Education Evolution

The guiding principle of Education Evolution has been to light passion among educational leaders and to spark them into action. Over the last few years, I believe we've done just that. And while the work isn't over yet, the time has come to put a pause on the podcast.   As an advocate for lifelong learning, this week on the podcast I'm sharing what that looks like for me right now. I've been working hard to decode what I've learned in acts one and two of life and how I can take those learnings and make act three the best it can be.   Listen in as I share the journey that's happened during many years in education, what I've learned, and what's important moving forward. The journey most definitely isn't over, but it's okay for it to change along the way.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:18] - Aligning learner experience with passion and purpose [1:40] - Lifelong passion and purpose as important guiding lights in every phase [3:30] - Processing & reflecting [5:02] - How to encourage lifelong learning in the third act [5:28] - Takeaways from a deep dive [5:48] - There are a lot of resources out there for third acts [10:16 - Exploration going in different directions [11:17] - Fitness has a role in third act well-being [12:20] - Importance of community in longevity [14:07] - Reengaging in spiritual community [15:09] - The next phase for me   Links & Resources   Third Act Environmental Boomer Community Third Act Magazine: Aging with Confidence (with free online digital materials) Life's Third Act TEDx Talk Annual Life Review Process Psychology Today Life Review article Successful People article The Third Act: Reinventing Your Next Chapter book Wiser Than Me podcast with Julia Louis-Dreyfus  Younger Next Year book 10% Happier podcast longevity series  The Art of Anti-Aging Dr. Joel Fuhrman's Eat to Live podcast Blue Zones Microschool grant project for Getting Smart's Learning Innovation Fund Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Reading is simple, right? Not for everyone, and it's especially challenging for those who don't have access to all the tools and resources they need to be successful.   This week we hear from Marnie Ginsburg, founder of Reading Simplified, who has dedicated her career to improving reading proficiency in students. She discusses the critical need to disseminate research-backed strategies to teachers, bridging the gap between what we know and what happens in the classroom.   During our conversation, we explore the scientific foundations of reading, the role of phonemes, decoding, and phonological awareness. Marnie provides valuable insights into supporting children with dyslexia and shares tips for fostering a love of reading.   From extrinsic motivation to the magic of public libraries, this episode explores the multifaceted world of literacy and emphasizes the importance of equipping our children with the tools they need to unlock the joy of reading, even before they step into a classroom.   About Marnie Ginsburg:   Marnie Ginsberg, Founder of Reading Simplified, is a reading difficulties detective who streamlines the science and art of reading instruction so teachers can rapidly learn effective techniques that help students accelerate to grade level and beyond. She also helps translate the latest understandings from science into practical, easy-to-implement activities.   In the late 1990s, Marnie uncovered that her 6th-grade language arts students, on average, were reading 2 years below grade level. And despite her master's degree and enthusiasm, she had no idea how to remediate their word-reading difficulties.   After eventually finding solutions for her struggling readers, she led the development of the Targeted Reading Intervention at the University of North Carolina. Across 15+ years, multiple research articles have demonstrated that struggling K-2 readers grow significantly in reading with the Targeted Reading Intervention (TRI), which is on the federal What Works Clearinghouse and is endorsed by many organizations such as Evidence for ESSA and RAND Corporation's Promising Practices Network. Given the repeated, strong results of the TRI across multiple clinical trials, Dr. Ginsberg expanded the resources and adapted the professional learning approach to provide Reading Simplified for a broader audience beginning in 2013.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:36] - Where Marnie's story of learning transformation began [3:42] - It's not because reading the words are too hard - 67% of American 4th graders are not proficient in reading [4:43] - What we need to prepare readers is known by researchers, but we need to disseminate that information to teachers [5:21] - Two major events that have impacted Marnie's work [6:46] - What “targeted reading intervention” means [9:17] - What pieces of reading are science and what pieces are art [13:13] - Tips for kids with dyslexia [18:13] - Who Reading Simplified is for [19:06] - How to make reading more fun for kids [23:24] - Turbo Time [26:20] - Marnie's Magic Wand [27:20] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Reading Simplified Reading Meetings Interview The Coddling of the American Mind Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

The further away administrators get from their roots as teachers, the more they forget what it's like to be in the trenches. The result is often either a real or perceived lack of empathy for teachers.   Both teachers and administrators have vital roles in the school, and it's important for both to have mutual respect for one another. To achieve this, administrators need to take a step back and really listen to teachers. How? By being more visible, asking questions, and seeking out teachers as the answers to the challenges in their buildings.   This week on the podcast, we're welcoming back author and educator Miriam Plotinsky. She's sharing about her latest book, Lead Like a Teacher, and talking about what school leaders can do to build more trust and a more collaborative school environment. Of course, there's an element for teachers in there too, and how they can look at school, teacher, and student needs through a different lens.   About Miriam Plotinsky:   Miriam Plotinsky is an author and instructional specialist who addresses challenges in both teaching and leading across schools with a wide range of differentiated needs. A strong advocate for student-centered learning, she provides coaching and professional development for teachers and administrators. She has written Teach More, Hover Less: How to Stop Micromanaging Your Secondary Classroom and Lead Like a Teacher: How to Elevate Expertise in Your School (W.W. Norton, 2022 & 2023). Miriam is widely published in education publications such as Education Week, Edutopia, ASCD Express, Middleweb, The Teaching Channel, EdSurge, K-12 Talk and Education World and is a frequent guest on education podcasts internationally. She is also a National Board-Certified Teacher with additional certification in administration and supervision. She can be found on her website or on Twitter: @MirPloMCPS.   Miriam's third book, Writing Their Future Selves, releases in November.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:48] - Miriam's empathy framework [3:27] - Miriam's unique background in education [6:15] - There's a complicated relationship between teachers and administrators [8:19] - There's a need for empathy on both sides [9:12] - How Lead Like a Teacher addresses empathy [13:15] - How to foster mutual understanding and respect between teachers and administrators [15:45] - There's a balance between toxic positivity and and miring yourself in the negativity that exists [17:00] - Unpacking teacher observations and evaluations [21:51] - Most school leaders feel attached to instruction but there's so much happening that they can't always participate [23:41] - A teacher observation that goes wrong [25:08] - Everything you see is data [27:55] - Leadership positions are often lonely [30:47] - Make what you do really transparent [32:12] - Steps school leaders can do to start building trust and a collaborative environment [33:56] - A sneak preview of Miriam's third book [36:55] - Turbo Time [39:30] - What people need to know about closing the teacher-administrator empathy gap [41:32] - Miriam's Magic Wand [42:31] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Episode 132: The Heart of Learning is Intentional Teaching Author of Teach More, Hover Less, Lead Like a Teacher & Writing Their Future Selves Twitter: @MirPloMCPS Visit Miriam's website Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

We all want what's best for our learners, but oftentimes biases get in the way of having productive conversations about what learning should look like in the classroom. Instead, we need to have evidence- and research-based conversations that support what truly works for our children.   This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Darleen Opfer of RAND, a nonprofit organization that's committed to low income and minority students. Darleen started as a special education teacher but quickly saw a need for changes in schools and went on a mission to impact education policy for the better.   We talk about the loss of critical thinking skills as lawmakers remove topics from curriculum in some states, how demographics and culture impact both teaching and students success, and the impact of making decisions without sound and bipartisan research to back them up.   We can all be active in policy making, starting at our own schools level. Parent and teacher involvement is vital in ensuring that we focus on overall coherence in our schools.   Listen in!   About Darleen Opfer:   Darleen began her career as a special education teacher in Florida and then Virginia. After earning her Ph.D. in education policy at the University of Virginia, she became a professor of education policy. She served in that role at Georgia State University, Ohio State University, and the University of Cambridge, U.K.. Throughout her career, her focus has been on using evidence to improve schools for low-income and minority students.   In 2011 she joined RAND as Director of RAND Education. In October 2018 she was promoted to Vice President and became Director of the RAND Education and Labor Research Division; she also holds RAND's Distinguished Chair in Education Policy. Darleen has conducted policy research studies for several local, state and national governments on issues that affect teachers and schools, including recruitment and retention, professional development, and impact of policies on teacher practice. Recently, she's been conducting research on teachers' use of curriculum and how coherent instructional systems impact low income and minority students' achievement.   In addition to her research, she frequently serves as an advisor to international agencies and countries on teaching and teacher education including in Croatia, India, Israel, Norway, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and the OECD.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:35] - Where Darleen's journey of school transformation began [2:53] - Why policy doesn't always work [3:18] - What RAND Corporation does [4:30] - What's happening in politics with some of the key education conversations [5:58] - Dropping curricula, which means they're dropping things that are necessary for critical thinking [7:24] - How RAND gets research out there to impact policy and education change [9:18] - Impact of 4-day schools - the research [11:44] - Solutions for low income and minority students [13:32] - Districts and schools that focus on coherence are more effective [16:50] - Demographic shifts and class culture [20:27] - The idea of transferring paraprofessionals to teachers using stackable credentials [22:51] - TALIS (Teaching and Learning International Survey) Video Study [27:15] - Resources for infusing nonpartisan views in the classroom [30:00] - How parents and educators can influence educational policy [35:51] - Turbo Time [36:50] - What people need to know about creating equity and access for all our learners [38:25] - Darleen's Magic Wand [39:42] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   RAND Corporation Follow Darleen on Twitter Follow RAND on Facebook Connect with Darleen on LinkedIn RAND Corporation: Coherent Instructional Systems Gates Foundation: Coherent Instructional Systems Episode 137: Creating Equity to Improve Education Seattle's “Underground Railroad” library access 137:  Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Hopefully we all know the importance of nutrition early in life, but not enough schools offer nutrition education. And since children often do what their parents do, adults' poor food choices get passed down generation after generation.    This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Cynthia Jackson of Educare about this critical aspect of early childhood development. Cynthia shares the profound impact of a good diet during the early years on long-term health and well-being. We explore how organizations like Educare are addressing food insecurity among families and empowering children to make healthier food choices.   The conversation highlights innovative initiatives like WISE (We Inspire Smart Eating), which encourages children to enjoy more fruits and vegetables, both at home and at school. We also explore the role of family engagement, community gardens, and experiential learning in fostering healthier habits from an early age.   Tune in to discover how education and practical programs are transforming lives by providing access to nutritious food and empowering young learners to develop lifelong healthy eating habits.   About Cynthia Jackson:   Cynthia D. Jackson leads the Educare Learning Network of high-quality birth-to-five schools and is Senior Vice President at Start Early.Previously, she served as national director of training and technical assistance for Healthy Families America at Prevent Child Abuse America. Cynthia holds a master's degree in counseling and health education from the University of North Texas.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:56] - Where Cynthia's passion for education and nutrition began [3:50] - When schools align with dietary guidelines for americans, health, well-being and academics all improve [4:38] - Advancing quality early learning through partnerships and innovation so every child can thrive [6:08] - Wise - We Inspire Smart Eating - fun with fruits and veggies - child led approach to nutrition [9:10] - High quality programming and practice, alongside evaluation and research [10:26] - 4 pillars: data utilization, high quality teaching and learning, embedded professional development, intensive family engagement [11:48] - Exposing children to natural world through gardening programs [13:54] - Turning nutrition into a science project [16:10] - 28% of families report food insecurity [18:31] - Other ways Educare is addressing nutrition and health needs [19:49] - What parents can do to help change habits now [22:50] - Turbo Time [24:54] - What people need to know about the role of nutrition in the early years of life [26:45] - Cynthia's Magic Wand [28:01] - Maureen's takeaways   Links & Resources   Healthy Eating Research Dietary Guidelines for Americans Educare Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

We know that students' basic needs need to be met in order for them to learn and grow. Safety is at the core of this, especially as they discuss ideas in the classroom. And with this safety comes community, connection, meaning, and purpose, some of the most important elements of a school setting, according to this week's podcast guest.   Michael Strong is founder of The Socratic Experience, a virtual school for students in third through twelfth grades, and he's designed schools for students from Alaska to Chicago and beyond. In our conversation, Michael and I talk about why student choice is so important, why psychological safety matters more than test scores, and when parents should search for other options for their children.   Michael reinforces the message that I've been sharing since the start of this podcast: there's no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to education. And it just takes one teacher, parent, or school administrator to start the conversation to create change.   Tune in today!   About Michael Strong:   Michael Strong is founder of The Socratic Experience, a virtual school for grades 3-12. He is one of the most experienced designers of innovative school programs in the United States. His projects include a public school program in which minority female students gained four years' worth of critical thinking gains in four months (on the Watson-Glaser). He later went into Montessori secondary school program design at The Judson Montessori School (San Antonio), The Emerson School, and Hacienda School. He created The Winston Academy, where middle school students passed AP exams, making it the most academically advanced school in the country at the time.   Another of Michael's projects, Moreno Valley High School, a Paideia charter high school, was ranked the 36th-best U.S. public high school by Newsweek. More recently he co-founded KoSchool in Austin, Texas, which combined his high-performance approach to AP coursework and SAT score gains with a focus on entrepreneurial and creative projects. KoSchool, in turn, became the original model for The Academy of Thought and Industry, the high school model for the largest Montessori network in the United States. Students from Michael's schools have been admitted to Harvard, Stanford, Georgetown, Smith, Bard, Bennington, McGill, UT-Austin, University of Colorado, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Parsons School of Design, Quest, St. John's and many dozens of other post-secondary institutions.   He is the author of The Habit of Thought: From Socratic Seminars to Socratic Practice and lead author of Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the World's Problems.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:45] - Where Michael's story of transformation began [3:03] - What is Socratic dialogue and how it's used in online schools [4:50] - How co-schooling with Montessori works [7:20] - Solving for inequity [8:26] - SAT and AP are cognitively rich, but schools don't always have a cognitively rich curriculum [9:10] - Keys to adolescent well-being [12:26] - Simple suggestions to build connection, community, meaning, and purpose [13:50] - Creating metrics for community and purpose [16:19] - Focus on things other than test scores [17:24] - We need a broader conversation about mental health data [19:56] - How parents can support an alternative program for their children [22:23] - What's next for the school [24:10] - Turbo Time   [25:30] - What people need to know about Socratic dialogue [27:20] - Michael's Magic Wand [28:43] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Fear is a Mind Killer: How to Build a Training Culture that Fosters Strength and Resilience by Kaja Sadowski The Socratic Experience LiberatED Podcast Liberation of Education Connect with Michael on LinkedIn Subscribe to Michael's YouTube channel Follow Michael on Twitter and Facebook Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

