through team training. I work in both areas. I use the ECHO Listening Profile. as the foundation of either one, and I’m a certified coach for Listening Intelligence. The ECHO is special, as it’s a validated listening assessment that identifies your dominant listening habit and blind spot. I use this instrument because it’s a great way to show people what they are listening to and for, as well as what they are missing. It not only helps individuals; it also helps teams, because the group report is an excellent way to ‘see’ how team members are listening similarly and differently.
Aren’t Most Coaches Good Listeners?Most coaches are better listeners than the average person, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t improve. As a coach myself, I know that it’s a great way to help clients build their confidence. I help coaches with tiny tweaks rooted in neuroscience so they can help their clients listen better to their inner wisdom.
How did you get involved with Caregivers and the focus on listening?My Mom was diagnosed with cognitive decline about 10 years ago, and I promptly did what most children do…nothing! I figured she had dealt with and conquered all of her health ailments, and she would do the same with this one, too. Fast forward 5 years to when she got COVID, which really exacerbated her dementia. As the only surviving child, I knew I needed to step in. Communicating with her was frustrating because she didn’t understand what I was asking her, and she often repeated herself.
I realized that if a PhD in Communication couldn’t develop a good relationship with her Mom in dementia, then who could?
With communication theory and brain science, I created a workshop to help others reduce their frustration and increase their connection. It’s been a game-changer for everyone who has taken the workshop!
What are your two workshops around listening for Caregivers?The first is for the child, spouse, or other who wants to support their loved one with cognitive decline: The Caregiver’s Starter Kit: A 3-Part Workshop to Learn What No One Tells You About Communication and Dementia.
The second is the family or group, and it’s called The Caregiver’s Village: A 90-minute workshop for caregivers and friends who want to help but aren’t sure how. The best way to learn more about when these workshops will be offered is to sign up for my email list. You can do that from the “Stay Connected” section of my website’s homepage.
Practical Tips for Listeners Many listening tips can be found on my YouTube channel, Listening to Change by Laura Janusik. However, please give me grace, as I began the channel without knowing what I was doing with that technology.
One of my favorites is When’s the Last Time Someone Said You Were a Good Listener? because I give you a challenge at the end of the video. Try it!
Here are some of my best tips…Tips for Leaders on Listening: * Your direct reports and colleagues don’t know you’re listening unless you respond verbally. Learn the skill of confirming (paraphrasing + asking if you’re right) to increase trust. * Following through is critical. Employees don’t expect you to make all of the changes they expect. Follow through later by letting them know where you took the suggestion and what was decided. I guarantee that employees who get follow-through continue to bring good ideas! * Communication for Leaders: Fact or Myth? Test Your Knowledge! Sign up Leaders Mailing List.
Tips for Coaches on Listening: The most important listening strategy to use is silence. Silence allows your client time to think. * No matter what you call it…summarizing, paraphrasing, confirming, or reflecting…when your client hears back what they just said, they have many a’has! * Communication for Coaches: Fact or Myth? Test your Knowledge! https://mailchi.mp/ff5ac1ab3c8c/95lzskl7mo*
Tips for Caregivers on Listening:* The 2-minute pause is a game-changer. It can take up to 2 minutes for someone with cognitive decline to respond to a question. When we re-ask the question, the clock begins again. Caregivers need to learn to practice silence about all else. * Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s strategic. It’s sipping tea. It’s journaling. It’s taking a walk. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your loved one. * Weekly Tips and Tricks for Caregivers: Mailing List
What’s NextI’m currently writing a book loosely titled, How to Manage Conflict within the Context of Midwest Nice. Conflict avoidance and passive-aggressive behavior are huge in the Midwest, and being ‘nice’ gets in the way of honesty and real connection. I’m going to advocate not losing all of the nice, but focusing more on the kind. Think about that. What’s the difference between someone who is ‘nice’ and someone who is ‘kind’ to you?
Laura’s Contact InformationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurajanusikphd/
Website: ListeningtoChange.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576655810327
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurajanusik/
Email: info@listeningtochange.com
I am so glad that Dr. Laura Janusik joined me on my virtual porch. Laura sat next to me during several sessions at the International Listening Association (ILA) Convention, August 2025. I connected with Laura right away and wanted to follow up with her. Several times, I realized that Laura had been a member of the ILA for a long time and been president of the organization. So I figured if I had questions about the conference, I’d ask her. She was really easy to talk to and helped me whenever I had questions. We connected after the conference several times, and then I checked out all the resources she shared with me. As a coach and in developing my listening skills, Laura opened doors for me that I wanted to share with you. I hope you enjoyed our conversation as much as I did. Please share this post and podcast with your friends, and make sure you connect with Dr. Laura Janusik.
The post Listening to Change by Communicating with Purpose with Dr. Laura Janusik (EP179) appeared first on Barbara Bray.
Play brings joy and happiness to learning. Infusing play in schools prepares kids as future citizens.When you play a game with your friends, how do you feel?
When you see children playing with other children, what do you notice?
Ask a child if they remember the worksheet they filled out last week.Did they have fun?
Do they remember what they learned?
Let’s play more and discover how learning unfolds.Schools can invest in more play through games, interactive experiences, and just making learning fun. Providing engaging activities through play creates learners who become critical thinkers, researchers, and designers.
A few thoughts about PLAY I wanted to share with you.
A Love of Learning Through PlayWhen I thought about PLAY, I remembered my conversation with Katherine Mengardon on Episode #117: Sparking Back a Love of Learning Through Play. Katherine shared her story as an author, innovator, illustrator, and designer. Katherine has written and illustrated multiple books, adventures, and hosts a new program called YourPlay.space, where PLAY is a universal human right. She believes that playfulness is key to re-igniting a love of learning and developing, not only for children, but for grown-ups too.
She welcomes you to the serious business of play.
Adventure Learning and PlaySpace Learning
Go to https://yourplay.space/home to find out more about PlaySpace Learning
Play Through Embodied Learning
The child is the social change maker.
I also remembered my conversation in Episode #109 with Tommaso Lana, who created Embodied Learning with PLAY as an experiential staff development program. He uses multiple sensory, motor, and imaginative experiences to support early childhood professionals in the wonder and meaning of learning. Team-building, parent-teacher communication, remote learning, SEL, STEM, and outdoor education are his forte.
Adults experience childhood physically and emotionally with Embodied Learning sensory constructions through play. This is where they understand how many learning experiences and life skills naturally happen during the first 5 years of life. I hope you check out what Tommaso is doing now.
Adults learn the importance of PLAY by experiencing how children play.
Ignite Joy, Creativity, and Purpose through Play
Learning should feel like an experience, not a checklist.
I recently had a fun conversation in Episode #172 with Michael Wesely, who shared that he had a blast learning how to become that teacher who brings joy, fun, and magic through play to the classroom. As an Instructional Technology Specialist, Michael is passionate about transforming classrooms into creative playgrounds where curiosity is sparked, innovation is fueled with PLAY, and a little fun is always part of the plan.
Michael learned how to turn anything into a game, even reading at home, to excite kids about it. Students were reading for hours at home each month simply by adding a reading punch card and some knight costumes. They were playing and enjoying the learning process.
