BIIE 227: Today’s Education Field and Advice with Dr. Jodi Blinco This week, Ryan sits with Dr. Jodi Blinco, the founder of The U School and a sought-after education consultant and leader. They discuss challenges facing schools today and staying resilient, cultivating an effective staff and minimizing turnover, her mantra “controlling the controllables,” advice for young education professionals, and more. Tune in! Don’t just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the ...
Jul 07, 2025•22 min
BIIE 226: Mentorship for K-12 Students with Jermaine Myrie This week, Ryan sits with Jermaine Myrie, the CEO of MENTOR, a national nonprofit that focuses on fueling high-quality relationship-centered practices for young people and uniting, expanding, and strengthening the mentoring movement. They discuss examples of effective K-12 mentorship, impacts on student outcomes, internal and external mentors, school involvement, MENTOR celebrating its 35th anniversary, and lots more. Tune in! You can fi...
Jun 02, 2025•14 min
BIIE 225: K-12 Risk Management and Insurance with Jonathan Schreter This week, Ryan sits with Jonathan Schreter, the Executive Vice President at IMA Financial Group and a leading insurance broker for charter and independent K-12 schools. Jonathan is also a Certified Insurance Counselor with the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Resource. They discuss why insurance is a must-have for charter and independent K-12s, making sense of insurance and risk management terms, advice for those f...
May 05, 2025•19 min
BIIE 224: Addressing the Teacher Shortage Today with Nicola Soares This week, Ryan sits with Nicola Soares, the President of Kelly Education, the country’s largest staffing provider. Nicola has advanced a wide range of potential solutions to address educator shortages. They discuss where the shortage stands today, strategies to find new talent and retain veteran educators, professional development opportunities, and the role Kelly Education has played in aiding schools with finding substitute te...
Apr 07, 2025•16 min
BIIE 223: Trauma-Informed Classrooms with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz This week, Ryan sits with renowned clinical psychologist and parenting educator Robyn Koslowitz. Dr. Koslowitz is also the host of the Post-Traumatic Parenting Podcast, a program that helps parents navigate giving their children a healthy childhood in the face of traumatic events. Dr. Koslowitz shares how the COVID pandemic exacerbated trauma, parenting with trauma, steps teachers can take to help students, what a trauma-informed clas...
Mar 10, 2025•28 min
BIIE 222: Supporting Students Through Reading Fluency featuring Lyn Wetzel This week, Ryan sits with Lyn Wetzel, the Curriculum Specialist at the Sequoia Pathfinder Academy at Eastmark, a public charter school in Arizona that specializes in STEAM Learning. Lyn shares about Sequoia Pathfinder and its tight-knit atmosphere, building foundational reading skills and fluency, programs such as Science on Wheels and WordFlight, supporting students with special needs, and lots more. Tune in! You can fin...
Mar 03, 2025•17 min
This week, Ryan sits with Dusty Moore, CEO of CTE learning solutions provider iCEV, and Dr. Jeff Crapper, award-winning STEM & CTE educator. Dusty and Dr. Crapper share how they got started in the CTE field and the current state of the healthcare industry. Dr. Crapper shares examples of hands-on learning opportunities in the classroom and Dusty discusses iCEV’s curricular offerings to get started. Tune in! You can learn more about our guests’ work by visiting icevonline.com Don't just listen...
Feb 24, 2025•19 min
This week, Ryan sits with Ulysses Navarrete, the Executive Director of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS). Ulysses talks about his journey to this role, his extensive private sector experience, and how he plans to apply it in advancing ALAS's mission. Ulysses also talks about his leadership mantra, "Make It About Them Always," and discusses his top priorities as the new executive director. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaM...
Sep 09, 2024•19 min
This week, Ryan sits with Nate Moore, the Director of Technology at Kearsley Community Schools in Flint, Michigan. Nate talks about the challenges and opportunities that come with managing school technology, strategies for getting reluctant teachers on board with new tools, and some of the most impactful tech adoptions that are easy for teachers to implement. Nate also shares his favorite examples of how technology is enhancing classroom experiences and reveals the initiatives he's most excited ...