It's time for schools and universities to serve all learners, especially in an equitable and accessible environment.   National Louis University, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Nivine Megahed, is reshaping education and lives to meet this ever-present need. Their commitment to equity, employability, and social transformation stands as a beacon in the evolving educational landscape.   NLU's focus extends beyond degrees, emphasizing continuous learning, skills, and economic stability. By addressing challenges faced by marginalized students, NLU exemplifies a commitment to inclusivity and success for all.   In an era where education is redefined, NLU's model reminds us of the power of personalized support and empowerment. As we celebrate NLU's recognition for social mobility, their journey exemplifies that education isn't just about degrees; it's about tangible impact and transformation.   Listen in to hear more of this very timely and necessary conversation.   About Dr. Nivine Megahed:   Dr. Megahed has worked in higher education for over 35 years. As an educational entrepreneur, her passion is building innovative student centered organizations focused on student success and empowering our most marginalized populations to achieve social and economic mobility through education.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:40] - Nivine's story of school transformation [3:02] - National Louis University and the needs it addresses [5:19] - Building programs with best practices and data [7:33] - Helping students find jobs [10:04] - Creating a career bridge for students and taking responsibility [12:14] - From internship to post graduate jobs [15:39] - Educational equity in a university [20:37] - How NLU compares to prestigious, pricy universities [23:20] - Meeting the mission of public good [25:40] - Turbo Time [33:25] - Nivine's Magic Wand [34:36] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   National Louis University Follow Dr. Megahed on Twitter Connect with Dr. Megahed on LinkedIn Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Think about the tremendous growth and learning that happens during the first five years of a child's life. These years are a foundation for future success, yet there's often a gap in resources and support.   Thankfully, in a world where government funding for early childhood education often falls short, there are still many out there advocating for comprehensive educational support.    This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Danielle Jordan, a 20-year educational leader who supports youth in the Chicago area. We discuss the challenge of expanding universal pre-K programs to include essential services for children aged zero to three years old and why early childhood education goes beyond mere babysitting, playing a pivotal role in developmental learning.   Everyone should be proactive advocates for increased funding and equitable access to quality education and Danielle shares how to empower parents through engagement and committees and highlights parents' role in supporting their child's educational journey.    About Danielle D. Jordan: Danielle D. Jordan, M.S., M.A. Ed., Director, oversees the implementation of our early childhood program at the Start Early's Educare Chicago school in the Grand Boulevard community. With more than 20 years of experience, Danielle supported early childhood teachers and support staff with planning, coordinating, and implementing education programs. Ms. Jordan holds several credentials, certifications and licensures in the field of Early Childhood Education along with a master's degree in Child and Family studies from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education from University of Illinois at Chicago. Danielle has held various positions within the early childhood development field. She continues to be an advocate for quality early childhood education.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:17] - Where Danielle's journey began [3:59] - How Danielle's personal experience ignited her passion for early childhood development [5:45] - Understanding the importance of Head Start and its impact on families in need of assistance and support [10:06] - Wraparound services offered by Headstart  [16:13] - “Grow your own" approach [20:51] - Maintaining eligibility criteria and supporting families as they transition in and out of the program [23:46] - Challenges of finding affordable quality child care  [26:15] - The role of universities in training future educators and advocates for early childhood education [30:58] - Advocating for early childhood education [34:12] - Turbo Time [36:48] - A powerful message about understanding and respecting the rapid development of children aged zero to five [43:41] - Danielle's Magic Wand [45:21] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

The possibilities are endless in education as technology offers new opportunities every year. But are we using that technology to support teachers, who can then support their students?   This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Jennie Magiera, global head of Education Impact at Google. She's also a bestselling author and former teacher and school administrator. She found her way to education after a transformative school year as a young girl and that's helped her throughout her career as she tries to create that same experience for other students.   Jennie and I talk about her vision for facilitating teacher support. She talks about the need to reimagine professional learning experiences, allowing teachers to start with their hopes in training sessions. And she shares about the recently published Future of Education report, which studied the future of education across 24 countries. In her analysis of these reports, she provides a glimpse into the changing landscape of education. She emphasizes the ongoing need to understand and respect future users of educational technology and elaborates on how these changes affect students, schools, and the broader education system.   If you're looking for a sign that education CAN change, from the inside out, then this is the episode to listen to. With leaders like Jennie at the helm, anything is possible.   About Jennie Magiera:   Jennie Magiera is the Global Head of Education Impact at Google, the Corwin bestselling author of Courageous Edventures and the founder and president of the non-profit organization, Our Voice Alliance, whose mission is to elevate marginalized voices and perspectives to improve equity & empathy in education. Previously, she was the Chief Program Officer at EdTechTeam, the Chief Innovation Officer for the Des Plaines Public School District 62, the Digital Learning Coordinator for the Academy for Urban School Leadership, and a Chicago Public Schools teacher. Jennie uses her classroom experiences to inform her work supporting educators to create new and better opportunities for their students. She believes that despite the many challenges facing schools today, every classroom can be a place for “edventures”: student-centered, passion-based experiential learning. Her work centers around acknowledging problems and finding innovative ways to navigate them so as to allow teachers and students to dive into these classroom “edventures”.   Jennie is also passionate about reimagining professional learning to facilitate more relevant teacher support. She has served on the Technical Working Group for the US Department of Education's National Educational Technology Plan, helped develop the Dynamic Learning Project, and co-founded various conference concepts such as PLAYDATE and Teachers for Tomorrow. She has been recognized for her work as an Obama White House Champion for Change, Chicago Public Schools Innovator of the Year, TEDx Speaker, Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction, Apple Distinguished Educator, Google for Education Certified Innovator, and featured on various programs such as NBC's Education Nation, C-SPAN's Reimagining Education and NPR.   Jennie shares her experiences taking risks in the classroom and helping others to feel comfortable doing the same in her book, Courageous Edventures. You can follow her on Twitter at @MsMagiera and learn more about her work and her book at bit.ly/edventuresbook.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:52] - Where Jennie's story of school transformation began [3:49] - Teaching in NYC to south side of Chicago and seeing disparate opportunities [6:30] - What are Edventures?  [8:40] - Beyond the classroom, facilitating teacher support [10:56] - How can we allow teachers to start with their hopes in trainings [12:55] - The role of Google for Education [15:37] - Google's Trends in Education Report [16:10] - Future of Education Report [18:11] - Looking into the future [26:24] - What's next for Google Education [27:49] - What students, parents, educators can do to help be prepared for future [29:01] - Coming into it with curiosity [36:35] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Exploring the Future of Education with Experts Around the World Teaching for Tomorrow video series Courageous Edventures: Navigating Obstacles to Discover Classroom Innovation by Jennie Magiera Connect with Jennie Magiera on LinkedIn Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Too many parents think they don't have power and choice in their children's education, but this week's podcast guest proves otherwise. During COVID, Tyson Junkers saw his children thrive because they were learning at home in a project-based learning environment that Tyson himself developed. And as schools went back to in-person, his son was entering kindergarten. They visited a number of traditional schools and saw the discomfort in his children's eyes.   After searching for a solution and a lot of discussion, Tyson and his family moved and opened an Acton Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida.   The result is a school that allows children to pursue their life passions while learning, making mistakes, and starting again. The school teaches character and values as part of the learning process, embedding it into everything they do. And it creates a system where teachers are empowered to do what's best for their students instead of holding everyone back.   Listen in to this thoughtful and empowering conversation about how parents have the power to do what's best for their own children, and the community at large. About Tyson Junkers:   Like you, we want to be confident in the school we send our children to. The problem is that conventional schools aren't always equipped to foster children's spirit, creativity, and passion for learning, which made us feel like we were losing our children to the public education system.   We wanted a school that focused on our children's future instead of its own. One that lets children experience real-world, hands-on projects. One that throws away pointless tests in favor of mastery and excellence in everything from leadership skills to community involvement to academics. One that doesn't have teachers but Guides who put every decision, big or small, into our children's hands. And one that celebrates failing as a way to push yourself forward. And we knew we weren't alone.   Like you, there's nothing more important to us than our kids. We, too, would do anything to see them thrive in life and on their educational journey. That's why we started an Acton Academy in Palm Beach Gardens, which has been called one of the most important education developments in the world.   So, instead of your child not getting the individualized education they deserve where they see learning as a choir, your child will discover their unique strengths through family values, Christian faith, and the freedom to explore, create, and grow.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:54] - Where Tyson's path began [7:10] - Why Tyson decided NOT to open a school (and then changed his mind) [9:15] - Key concepts of Acton Academy [10:46] - Making every child independent and resilient [16:20] - Bring past careers and experience into the school [17:31] - How the voucher system works in Florida [19:56] - Competition is okay in schools [22:20] - Growth mindset applies to educators too [23:43] - What is the outcome we're all after? That's what matters [25:32] - The system is holding back great teachers [26:48] - Turbo Time [28:27] - What parents need to know about their kids pursuing their life passions [31:50] - Tyson's Magic Wand [33:03] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Acton Academy West Palm Beach Courage to Grow: How Acton Academy Turns Learning Upside Down Jeff Sandefer TEDx Talk Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Explore the crucial role of school boards in driving student success and effective governance in our latest podcast episode with AJ Crabill. In this week's episode, AJ offers valuable insights into the key struggles faced by school boards and the importance of shifting the focus away from adult inputs and toward student outcomes. He shares the behaviors and actions that set successful boards apart, including how they spend their time and prioritize the growth of children.   Creating a continuous improvement cycle within school boards is so important, and AJ emphasizes the need to clarify priorities, monitor progress, align resources, and communicate results to the community. And he tells us why a student outcomes focus is paramount and how it impacts decision-making and resource allocation.   Furthermore, AJ highlights the significant role of parent involvement in school boards, as they represent the vision and values of the community within the education system. Find out how parents can actively engage in the school board, regardless of their educational background, by focusing on implementing the community's vision and values.   Don't miss this enlightening conversation that empowers education leaders, teachers, principals, and decision-makers to prioritize student outcomes and foster effective governance within school boards. Tune in now to gain valuable insights and actionable strategies.   About AJ Crabill:   Improving student outcomes is AJ Crabill's focus. He serves as conservator at DeSoto, Texas ISD. During his guidance, DeSoto improved from F ratings in academics, finance, and governance to B ratings. He's also faculty at Leadership Institute of Nevada and director of governance at the Council of the City Great Schools. He served as deputy commissioner at the Texas Education Agency and spearheaded reforms as board chair of Kansas City Schools that doubled the percentage of students who are literate and numerate. Crabill is a recipient of the Education Commission of the State's James Bryant Conant Award.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:41] - Where AJ's passion for school excellence came from [3:01] - Key struggles that school boards face [6:01] - What healthy board behaviors look like [7:40] - What successful boards do differently [9:02] - Great on Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail [10:56] - Five steps of a continuous improvement cycle [12:18] - The only reason schools exist [14:46] - Understanding what it means to have a student outcomes focus [21:35] - Where to find support for school boards [22:28] - The importance of parent involvement [25:07] - How parents can go about getting involved in the school board [29:32] - Turbo Time [34:10] - AJ's Magic Wand [36:30] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Get the first chapter of AJ's book EffectiveSchoolBoards.com Great on Their Behalf AJ's Website  Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