Ignite Joy, Creativity, and Purpose in Teaching, Learning, and Life with Michael Wesely
Michael found it easy to create magic for them through play and games. It was a reward to see their JOY in the simplest things.
How can you not love seeing that exact moment when a kid has an AHA moment and you’re watching their face light up?
Play and the Playful RebellionGary Ware is a Strategic Play Consultant, Improv Comedian, keynote speaker, coach, and founder of Breakthrough Play, whose passion is to help people become the best version of themselves they can be simply by having fun. He works with professionals to help them incorporate play into their lives and experience how it can improve every part of living, from confidence and energy to attitude and creativity.
Playful Rebellion is a must-read book to help you discover how to find joy and wonder in the mundane again and how to use the superpowers hidden within yourself. In this book, Gary Ware will show you that when you play, your life works better!
Thank you, Gary! I love this book and refer to it when I consider activities for workshops, webinars, and more.
A book about play written playfully! Gary reminds us of the importance of play, not because it’s a kid thing to do, but a human one. ~ Andrew Tarwin, CEO, Humor That Works!
Playful Rebellion: Maximize Workplace Success Through The Power of Play
These are just a few thoughts and resources I wanted to share with you to discover how PLAY can bring joy, wonder, and fun to your learning and life. I plan to share more ideas and resources in future posts on different themes.
The post The Power of Play appeared first on Barbara Bray.
Kymberly Dakin-Neal as a certified mindset coach focuses on team experience design, incorporating individual coaching programs and applied mediums such as improvisation, intentional listening, and creativity.
The post Don’t Trust Your Ears! Head, Heart, and Hands Listening with Kymberly Dakin-Neal (EP178) first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
MIchael Hernandez is changing the narrative by helping educators design assignments in ways that are meaningful to students and helps teachers make the case for why their curriculum matters. The post Episode #177: Michael Hernandez on Changing the Narrative first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Saadia Qureshi is Senior Officer for Training and Community Engagement at Common Ground USA/Search for Common Ground that is transforming how we deal with conflicts.
The post Episode #176: Transforming the Way the World Deals with Conflict with Saadia Qureshi first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Jason Blair is a transformative force in arts education, with over 20 years dedicated to unlocking the creative potential of young minds.
The post Episode #175: Growing Creative Thinkers and Agents of Change with Jason Blair first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Jerri Kemble is an accomplished leader in the field of educational technology (edtech), renowned for her innovative approach and dedication to positive change.
The post Episode #174: EdTech, Design Thinking, and Women’s Empowerment in Education with Jerri Kemble first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Patrick Cerria is a music educator, researcher, author, and speaker who helps teachers, administrators, and school therapists reimagine and expand the role of music in their school.
The post Episode #173: Reimagine and Expand the Role of Music in Education with Patrick Cerria first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Michael Wesely, an Instructional Technology Specialist, who is passionate about turning classrooms into creative playgrounds where curiosity is sparked, innovation is fueled, and a little fun is always part of the plan.
The post Episode #172: Ignite Joy, Creativity, and Purpose in Teaching, Learning, and Life with Michael Wesely first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Marc Isseks believes in the power of learning to engage, inspire, inform, and transform young people so they can become the best versions of themselves.
The post Episode #171: Engaging Students in a World of Distractions with Dr. Marc Isseks first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
As an artist and illustrator with over 20 years of experience in graphic design and multimedia, Jide Fresh is passionate about using his skills to promote mental health and self-development through art.
The post Episode #170: Jide Fresh on How Opportunities are Imagination first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Stephanie Howell’s mission is to create more personalized and differentiated learning experiences that empower every student to overcome obstacles.
The post Episode #169: Empowering Students to Overcome Obstacles with Stephanie Howell first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
A passionate advocate for EdTech, curiosity, and integrating indigenous knowledge to find novel solutions, Dr. Michael Harvey is committed to making education more equitable, engaging, and future-ready and is a strong advocate for public education.
The post Episode #168 with Dr. Michael Harvey: Redefining Education with Curiosity, Innovation, and a Dash of Kiwi Humour first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Melanie Ching is a life-long educator and learner. She is passionate about play, curiosity, and using ed-tech to amplify student voice.
The post Episode #167: The Art of Living in the Question with Melanie Ching first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Chris Pultz loves designing educational experiences that focus on purpose, belonging, and challenging students to thrive in a growingly complex world. The post Episode #166: Fostering a Sense of Purpose and Belonging with Chris Pultz first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Michelle Ament is an educational pioneer who created the Learning, Experienced (LXP) model as Chief Academic Officer at ProSolve and is co-founder of the Human Intelligence Movement. The post Episode #165: Developing Human-Centered Skills in an AI World with Dr. Michelle Ament first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Kapono Ciotti, a leader in social-constructivist education, directs the PEAK Distinction Model and promotes student-driven impact education globally. The post Episode #164: Shaping the Future of Education with Dr. Kapono Ciotti first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Aaron Moniz is the co-founder, director, and lead facilitator of Inspire Citizens. He focuses on social issues, human rights, anti-racism and anti-homophobia, environmentalism, animal rights, etc. through Punk. The post Episode #163: The Blueprint for EMPATHY to IMPACT with Aaron Moniz first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
We are Barbara Gruener and Barbara Bray excited to talk about “Gratitude” which is close to our hearts. We discuss why it is important to have gratitude as a daily habit.
The post Reflection #19: Power of Gratitude with the Barbaras first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Kaylah Holland works to restore justice and shares the importance of books over bars, education over incarceration, and her book, Putting Out Fires. The post Episode #162: Empowering Educators and Championing Student-Centered Classrooms first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez is the Director of Special Programs in a public school in Texas. She coordinates multiple programs: Special Education, 504, Homeless, MTSS, and Dyslexia as a part of BETTER. The post Episode #161: Being a Part of Better with Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Jennifer Womble has been nationally recognized for over 30 years of leadership, for 15 years as conference chair of FETC, and for creating high-quality professional development in education technology.
The post Episode #160: Shaping the Future of Education Technology and Leadership with Jennifer Womble first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Cara founded Big World of Little Dude, an educational platform that focuses on teaching social and emotional skills to children aged 3-6 through a comprehensive "humanKIND Curriculum."
The post Episode #159: Nurturing Social-Emotional Learning for a Brighter Future with Cara Zelas first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Brian Curcio is the visionary behind Rapunzl, an EdTech game-changer reshaping financial education that fosters independent learning and outstanding student outcomes. The post Episode #158: Empowering Students through Financial Literacy with Brian Curcio first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Kevin Honeycutt is a technology integrationist, staff developer, musician, and songwriter. He has worked with teachers and students and delivered keynotes to audiences around the world.
The post Episode #157: Growing Learners in Challenging Times with Kevin Honeycutt first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Erik Francis, Maverik Education owner, provides socially and emotionally supportive teaching and learning experiences.
The post Episode #156: Rethinking the Why of Teaching and Learning with Erik Francis first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Priten Shah creates innovative solutions that meet diverse learner needs, leveraging experiences globally ranging from civics education to AI-enhanced classrooms.
The post Episode #155: Role of AI in the Future of Education with Priten Shah first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Janella Watson is renowned for creating curricula and play experiences that center equity and spark joy, learning, and whole-family engagement.