Sep 02, 2024•21 min
This week, Ryan sits with Eric Walters, the Director of STEM Education at Marymount School in New York City. Eric shares his insights on the importance of engaging girls in STEM and how he leverages real-world applications to make STEM subjects more relatable and impactful. Eric also talks about the role of Vernier’s video analysis software in enhancing STEM learning experiences at Marymount and discuss the innovative STEM YouTube interview series hosted by the students themselves. Tune in! Don'...
Aug 26, 2024•19 min
This week, Ryan sits with Dr. Maria Armstrong, the Executive Director of ALAS. Dr. Armstrong talks about her role and highlights her accomplishments during her time at ALAS. Dr. Armstrong also talks about ALAS' mission, initiatives, and outcomes from the event, emphasizing their commitment to equity in education. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Hosts: Ry...
May 21, 2024•18 min
This week, Ryan sits with Dr. Sydney Schaef, Managing Director of reDesign, an education design consultancy. Dr. Schaef talks about reDesign's Future9 competencies, aimed at equipping educators and system leaders with the skills needed for competency-based education. Dr. Sydney also shares notable success stories and examples from educational systems that have embraced competency-based education. Tune in! You can find out more about our guest work by visiting www.resdesignu.org/future9 . Don't j...
May 07, 2024•21 min
This week, Sarah talks about global citizenship in education and explores the often-overlooked stories and practices that permeate teaching, focusing on critical thinking, conflict resolution, and intercultural understanding. Ryan talks about an article from Edutopia that challenges common educational myths, "task-related drawing” and "round robin reading" as a more effective instructional approach. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashta...
Apr 22, 2024•20 min
This week, Ryan sits with Dr. Andi Morency, the Executive Director and Principal of the Honors Academy of Literature charter school in Reno, Nevada. Dr. Morency talks about the unique approach her school takes in integrating evidence-based practices and literature into their curriculum. Dr. Morency also talks about the AI-driven professional development model, which leverages the Edthena platform to enhance teacher growth and student outcomes. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! T...
Apr 15, 2024•18 min
This week, Ryan talks about the impact of 4-day school weeks, examining Colorado's 27J district's experience and academic outcomes.Sarah talks about Tommy Orange's inspiring visit to a Bronx school, emphasizing the importance of connecting literature to students' experiences for transformative learning. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles: https://w...
Apr 09, 2024•22 min
This week, Ryan is joined by Marshall Simmonds, the Vice President of Sales for Scribbles Software, a prominent provider of K-12 software solutions. Marshall talks about the challenges schools face with document management, discussing issues like uploading and searching documents efficiently. Marshall also talks about the limitations of commercially available document storage platforms in the K-12 setting and highlights recent updates to the ScribOnline system to overcome document management hur...
Apr 04, 2024•18 min
This week, Sarah talks about the integration of AI in mathematics, emphasizing its applications in the field and alignment with educational values and goals. This approach allows educators to be at the forefront of utilizing AI to enhance learning experiences. Ryan talks about the trend in schools across the country toward the removal of lockers. New school constructions are opting for locker-free designs in favor of collaborative spaces furnished with modern furniture conducive to student group...
Mar 25, 2024•25 min
This week, Ryan sits down with Telannia Norfar, a National Board Certified math teacher and the curriculum director of PBL Works. Telannia shares her insights on the benefits and effectiveness of project-based learning, highlighting what she enjoys most about it. Telannia also talks about how educators can reimagine math through this approach, offering valuable resources to enhance the impact of math lessons. Tune in! You can find out more about our guest work by visiting www.pblworks.org Don't ...
Mar 18, 2024•20 min
This week, Ryan sits with Chad Lewis, the Director of Technology at Tampa Preparatory School in Florida. Chad talks about the key aspects of virtual filmmaking and explores the role of artificial intelligence in the creative process. Chad also talks about the future of films and shares advice for schools eager to set up similar programs on their campus. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new to...