You don't have to be an educator to make an impact in education. Sometimes it's a concerned parent, looking for what's best for their own child who can make the biggest impact. And the more parents like this week's guest, Tanya Sheckley, take action, the faster we'll have educational systems and support for all our youth.   When Tanya's daughter needed additional support at school, but the school could only offer a modified curriculum rather than a full inclusion model, Tanya knew that she needed to do something different.   That's when UP Academy was born and Tanya began advocating for educational change.   On this week's episode, Tanya and I talk about how to create more inclusion in schools, why modifications should be available for everyone (not just those with IEPs and 504 plans), what real-life experiences look like in practice, and what others can do to take us out of the status quo.   This is an inspirational interview that will have you thinking about what you can do in your own community. The answer is: a lot!   About Tanya Sheckley:   Tanya Sheckley is founder and president of UP Academy, an elementary lab school which values innovation, empathy, and strength and incorporates a unique neuro-development program for children with physical disabilities. Tanya's vision and mission show it's possible to celebrate differences, challenge what's broken in the American education system, and that all children can receive a rigorous, well-rounded education. She is an edupreneur, author of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms of Imagination and Impact, and host of the Rebel Educator podcast. She speaks frequently on the future of education and entrepreneurship. She is a rebel educator who works with new and existing schools to question the status quo and develop innovative student experiences through inclusion and project-based learning.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:50] - Where Tanya's story of school transformation began [4:24] - Goal was to create a methodology and prove it was possible, then make it available to others [5:44] - Creating universal accommodation [10:42] - Project based learning at UP Academy  [15:15] - Creating Real experience in the world to create self confidence [15:39] - How learners explore STEAM and innovation [18:46] - Where impact and imagination meet [21:27] - Make sure we're pausing and asking the people who are involved what they want [22:27] - Launching a middle school in fall 2023 [23:20] - Creating core framework and philosophy to support other school founders [25:28] - What others can do to take us out of the status quo [26:25] - How can you take things away to give more space for educators to be creative and collaborative [27:32] - Turbo Time [31:25] - Tanya's Magic Wand [33:52] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where IMPACT and IMAGINATION Meet Rebel Educator Podcast Connect with Tanya on LinkedIn Follow UP Academy on Instagram and Facebook Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Though the tide is slowly turning, not enough schools are offering financial literacy education to students, and I don't know of any states that require it for graduation. Some states may not feel like there's room or resources to teach this vital skill to students, but creative teachers and schools can find a way.   This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Brian Curcio, co-founder of the financial literacy tool Rapunzl. It was founded to provide education about investing through fun and free investment competitions with scholarships and cash prizes. And because of the way it was built, students can learn about financial literacy both in and out of the classroom, opening up the possibilities and creating more accessibility.   It's time for life skills to take priority in the classroom and this is just the beginning of what I hope will be a tidal wave of tools to do just that.   About Brian Curcio:   Brian fell in love with the world of investing in high school and quickly developed a passion for financial education after teaching his peers about the stock market. Over time, they realized that ordinary investors have paid a price to learn to invest; and that price typically was real money ending up in Wall Street's pocket. Rapunzl was founded to provide an unparalleled investing education through fun (and free) investment competitions with scholarship and cash prizes.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:35] - Where Brian's passion for his work started [2:49] - What students are currently getting in terms of financial literacy [4:28] - What students should learn about financial literacy [6:06] - Making financial literacy more attainable for learners [7:37] - What teachers need to know to support students through the platform [9:36] - Teaching financial literacy without a dedicated block in the school day [11:16] - Teachers don't have to be the expert [14:12] - Project based learning and growing soft skills [15:34] - What parents can do to help kids get more established with financial literacy [18:40] - Award-winning tool [22:27] - Turbo Time [25:04] - How others can be activists and transform schools [26:38] - Brian's Magic Wand [29:07] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Rapunzl Investments Yass Prize  Follow Rapunzl on Twitter Connect with Rapunzl on LinkedIn Follow Rapubzl on Facebook Follow Rabunzl on Instagram Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Parenting is challenging. We go from being caretakers to teachers to mentors to travel companions and there's a learning curve at each step of the journey. The one that sticks out to so many is the transition into releasing young adults into the post-high school world. There's an entirely new language for parents and students alike and it's not easy to navigate.   This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Colin Pears, founder of Highpoint Education. Colin saw a communication and development need for new college students and created a resource to bridge this gap. So many high school graduates go into college not having the maturity and sense of self to make the most of it. They need support in the transition.   A circle of care is necessary for these young adults, and Colin and his organization have created a resource to make that happen. Tune in for our conversation around what post-secondary education preparation should look like; how parents and students can find the right tools for their needs; how we can reimagine the relationship between students, parents, and institutions; and more.   About Colin Pears:   Dr. Pears is the founder and executive director of Highpoint Education, a company dedicated to providing students and families with the support they need to navigate the transition from high school to college and ensure that students are successful once they arrive on campus.    Dr. Pears was formerly the University Director of Academic Support and Advising and Co-Director of The Center for Academic and Career Success at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He is an expert on student success and retention and has teaching experience at the primary, secondary, and university levels of education.    As a higher education administrator, Dr. Pears developed support frameworks and retention initiatives for high-risk, under-represented, and underserved students, served as a professional consultant, and trained faculty, advisors, and academic coaches on important aspects of student engagement and pedagogy. He holds an MA in Political Science and an MA in Philosophy from Boston College, and a PhD in Philosophy from The Catholic University of America.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:45] - Colin's story of school transformation [4:39] - What happens in transition to college [5:45] - We're asking too much of college students [6:35] - Creating circle of care with public health model [7:40] - Students need to be prepared for questioning their beliefs and figuring out who they are [9:38] - What post-secondary education preparation looks like [15:01] - When parents and students should get started [19:25] - Students can't be effective without the right skills and tools [20:55] - Parents/student relationships have changed [24:21] - The greatest success for parent/child relationships  [26:33] - How to shift the thinking that college is the path for everyone [31:07] - The reality of 4-year to 2-year colleges is vastly different [32:37] - Educational access is important   [34:09] - Turbo Time [44:20] - Colin's Magic Wand [46:12] - Maureen's takeaways   Links & Resources   Highpoint Education Connect with Colin on LinkedIn  Follow Highpoint Education on Facebook  Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep  

Internships play a crucial role in shaping the careers of young professionals, providing them with valuable industry experience and insights. In this podcast episode, Rob Khoury shares his journey of discovering how to create the best environment possible for interns. Inspired by an incredible intern who taught him the importance of meeting interns' needs, Rob offers valuable insights for employers on optimizing the internship experience.   Creating exceptional internship experiences requires intention, ongoing communication, and a commitment to the growth and development of interns. By following the principles of exceptional internships, employers can provide valuable learning opportunities, foster meaningful connections, and make a lasting impact on the next generation of professionals.   Whether you're an organization wanting to create the best internship experience, an intern wanting to benefit from an internship or an educator helping students find internships, this episode will provide invaluable insights.   About Rob Khoury:   Robert J. Khoury is co-founder and CEO of Agile Rainmakers, a high-impact business development consulting and advisory firm based in Chicago's Gold Coast. Previously, he had a 20+ year career in the financial industry that had him in many leadership roles.   Rob earned a BSE in Electrical Engineering at Princeton University and his MBA in Finance and International Business from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. He led personal and professional development seminars for Landmark Worldwide for several years.   Rob is co-author of How To Intern Successfully: Insights & Actions to Optimize Your Experience.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:38] - Where Rob's story of transformation began [3:09] - What is Agile Rainmakers [4:35] - How employers can attract interns that are the best fit for [6:25] - An investment in the intern is an investment in the intern [7:49] - Have interns check in with their friends and bring their feedback back to you [13:21] - Help potential interns get really clear so they know what they're looking for [17:33] - Network to get to know people, not to find an opportunity [18:16] - What kind of mentoring employers should provide [21:39] - 9 principles of exceptional internships - THE BRIDGE [29:53] - We need more organizations to mentor [32:20] - Turbo Time [33:49] - What people need to know about creating meaningful internships [36:20] - Rob's Magic Wand [38:42] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   DeBruce Foundation How to Intern Successfully: Insights & Actions to Optimize Your Experience by Rob Knoury Connect with Rob on LinkedIn Follow Rob on Twitter Follow Rob on Instagram Agile Rainmakers Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Homeschooling often gets a bad rap because of myths that parents believe about it. Contrary to popular belief, homeschooled kids have numerous opportunities to socialize or participate in group activities. And what many families experienced while their kids attended remote school during the pandemic is not an indication of what homeschooling looks like.   This week on the podcast, Mandy Davis, a former school administrator, shares what homeschooling looks like in her home. She shares her insights and experiences in creating a nurturing and empowering learning environment for her children.   In our conversation, Mandy highlights the importance of open conversations about educational options, advocating for children, and the power of community and connection in parenting.   Listen in and gain valuable insights into authentic, student-driven learning and the power of homeschooling in nurturing well-rounded individuals. Let's continue to challenge the status quo and create educational environments that prioritize emotional well-being and individualized learning experiences.   About Mandy Davis:   Mandy Davis is a former school principal with a background in both public and private education. With a passion to provide both a solid academic foundation alongside life-giving opportunities and freedom for her children, she watched her priorities and goals shift.   Bringing all of her focus back to the home, Mandy and her husband, Josh, found themselves moving their family on 10 acres in Central Oregon, and creating the life they had only dreamed could exist. Now a homeschooling, homesteading family of five, Mandy shares her stories and experience to help other mom's find joy through giving their children a wild and free life!   Homesteading, homemaking, homeschool, student centered learning, COVID's learning disruption, charters, distance learning, interest led learning, rise in problematic behavior in schools   Jump in the Conversation:   [2:02] - Where Mandy's educational activism came from [3:50] - What Mandy created for her family [5:08] - what's working for Mandy and her kids [7:26] - Struggles in homeschooling [9:03] - Transformations that come from this model [14:40] - Easing into homeschooling [16:12] - The importance of connecting with other homeschool families  [18:08] - What goes into school choice [22:38] - What's next for Mandy and her mission [23:25] - Turbo Time [24:28] - What people need to know about authentic, student-driven learning [25:15] - How to be an activist to transform learning [26:08] - Mandy's Magic Wand [26:52] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Homebuilt Education Follow Mandy on Instagram How to Get Started Homeschooling 8 Types of Homeschooling Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

We know that every child deserves a quality education, but did you know where the roots started to form for universal design for learning (UDL)? This week on the podcast, I'm talking to a powerhouse in education about the power of teaching different students in different ways. Something just makes sense when you consider how very different we all are.   In this episode, Dr. Virginia (Ginny) Simmons, an advocate for UDL, shares her journey of transforming education to create inclusive classrooms that cater to the unique needs of every student. Reflecting on the limitations of traditional special education, Ginny emphasizes the importance of recognizing different "brain prints" and implementing innovative teaching methods.    UDL shifts the focus from textbooks to empowering teachers as they tailor goals and objectives to meet the individual needs of their students. By embracing multiple intelligences, incorporating personal interests, and integrating technology, educators can create engaging and inclusive learning environments that foster higher-order thinking skills. Ginny's insights inspire educators to harness the power of UDL, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential in the classroom. About Dr. Virginia Simmons:   Dr. Virginia Simmons makes over achievers look like lightweights. Not only is she serving learners and supporting educators fully well past when many may have retired, but she has more degrees than a room full of educators. Ginny has undergrad degrees in elementary ed, English, social studies, four master's degrees in mental disabilities, behavior disorders, learning disabilities, gifted and talented, and then a doctorate in special education and admin.   Jump in the Conversation:   [2:24] - Her accomplishments started when a principal told her to go to college [5:07] - Think in an open way; don't close the door [5:48] - Where Ginny started in special education [8:50] - Educators looked at reasons for universal design and applied it to learning [11:50] - We were creating isolated worlds [14:12] - Research started to show the way to teaching special education [15:38] - Universal Design for Learning is caring for every student in the classroom [16:46] - The textbook is just a book; the teacher is who implements the goals and objectives [18:30] - How many intelligences can you include in one lesson [19:19] - Higher-order thinking skills and technology [24:21] - Teaching prosody [29:03] - How teachers can implement universal learning in their classrooms [32:16] - Turbo Time [43:30] - Ginny's Magic Wand [44:53] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   What is Universal Design for Learning? Visible Learning and John Hattie Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Critical Thinking and other Higher-Order Skills What is prosody? Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Deregulating zoning and occupancy laws is crucial to support the growth of micro-schools, providing diverse educational options for students. But few know what steps to take or who to talk to.    This week on the podcast, Jon England of Libertas Institute shares how changing policies can help create new learning opportunities for students who don't thrive in the traditional education system.    Jon highlights the limitations of the public education system and emphasizes empowering parents and teachers to explore innovative approaches in education. And we discuss the risks entrepreneurs face in challenging traditional norms and building alternative models to create a system that caters to individual student needs.   This thought-provoking conversation with Jon England calls for educational transformation through innovation, individualized learning, and policy change. Together, let's create an education system that empowers students, supports teachers, and nurtures the unique potential within each child.   About Jon England:   Jon is the Education Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute. He is a fourteen-year veteran of public schools. He taught both fifth and sixth grades, receiving Weber District's E+ Team Award. He proudly homeschools and micro schools his children with his wife.   Jon received his bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Utah and a master's degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University. He spent time in the Marine Corps and separated as a sergeant in 2006.   During his time in public schools, Jon increasingly understood the importance of parental empowerment in education. This increased understanding led him to join Libertas to provide educational freedom for families. Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and five children traveling, skiing, and playing games.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:48] - John shares his story of school transformation [3:35] - Deregulating some of the zoning and occupancy laws to help support micro-school founders [6:07] - The risks that entrepreneurs face in education [7:00] - Why create more schools for children? [9:44] - Breakout school for children with ADHD and autism [13:05] - Every child has greatness and it's our responsibility to draw that out [16:46] - Where can we begin to be a part of policy change [20:09] - Our common humanity is more important than politics [22:45] - Turbo Time [23:15] - What people need to know about educational policy [25:47] - Jon's Magic Wand [27:03] - Maureen's takeaways   Links & Resources   Breakout School A for Arizona The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute Episode 128: Making Sure Our Kids are Okay with Jordan Posamentier Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

After watching her son struggle with severe impulse control, to the point where it was negatively impacting her family on a daily basis, Dianne Kosto became a mom on a mission. She had tried it all: private school, home school, boarding school, and even a military academy. But her son was always sent back home because he didn't follow the program.    Dianne, this week's podcast guest, found another way. Neurofeedback technology.   Dianne got trained in using neurofeedback, then helped her son and others in his boarding school use it to fill in gaps in the “brain wiring” that helped the brain regulate more effectively. And what she learned in the process became a whole new mission for her.   This week, we're talking about brain regulation and rewiring to support people with challenges that are all over the map. Dianne shares where it can be used and how it can support just about anyone, because the reality is that we all have dysregulated brains.   About Dianne Kosto:   Dianne KostoDianne Kosto, Founder and CEO of SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training is a Mom on a Mission to make Neurofeedback technology available to families and individuals. She wants to help other families avoid the trauma that her family experienced as a result of her son's brain dysregulation. For years Dianne sought an environment that would help her son thrive as he was kicked out of schools and programs repeatedly. Dianne was given advice by physicians, psychologists, therapists, counselors, education professionals, and school administrators but no one told her about Neurofeedback. When people have dysregulated brains they struggle with physical and emotional pain, life is hard and relationships are damaged. Neurofeedback helps the brain learn to better regulate, when the brain is functioning better people thrive. Dianne knows that Neurofeedback saved her son's life and restored hope for her family.    Jump in the Conversation:   [1:27] - A mom on a mission [1:53] - Dianne's story of change [3:17] - Asking, “what happened to you?” [6:14] - Learned about a neurofeedback company [7:28] - Spark came back to her son's eyes [8:57] - After 40 sessions, he had the pause that he never had before [10:35] - What neurofeedback looks like [13:01] - We all need this in our homes [14:03] - When the brain isn't well-regulated they respond to the same things  [15:05] - Became a trainer for the company, then started own company [16:35] - Requirements for training [18:57] - What's needed after therapy [21:28] - Outliers from babies to peak performers [23:58] - Next steps for neurofeedback technology [26:33] - Uncovering even more issues [28:01] - Getting out of the status quo in thinking about emotional outbursts [30:24] - Turbo Time [31:53] - Dianne's passion for what she does [32:35] - How other parents can be activists [32:37] - Dianne's Magic Wand [35:28] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   SYMMETRY Neuro-PT Follow SYMMETRY Neuro-PT on Facebook Subscribe to SYMMETRY Neuro-PT on YouTube Follow SYMMETRY Neuro-PT on Instagram Neuroscience basics Use for drowsiness detection EEG in meditation Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