The post Episode #154: Creativity, Play, and Experiential Learning with Janella Watson first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Asia Lyons is the founder of Lyons Educational Consulting LLC that supports schools through equity auditing, culturally responsive programming and curriculum, and job-embedded coaching.
The post Episode #153: Just Keep Showing UP and Always Learning with Dr. Asia Lyons first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Sylvester Chisom is the CEO and founder of Global CTE Learning, entrepreneur, the author of 4 best-selling books including, "Manifest Greatness,” and hosts the podcast, Global CTE Podcast about unleashing potential.
The post Episode #152: Principles to Unleash Your Potential with Sylvester Chisom first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Jennifer facilitates dynamic, interactive workshops for teachers, leaders, and students, working to amplify student voice, to provide the tools for high-quality project-based learning.
The post Episode #151: Educating with Hope, Optimism and Courage with Jennifer D. Klein first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Elliot Washor is co-founder of Big Picture learning and B-UnBound, and co-author of “Leaving to Learn” and his recent book “Learning to Leave.”
The post Episode #150: New Ways, New Forms, and New Measures for Learning with Elliot Washor first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Mark Hines is the Director of Kupu Hou Academy at Mid-Pacific Institute, a professional learning organization that supports deeper learning practices for teachers and school leaders.
The post Episode #149: Weaving Core Values, Curiosity, and Joy with Dr. Mark Hines first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Maxwell Roach is a children’s book author, leads a multi-center child care organization as CEO, and also works as an Operations Director and Consultant for e-commerce tech companies globally. The post Episode 148#: The “3 L’s”: Love It, Learn It, and Live It with Maxwell Roach first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
John Miller is head of school of Eton School in Mexico City. His journey started in in LA with detours to Oakland, Rio de Janeiro, and more on the way to his dream school in Mexico. The post Episode #147: Value Exceeds Circumstance with John Miller first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Qin Coe is a Professional Coach and a martial artist. She is a passionate enabler with 16 years of experience unlocking personal and business potential and igniting lasting positive changes. The post Episode #146: Unlocking Potential and Igniting Positive Changes with Qin Coe first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Carolyn Foote is an educator/librarian, a White House Champion of Change, provides Library design, is a keynoter, a Lilead Fellow, and the co-founder of #FReadomFighter.
The post Episode #145: FReadom Fighters with Carolyn Foote first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Tim Taylor is president of America Succeeds whose vision is about building public education systems to prepare all students to succeed in the competitive global economy. The post Episode #144: Durable Skills and Stackable Credentials with Tim Taylor first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Chris Quinn showcases Profiles In Ed Leadership hosted on Twitter and on his web page. He offers #QoftheWeek, #WWEd (Wednesday Wellness or Wednesday Wisdom), #FFP (Friday Follow Party) and through his other Twitter @Gratefuledu64. Chris also hosted his own Kinder L.I.G.H.T.S. podcast. The post Episode #143: Servant Leadership…In Gratitude with Chris Quinn first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Josh Tovar is a proud Team Member at Memorial Pathway Academy in Garland, Texas. Josh is an engaging, inspirational educator who knows Kids DO NOT care how much you know until they know how much you care. The post Episode #142: No More Orange Jumpsuits with Josh Tovar first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Charles Williams, host of The Counter Narrative Podcast, co-host of Inside the Principal's Office, and co-author of "Inside the Principal's Office,” Charles launched CW Consulting to focus on helping institutions to unlock their potential and delivering results.
The post Episode #141: Intersection of Education, Leadership and Equity with Charles Williams first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dubbed “Green Screen Gal”, Erika shares her creative media and mindfulness passions as a featured speaker at conferences, provides district professional development, hosts online webinars, and co-hosted the Green Screen Summit.
The post Episode #140: Cultivating Compassion through Creativity with Erika Sandstrom first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
PJ Brady does values-based leadership work in organizations. From that work, he started “Brave Smart Kind” as foundational core values to describe how people feel on the inside, something to develop confidence, something they could control.
The post Episode #139: Raising Kids to be Brave, Smart, and Kind with PJ Brady first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Melisa Hayes transforms her 2nd grade class into a culture of joy with learner-centered projects. This conversation will empower you to check out the post about Project Runway, Zoomsnaps, and Kindness projects. The post Episode #138: Engaging Inclusive Environments While Empowering Learners with Melisa Hayes first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Johannes Castner works for several consultancies in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Machine Learning (ML) and Human-Centered Ethical AI as an important sense of collective intelligence. Johannes pivoted CollectiWise as his consultancy around collective intelligence and the Capability Sensitive Design framework for AI.
Your WHY
As a descendant of European Jews as well as Germans, growing up in Germany, I grew up in the shadow of a particularly evil dystopian episode that we are all too familiar with. This episode of history and the great hopes of mostly secular Jewish social and reform thinkers from the 19th and early 20th centuries Germany are the building blocks of my why. We need to consciously build our society towards a utopia of our own making or we will end up being manipulated and stripped of our human dignity.
Your Background
My life story is hard to believe if I hadn’t lived it myself; I went from being a social outcast of sorts in Austria (having been raised in Northern Germany but moved to Vienna as a 12-year-old boy) to being the world’s happiest homeless camper in Los Angeles, to being an Ivy League student graduating magna cum laude from Columbia University in economics and cultural anthropology to working at the Federal Reserve Bank to working in Silicon Valley. All of it is part of a series of ethnographic studies in a way. This is, of course, a very crude bird's eye view of my past life that only is meant to serve as a backdrop for what I’m doing now: I’m a freelance consultant as a machine learning engineer and data scientist.
Growing up and Moving On
When I was 6, I was sent to a dormitory in Austria for troubled kids. I had no education for the six years I was there. My mother took me out of there when I was 12 to Vienna. She homeschooled me in the manner of Summerhill schools in the US. When I was 14, I became an apprentice as a stonemason. I wanted to go to the US so I flipped a coin to choose between New York and Los Angeles. Los Angeles won.
I came to the US as a 19-year-old boy seeking the adventure of a lifetime, and I was not disappointed. I hardly spoke English at the time, and I ended up homeless for some time; the happiest homeless person in America or the world, I believe. After singing in a band and acting in various independent movies as well as being a small-time actor in various TV shows you might have watched for about 5 years.
Your Education
I started studying at Santa Monica College where I took up cultural anthropology and eventually went to Columbia University graduating with a degree in economics. I became a research assistant to the economist Chris Foote at the Federal...
Robert Martellacci is the founder and president of the International award-winning MindShare Learning Technology. He's a champion for igniting student success to help all students thrive through innovative solutions and partnerships in Canadian schools. Often referred to as the ‘connector,' Robert specializes in forging mutually beneficial partnerships between education and technology solution providers.
A passionate lifelong learner, Robert pursued a transformational learning journey earning a master’s in educational technology from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Psychology and Education. His Pepperdine experience inspired the creation of the MindShare Learning Report—Canada’s Learning & Technology eMagazine.
Robert's innovative spirit and desire to see an accelerated pace of change in education led to the creation of C21 Canada–Canadians for Learning and Innovation. A not-for-profit he co-founded and currently serves as its CEO.
Your WHY
“My WHY is really about connecting industry and education, and finding the best products to make the greatest impact to support student success.”