Mar 11, 2024•23 min
This week, Ryan talks about giving students more opportunities for personal essay writing throughout their K-12 careers to improve writing skills and present a valuable opportunity for teachers to get to know their students better. Sarah talks about a traumatic experience at school, underscoring the critical importance of CPR training and the implementation of life safety education within schools. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag ...
Mar 04, 2024•20 min
This week, Sarah talks about a Khan Academy partnership due to learning loss which provides intensive mathematics professional development for educators, where teachers receive additional support, professional development, and weekly virtual mentorship sessions to improve mathematic instruction. Ryan talks about the importance of “feedback on feedback,” in which principals or session leaders prioritize following through on the information they receive from teachers to create a more functional wo...
Feb 26, 2024•22 min
This week, Ryan talks about the legislative landscape as some lawmakers push for a ban on college admissions preferences for "legacies"—students with familial ties to alumni or donors of the institution. Sarah talks about resources available to commemorate Black History Month, encouraging everyone to engage in research to further amplify their understanding of this significant cultural celebration. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag...
Feb 12, 2024•23 min
This week, Ryan sits with Ann Garcia, certified financial planner and the author of “How to Pay For College”. On this episode, Ann talks about her work in the area of financial planning and effective communication strategies for students navigating the complexities of college financing. Ann also talks about common mistakes families make when saving for college and guidance that schools should provide to help students seeking scholarship opportunities. Tune in! You can also find out more about ou...
Feb 05, 2024•31 min
This week, Ryan talks about how teachers can use neuroscience to help capture their student’s attention when introducing new topics to them in class. Sarah talks about critical thinking as a powerful tool designed to elevate the learning experience in the classroom through five instructional approaches to foster deeper thinking in students. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want...
Jan 29, 2024•22 min
This week, Sarah talks about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic absenteeism rates and shares an innovative approach to tackle this issue through insightful home visits. Ryan talks about the use of cell phones in schools and how educators are navigating the challenges associated with limiting their usage in the classroom. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see ...
Jan 22, 2024•18 min
This week, Ryan sits with Jenna Edwards, the award-winning producer, actor, and author of Aggressive Optimism, a new novel about the coming-of-age story that explores themes of mental health and perseverance. On this episode, Jenna talks about “aggressive optimism” and what schools can do to instill a mindset of optimism in its students and teachers. Jenna also talks about distinguishing aggressive optimism and toxic positivity in the K-12 sector. Tune in! You can find out more about her work by...
Jan 15, 2024•19 min
This week, Ryan sits with Tammy and Marc Goldberg, two acclaimed math education innovators and the operators of Mathnasium learning centers throughout the Northeastern United States. On this episode, Tammy and Marc discuss the general state of mathematics education, shedding light on the common skill gaps observed in students that are hindering their progress in math. Our guests also talk about the importance of additional support beyond the classroom and offer strategies to address these issues...
Jan 08, 2024•26 min
This week, Ryan sits with Joanna Smith-Griffin, the founder and CEO of AllHere, makers of the AllHere school-to-family digital communication platform. On this episode, Joanna talks about her involvement in education and in the ed-tech space. Joanna also talks about the impacts of chronic absenteeism and how AllHere strategically addresses this challenge, offering valuable insights into the platform's role in supporting student success. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us ...
Dec 11, 2023•16 min
This week, Ryan sits with Sheryl Cababa, the Chief Design Officer at the Insights, Design and Development Studio Substantial. On this episode, Sheryl talks about the difference between systems thinking and design thinking and sheds light on how they can revolutionize learning experiences. Sheryl also emphasizes the practical application of leveraging research and storytelling as powerful tools to empower historically under-resourced communities. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation!...
Dec 04, 2023•21 min
This week, Ryan talks about an innovative assessment method that fosters peer learning, empowers students to articulate their thought processes, and effectively gauges student mastery. Sarah talks about a groundbreaking solution and treatment developed by a middle school student. This transformative approach revolutionizes how we address skin cancer treatment, utilizing a simple yet ingenious bar of soap. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the ...
Nov 27, 2023•18 min