The whole college admissions process is frustrating from both sides. Students rely on the school mailers they're inundated with beginning their second or third year of high school. And schools buy student lists and “spray and pray” them with mailers. There's no real science behind it and, as a result, students end up transferring or leaving their college after a semester or two (if they opt to go at all) and colleges are constantly looking for new students to fill seats and meet revenue quotas.   Not only that but students of privilege tend to get better access to college planning resources, leaving a big gap in those who end up with a good fit college vs. those who don't.   David Hurwitt is on a mission to change this. By leveraging research from the dating app eHarmony, he's created a free tool where students can match with a good-fit college. This creates better student successes as well as better results for the colleges and universities that provide data and feedback to the system.   Not every student is meant to go to college, and that's okay. But giving more students access to resources that allow them to forge their own paths is essential. This is a step in the right direction.    Listen in to hear more.    About David Hurwitt:   Dave Hurwitt is an innovator. Over the course of his career, he's led the development and launch of new products and services – from toothpicks to wind turbines – that have generated well over $1 billion in sales.   If you have a large, front loading washing machine in your house, that was Dave and his team at Whirlpool. They re-envisioned the traditional, small European washer for the US market and took front loaders from 1% of the market to over 50% today, saving billions of dollars in electricity and water consumption in the process.   Dave has lived and worked around the world, and is now based in Burlington Vermont with his wife and two Golden Retrievers. Their 3 “kids” have now graduated from college, but it was his experience with them on their college journeys that started his innovator's brain cranking on what became Troove.   Having worked in admissions through grad school, he was amazed by how little technology and the internet had impacted the college search and admissions process. And even more, he was dismayed to discover how often students were transferring or dropping out altogether.   In early 2020, this led directly to his founding Troove, a 2-sided, AI powered platform to help students discover their passions, people, and place based on the real experiences of recent alumni and current higher education students.   An accomplished photographer, lover of history, and avid traveler, Dave has made it to every state but Alaska (so far!) and some 50 different countries, camera always in hand. The same curiosity about people that shows up in his photography also shows up in the new products he creates – always with a focus on human interaction and how we can better blend the old and the new.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:39] - where did story of school transformation begin for you [4:49] - The story of Benjamin Woodbridge's application to Harvard in 1637 [6:35] - What can solve this problem [9:02] - Goal for admissions officers is enrollment, not retention [12:00] - People don't know exactly what they're looking for, making it difficult to find the right school [14:04] - Leveling the playing field in higher education against the bias toward those with more means [17:56] - Why admissions offices need this resources [20:34] - What the process looks like for students [25:26] - When to start using a resource like Troove [32:46] - Turbo Time [39:04] - David's Magic Wand [40:53] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Troove Connect with David on LinkedIn  Follow Troove on LinkedIn Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Research shows that children who have had access to early childhood experiences show up to kindergarten more prepared to learn because they have improved cognitive development, motor skills, and behavior expectations. Those who don't have access aren't as prepared to learn and typically start out their formal education a bit behind. This can cause challenges for years to come.   What we need is tools and resources to help support young children, before they head to kindergarten, so they can be prepared to thrive.    That's what Cynthia Jackson is doing at Educare.   In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Cynthia, the Executive Director of Educare, a learning lab that advances quality learning with partnerships, policy, and research so every child can thrive.   We talk about how children are learning from birth, the responsibilities of early childhood professionals, how data can create a continuous quality improvement mindset, and how other educators can get involved. About Cynthia Jackson:   Cynthia D. Jackson leads the Educare Learning Network, a generative, coast-to-coast network of high-quality birth-to-five schools that function as innovative learning labs for the field of early childhood education. In her dual role as Senior Vice President at Start Early, she works alongside other senior leaders to advance the organization's mission. In collaboration with the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Educare Learning Network school leaders and other early childhood stakeholders, Cynthia advances practice, research and policy solutions to create greater system-wide impact. Prior to joining Start Early, she served as national director of training and technical assistance for Healthy Families America at Prevent Child Abuse America and director of the Midwest Learning Center for Family Support at Family Focus, Inc. Cynthia holds a master's degree in counseling and health education from the University of North Texas.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:50] - Where advocacy for young learners began for Cynthia [3:30] - Children learn from day one [4:18] - What is Educare and how does it contribute to a critical development stage [5:25] - How partnerships in Educare work [8:19] - The difference between children who have had access to early childhood experiences vs. those who haven't [9:25] - How Educare addresses policy [12:05] - How Educare manages the dynamic of cutting vs. adding [13:02] - Innovative learning labs [16:30] - Theory of change model [17:35] - Parents are first and best teachers [18:29] - Ways listeners can help shake up the resources for early childhood education [20:42] - Turbo Time [24:15] - Cynthia's Magic Wand [26:01] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Educare Learning Network Connect with Cynthia on LinkedIn Subscribe to Educare on YouTube Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

We focus a lot on the education of our youth, but people at the other end of their life need resources and education too. Many people lose their hearing as they age, making communication difficult and connection even more challenging. Seniors face isolation, which leads to anxiety, depression, and elevated symptoms of dementia.   What can help combat this is more family and community connections and learning something new. This week on the podcast, guest D'yann Crosby shares her solution to this challenge. And it's ingenious.   As an educator, D'yann has immersed herself in the deaf community, learning and understanding their needs and finding solutions to fill a need for a community that is underserved and marginalized. She emphasizes the importance of providing exercises for everyone, from hitting the beginning of language learning to senior citizens, and looking at the next generation.   About D'yann Crosby:   Dr. D'yann Elaine is a leading American Sign Language (ASL) educator, interpreter, consultant, author, producer, and the founder of Sign with Me, Inc. She is an expert in connecting the hearing and Deaf communities and blazing new trails in this field.   Dr. D'yann holds a Doctorate in Divinity, two Bachelor's and two Master's degrees from prestigious universities. With a passion for social equity and inclusion, Dr. D'yann's goal is to help people expand their perspectives and focus on their abilities instead of their limitations.   With over two decades of experience, Dr. D'yann has dedicated her life to teaching others. She is the executive producer of the ASL Emergency Preparedness DVD Series and Unheard Voices Talk Show, as well as the author of the “Seniors Sign, Too!” book series. Her vision is to inspire a new generation of signers and make a positive impact by unifying communities through language. She has been featured in iDominate (April 2022 and February 2023) and Voyage LA (2022) and on various On-demand and podcast platforms including Power of Praise Network and Unshakeable Woman and Radio Theatre For Your Soul.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:40] - Learning is lifelong [2:00] - Where the desire for impact started for D'yann [4:05] - Equal communication access for those who are deaf and hard of hearing [6:15] - 1 in 3 people over age 65 suffer hearing loss [11:52] - Creating cross-generational and cross-cultural activities [12:50] - ASL belongs to the deaf community [13:57] - Family signing together and learning something new makes it more fun [14:52] - Filling a need for a community that are underserved and marginalized [18:01] - Serving those in the beginning stages of language learning on up to senior citizens [19:19] - How to ease into learning ASL for parents and aging population [23:19] - Goal is to raise awareness of ASL and continue to be lifelong learners, even as we age [24:24] - Turbo Time [31:57] - D'yann's Magic Wand 33:10] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Sign with Me Inc. Connect with D'yann on LinkedIn Follow D'yann on Facebook Follow D'yann on Instagram Connect with D'yann on Twitter Watch D'yann on YouTube Episode 68: Sign Language and Inclusion Literature with Kathleen Marcath Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

It is not enough for all children to have access to the human right of equitable and inclusive education. Our schools need to have a clear sense of the outcomes we want each learner to demonstrate. I've talked in some previous episodes about an amazing organization in Guatemala, Camino Sequro. This week on the podcast, I'm sharing more about what makes Camino Seguro special and spotlighting a few other schools and tying in past episodes where we talk about why clear outcomes, a mission that drives the organization, and wraparound support are so important to the success of our students. Systemic support is necessary for our students, including basic human needs like safety, shelter, and food. Combine these with clear student outcomes and we will see a big and positive shift in the education of our youth.   Jump in the Conversation:   [2:10] - Three aspects of healthy humans and forward-moving organizations [2:30] - Recap of first two parts of this series [2:58] - Looking at mission-driven organizations [4:30] - What I've learned from podcast guests [5:06] - The way we frame direction for students [5:52] - About Philips High School and its mission, vision, and accomplishments [9:46] - How can we get to outcome-based clarity [14:00] - Student outcomes don't change until adult behaviors change [15:30] - What holistic support looks like at LEADPrep [17:30] - My own transition   Links & Resources   Human Rights: The Right to an Education Human Rights: Giving Back Volunteer/Get involved at Camino Seguro/Safe Passage Safe Passage  United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Episode 39: Creating Human-Centered Learning with Jenny O'Meara Edgecombe County Graduate Profile  Great On Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Be Effective Great on Their Behalf - first chapter EffectiveSchoolBoards.com Great on Their Behalf Email AJ Crabill Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep  

Human performance optimization is how elite athletes hone their crafts, but just about anyone can take these learnings and apply them to their own work.   This week on the podcast I'm talking to Ford Dyke, a human performance coach who is passionate about human performance on the field and court, in the boardroom, and in the classroom. Ford shares his journey from graduate school to becoming a subject matter expert in the field, emphasizing the importance of being open to lifelong learning.   Ford focuses on the human side of optimization, where it's essential to get to know oneself so you can support others. Ford believes that everyone is connected, and we all have a brain, set of lungs, and heart. Understanding how we're all connected is one of the keys to growth and optimization. To maintain our energy, we need to stop and return to normalcy, whatever that means for each individual.   Especially in this post-pandemic world, it's crucial to find what works for us and makes us feel good and work those processes so we can continue to grow and evolve. In K-12 education, the focus should be on reenergizing and moving the education system forward by applying human performance optimization principles.   Join us in this episode to learn more about Ford Dyke's work and how you can optimize your own performance.   About Ford Dyke:   Human performance optimization subject-matter expert Dr. Ford Dyke delivers his innovation through podcasts, consultations, workshops, webinars, and seminars.   Dr. Dyke collaborates globally with high-level performers such as corporate executives, elite athletes, physicians, academicians, first responders, and military personnel. His methodology integrates components of his Professorship, Team USA Athlete career, and experience as a Performance Coach for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.   Dr. Dyke's education, professional experience, and personal journey led to the creation of perfor[Hu]mance.® | A multidimensional space for The Human Experience. ​ As a native of the seaside community of Jupiter Beach, Florida, he remains mindful of an ocean breeze and waves breaking on the sand.    Jump in the Conversation:   [2:08] - How Ford got involved in doing things differently [3:28] - Life experiences that make him a human performance coach [5:03] - How have you worked on optimizing your own performance [7:49] - From psychology to exercise science to psychophysiology [11:26] - Course for perfor[Hu]mance [12:56] - The common theme for any performance is the human  [16:31] - Common themes within a wide range of performers [19:34] - How this is applied to K-12 education [22:35] - We all have a brain, set of lungs, and heart [22:34] - What people can do to maintain their own energy [28:43] - Turbo Time [37:46] - Ford's Magic Wand [39:30] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Connect with Ford on LinkedIn Perfor[Hu]mance Visit Ford's website Team USA Handball Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Our youth in low-income communities were already struggling with finding opportunities to become more upwardly mobile before the pandemic. And now they're struggling even more to find resources and often turn to the workforce, delaying higher education. For the last 30 years, Spark the Journey has been creating such opportunities in D.C., providing mentorship and community support to help black and brown students continue their education or find careers they enjoy.   This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Khari Brown about his own journey from his ah-ha moment as a basketball coach, seeing the great divide between the opportunities of his white players versus those of color. That led him to Spark the Journey, which he has grown to supporting more than 1,000 participants and volunteers alike.   In this conversation, we talk about volunteerism, racial inequality, creating partnerships of nonprofits, and more. Tune in now!   About Khari Brown:   Khari Brown is the Chief Executive Officer of Spark the Journey, a 30-year-old nonprofit organization that provides mentorship and a community of support to young adults from DC's low-income communities. When Brown joined Spark the Journey, he was its only employee. He has since built Spark from a small-scale scholarship program to a renowned mentorship organization that has served 1,000+ program participants and engaged 1,000+ volunteer mentors.   Jump in the Conversation:   [2:01] - Where this journey began for Khari [3:57] - What Spark the Journey is [4:53] - How kids and volunteers can get involved [6:16] - What it looks like to be part of the program [7:21] - It's hard to focus on being a student or pursuing a career when your basic needs aren't being met [9:12] - What workforce development looks like for Spark the Journey [13:01] - Town for Tomorrow Alliance [13:41] - What it takes to engage and retain volunteers [16:00] - Roadblocks that Spark the Journey is experiencing right now [18:15] - Ways you can support youth with what they need to succeed in life [19:24] - Turbo Time [25:15] - Khari's Magic Wand [27:08] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Connect with Khari on LinkedIn Follow Khari on Twitter Spark the Journey YearUp Workforce resources at the Debruce Foundation, episode 136 Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Every child deserves an education, no matter their circumstances or geography. But not every child actually does get to go to school or have access to a quality education.    If you have access to podcasts, you likely have privileges that many of our youth and young adults across the globe don't have. You have a roof over your head; you have food on your table; and you likely have a job that allows you resources and luxuries that some wouldn't even dream about.   One of those luxuries is likely time. No matter how busy you are, you don't have to scavenge for food or other basic necessities. And that means you have the means to give back to those who do.   This week on the podcast, I'm sharing part two of a three-part series on the basic human right to an education. In the episode, I share three ways you can make a positive difference in your own life that allows you to, at the same time, give back to others.   If you care about our youth on a global scale, listen in! Jump in the Conversation: [1:15] - Part two of the three-part series [1:40] - Clarifying beliefs about what every learner deserves [2:43] - Our children are facing many issues [4:12] - Three ways people can make a positive shift in their energy [5:06] - Passion and purpose help us all dive into life [6:51] - Implement a gratitude practice in your life [8:03] - Explore voluntourism as schools and families [8:55] - Get involved with Camino Seguro [9:43] - Give your students and kids the gift of being empowered to make a difference Links & Resources Episode 155: [Human Rights Series] The Right to an Education Positive Psychology on Ikigai Blue Zones–Live Better, Longer School the World and their episode 79 podcast New Dawn Guatemala  ME to WE trips What is Voluntourism  Volunteer/Get involved at Camino Seguro/Safe Passage Purple Community Foundation Safe Passage United Nations Sustainable Development Goals More SDG Goal 4 information Episode 39: Creating Human-Centered Learning Great on Their Behalf first chapter EffectiveSchoolBoards.com Great on Their Behalf Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep  