Your Journey to your WHY
I didn’t find my passion until my 3rd year at York University when I changed my major from Economics to Sports Administration. I discovered my passion when playing hockey for the school team. My skills as sports information director doing PR game management and promoting team travel challenged me in every possible way. It instilled in me a growth mindset and I still play lunchtime hockey focusing on healthy living. I’ve been fortunate to have many role models and mentors along the way.
One of my mentors, my coach, asked me to interview a star athlete so I interviewed the legendary Johnny Bower, Hall of Fame Goalie. I didn’t realize that was going to be the start of my podcast career. I asked him if he ever thought he was going to make it since he started playing at 35. He said, “I always believed I was going to make it.” One of my teachers wrote in my yearbook, “the only sign in life is growth.” and she drew a little flower. Teachers don’t realize the power of their words and the impact they make. It was all about having a growth mindset. We remember those teachers and mentors that cared for and challenged us.
I challenge myself to stay in shape. I rollerblade. One tip to stay in shape, rollerblade, don’t run. Running pounds the joints.
One big focus that changed my life was working with Kevin O’Leary, Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank, who started SoftKey Software Products as an opportunity to aggregate many companies under the Learning Company.
Celeste Endo leads the way in Honolulu, Hawaii with CODE dance parties and Cosplay was the 2020 Kaimuki McKinley Roosevelt Complex Area Teacher of the Year and is a 2022 Hawaii KidsCAN Legislative Champion.
The post Episode #135: We Learn From Everyone with Celeste Endo first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Devin Vodicka is the Chief Executive Officer at Learner-Centered Collaborative. He is the author of "Learner-Centered Leadership" where he shares the power of reimagining schools as centers for the intellectual and social development of lifelong learners prepared for a rapidly changing world.
The post Episode #134: Learner-Centered Leadership: Blueprint for Transformational Change with Dr. Devin Vodicka first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Sheldon Eakins. is the Founder of the Leading Equity Center and host of the Leading Equity Podcast. He is also the author of Leading Equity: Becoming an Advocate for All Students.
The post Episode #133: Discovering Your Journey to Advocacy with Dr. Sheldon Eakins first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Colleen Kelley has graduate-level courses in medicinal chemistry and most recently in her 100-level course at the University of Arizona that led to a series of chemistry mysteries in a comic book format for students ages 8 to 12.
The post Episode #132: Potpourri of Clues with Dr. Colleen Kelley first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Kecia McDonald from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, is the EL Resource Teacher for the West Hawai'i Complex Area. She is one of 49 public school educators chosen to be a 2022 Global Learning Fellow by the NEA Foundation.
The post Episode #131: Making Schools Places of Wellness with Kecia McDonald first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #130 is with Vernon Wright, an entrepreneur, speaker, life coach, consultant, and leader, is committed to a life of elevating others with a relentless focus on informing minds and touching hearts around the globe.
The post Episode #130: Let’s Connect, Level Up, and Then Level Up Others with Vernon Wright first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Debbie Tannenbaum is a School-Based Technology Specialist in Fairfax County, Virginia who is passionate about helping students and teachers use technology as a tool for creation to activate and amplify learning.
The post Episode #129: Transform Education by Making Learning Sticky with Debbie Tannenbaum first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Walter Greason, history professor, and dept. chair at Macalester College, MN developed the Wakanda Syllabus. He uses advanced technology to transform schools and communities around the world.
The post Episode #128: Igniting Change through Global Conversations with Dr. Walter Greason first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #127 is with Hedreich Nichols, an author, educator, and consultant who helps educators and districts amplify the voices of all students. Hedreich’s YouTube series and podcast, SmallBites, further help campuses focus on equity in education. Hedreich shares stories of her life in this podcast with Barbara Bray and about her purpose to make change around equity issues happen one small bite at a time.
The post Episode #127: Amplify the Voices of All Students with Hedreich Nichols first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Rita Wirtz reflected with Barbara Bray for Reflection #18 about why teachers are burning out that was based on a cross-post about Teachers Packing Suitcases Filled With Dreams- Walking Out Classroom Doors.
The post Reflection #18: Why Teachers are Leaving Now, Helping Them Stay with Rita Wirtz first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #126 is with Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson, a professor teaching graduate courses in educational leadership, a researcher, and a teacher advocate who researched the ways teachers influence students’ lives. She interviewed hundreds of people about the teachers they remember. This research became the Chalk and Chances project with what those stories mean for teachers.
The post Episode #126: Helping Students Feel Safe, Seen, and Stretched with Julie Schmidt Hasson first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #125 is with Joshua Freedman, a specialist on emotional intelligence, an author, and the Chief Executive Officer of Six Seconds, a non-profit dedicated to emotional intelligence (EQ). He has helped co-develop EQ assessments and published a number of books and articles on the topic, creating an international network of consultants and coaches.
The post Episode #125: Growing Empathy So We Connect More Deeply with Joshua Freedman first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Hal Roberts has had an amazing journey as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and educational consultant. Hal is the author of Make Waves! and started Safe Harbor Academy as a school for kids with incarcerated parents.
The post Episode #124: Touch the Heart Before You Can Reach the Brain with Hal Roberts first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Naomi Toland has researched a variety of areas such as nutrition, neuroscience, and psychology through the lens of education which she shares on her Empathetic Educators platform.
The post Empathy as our Superpower with Naomi Toland (Podcast Episode #123) first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Noa Daniel is a consultant and Chief Building Officer at Building Outside the Blocks, co-founder and executive director of The Mentoree, hosts the weekly OnEdMentors Podcast on voicEd Radio. Noa is a TEDx and the author of the newly released children’s book Strum and The Wild Turkeys.
The post Reflection #17: Becoming the Mentor Kids Deserve with Noa Daniel first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Traci Browder, M.Ed. is a trailblazer in education inspiring and is known best for her innovative, out-of-the-box teaching style with a mixture of Montessori, gifted/talented, and special services all rolled into one classroom environment.
The post Episode #122: Being an Advocate and Champion for Equity with Traci Browder first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #121 is with Sean Arnold who has had a number of roles in his life from construction worker to actor to musician to salesman to a bartender to tv news crew and a number of things in between. He is also a special educator and STEM Coach who has taught in New York City’s District 75 citywide special needs program since 2005.
The post Episode #121: Being Brave Even in Uncertain Times with Sean Arnold first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Livia Chan’s true calling was to be a classroom teacher. Her journey led her to serve on the District Staff Development Team in Learning Technologies and recently returned back to the classroom as the Head Teacher at Burnaby School District - SD41 in British Columbia, Canada.
The post Episode #120: Many Gifts to Discover with Livia Chan first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Reflection #16 is with Stephanie Rothstein Stephanie Rothstein who is an Educational Leader focused on making education more collaborative and less competitive modeling the risks we expect of our students. "Model the leaps we expect."
The post Reflection #16: Learning from Every Interaction and Opportunity with Stephanie Rothstein first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Reflection #15: Dr. Henry Turner shares his story with Barbara Bray about an incident that impacted his role as principal of Newton North HS and his professional life.
The post Reflection #15: Fostering an Anti-Racist Culture with Dr. Henry Turner first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Tanya Gough is the founder of StoryBilder, a creative writing platform for new and aspiring writers. Tanya also writes middle-grade fantasy fiction and science-infused fantasy short stories for adults.