In years past, summer school has been used as a way to punish kids who were falling behind, putting them into remedial classes where there was a lot of rote memorization and dry reading crammed into a short space. While those days aren't fully over yet, many organizations and schools are working hard to create summer school programs that are engaging and allow students to succeed on their own terms.   Imagine Learning is one such organization. Through technology, teachers can personalize learning for students and try out new modalities in summer school. And students can grow leaps and bounds in smaller classes with teachers who are more focused on their needs.   This week on the podcast, Sari Factor of Imagine Learning is sharing more about the benefits of summer school, why we shouldn't be afraid of technology, how we can use summer school as a way to address inequity in learning, and so much more.   If you're an educator or parent who is wondering about the value of summer school, it's time to listen in!   About Sari Factor: Sari is the Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer at Imaging Learning.   She began her career as a mathematics teacher but soon thought of much bigger ways to impact students. Recognizing that technology could greatly transform the way students learn, she made a career move into education technology and has been working to leverage technology to help students, teachers, schools, and districts ever since.   Sari joined Imagine Learning in 2011 and has held leadership positions at successful educational publishing and learning technology companies, including Kaplan, McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin, and Everyday Learning Corporation. “I knew that I could fulfill my vision to combine technology with research on learning to make education truly student-centered.”  Jump in the Conversation: [1:39] Where transforming education began for Sari [2:42] - A tech upside to the pandemic [3:59] - First response to tech is to feel threatened [4:57] - You can't separate school work from work at large [5:25] - How Imagine Learning is maximizing student learning [6:35] - In summer school in particular, you can personalize learning in a way you can't during the regular school year [8:26] - Teachers can focus better in summer school [9:45] - Personalized intervention comes into play for mastery learning [12:54] - The gift of mastery based learning [14:40] - Making a positive impact on test scores [17:50] - How administrators can address burnout of year round schooling and support teachers and students [21:21] - Summer classes can address inequity in learning [24:48] - What learners and educators can feel less daunted about summer school [27:36] - Turbo Time [32:48] - Sari's Magic Wand [34:00] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Imagine Learning Connect with Sari on LinkedIn Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep  

We've all always known that not everyone has the same access to a quality education. We only need to look in our own communities to see the difference. But travel overseas and you'll find children living in poverty that we can't even imagine who don't have access to some of our basic human rights, education being only one of them.   I recently had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala City to visit a school, Camino Seguro, that is trying to change this lack of access for children in its community. Known as Safe Passage in English, this school is just one example of what one teacher can do.   This episode is part one of a three-part series on our basic human rights. We'll cover the right to an education and mental health services as well as how to start supporting initiatives to ensure every child has what they need to succeed.   In this first episode of the series, I talk about the Sustainable Development Goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the loss of services many underprivileged areas saw as a result of the pandemic, and how one school is helping students disrupt the poverty cycle for their families.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:46] - A reminder of my beliefs and mission [2:47] - Safe Passage and the right to an education [3:51] - Learning about Jane Walker and the quality of life in Tondo [3:45] - Families have to choose between sending kids to school or to work [6:06] - Fast forward to today and having a broader sense of what learners need [6:07] - Looking at equity and learning opportunities with a global lens [7:08] - UN Sustainable development goals, adopted in 2015 as a call to action [8:36] - Local public schools in international schools are vastly different from private schools [9:50] - Children in extreme poverty have no access to basic human needs, including education [10:30] - The global educational impact of the pandemic [11:33] - We see the learning gap and how it's grown [12:13] - Camino Segurio's systemic and holistic support to the poorest families in Guatemala City [15:13] - Hanley Denning's story and how Safe Passage came to be [17:02] - Safe Passage is a gateway out of poverty [18:18] - Maureen's Magic Wand   Links & Resources   Volunteer/Get involved at Camino Seguro/Safe Passage Purple Community Foundation Safe Passage United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Traditional standardized assessments are easy to use because they expect every student to take the exact same test. It's easy to grade and inexpensive to administer. But these kinds of tests don't work. They expect mastery at a granular level and don't account for students who are well above or below the bell curve.   Technology now allows us to administer adaptive assessments, where students are taken on a journey and the test is customized to find out where they excel and where they might need more help.   One person leading this charge with adaptive assessments is Nathan Thompson of Assessment Systems. In this week's episode, Nathan shares more about the importance of adaptive technology, how we can do better as educators, and other use cases for this technology. About Nathan Thompson: Nathan Thompson is CEO and Co-Founder of Assessment Systems, a company driven to improve assessment by making modern psychometrics accessible to more organizations, from adaptive testing to item response theory to automated essay scoring.  Nate earned his PhD in Psychometrics from the University of Minnesota, with a focus on AI algorithms in adaptive testing.  Jump in the Conversation: [1:42] - Where Nathan's story of impacting education began [3:11] - What is computerized adaptive technology [5:20] - Adaptive technology is beneficial for making assessment the right size for every learners [6:14] - Where we are as a country in adaptive technology [8:07] - Lots of room for improvement on state assessments [9:09] - How to make adaptive tests more realistic for teachers [10:18] - Difference between formative and summative assessments [11:24] - How to do better as adults [13:31] - How it works in the real world [14:20] - How to get started in creating better assessments [16:00] - Assessments can help people evaluate where they should go in their careers Instead of expecting [18:23] - Creating stackable credentials [21:28] - What's next for this mission [22:42] - How educators can use smarter and more accurate assessment tools [24:48] - What about for educators that struggle with statistics and numbers [26:56] - Turbo Time [28:06] - What people need to know about computerized adaptive testing [29:40] - What Nathan brings to assessment work [32:07] - Nathan's Magic Wand [33:32] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Assessment Systems Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn Follow Nathan on Twitter Agilities Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep  

Every human on the planet has a right to an education. And, more importantly, a right to the education that they need and want. In Western culture, that often looks like traditional education…sitting in seats in classrooms and memorizing vocabulary and historical dates.   Not only is this not what our children need, the ability to memorize isn't a sign of success. Nor is this even a good way to educate anyone.   This week on the podcast, I'm talking with William Tucker of Charity United, a US-based organization that provides humanitarian aid to those in need. William and I talk about what quality education actually is and why we need to ask what others need instead of simply assuming we know.   There's so much nuance in the way people learn and we need to approach education from the perspective of helping others to understand and learn how to think rather than thinking the way society does.    This was a wonderful conversation around the English language, human rights, and why we need to approach teaching and learning from a different mindset. About William Tucker: William Tucker and his wife have helped over 100,000 kids & civilians in the slums of India, improving their quality of life through literacy education, emergency aid, and other philanthropic initiatives. As a Co-Founder of Charity United, a U.S.-based charity that provides humanitarian aid to children and civilians in need, William helps ensure children receive food, clothing, shelter, and education.    William has worked as an educational specialist and corporate training officer in International Charitable organizations for several decades, training thousands of individuals for their jobs in order to improve the productivity of these organizations. After selling his house and living in the slums of India for a year, William discovered through on-the-ground experience the problems that kids most often face while living in the slums, mainly a lack of educational opportunities.   In collaboration with charities and volunteers in India, Africa, and Latin America, Charity United provides educational tools to children with the aim of giving all children an equal opportunity for a promising future.  Jump in the Conversation: [1:47] - How William joined the cause [2:50] - The underlying cause of challenges - failure to communicate, uneducated [3:51] - What counters undereducation [5:15] - The ability to think is what sets us apart [6:42] - Goals for working with students in India [7:20] - Don't be arrogant and assume you know better [10:02] - In all the top English literature education materials, they didn't teach the sequence of learning a language [16:08] - Use illustrative examples and the kids will start learning [16:57] - Removing frequency words for better understanding [19:08] - The real point of education: understanding [19:54] - We're not telling them what to think; we're telling them how to think [20:25] - Illustrations for educational purposes is much different than illustrations for entertainment [21:47] - Adults can extract logic out of an image but kids are a blank slate [24:47] - Making the right of literacy a priority around the world [26:24] - Turbo Time [27:27] - What people need to know about learner-centered learning [28:27] - Everyone has opportunity to human rights, no matter where they grew up [29:36] - How to be an activist to support learning and literacy [30:54] - William's Magic Wand [31:38] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources The Young Genius Series Charity United  Follow Charity United on Facebook Connect with Charity United on LinkedIn Subscribe to Charity United on YouTube Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep  

One of the challenges with traditional education settings is that you're bound to the same place for nine or more months every year. Slow travel, or really learning about a culture or community is difficult, if not impossible.   But the reality is that taking kids out of their comfort zones and letting them learn and live in other areas can teach them about kindness, purpose, building relationships, and so much more.   When this week's guest, Rekha Magon, tried to take her then kindergarten-age son overseas for a month, his teacher balked and expressed fear that he'd miss so much school. So Rekha pulled her son out of school and started building a learning platform that better suited her family's lifestyle.   Today that platform is Boundless Life, a turnkey solution for families to live, work, and learn while experiencing the world. They currently have three locations in Europe and are launching a fourth location in Bali this year. And families are embracing the idea so much that they're launching their own locations across the globe. About Rekha Magon: Rekha Magon is the co-founder and Head of Education of Boundless Life, a turnkey solution for families- to live, work and learn while experiencing the world. As an avid world traveler, ed-tech entrepreneur, & homeschool mama, Rekha is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that inspire children to question, create & innovate according to their own personal interests. Among other awards, she won first place in Canada's 9th Edtech Innovation Summit. With an accounting scholarship from McGill, she worked as a Senior Auditor at KPMG for many years before starting her own education technology company. Boundless Life aligns deeply with her own personal and professional values, and she is now leading the charge at Boundless Education.   Jump in the Conversation: [1:50] - Where Rekha's story of school transformation started [3:10] - Bringing mindfulness into school system [5:32] - Living a Boundless Life [7:17] - Locations - Portugal, Greece, Italy, Bali in July [8:16] - Community service component [9:30] - Making learning relevant and purposeful [10:27] - The importance of passion and purpose projects [11:33] - Interacting with local children [13:07] - Parenting and kindness are universal  [13:58] - What is slow travel and the benefits of it [17:17] - Being the pragmatist about living and learning abroad  [22:10] - Micro-schools are the future [23:28] - How to get out of lockstep of traditional education  [26:49] - The choice on how children are educated should be on the parents  [29:29] - Turbo Time [31:19] - What people need to know about student-driven learning [32:33] - The passion Rekha brings to Boundless Life [34:20] - How to be an activist to transform schools [35:58] - Rekha's Magic Wand [37:16] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Boundless Life Follow Boundless Life on Instagram Connect with Rekha on LinkedIn Ikigai Images Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep  

A question we don't ask enough is what we want from education. Of course we all want well-rounded young adults when they're done with school, people who can become productive members of our society and who also have a healthy worldview.   But our schools are not preparing our youth in this way. Students are graduating from high school with a narrow mindset because they haven't experienced anything other than what's in their community and the four walls of their classrooms.   When the recession happened in 2008, Lainie Liberti knew it was an opportunity to make a change for the benefit of her then 9-year-old son. So they hit the road to learn in the real world. They've since visited countless countries, started a business around world schooling, and both have come out changed in all the best ways.   This week on the podcast, Lainie is sharing her experience with parenting and teaching in the real world and how she and her son are supporting other families to do the same. About Lainie Liberti: Lainie is a best-selling author, international speaker, community leader, teen mentor, and alternative education advocate who helped to spearhead the thriving world schooling movement.   As a result of the 2008 California economy crash, Liberti closed her Los Angeles-based branding agency. Liberti and her then 9-year-old Miro decided to “be the change” instead of victims and chose a life of adventure. After, selling all of their possessions, Lainie and her son hit the road for what was to be a one-year adventure in 2009. After thirteen years and almost 50 countries, the pair calls Guanajuato, Mexico their home.   Lainie chose to educate her son Miro through the world, facilitating rich experiential learning, cultural immersion, volunteering and leadership as his school. We call this world schooling.   Lainie co-foundered Project World School with her son in 2012. Liberti designs and co-facilitates the Project World School teen retreats as month-long immersive learning communities to support self-directed teens from around the world. Over the last 8 years, Lainie has facilitated 20+ international retreats for almost 100 teens, learning through cultural immersion, examining personal values and exploring world views.   In addition, Lainie founded Project World School Family Summits, where she's produced 10 in-person international conferences for hundreds of families across Europe, Asia and Mexico since 2016.  Jump in the Conversation: [1:26] - Where Lainie's passion for transforming our relationship with learning began [3:34] - What do you want for education [4:44] - What is world schooling [6:06] - Learning was a radical part of what they were doing in their travels [6:42] - We're wired to be natural learners [7:29] - The world provided a lot of opportunities [7:50] - Helping others in world schooling [9:44] - The adventures of Lainie and her son [10:25] - Project World School is born [14:22] - Understanding the plight of others is impossible unless you're there [15:16] - Tying in mental health to world learning [18:00] - Taking teens out of their comfort zones [19:55] - Getting outside comfort zone is part of who we are [22:23] - How to participate in world school without the travel [25:35] - What would it be if we took a moment to recognize situations from different perspectives [26:40] - Turbo Time [32:19] - Lainie's Magic Wand [33:32] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Project World School Seen, Heard & Understood: Parenting & Partnering with Teens for Greater Mental Health by Lainie Liberti Transformative Mentoring for Teens Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by  Follow Lainie on Instagram, Facebook, Twittter, and YouTube Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep  