The post Episode #119: Bring Your Stories to Life with Tanya Gough first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #118 Podcast and Post is with Dr. Daniel Fried who is Assistant Professor in Chemistry at Saint Peters University, has developed new methods and content for chemistry education in K-12. Daniel developed this methodology to bring high-level chemistry and biochemistry to kids at https://biochemistryliteracyforkids.org
The post Episode #118: Unlocking the True Potential in Kids with Dr. Daniel Fried first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #117 Podcast with Katherine Mengardon who is an education innovator and writer with 20 years of experience in developing online innovative education programs and resources. She is the author of the three Little Inventors non-fiction children’s books published by HarperCollins.
The post Episode #117: Sparking Back a Love of Learning through Play with Katherine Mengardon first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Lainie Rowell is an educator, author, podcaster, consultant and international speaker. Lainie is also the co-host of the Lemonade Learning Podcast and co-author of Evolving Learner.
The post Episode #116: Evolving to Relentlessly Rethink Learning with Lainie Rowell first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Juliana Tafur is an award-winning filmmaker and workshop creator devoted to using films to facilitate experiences that promote understanding and foster human connection. Juliana runs Orkidea Films and produced/directed the documentary “List(e)n” and later she created the Listen Courageously movement.
The post Episode #115: Listen Courageously to the WHY Behind the Story with Juliana Tafur first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
As Vice President of Strategic Foresight, she speaks and writes about the trends shaping education over the next decade and helps education stakeholders strategize about how to become active agents of change in pursuing their ideal visions for the future learning ecosystem.
The post Podcast Episode #114: Human-Centered Learning with Katherine Prince first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
The Rethinking Learning Reflection #14 is a conversation with Barbara Bray and Nicole Biscotti and her son, Jason about what it was like to have ADHD from a child, a student, a teacher's, and a parent's perspective.
The post Reflection #14 on Why I Can Learn When I’m Moving with Nicole Biscotti and her son, Jason first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Natalie Reeves Billing lives in Liverpool, UK, and is an inspirational teacher, creative author. lyricist, and social entrepreneur. She has a wicked sense of humor and writes fantastical stories for young audiences. Natalie enjoys map making, pranking people, and munching on jelly beans.
The post Episode #113: Be the Change You Wish to Make! with Natalie Reeves Billing first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Jillian DuBois teaches 2nd grade in Clearwater, FL, a learner, and infuser of JOY. Education has been her passion and heartbeat for 20 years where she loves guiding and partnering with her littles and colleagues to help them be all that they can with diligence and patience. This reflection is about her why to impart JOY, her book Liv's Seashells, and her story about her sister who influenced her book.
The post Reflection #13: Choose and Impart Joy in Uncertain Times with Jillian DuBois first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Just listen to Dr. Basil Marin, "JT" Taylor, and Barbara Bray share their thoughts about why now is the time to disrupt the status quo. It sounds as if they're sitting on a porch having a drink or coffee while sharing ideas. It goes deep. Enjoy!
The post Reflection #12: Now is the Time to Disrupt the Status Quo with Dr. Basil Marin and “JT” Taylor first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #112 is with Rich Simpson, a Year 6 teacher, Literacy Lead, from the Isle of Wight in the UK. He blogs about books and kindness and started the hashtag #kindnessripple on Twitter. After talking with Rich about his growing up in Northern Ireland and learning a little about his story, you will want to learn more.
The post Episode #112: Spread the Kindness Ripple through Books with Rich Simpson first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #111 is with Kendrick Thomas (KTTeeV), an Asst. Principal in Houston, certified life coach, speaker, mentor, podcast host of Daily K, and the host of the KTTeeV Radio show.
The post Episode #111: From Tragedy to Triumph with KTTeeV (Kendrick Thomas) first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Why we want to talk about Humanizing Distance Learning Most of us have little choice now about incorporating digital pedagogy into our teaching. But that doesn’t mean we have to succumb to the dehumanizing effects of individualized or digitally driven education technology. We don’t have to force students to use web-based adaptive tools ...
The post Reflection #11 on Humanizing Distance Learning with Paul Emerich France first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Chip Baker is a fourth-generation educator, a speaker, host of the Success Chronicles Podcast, host of the Radio 111.7 Show, a Coach/Trainer for the John Gordon Power of Positive Leadership, and is the author of multiple books, videos, and resources. What it was like growing up I was born in Dallas, Tx. My parents ...
The post Episode #110: Go Get It with Chip Baker first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Tommaso Lana is a performance and consulting artist and creator of Embodied Learning that is a multidisciplinary experiential training program that transforms educators’ communication and collaboration through sensory play, movement, and imagination. If you want to have joy in your life, check out what Tommaso (Tom) is doing to find resources behind the wall to design the future.
The post Episode #109: Play and Joy through Embodied Learning with Tommaso Lana first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Enjoy Reflection #10: Barbara Bray's conversation with Chris McNutt, a 9th-grade digital design and media educator and Executive Director of the Human Restoration Project, on how to build a more human-centered classroom amidst a pandemic.
The post Reflection #10 on Humanized Pandemic Teaching with Chris McNutt first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Joshua (Josh) Stamper, a middle school administrator in North Texas, provides strategies on trauma-informed practices and how to develop a restorative mindset. Josh hosts the Leadership Development Podcast and created the A.S.P.I.R.E. model, which is the staple in his new book, “Aspire to Lead”.
The post Episode #108: Aspire to Lead with Empathy, Creativity, and Passion with Joshua Stamper first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Cynthia Sistek-Chandler shares her journey in Episode #107 as she became a teacher, staff developer, trainer, and professor of educational technology. She works with school sites and with cadres of learners at National University and at San Diego County Office of Education.
The post Episode #107: Engaging Learners in the Online Environment with Dr. Cynthia Sistek-Chandler first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Barbara Bray reflects on empathy during this pandemic. She shares her journey when she lost her purpose and came back by reaching out for help and learning mindfulness strategies. Read her post for her story and tips to have empathy for you.
The post Empathy for YOU in Uncertain Times (Reflection #9) first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #106 is with Derek Wenmoth who is regarded as one of New Zealand education’s foremost future-focused thinkers, and works extensively with schools and systems in New Zealand and elsewhere as they seek to prepare students for their future.
The post Episode #106: Inspiring the Next Generation Leaders, Thinkers, and Problem Solvers with Derek Wenmoth first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #105 is about Turning Potential into Power. Experiences such as the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation in Milford Public Schools (MA), the elementary school principal in Natick, MA and Attleboro, MA, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist have provided Dr. Matthew X. Joseph incredible insights on how to best support teaching and learning.
The post Episode #105: Turning Potential into Power with Matthew X. Joseph first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #104 with Olivia Van Ledtje (“LivBit”) and Cynthia Merrill, a mother-daughter team work together to inspire others to think about the power of citizenship online and student voice. They are co-authors of Spark Change: Make Your Mark on the Digital World.
The post Episode #104: Making your Mark on the Digital World with LivBit and Cynthia Merrill first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
This guest post is a cross-post of Matthew Weimann's post on Intersectionality from his website, The Captain of Class along with a reflection with Matt and Barbara.