If you've ever traveled to another country, you know how exciting it is to learn about other cultures. But as adults, many of us don't have the opportunity to spend an extended period of time overseas. What if we were able to do that traveling in high school, learning by being immersed in culture, rather than sitting in a classroom eight hours a day?   That's what this week's guest, Joann McPike, wanted for her son. So she built it for him and invited other students along, too!   THINK Global School was founded on the idea that students should learn the things that matter in the grand scheme of things, rather than what we've “always” learned. The structure is so interesting and immersive, and it's one that I hope gains some traction in the future.   Listen in! About Joann McPike: Joann McPike is the founder of THINK Global School and the chair of its board of directors. Her vision has created a global learning environment built on the foundation of empathy, diversity, resilience and self-reflection.   Joann McPike has dedicated her life to pursuing her passion for world travel. Joann grew up in New Zealand and developed a desire to explore the world at a young age. To date, she has traveled to over 73 countries. Over the course of her world travels, Joann has achieved a rare perspective on the multicultural aspects of our global society. As a photographer, she works to capture the diverse layers of meaning inherent in a given snapshot of life. In that regard, Joann considers her photography to demonstrate a documentary style of artistic expression. Her first book of photography, entitled THINK, was published in 2008. Jump in the Conversation: [1:40] - Where Joann's story of school transformation began [3:55] - One of the best ways to learn is by doing and making it relevant [4:25] - More about Think Global schools [6:15] - Learning should be relevant to what the kids are interested in [7:19] - Helping students recognize many different perspectives [10:06] - The challenges of going to the school [11:45] - Adaptability is one of the most underrated skills [13:55] - Joann's favorite travel and learning experiences [15:51] - It's not just intellectual, it's emotional, physical, spiritual too [17:04] - Where students live during their travels [17:35] - What happens after this amazing high school experience [19:03] - People and planet before profit [20:58] - Giving students the right tools [22:16] - What parents and educators can do to foster a more global learning experience for their children [24:01] - How about we push to create relevance in the curriculum that will be interesting, engaging, and fun for students [25:18] - Turbo Time [30:15] - Joann's Magic Wand [31:42] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources THINK Global School Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Change Your World by David Robson Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep  

Imagine the two most difficult things that you could possibly go through happening simultaneously. Parenting a child, and the grief of losing a child. Now imagine parenting a surviving child after they lose their sibling.   Surviving children need unique care to work through their grief, in the midst of the parent sitting in their own grief. And while there are many grief support groups out there, parents need help in working through the day-to-day trials and tribulations that happen as the surviving child hits milestones that their sibling never had a chance to experience.   This week's episode is for parents who have lost a child and caregivers of the surviving children. Because, like any aspect of child development, the more who can support the child the better.   Listen in to a sad but heartwarming story about why play matters to grieving children, why language and vocabulary is so important to grieving children, how to manage your own grief while parenting, and why grieving adults need to take care of themselves first.   About Michele Benyo:   Michele Benyo is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®, early childhood parent coach, and the founder of Good Grief Parenting. After her 6-year-old son died of cancer, her 3-year-old daughter said, “Mommy, half of me is gone.” This heartbreaking statement focused Michele's career as an early childhood parenting specialist on the impact of grief on young children, particularly after child loss. Michele equips parents and other caring adults to recognize young children's grief and to provide the support children need to build resilience and cope well with any loss. The desire of Michele's heart is to see families thrive after loss and live forward toward a future bright with possibilities and even joy.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:27] - Michele's catalyst for Good Grief Parenting   [3:01] - Michele's case study about how deeply children are impacted by trauma and loss   [4:18] - Would not have recognized the impact if not for the experience   [5:50] - Founded Good Grief Parenting to help parents find hope and encouragement and goodness in grief   [6:15] - How Good Grief Parenting is unique, especially for formative years   [8:23] - As parents, we can grapple with loss of child, but the sibling left needs support   [9:11] - What adults need to know about how children grieve   [10:19] - Kids need a chance to tell us how they're feeling, what they're thinking   [10:46] - Encourage kids to talk about their grief and loss   [11:20] - Parents need to learn how to say that a child died   [12:47] - How parents can manage their own grief and support other children   [14:20] - Be the parent that's grieving child at the same time as taking care of living child   [15:32] - We can find goodness and bring it into the family   [16:35] - Childhood is best time to learn grief coping skills   [18:10] - 3 ways to support grieving children   [19:55] - Turbo Time   [24:55] - Michele's Magic Wand   [27:29] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources   Good Grief Parenting   Get the Good Grief Guide   LinkTree Link   Follow Good Grief Parenting on Instagram and Facebook   Atomic Habits by James Clear   Email Maureen   Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools   The Education Evolution   Facebook: Follow Education Evolution   Twitter: Follow Education Evolution   LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution   EdActive Collective   Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids   Micro-school feature on Good Morning America   The Micro-School Coalition   Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition   LEADPrep

Schools usually fail before someone steps up to try to diagnose what's wrong and fix it. Meanwhile, hundreds and thousands of learners suffer through subpar educational practices that might meet the needs of a select few, but not the majority.   When it comes to health, we know that prevention is the best medicine. We take care of our bodies so we can remain healthy for many years. But in our antiquated school systems, we sadly don't take the same approach. And it's our children who feel the brunt of this.   That's the focus of my conversation this week with Aimee Evan, PhD, author of the new book Student Centered School Improvement: Identifying Systemic Changes Essential for Success. There are so many factors in the success of a school, beyond the school ranking, what extracurricular activities are available, and what student grades look like. Aimee encourages parents and educational leaders to dig deeper to take care of all layers of the schools so students can truly be successful. About Aimee Evan, PhD: Mom, researcher, school improvement specialist, author, and former accountability director, school turnaround lead, and middle and high school teacher. Jump in the Conversation: [1:49] - Catalyst for dedicating career to improving education [4:33] - We're more likely to try to make a change when we see what needs to be done first-hand [5:34] - Unpacking how to meet the needs of students [7:18] - We have two educational systems in the U.S. [8:54] - What should we be doing to improve schools [9:40] - We're waiting for the Gordon Ramsay of education [10:54] - The current school improvement policy is to wait for the school to fail [12:40] - How being a mom has impacted her mission [18:10] - How listeners can take steps to school improvement [18:38] - We look for a good fit for our kids and conflate that with “good school” [19:57] - Parents and teachers can see what's happening inside school [26:18] - A real harm is laying all change on shoulders of teachers and leaders [27:20] - You might have new tires but you're not going anywhere because you haven't checked your engine [29:20] - Engaging teachers in the change that needs to happen and utilizing all the support systems they have access to [30:19] - Aimee's Magic Wand  [31:28] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Connect with Aimee on LinkedIn WestEd Student Centered School Improvement: Identifying Systemic Changes Essential for Success by Aimee Evan, PhD Episode 42: The With Heart Project Episode 97: Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms & Putting Kids First Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Sometimes it takes time working and learning in a broken system to find the path to changing lives. After more than 25 years in education, John Camp (or Camp, as he prefers to be called) was on the lookout for something that was more student-centered and progressive at a school level than what he had experienced thus far.   As founding head of teaching and learning at New England Innovation Academy, Camp and his colleagues are on a mission to prepare a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to enter the workforce and make a big impact.   How do they do that? By focusing on student-centered learning based on what the lead stakeholders (students and teachers) know is best.The school integrates many subjects into one lesson and has let go of both a traditional semester system and old-school assessment and grading.   Listen in to hear more about how this innovative school is changing the way we teach and learn. About John Camp: Camp had led and taught in independent schools for over 25 years. He is the founding Head of Teaching and Learning at New England Innovation Academy, which opened in the fall of 2021. He is an assessment guru, including being the architect of NEIA's competency-based system. Camp also teaches Humanities and writing classes, such as “The TV Writers' Room,” and interdisciplinary courses such as “The Art and Physics of Time Travel.” At St. Mark's School, which bestowed him with The Trustees Chair and the Kidder Faculty Prize, Camp served as the Director of Experiential Learning and Associate Director of The Center of Innovation in Teaching and Learning.   Jump in the Conversation: [1:38] - How Camp got started in transforming the system [3:36] - What he's created [5:16] - Student and staff opportunities for innovation for students [6:03] - Integration isn't an exception to the rule; it IS the rule [7:46] - How to assess in this model [8:58] - What an assessment looks like [10:06] - Letter grades are single data point [11:50] - Feedback is key for any assessment system [14:15] - What is human centered design [16:10] - Be awesome and be able to defend why you're teaching something [16:50] - Unpacking some course titles [20:56] - What innovation looks like in past jobs [21:28] - Big perk of building a new school [22:50] - Have the courage to try to fix something if you see it needs to be fixed [23:39] - Stepping out of status quo school landscape [25:37] - Turbo Time [29:10] - What Camp would change about schools [30:49] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources New England Innovation Academy Heidi Hayes Jacobs on rethinking schools Sum of Us book Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

As parents, we want the best for our kids. When it comes to their education, there are so many options out there, it can feel overwhelming and sometimes impossible to find the best setting for them. What really are the differences between public, private, online, and homeschooling? What is an NPA? How can families find the resources they need to make these important decisions for their children?   Today I'm joined by Carlos Melendez from Schola, and he lays it all out for us in a way that is easy to understand. Schola has been helping match students with their perfect education setting, and today Carlos is here to explain the different options available so you know where to get started. And not only does he help you better understand your options, but he shares what other resources are available to help both families and schools in this process.   Listen in, and discover what educational setting might best suit your child's needs. About Carlos Melendez: Carlos is the Chief Marketing Officer at Schola, a software company that helps families find their perfect school or educational setting. He is an expert at creating effective marketing campaigns for schools in any market, which has helped his school partners increase their revenue by more than $100m in his 5 years at Schola. Carlos' expertise includes integrated marketing communications and social media advertising. In addition, he has a law degree from Universidad Rafael Urdaneta and a Master's in Business from Thunderbird/ASU. Jump in the Conversation: [1:14] - About Schola [2:21] - Understanding your options and choosing what's best for your kids [3:35] - Public schooling options [11:07] - NPA (Non-Public Agencies) [14:20] - Private schooling options [18:45] - Shift towards online schooling [20:26] - Dual enrollment programs [21:49] - Homeschooling options [25:15] - College prep models [28:04] - More resources for families and schools from Schola [36:00] - Turbo Time [45:28] - Carlos's Magic Wand [47:46] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Schola National Association of Independent Schools P-Tech Episode 73 with Stanley Litow from P-Tech Connect with Schola on Facebook and Instagram Follow Schola on TikTok The Membership Economy by Robbie Kellman Baxter Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Schools won't change on their own, often needing a push from concerned educators, community members and, most importantly, parents. But too often parents don't know how to get involved or how to speak out on behalf of their children.   Thankfully there are tools and resources out there to help parents understand their rights (and the rights of their children) and learn how to talk to policymakers and educational leaders about ensuring their children get the education they deserve. One of those organizations is African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities (AFCAMP), led by Executive Director Ann Smith. Ann joins me on the podcast this week.   We need more parents as educational advocates if we're going to make real change happen. And the more they learn, the more comfortable they are with speaking up for their children and for the community as a whole. Ann shares what those resources are and why they're so incredibly important. About Ann Smith, JD, MBA: Ann R. Smith, JD, MBA is a “change-maker” who can speak to the importance of engaging families, youth, and community to address inequitable policies and practices that produce disparate outcomes across the intersecting education, juvenile justice, and health (physical / behavioral / mental) systems.   Ann is Executive Director of African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities, Inc. (AFCAMP) commonly known as AFCAMP Advocacy for Children, a parent-led nonprofit organization headquartered in Hartford, CT. For 20+ years AFCAMP has provided resources, training and advocacy to promote authentic family and youth voices to inform decision-making within child-serving systems including education, juvenile justice, child welfare and children's behavioral health.   Pursuing equity fuels AFCAMP's work to transform systems and reduce the adverse and disproportionate impacts experienced by youth of color and youth with disabilities. A multi-level approach is employed to reform systemic policies and practices that proliferate inequitable education, justice, health, and economic outcomes for children and families of color with a particular focus on those that are Black.   Ann currently serves as a Tri-Chair of the Connecticut Children's Behavioral Health Plan Implementation Advisory Board. She also serves on other advisory bodies and nonprofit boards of directors. She held multiple roles over 16 years of service with the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and its predecessors. Ann is also an attorney licensed by the State of CT. Jump in the Conversation: [1:34] - Where school transformation began for Ann [2:48] - Parents don't always know their rights [4:32] - Community Parent Resource Center   [5:50] - Find out about your own state's resource center [8:18] - Where to begin in gaining empowerment [10:55] - How the system encourages and accepts parents and youth [13:01] - When families are actively involved, the process of education with their kids, the outcomes are better  [21:14] - Turbo Time [22:49] - What you need to know about parent engagement [24:33] - Ann's Magic Wand [26:19] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities (AFCAMP) US Department of Education Parent Resource Centers Center for Parent Information and Resources Connecticut Family Engagement Project Connecticut Children's Behavioral Health Plan Implementation Advisory Board  Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Online learning is no longer a novelty that's all about checking boxes and “getting through the material.” Because of innovations in technology, there are so many possibilities to create truly engaging learning experiences and to foster a joy of learning for both students and teachers. This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Shaunak Roy, CEO of Yellowdig where they're helping K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporations create truly experiential learning experiences and active learning opportunities for all. Born out of a desire to create educational transformation, Shaunak's online learning tools are helping to build community within an asynchronous environment where students are rewarded for asking questions and taking risks, rather than regurgitating the “right” answers. Because human nature is to be creative, and online has the potential to grow students' creativity without the limitations of time in a classroom. Tune in to be inspired and see how half a million students at more than 130 schools and organizations are currently enjoying the growth that's possible with the right online learning tool. About Shaunak Roy: Shaunak is the founder and CEO of Yellowdig. Yellowdig is a community-driven active learning platform adopted by over 130 colleges and universities, K12 schools, and corporate training clients. Yellowdig's mission is to transform every classroom into an active, social, and experiential learning community. Shaunak graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from IIT Bombay and completed his graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to founding Yellowdig, Shaunak spent a decade advising global companies on technology, strategy, and growth. Jump in the Conversation: [1:28] - Where school transformation began for Shanauk [3:07] - Kids learn best when they're active and engaged [4:09] - The best way for students to learn is to use the digital tools they have intentionally [5:15] - What we need to build engagement online [6:50] - Constructivism is a model for discovery learning  [7:21] - How Yellowdig is creating an online experiential experience [9:15] - Shifting the roles for teachers [10:48] - Adding in a live component to asynchronous learning [13:56] - Grading posts and comments defeats the purpose of engagement [14:27] - Learning how to “do school” doesn't translate into real life [17:28] - Human nature is to be creative; we need to use that in the virtual classroom [20:12] - Advice for parents and young adults exploring online education [20:38] - A big advantage of online learning is that there's no time restriction [21:58] - Turbo Time [23:25] - What people need to know about engagement in learning [24:25] - Shaunak's passion in Yellowdig [25:53] - Shaunak's Magic Wand [27:10] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Yellowdig Range: Why Generalists Trimpph in a Specialized World by David Epstein Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverence - TED Talk with Angela Duckworth Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