The post Reflection #8: Intersectionality with Matthew Weimann first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #103 is with Steve Sostak is co-director of Inspire Citizens, author of the Global Impact School Self-Study, designer and director of the IC Master Teacher Endorsement, co-director of GlobalYouthMedia.org , and a global education facilitator, implementing @SDG2030 into school wide learning experiences.
The post Episode #103 Podcast and Post with Steve Sostak on Inspire Citizens: Impact Change first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Barry Sommer is a Licensed Educational Psychologist, a Marriage and Family Therapist, and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University. He recently retired as the Director of Advancement at Lindsay Unified School District where he was responsible for Lindsay Leads which was the CyberSchool reimagining learning at Lindsay Unified. Currently, Barry and Kelley Layton are ...
The post Episode #102: Reimagining Personalized Learning through Lindsay Leads with Barry Sommer first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Craig Shapiro has been teaching for 30 years. He is a health and fitness instructor at William Tennent High School in the Centennial School District, PA. Craig also coaches Cross Country, Wrestling, and Track at William Tennent. Craig is the host of the #teachpos on Sunday evenings at 7:30p ET, and, I have to ...
The post Episode #101: Making a Difference in the Lives of Every Student with Craig Shapiro first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Team Teaching Sisters, Michaela Loo, and Tricia Pettis shared their journey as personalized learning coaches and classroom teachers at South View Middle School in Edina, MN. They detail three components of the unit guide: the 3Ps, proficiencies, pathways, and profile that begins with an essential question as a great place to incorporate voice and choice.
The post Developing Learner Agency: Guest Post with Michaela Loo & Tricia Pettis (Reflection #7) first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
This post and PDF from Barbara Bray and Hedreich Nichols is a "work in progress" that was created from a conversation they had around systemic racism. There are resources, scenarios, ideas about what or what not to say or do in different situations.
The post Where are you on your journey in understanding systemic racism? with Hedreich & Barbara (Reflection #6) first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Laura Robb, an author, teacher, coach, and speaker who has completed more than 43 years of teaching in grades 4-8 and has written more than 25 books for teachers. She presently coaches teachers in reading/writing workshops at Powhatan School in Virginia and coaches teachers in grades K-8 in Staunton, Virginia, Long Island, and Ann ...
The post Episode #100: Empowering Striving Readers and Writers with Laura Robb first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
I have known Joan Young for over 10 years and realize through her background in psychology and teaching that we needed to connect. After talking for a few minutes on May 31st, we decided it was a good idea to discuss some of the issues around emotional health during this pandemic and issues around ...
The post Reflection #5: Being Intentional to Build Resilience and Hope with Joan Young and Barbara Bray first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #99. Elisabeth Bostwick is a multi-award-winning educator who is passionate about creating the conditions to spark curiosity and unleash creativity to empower learning. She is the author of Take the L.E.A.P.: Ignite a Culture of Innovation and speaks nationally and internationally.
The post Episode #99: Spark Curiosity, Ignite Passion, Empower Voice with Elisabeth Bostwick first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
I am so honored to know Kecia McDonald and to learn why mental health awareness is important all the time. Kecia is Curriculum Coordinator at Kealakehe Intermediate School and a certified health teacher for K-12. I reached out to Kecia to reflect on positive mental health. What is good mental health? Why is it ...
The post Reflection #4 on Mental Health Awareness All Year Long with Kecia McDonald and Barbara Bray first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #98 is with Dr. Michael Crawford who is the co-founder of EdSpace, the social learning network for the world of education. At EdSpace, he's the lead on product development, strategy, and community engagement. Enjoy the deep conversations with Michael and Barbara in this episode.
The post Episode #98: Learning + Connection + Human Flourishing with Dr. Michael Crawford first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #97 is with Roman Nowak, an HS ELA Teacher in Rockland, Ontario, Canada who is passionate about student success, school transformation, and building HOPE in schools through authentic learning experiences. Roman is the host of BuildHOPEedu and among many other things, a Fitness Enthusiast.
The post Episode #97: Build Hope and Spread Kindness to Impact Globally with Roman Nowak first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Barbara Bray and Ilene Winokur were sharing ideas during a podcast and decided to record their reflections on our sense of belonging and re-defining our WHY during COVID-19
The post Reflection #3: Belonging and Our WHY during this Pandemic with Ilene Winokur and Barbara Bray first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Jennifer Appel has been teaching for 21 years and is a teacher and coach at Enterprise Middle School in West Richland, Washington. She helped launch a blog about School Culture and helped roll out a student-led leadership podcast called the Award-Winning Culture. Jennifer as part of the coveted Teach Better Speakers Network presents at ...
The post Episode #96: Creating an Award-Winning Culture Leading with Kindness and Empathy with Jennifer Appel first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
I’ve been staying at home for over a month. I have experienced being alone and working from home for some time — actually years. I have been able to do this because I have the Internet. I’m privileged to have the resources and fortunate to have connections to family, friends, and people around the ...
The post Reflection #2: My Why While Staying at Home by Barbara Bray first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
What do you do if your child fails first grade? The system can label your child. That label then defines your child. That happened to Lois Letchford’s son, Nicholas, and Lois decided to change the label and his mindset to overcome the odds so he believed in himself. I asked Lois if she could ...
The post Episode #95: Overcoming the Odds for Struggling Learners with Lois Letchford first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Your school closed because of Covid-19. You found out that your students will be off for the next few weeks. You still have to teach them or provide resources so they continue to learn. You may not have taught any classes online. This could be all-new for you. If so, it can be scary ...
The post Reflection #1: Teaching Online –– in this time of crisis with Barbara Bray first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
George Couros shares in Episode #94 podcast about his passion to do what is the best for kids. This conversation was so insightful about what kids can do if we give them the opportunity and access. He shared stories about his books and some of the stories in his books where kids used empathy to solve problems. Enjoy!
The post Episode #94: Empowering Learners by Innovating inside the Box with George Couros first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Carissa Duran is an innovator, coach, teacher, and advocate for equity and for young people to have a voice in their learning. Carissa shares in Episode #93 her story of overcoming homelessness and changing mindsets on what school needs to be for all students.
The post Episode #93: Why Schools Need to SEE Students with Carissa Duran first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #92 is with Andelee Espinosa, a special education teacher, who has been supporting students in high school regular education classrooms for 20 years. She currently supports students in Physics and Biology classrooms at Brookfield Central High School in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Andelee has a passion for personalized learning and teaching students to use their voice.
The post Episode #92: Creating Student Agency, Ownership, and Empowerment with Andelee Espinosa first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Patricia Gartland has been Superintendent of Schools for School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) since 2015, British Columbia's third-largest school district with over 32,000 students and 4,000 employees in over 70 schools and facilities. Patricia instituted what has become one of the most successful revenue-generating International Education Programs in B.C.
The post Episode #91: Guiding Global Citizens, Becoming Tomorrow’s Leaders with Patricia Gartland first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
In Episode #90 Podcast, Barbara Bray has a great conversation with Aidyn Grice who goes to Norris Academy in Wisconsin. Just learning how Aidyn took control of his learning was very impressive for a 6th grader. Make sure you check out the post that goes with the podcast for pictures and links.
The post Episode #90: Being the Controller of My Learning with Aidyn Grice first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Ramsey Musallam shares with Barbara on Episode #89 about how learners need to be curious first. Motivation and engagement are symptoms of curiosity. Listen to Ramsey share the 3 Rules to Spark Learning and his amazing story.
The post Episode #89: Spark Learning to Unlock and Harness the Power of Student Curiosity with Ramsey Musallam first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #88 Podcast and Post with Dr. Michael Salvatore, Superintendent of Long Branch Public Schools in New Jersey. Mike firmly believes affording children access to modern technology and high-quality content creates learning opportunities far beyond the school walls. Mike shares in the podcast how it does take everyone to make the culture change.
The post Episode #88: Ensuring that Children Matter Most with Dr. Michael Salvatore first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #87 is with Evo Hannan, the Design Teacher and Spark Tank Coordinator at Dwight School in Dubai. He is dedicated to promoting design and abstract thinking, innovation and the UN SDGs in education and beyond. Evo's passion for design and innovation is about enabling students to experience the benefits of collaborating with global enterprises.
The post Episode #87: Becoming Agents of Student Agency with Evo Hannan first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Stephen Hurley currently lives at the intersection of two passions. A life-long love of radio (since Grade 4) and a 30-year career in public education in Ontario, Canada. Stephen is the architect and chief catalyst behind voicEd Radio—a 24/7 radio station dedicated to deepening the way we talk about education in Canada and around ...
The post Episode #86: Bringing Your Imagination to Life with Stephen Hurley first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Nicole Biscotti is proud to be an educator and believes that everyone should have access to a quality education that connects them with their purpose. She seeks to bridge understanding, spark conversations, and inspire through her writing. Nicole is writing a book with her 9-year-old son from the unique perspectives of a child and ...
The post Episode #85: Writing to Uplift, Inform, and Bridge Understanding with Nicole Biscotti first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Leigh Zeitz (Dr. Z) is an Associate Professor, Instructional Technology & Coordinator for the Instructional Technology division at the University of Northern Iowa College of Education, Iowa. He has had the opportunity to teach all grade levels from 1st through 12th in Public, Private, and Prison schools. Episode #84 expands on these and other interests that make learning meaningful.
The post Episode #84: Make Learning Meaningful in a Global Society with Leigh Zeitz first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
In Episode #83, Dr. Lindsay Portnoy shares her background and journey as a cognitive scientist, educator, and author who is working to translate the science of learning into powerful and intentionally crafted experiences tailored to each unique learning community.
The post Episode #83: Demystifying Learning So We are Designed to Learn with Dr. Lindsay Portnoy first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #82 Podcast and Post with Barbara Gruener is about "Being Where Your Heart." She enjoys working with people as they discover who they are, what they stand for, what motivates them, and what they want and need. Barbara is a coach, mentor, consultant, speaker, and author of What’s Under Your Cape.
The post Episode #82: Connecting By Heart with Barbara Gruener first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #81 Podcast is with Dan Jackson, a high school business and marketing instructor in North Carolina where his students experience entrepreneurial pathways. He professes that he develops thinkers and doers, not test-takers. After all, thinkers and doers drive innovation.
The post Episode #81: Providing a S.P.I.R.I.T.E.D. Environment Where Students Thrive with Dan Jackson first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Sarah Thomas shares in Episode #80 Podcast and Post about her journey as a learner, educator, publisher, and connector. Sarah tells how she started EduMatch and how she enjoys growing the community and learning from others.
The post Episode #80: Learning from Each Other to Inspire Others to Do the Same with Sarah Thomas, Ph.D. first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #79 Podcast and Post is with Mandy Froehlich about leadership, innovation, and divergent teaching and thinking. Mandy shares her two books and her journey in providing support for teachers with their practice and guiding authors during the writing process.
The post Episode #79: Leadership, Innovation, and Divergent Teaching with Mandy Froehlich first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Paul Emerich France shares in Episode #78 about his journey as an educator, writer, and author. He shares stories and strategies that teachers can use to empower kids to develop agency.
The post Episode #78: Reclaiming Personalized Learning with Paul Emerich France first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Connie Hamilton Ed.S. is a curriculum director in Saranac, MI and educational consultant working with school districts across the United States. She is a certified trainer in effective classroom questioning, teacher evaluation tools, visible learning and supports teacher learning in the area of literacy. Connie is the co-author of Hacking Homework and is the ...
The post Episode #77: Ask Questions, Make Connections, Create Systems with Connie Hamilton first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Marialice B.F.X. Curran shares her journey and how the struggles helped her define her purpose. Episode #76 is her story and her work with digital citizenship with her son, Curran.
The post Episode #76: Leading by Hand, Heart, and Mind with Dr. Marialice B.F.X. Curran first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #75 is with Tara Linney who is currently working as an EdTech Coach in Paris, France. She has a passion for advocacy and equity which is what led her to write the book “Code Equity: Keying Girls into Coding.” She is also a leader in Global Collaboration projects. Don't miss her journey.
The post Episode #75: Start with the Why: Purpose-Based Learning with Tara Linney first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
In Episode #74, Cary Harrod shares her journey of being a technophobe to leading the technology integration program at Forest Hills SD, OH to returning to the classroom to see and implement what personalized learning looks like.
The post Episode #74: Like Never Before: Learning in the Modern Classroom with Cary Harrod first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #73 is with Nancy Weinstein, the co-founder and CEO of Princeton, NJ-based Mindprint Learning that she founded with the perspectives of both a parent and an innovator. Realizing a need to address a common challenge for parents and educators, she drew upon her background in science and business to create Mindprint.
The post Episode #73: Great Minds Don’t Think Alike: Embracing Learner Variability with Nancy Weinstein first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #72 is about Trevor Bryan, a K-5 Art Teacher in a New Jersey Elementary School who has two core beliefs about the arts. The first is that the arts foster joy and connection, especially when times or topics are tough. And the second is that the arts help us to make meaning of our human experience.
The post Episode #72: Fostering Comprehension and Joy through Visual Texts with Trevor Bryan first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #71 is with Tonya Gilchrist Tonya Gilchrist who is an internationally experienced educator, presenter, consultant, instructional coach, and curriculum specialist. She specializes in amplifying inquiry across reading and writing workshops and effectively utilizing the workshop model in host country languages.
The post Episode #71: Amplifying Inquiry, Honoring Agency with Tonya Gilchrist first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Rachelle Dene Poth is a Spanish and STEAM: What’s nExT in Emerging Technology Teacher at Riverview Junior-Senior High School in Oakmont, PA. She is the host of the weekly #formativechat. Rachelle is the President of the ISTE Teacher Education Network and the Communications Chair for the ISTE Mobile Learning Network. Rachelle was selected as the ...
The post Episode #70: Taking Risks and Learning from Students Taking the Lead with Rachelle Dene Poth first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Ira Socol is Senior Provocateur and Learning Environment Specialist at Socol Moran Partners LLC. He is a co-author of Timeless Learning: How Imagination, Observation, and Zero-Based Thinking Change Schools with Pam Moran and Chad Ratliff. Ira presents nationally and internationally on the need to radically change the four technologies of school – time, ...