We're not supporting our youth in developing into well-rounded individuals, and one of the culprits is our educational system, which isn't set up to inspire greatness. This is a challenge we can remedy. So why aren't we?   Especially when there are educational leaders, like Chris Menagé, who create systems and opportunities to do things differently.   This week on the podcast, Chris is sharing the importance of developing human and social capital in a way that works for our youth. That means making sure our students are inspired and seeking out learning for the sake of learning instead of sitting through old school lessons. And it means finding ways to prioritize thriving instead of simply surviving.   Chris stresses that encouraging children to find balance and use their intuition in the classroom is incredibly important so they can take ownership of their learning. Education is an investment in our children, but only when it empowers them. About Chris Menagé: Chris is an educator who believes a world of change needs learning to change so he designs award winning learning experiences that are all about meaning, not things. Through e²: educational ecosystems' framework, Chris advocates for education's upstream role: to learn from, share with and contribute to, building capacity in social capital.    Jump in the Conversation: [1:36] - School transformation interest through life experiences [2:06] - Focus on relationships and holistic approach to education is a lifelong process [3:00] - What is human and social capital and how to use it educational systems [3:31] - Social capital is combination of our collective wherewithal - collective abilities, skills, dispositions, lived experiences  [5:25] - How to use this capital in educational systems [6:26] - Move from restrictive mindset to more collaborative approach [7:53] - Effective learning strategies build capacity to be eco-centered [8:51] - Balance and intuition as two senses [10:21] - Where can we start to create the whole experience [11:26] - Be okay with the imperfect process [12:57] - COVID provided an  opportunity to pause and reassess our drivers [15:30] - Education is a resource that's intensive and costly; we don't look at this work as an investment [18:01] - When you invest in resources, kids start learning with passion and purpose [18:50] - Turbo Time [20:03] - What people need to know about activating human and social capital [20:32] - Diagnosis vs. intervention is an approach to well-being [21:26] - Despite all the advances we've made, if we were to look at trends we see at the moment, I don't think we have much to lose to look at things differently [25:56] - Chris's Magic Wand [27:17] - Maureen's Takeaways  Links & Resources Educational Ecosystems Follow Educational Ecosystems on LinkedIn Follow Educational Ecosystems on YouTube The Future of Smart: How Our Education System Needs to Change to Help All Young People Thrive by Ulcca Joshi Hansen PhD Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Life is full of surprises, and not all of them are good. But sometimes the challenges we go through are the catalyst for changing our lives and inspiring others to do the same.   That's the case for Jon Acton, this week's podcast guest. After a nearly 30-year career in education, Jon became a school superintendent in March 2020…just days before COVID hit and schools had to make a big left turn. Then a stage 3 cancer diagnosis changed the trajectory of everything for Jon.   Jon and two fellow educators received the same diagnosis within just 10 months of one another, and after one lost his battle, Jon and his cancer warrior friend decided to take action. They founded Broken Shells, which seeks to remind us all that we're all “perfektly imperfekt” and that we should embrace the “why nots” in our lives.   Jon has created something out of adversity and I can see how it will inspire others to do the same. Listen in to this incredible story.  About Jon Acton: Husband, dad, cancer fighter, author, creator of Broken Shells, former school superintendent, principal, teacher, coach.   Jump in the Conversation: [1:40] - What has led Jon to be a beacon of inspiration [3:50] - What is Broken Shells [4:15] - Partners to Broken Shells [5:50] - Perfectly imperfect life stories - the idea behind broken shells [8:45] - We have invisible bubbles around us [9:40] - Our whys and our why nots [10:55] - When an opportunity arises, ask yourself why or why not [11:57] - Don't let the “why not” sphere of time pass you by [13:25] - Table of influence [15:32] - Would you be at someone's table of influence the way you're living your life [16:14] - What's next for Jon [18:59] - Turbo Time [19:59] - Your impact can influence others [21:22] - Jon's Magic Wand [23:22] - Maureen's Takeaways    Links & Resources Broken Shells Follow Broken Shells and Jon on Twitter Connect with Jon on LinkedIn Follow Broken Shells on Facebook Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

There's little worse than being told what you have to do, when you have to do it, and how. And especially when kids are involved, they're pretty good at digging in their heels and refusing. Ask any parent or teacher!   But we're still telling kids what they have to learn, how they have to learn it, and when. We're doing a disservice to them and, frankly, to the teachers who have to follow the prescribed curriculum.   Thank goodness teachers like Tanya King exist. Teachers who are using data and proven strategies to break the mold and truly get students excited about learning. Tanya, an award-winning 6th grade teacher in Washington state, champions the idea of letting go of control and letting students lead their own learning.    And what she's doing works! With kids regularly making two school years' of progress while in her care, they're no longer missing school or checking out mentally because they're bored or uninspired. She takes inspiration to the next level.   Listen in to find out how Tanya is doing it differently! About Tanya King: Tanya King, also known as Mrs. KB, is a 6th-grade teacher in the Edmonds School District. She is in her 22nd year of teaching, holds a BA in Elementary Ed, Special Education K-12, a Masters in Integrating Technology, and is National Board Certified. It is her mission to empower students to become lifelong learners and instill within them a belief they can reach any goal he/she sets for him/herself. By teaching students to believe in themselves and take ownership of their learning, her students know they can tackle any task. Students come to school because they have to; Mrs. KB has created a learner-driven class and kids come because they want to! Her mottos? Be the Captain of your Own Destiny! Live Limitless!   Jump in the Conversation: [1:30] - Award winning teacher [1:59] - Extraordinary is “extra ordinary” [2:18] - How Tanya became a learner-centered teacher [3:10] - Fitting in the box doesn't work as a kid or a teacher [3:20] - Lessons from rafting through the Grand Canyon [4:22] - What it looks like in Tanya's classroom and the joy of controlled chaos [7:52] - Benefits of teachers letting go of control [11:03] - Data points that show student growth [15:42] - Kids aren't sure how to approach this new environment [16:46] - If we're not willing to try to change things, no one will make the change for us [17:45] - A few ways to shift away from rows to something more student-driven [18:18] - If you don't have a why behind what you're doing, find a different way [19:35] - Turbo Time [22:26] - The passion Tanya brings to learner-centered classrooms [23:05] - The best thing about working with tweens [24:43] - Tanya's Magic Wand  [26:28] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Lynnwood Times article about Tanya's award iReady® Assessment Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

The whole point of this podcast is to help education evolve into something that better serves our children. We know that today's model doesn't work; let's inspire some change! I love talking to leaders about how they're making changes and helping to grow the inspiration to beyond their own immediate circle.   This time of year, I like to take time to reflect, express gratitude, and look forward. And this week on the podcast, I'm sharing some of that with you.   As leaders, we need to grow and evolve too; change doesn't happen if we stay where we are. That's why I'm making a big change in 2023, and I'd love your support in continuing to move forward.   Listen in and consider your role in the evolution of education and how you can best use your gifts to continue the process. Jump in the Conversation: [1:08] - Reflecting on where you are through three lenses [1:50] - Become tools for the changes you want to see [2:09] - Maureen looking back [2:12] - History of nudging at different possibilities [3:55] - Waiting to be part of a solution [5:51] - Preparing for new growth [7:00] - My last year as Head of School [8:30] - Breathing in the present moment [9:32] - Dividing job into what makes more sense [10:45] - What is our heart calling us to stop, start, do more or less of?  [12:45] - My three asks for you Links & Resources LEADPrep Head of School posting  “An exquisite devotional work with meditations on wonder, hope, love, mystery, and faith”: Seasons of Your Heart: Prayers and Reflections by Macrina Wiederkehr  The Circle of Life: The Heart's Journey through the Seasons by Joyce Rupp & Macrina Wiederkehr Tim Ferriss' Past Year Review Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Helping youth who have dropped out of high school is important, but what if we could prevent the dropouts altogether? That's the idea behind Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG), championed by this week's podcast guest, Ken Smith.   As the president and CEO of this 40-year-old non-profit organization, Ken is working to ensure that America's most vulnerable youth succeed after high school and secure good jobs. And they do that through mentorship and career-focused educational opportunities inside schools.   Attendance has been pointed to by state leaders as the most pressing issue in schools. But it's not about getting students into seats, which is a symptom of a bigger issue. What's missing is connection. And without programs like JAG, we risk losing a big part of our next generation.   JAG has served more than 1.7 million students to date in 39 states and Ken's vision has that impact doubling over the next few years. I'm incredibly impressed with the resources and opportunities that JAG will add in the coming years and I have no doubt that Ken will reach his goal. About Ken Smith: Mr. Kenneth M. Smith serves as President and CEO of Jobs for America's Graduates, Inc. (JAG), the nation's largest, most consistently applied model of high school retention and school-to-career transition for high-risk young people of great promise.   In 1979, Mr. Smith worked with Governor Pete du Pont of Delaware on the design of the first statewide test of the JAG Model and has served as President and CEO since its inception.  JAG currently serves 75,000 young people annually, in more than 1,450 high schools, middle schools, and out-of-school programs in 39 states.   Over 1.4 million youth have been connected to JAG throughout its 40-year history. The non-profit JAG National Board of Directors is chaired by Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana.  It includes among its 50 members—fourteen Governors and several executives of major corporations and business and community organizations.   In recognition of his knowledge of national employment and training issues, three Presidents have appointed Mr. Smith to national commissions.  He was appointed in 1981 and again in 1983 by President Reagan as Chairman of the National Commission for Employment Policy.  Designed to analyze the full range of government policy related to employment, the Commission continues with a $2 million annual appropriation and a 15-member professional staff.  Mr. Smith also accepted an appointment by President Reagan to the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education, where he had previously served under appointment by President Ford.  President Nixon appointed Mr. Smith as Vice Chairman of the National Advisory Council on the Education of Disadvantaged Children for the period 1973-76. Mr. Smith is also Chairman and Chief Executive of Strategic Partnerships LLC.   Prior to founding JAG, Mr. Smith served as staff aide to President Nixon (1969-70); as Director of Special Projects for the Distributive Education Clubs of America; and founder and President of 70,0001 Ltd., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping high school dropouts obtain employment.  Thereafter, he served in a new post as Senior Advisor to the Governor of Delaware on all activities related to education at the secondary and postsecondary levels.  During this period, he chaired the Commission of the Future of Education in Delaware and was nominated to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Delaware Technical College.   Mr. Smith serves as a Trustee of the America's Promise Alliance, founded in 1997 with General Colin Powell as Chairman and chaired today by Alma Powell, is a cross-sector partnership of more than 300 corporations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and advocacy groups that are passionate about improving lives and changing outcomes for children Jump in the Conversation: [1:22] - Who is Ken Smith [1:50] - Where Ken's story of serving youth started [4:35] - The depth and breadth of schools is daunting [4:51] - Our present situation now is the most alarming we've ever seen [6:48] - A disconnected population at scale [7:23] - Attendance is the symptom, not the disease [8:25] - Part time work increases motivation in school [9:17] - What JAG is and why are so many students a part of it [13:22] - Youth need a relationship with a mentor [16:15] - How JAG has spread to so many states [19:16] - Where JAG is heading [23:09] - Turbo Time [28:04] - Ken's passion for JAG [28:48] - Something good that's come out of COVID [30:38] - Ken's Magic Wand [33:12] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources JAG Rita Pierson TED Talk Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