The post Episode #69: Using Technology to Close the Opportunity Gap with Ira Socol first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Meredith Johnson has over 40 years as a teacher, principal, administrator, and now connector of book lovers through social media. Meredith seeks out others to work collaboratively within the integration of 21st Century Learning Skills. Meredith loves working with adults, guiding them in developing their academic skills, and using technology as a tool to ...
The post Episode #68: An Educator’s Journey to Spark the Learning in Others with Meredith Johnson first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #67 is the podcast and post with Jon Harper sharing his journey as an educator, coach, administrator, host of two podcasts, and author of his new book My Bad.
The post Episode #67: Sharing Vulnerability is a Sign of Strength with Jon Harper first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #66 is with Tara Martin who is an inspirational speaker and author of Be REAL: Educate from the Heart. She firmly believes machines and artificial intelligence will never replicate an individual’s REAL identity–the unique strengths, talents and life experiences of every human. Fun conversation you don't want to miss. Enjoy!
The post Episode #66: Educate, Be Real, and Live with your Heart with Tara Martin first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
In Episode #65, Dr. Winston Sakurai shares how he learned that all children can succeed if they are given the opportunities and support to use empathy, design, iterate, and help others succeed.
The post Episode #65: Lead with Empathy, Design for Innovation with Dr. Winston Sakurai first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Pam Moran served as the Superintendent of Albemarle County Public Schools in Virginia from January 2006 through June of 2018. She now serves as the Executive Director at the Virginia School Consortium for Learning. Pam has a clear vision of what educational experiences should be for students in today’s world and embodies the paradigm ...
The post Episode #64: Timeless Learning by Listening and Observing How Kids Learn with Dr. Pam Moran first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Tisha Richmond is an innovative Tech Instructional Coach and high school Culinary Arts teacher from Southern Oregon. In episode #63, Tisha shares about infusing joy, passion, play, and gamified strategies into classrooms to make learning MAGICAL.
The post Episode #63: Magical Learning by Creating Unforgettable Experiences with Tisha Richmond first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #62 is with Jon Corippo, the Executive Director of CUE and co-author of EduProtocols, who shares why we need to remember education is a People Business first.
The post Episode #62: EduProtocols for Infinite Student-Centered Learning Possibilities with Jon Corippo first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #61 on Learning Personalized is about Allison Zmuda's journey to support educators as they create environments that get to the heart of learning on behalf of the learners. Allison shares struggles, stories, her writing, and so much more. Enjoy!
The post Episode #61: Learning Personalized: Habits of Mind, Attributes, and Dispositions with Allison Zmuda first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dr. Jim Rickabaugh serves as the Senior Advisor to the Institute for Personalized Learning, an education innovation lab dedicated to the transformation of public education. Jim formerly served as the Director of the Institute for six years and as a superintendent in several districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Jim is the author of Tapping ...
The post Episode #60: Start with Why and Stay with Why with Dr. Jim Rickabaugh first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Jennifer Casa-Todd is a Teacher-Librarian in Aurora, Ontario Canada, and author of the book, Social LEADia, published by Dave Burgess Consulting. Before this, she spent six years at the District level as a Program Resource Teacher for Literacy and Literacy Consultant, respectively. Jennifer guest-hosted the #rethink_learning Twitter chat that I co-host with Shelly Vohra ...
The post Episode #59: Moving Students from Digital Citizenship to Digital Leadership with Jennifer Casa-Todd first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Jimmy Casas served twenty-two years as a school leader. He is a best-selling author, speaker, leadership coach, and currently serves as an adjunct professor at Drake University teaching a graduate course on Educational Leadership. Jimmy is the CEO and President of J Casas and Associates aimed at serving teachers, principals and superintendents in school districts ...
The post Episode #58: Culturize: Do Whatever It Takes for Each and Every Student with Jimmy Casas first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Heather Wolpert-Gawron is a middle school ELA teacher, 21st Century Learning Instructional Coach, curriculum design geek, and PBL coach. She has written many books including her latest, Just Ask Us: Kids Speak Out on Student Engagement. Heather blogs on her site, TweenTeacher and is a staff blogger on Edutopia, a Fellow of the National Writing ...
The post Episode #57: Kids Speak Out on Student Engagement with Heather Wolpert-Gawron first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Dave Burgess is the New York Times Best-Selling author of Teach Like a PIRATE, co-author of P is for PIRATE, and the president of Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. which delivers powerful, inspirational, and innovative books, keynotes, and professional development. I have had conversations with many of Dave and Shelley’s authors and now see that ...
The post Episode #56: Outrageous Teaching Like a PIRATE in a Class on Fire with Dave Burgess first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Julia Torres is a Librarian and Language Arts teacher at a public high school in Denver, Colorado and writes and publishes on Medium.com for her students and the wider audience. As an advocate for all students and public education, Julia facilitates workshops and professional conversations about equity, anti-bias/anti-racist education, culturally sustaining pedagogies, and literacy in ...
The post Episode #55: Reading the World: Librarianship for the Digital Age and Beyond with Julia Torres first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Hans Appel has been a Counselor at Enterprise Middle School in the Richland School District in WA for the past 17+ years. Recently, Hans launched his own blog about School Culture and this fall rolled out a student-led leadership podcast called Award Winning Culture: Hosted by Wildcat Nation. Hans is absolutely driven to help ...
The post Episode #54: Create an Awarding Winning Culture with Hans Appel first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Evan Robb is Principal of Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville, Virginia, is a recipient of the Horace Mann Educator of the Year Award and served on the N.C.T.E. National Commission for Reading. He is an author of the Principal’s Leadership Sourcebook and a new book The Ten Minute Principal. He has his own podcast, The ...
The post Episode #53: Leadership and Why Mindset Matters with Evan Robb first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Todd Nesloney was a classroom teacher for seven years before taking the leap straight from classroom teacher to campus principal at John C. Webb Elementary in Navasota, Texas. Todd took over a struggling campus and brought in a brand new staff. He used his creative ideas to transform the campus and has been recognized with many ...
The post Episode #52: Stories from the Heart and Sparks in the Dark with Todd Nesloney first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Episode #51 is with Kerry Gallagher who is the St. John's Prep Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, ConnectSafely Director of Education, an EdSurge Columnist, ASCD Emerging Leader, a TEDx and Keynote Speaker, and an attorney.
The post Episode #51: Meaningful Progress to Put Learners First with Kerry Gallagher first appeared on Rethinking Learning.
Bethany Hill serves as Lead Learner, Chief Energy Officer, and Chief Storyteller at Central Elementary in Cabot, Arkansas. She has been in education for 19 years in the roles of kindergarten, first, second, and third-grade classroom teacher, curriculum coach, assistant principal, and principal. Bethany is one of the originators of #EduAR and founder of #JoyfulLeaders. ...
Dr. Katie Martin is the Head of Partnerships-West at AltSchool. Over the last 5 years, she has worked in diverse contexts to learn, research, and support deeper learning for all students. She has served as a middle school English language teacher, literacy coach, new teacher mentor, university instructor, and coordinator of district programs. Katie is ...
Trevor MacKenzie is a high school teacher, Instructional Coach, speaker, and author of two books, Dive into Inquiry and Inquiry Mindset. He teaches at Oak Bay High School in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I was excited to receive a preview copy and write a review of Trevor’s new book, Inquiry Mindset. It is amazing ...