What better way to support young kids to be happy and healthy students than to encourage them to play. Unfortunately, that's not the way we operate in the U.S. Instead, we prioritize test scores and sitting quietly and academically-charged preschools.   It's no wonder that our youth are depressed and unhappy. We're so busy believing the myths about education and children that social media and the media feed us that we aren't looking at the hard facts. That kids are not meant to sit quietly every day. We can't do that as adults…why are we expecting three-year-olds to?   This week on the podcast, author and early childhood education consultant Rae Pica debunks four big myths about early childhood education. You can hear the passion in her voice when she shares examples from teachers she's talked to and classrooms she's visited.   This was such a refreshing conversation from someone who gets it. And I love the tips she shared to help us get active and speak out for the benefit of our kids. About Rae Pica: Rae Pica has served as a consultant in early childhood education for more than four decades. The author of 22 books, including her latest, Spark a Revolution in Early Education: Speaking Up for Ourselves and the Children, Rae is also a keynote speaker and online course creator. In her role as a consultant, she has been trusted by such organizations as the Sesame Street Research Department, National Head Start Association, the Chicago Children's Museum, and Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues. Rae is most proud of her fierce defense of childhood. Jump in the Conversation: [1:36] - Rae's mission for early childhood education [2:22] - Children are unhappy and depressed  [4:26] - Common themes that keep coming up in working with many organizations [6:12] - Teachers are required to put worksheets in front of kids rather than teach in a way that respects the kids [10:23] - Myths of early childhood education [22:06] - Turbo Time [24:40] - What people need to know about experiential learning [27:41] - Rae's Magic Wand [29:51] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Follow Rae on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Spark a Revolution in Early Education: Speaking Up for Ourselves and the Children by Rae Pica Smart Moves: Why Learning is All in Your Head by Carla Hannaford U.VA. Researchers Find that Kindergarten is the New First Grade International Play Association How Finland Keeps Kids Focused Through Free Play Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Imagine being at a school where 80% of the students look like you…but you're the only one like you who is in the honors and advanced classes. That's where this week's guest, Carlon Howard, found himself as he readied to graduate from high school. And that experience put him on the pathway that landed him as a leader and impact-maker in educational equity.   Carlon has a passion for supporting individuals who feel stuck in cultural narratives due to a lack of equity, inclusivity, and diversity in leadership. And his organization, Equity Institute, is taking what they've created and teaching organizations how to develop these initiatives in their own communities.   In this episode, Carlon and I talk about doing the work in the messy gray space, why teacher pathway programs are so valuable, why schools need support outside the traditional education space, and how he built Equity Institute organically from a place of connection and decompressing.   I love Carlon's philosophy of teaching others to do the work, rather than assuming his organization knows the answers for every situation. We need more of this in leadership roles. About Carlon Howard: Carlon is the Chief Impact Officer and Co-Founder of Equity Institute. In his role, he leads organization-wide strategic and operational planning, ensuring EI's vision is realized through clear prioritization and high-impact operational execution. In addition to helping launch the Equity Institute, he also co-founded re*generation (formerly EduLeaders of Color R.I.). Now an initiative of the Equity Institute, re*generation hosts monthly meetups designed to support education leaders from underrepresented backgrounds.   Before entering his current role with Equity Institute, Carlon was executive director of Breakthrough Providence, served as a City Year AmeriCorps member and Impact Manager, was a classroom teacher, and was a policy fellow for a former Colorado Senator. He graduated from the University of Georgia with undergraduate degrees in criminal justice and political science and completed his graduate degree in education from Rhode Island College. He also earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit management and leadership from the Institute of Nonprofit Practice, in affiliation with Tufts University's Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life. Additionally, he completed formal training as a leadership and performance coach. Outside of his full-time work, Carlon is an adjunct instructor at College Unbound. Jump in the Conversation: [1:39] - How education transformation began for Carlon [3:39] - In an 80% black school, Carlon was the only black male in the honors classes [5:09] - A quarter life crisis [7:03] - All the world's problems exist in schools but schools don't have the means to solve them [7:59] - The origins of the Equity Institute in 2019 [10:10] - Students weren't being served in a way that made sense [10:50] - Helping design and implement innovative solutions to build more diverse, equitable, inclusive, professional learning environments [12:35] - What other profession goes home and does more work for free [13:22] - TA to BA educator pathway program [17:51] - Well-meaning initiatives are challenged by getting into new communities [19:40] - Has insights to help others; can be inspiration and accountability [20:30] - Things aren't black or white; the real work happens in the gray area [21:46] - First steps to take to create to support others in educator pathway [25:39] - Turbo Time [28:05] - Carlon's passion in equity work [31:42] - Carlon's Magic Wand [33:40] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Equity Institute Connect with Carlon on LinkedIn College Unbound Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell Deschooling Society by Ivan Illich Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Our youth are amazing people, who are learning and growing every day. Part of that learning includes figuring out what they enjoy doing and what they're good at. As educators, we get to help them see how their skills and interests can potentially turn into a career.   But not enough of us are doing that, and it can be challenging to find a connection when teenagers and young adults adopt new interests and skills regularly.   This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, executive director and chief operating officer of the DeBruce Foundation. Among other things, the foundation is committed to helping individuals unlock their potential and find career pathways.   The DeBruce Foundation has a free tool that can help individuals of any age identify their abilities and interests and match them with a set of agilities that will allow them to explore careers, identify what education is needed, and so much more.   On this episode, we talk about the foundation's recent research, why employment empowerment needs to be on every educator's radar, and why this is the missing piece in career development and growth. About Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight: Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight is a resourceful, innovative leader who currently serves The DeBruce Foundation in Kansas City as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. The Foundation's mission is to expand pathways to economic growth and opportunity. It seeks to help people discover what they want to do, and what they're good at doing, to open more career possibilities.   Having served as a K-12 educator, Leigh Anne established a career dedicated to improving how individuals understand themselves and view opportunities to advance in the world of work. She is driven to lead the leveraging of resources across sectors for innovative learning, rigorous research, and community collaboration in order to improve economic development and the quality of life. A teacher at heart, Leigh Anne has also served as a K-12 assistant superintendent, advised learning institutions across the nation, and led a bi-state consortium providing powerful tools for data-driven educational research to inform practice and policy.   After graduating from University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Design and Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Secondary Education, Leigh Anne earned her Education Specialist's degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and her doctorate from the University of Kansas in Education Policy and Leadership. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.   Jump in the Conversation: [2:20] - There's a disconnect between graduating from high school and then starting careers [2:49] - How to find a career pathway [5:46] - The missing piece in career development and growth [6:45] - Learning about talking about experience that starts with a club [9:17] - Research that supports the theory of change [10:07] - What is employment empowerment  [12:40] - Individuals with employment empowerment are higher on some career literacy measures [14:30] - There's strength in your network network strength  [15:05] - Career literacy and network strength helps to accelerate employment empowerment [16:20] - There are systemic issues that caused people to have barriers in accelerating their employment empowerment and working on them is a long game [17:23] - Our schools could get really dialed in about what alumni, parents, and the business community could provide [20:53] - 4 of 10 people rate themselves low in both career literacy and network strength [21:49] - Career literacy isn't the only thing that we should be working on [22:20] - Rethink some of the structures you have in your organization  [24:58] - Where to get started: Your three bold steps [28:35] - Turbo Time [30:33] - Improving the quality of life for others [31:37] - Leigh Anne's Magic Wand [33:19] - Maureen's Takeaways   Links & Resources DeBruce Foundation Agilities by the DeBruce Foundation Agile Work Profiler Career Explorer Tools Follow the DeBruce Foundation on Facebook and Instagram Connect with the DeBruce Foundation on LinkedIn and Twitter Read the DeBruce Foundation's research on employment empowerment Draw Your Future with Agilities Episode 2: Inviting Imagination and Our Agilities into Teen Goal Setting with Patti Dobrowolski Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose, Rediscover Your Joy by Bob Goff Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

You have to make so many decisions every day as an educator or educational leader. It's overwhelming and enough to drive you to burnout. Add to that the change that happens seemingly every minute in the classroom or the office.   We can't train on how to manage our brains around the constant disruptions and distractions. But you can change how you plan for and react to them.   This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Melina Palmer, a behavioral economist who consults with businesses all over the globe. She's the author of the new book, What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell you. We explore what your teachers (and students) need and want and why it's so hard to put that into words. We also talk about why the Golden Rule is antiquated and why we need to focus on the Platinum Rule instead.   Melina is the real deal when it comes to behavioral change and there are so many takeaways from this conversation. But don't make the mistake of trying to change everything at once. Instead, tune into some micro-shifts to make long-lasting changes. About Melina Palmer: Melina Palmer is founder and CEO of The Brainy Business, which provides behavioral economics consulting to businesses of all sizes from around the world. Her podcast, The Brainy Business: Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy, has downloads in over 160 countries and is used as a resource for teaching applied behavioral economics for many universities and businesses. Melina obtained her bachelor's degree in business administration: marketing and worked in corporate marketing and brand strategy for over a decade before earning her master's in behavioral economics. A proud member of the Global Association of Applied Behavioral Scientists, Melina has contributed research to the Association for Consumer Research, Filene Research Institute, and runs the Behavioral Economics & Business column for Inc Magazine. She teaches applied behavioral economics through the Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab and is the author of two books, What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You and What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You. Jump in the Conversation: [2:15] - What teachers need but we're not attending to [2:40] - Psychology of decision-making [3:03] - Change isn't what we think it is [4:30] - Every conversation is some sort of change [8:02] - Golden Rule and Platinum Rule  [11:35] - How can we unpack what teachers need or want [13:33] - Asking questions shows they're interested and want to know more [14:15] - Where can you help take repetitive items and take them off teachers' plates [15:52] - Teachers don't go into the profession for the pay [17:46] - Change is all about you and has nothing to do with you [19:20] - There's value in being empowered to change the way you respond to anything [22:38] - What we need to tune into to implement change [23:28] - It's not possible to remove bias from your life [25:36] - Micro-shift moments: Get a win and keep on going [28:36] - Pandemic was spotlight on institution of education [30:15] - The way change is presented makes all the difference [34:48] - Turbo Time [36:55] - What people need to know about interpersonal communication [39:37] - Making something more bite sized can you look more knowledgeable [40:58] - Melina's Magic Wand [42:41] - Maureen's takeaways Links & Resources Episode 56: Getting to the Brainy Business of School Change Melina's Books The Brainy Business Podcast Solving Modern Problems with a Stone-Age Brain: Human Evolution and the Seven Fundamental Motives by Dr. Douglas T. Kenrick and David E. Lundberg A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas by Warren Berger Beautiful Questions in the Classroom: Transforming Classrooms into Cultures of Curiosity and Inquiry by Warren Berger Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Why do we need to wait for youth to get involved? They're here now and are highly capable of being a part of the dialogue and decision-making. This week on the podcast, we're exploring what that looks like in action from an organization that has been in the trenches for a decade.   Rachel Belin, managing partner and co-founder of Kentucky Student Voice Team works alongside youth to help create an intergenerational dynamic, where youth members are involved in raising their voices and helping others do the same. They're involved in legislative spaces, advocacy, and more with adults as their partners.   Listen in this week to find out how legislators and the public have responded to KSVT in action, what ripple effect the organization has created, how it supports students who wouldn't typically seek out something like KSVT, and so much more.   This conversation left me feeling inspired and hopeful.   About Rachel Belin: Rachel Burg Belin (she/her) is the Managing Partner and, with young people, a co-founder of the Kentucky Student Voice Team.   She has decades of experience by turns as a social studies teacher, media literacy leader, education policy aide, nonprofit development consultant, and commercial radio news director. In the course of this work, she has spearheaded nine different ventures to amplify and elevate the voices of students in civic discourse. With young people as collaborators, she has been the recipient of the Citizen's and Scholars Civic Spring Award, the Kentucky Nonprofit Network Excellence in Public Policy Award, the Pathway 2 Tomorrow Breakthrough in Education Innovation Award, and a George Foster Peabody Award. Rachel holds a BA from Harvard University and an MAT from the University of Rochester.   Jump in the Conversation: [1:52] - Amplifying the voice of youth [2:45] - The role of adults is not to get out of the way; it's to build and circulate power [4:40] - Unpacking the word democracy [5:20] - Young people in public schools can and need to play an important role in shaping those institutions [6:25] - Guerrilla social studies: It's hypocrisy to teach democracy in an autocracy [6:41] - What Kentucky youth have created [10:21] - Response from legislators and public  [14:50] - Young people are part of the present and don't need to wait until they're of voting age to get involved [17:02] - Policy at legislative level isn't everything [18:14] - Roadblocks that have come up in this process [19:15] - You can't wait for your ducks to be in a row [19:34] - Reaching the hardest to reach students [25:24] - Concrete steps to amplify the voices of students [26:10] - Young people should be in the room where it happens  [27:10] - Turbo Time [29:07] - What people need to know about youth engagement [31:59] - Don't wait for permission to get involved [33:13] - Rachel's Magic Wand [34:30] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Follow Rachel on Twitter Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn The New Edu - Kentucky Student Voice Team Educated by Tara Westover Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep

Research and experiences allow us to consistently develop new best practices for teaching and learning. What worked last year may not work this year, for a multitude of reasons. And what we thought worked years ago clearly isn't what's best for our kids. So we get to shift what we're doing to ensure we're giving all our students what they need in order to flourish. (If only all educational decision-makers would get on board!)   Jon Bergmann, this week's podcast guest, is fully on board and leading the charge. You heard him all the way back in episode 3 talking about flipped learning. And this week he's back to talk about how to make the most of flipped learning. And that's mastery learning.   Jon is back in the trenches, teaching in a high school classroom, which I think lends even more credibility to what he's sharing. Because he's trying things out with real students in a real learning environment.   In this episode, Jon defines some important educational terms so we can all be on the same page. And he discusses why “mastery” doesn't need to mean the same thing for every student. He even shares exactly how teachers can plan out lessons to help students achieve the level of mastery they're on board with. It's such a refreshing idea that I know will help support students for years to come.   About Jon Bergmann: Jon Bergmann is one of the pioneers of the Flipped Classroom. He has helped schools, universities, organizations, and governments all over the world introduce active and flipped learning into their contexts. He is a frequent keynote speaker who challenges and inspires audiences with stories and real-life examples from his classroom.   He has taught at urban, suburban, rural, and private schools. He spent twenty-four years as a classroom teacher in Colorado before becoming a technology facilitator in the Chicago suburbs. When Flip Your Classroom became an international bestseller, he traveled the world for eight years, helping schools and universities move from passive to active learning. In 2019, he returned to the classroom to further develop Flipped and Mastery Learning. This has amplified Jon's voice with teachers and professors. They now see him as a fellow teacher working through the complexities and challenges of teaching today because his presentations include struggles and successes as he works every day with students.   Jon believes the two most important things that make good teaching good are active learning and relationships. Too much education is received passively, and Jon knows from both research and experience that students learn best when they are active participants. Students don't care what you know until they know that you care, and Jon tries every day to connect with his students.   Jon has written and co-authored ten books that have been translated into thirteen languages. In 2002, Jon received the Presidential Award for Excellence for Math and Science Teaching; and in 2010, he was a Semi-Finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year. He serves on the advisory board for TED Education. He teaches full-time science and assists with staff development at Houston Christian High School in Houston, Texas. Find out more about Jon at JonBergmann.com and find book resources at TheMasteryLearningHandbook.com.  Jump in the Conversation: [1:38] - Defining some educational terms [9:37] - Why Jon is switching focus to mastery learning [11:59] - Education can no longer be one size fits all [13:12] - This is THE answer to what ails the education system [14:50] - From international consultant back to the classroom [17:02] - What teachers need to learn about mastery [22:02] - 3 steps educators can take to create mastery learning in their classrooms [24:10] - Rethink how you do planning  [28:08] - Turbo Time [31:53] - Jon's Magic Wand  [34:35] - Maureen's Takeaways Links & Resources Benjamin Bloom's Double Sigma study The Mastery Learning Handbook Understanding by Design Jon's podcast  Episode 3: Flipped Learning Mastery to Reach Every Student (even remotely!) with Jon Bergmann Email Maureen Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep