Project Lead the Way is a proven national leader in science, technology, engineering, and math education, for Pre-K through high school. They strive to help teachers make every student in every grade STEM-successful, through interactive, problem-based learning. Learn more and find a school with Project Lead The Way near you. In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we learn about "The Solutionary Way" with Zoe Weil, co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education. Zoe discuss...
Oct 23, 2024•30 min
In this podcast episode, Victoria Andrews gets into the transformative power of community in education. Joined by John Watson and Mawi Asgedom, the three discuss how fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion can lead to innovative learning environments. John Watson, the CEO of Evergreen Education Group, highlights the importance of creating spaces like the Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC) where educators can connect, share challenges, and learn from each other. This community-centric...
Oct 16, 2024•31 min
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we are joined by an inspiring lineup of educational leaders who are at the forefront of transforming Nevada's educational landscape. Our guests are Jhone Ebert, Nevada's State Superintendent, and Jeanine Collins, Chief Innovation Officer at Ed Extraordinary. They discuss their pivotal roles in the creation and implementation of Nevada's State Portrait of a Learner. Alongside them, Brently Garbutt, Principal of Jerome Mack Middle School, and Claire Ro...
Oct 09, 2024•33 min
In this episode of the Getting Smart podcast, hosts Jordan Luster and Victoria Andrews talk to Desiree Corbin of Mindsprout Montessori, Tiffany Blasingame of the Ferguson School, Kenesha Skaggs of SOAR Academy, Coi Morefield of The Lab School of Memphis, Amar Kumar of KaiPod, and Julia Bamba from the Issaquah School District. Together. The conversation explores the opportunities and challenges of scaling microschools, highlighting different models and success stories. The hosts and their guests ...
Oct 02, 2024•36 min
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark speaks with Rachelle Dené Poth, an esteemed educator, author, and ed tech expert, about the integration of AI in education. Rachelle shares insights from her latest book, How to Teach AI: Weaving Strategies and Activities into Any Content Area, highlighting the importance of using AI to enhance language learning and foster innovation among students. They discuss the evolving landscape of education with AI tools like Google Translate an...
Sep 25, 2024•33 min
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers is joined by Carolyn Weir, Executive Director of the McClure Foundation, discussing Vermont's innovative Free Degree Promise. This initiative offers accelerated, debt-free pathways to post-secondary education, particularly benefiting students from rural and underserved communities. Carolyn shares insights on the successes and challenges of implementing such programs, the importance of partnerships, and how these efforts are shaping ...
Sep 18, 2024•34 min
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by project-based learning (PBL) advocate Kyle Wagner to delve into the transformative power of PBL in creating student-centered environments. Kyle shares his journey from visiting innovative schools like High Tech High to becoming a global ambassador for PBL. They discuss how these educational models foster creativity, agency, and purpose among students, and explore the broader implications for education systems worldwide. Wh...
Sep 11, 2024•39 min
This town hall discussion focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the education system, particularly in K-12 settings. Nate McClennen leads this riveting conversation with featured speakers such as Wes Kriesel, Kunal Dalal, and Jerry Almendarez. Listen in as the discuss the growing use of AI tools among students and educators, highlighting the importance of understanding AI’s role in education. The speakers discuss various aspects of AI, including its potential to augment...
Sep 04, 2024•47 min
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Rachel Davison Humphries, Senior Director of Civic Learning Initiative at the Bill of Rights Institute. They explore the urgent need for robust civics education amidst a rapidly evolving socio-political landscape. Rachel emphasizes the role of civics in strengthening community ties and fostering democratic dispositions in students. The conversation also explores innovative ways to integrate civics across curricula, the sta...
Aug 28, 2024•34 min
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers is joined by Betsy Revell, Senior Vice President of Career Connected Learning, and Marie Mackintosh, President and CEO of EmployIndy. They discuss the organization's efforts to provide Indianapolis students with access to tech apprenticeships through initiatives like Accelerate Ed, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Outline Introduction and Overview EmployIndy's Role and Partnerships Accelerate Ed and Equitable Path...
Aug 21, 2024•32 min
In this episode of the Getting Smart podcast, Tom Vander Ark speaks with Lisa Gevelber, Vice President at Google and founder of Grow with Google. They discuss the transformative impact of Grow with Google, a program designed to provide alternative career pathways through online certificates in high-demand fields. The conversation also delves into the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Lisa discusses the launch of the Google Gen AI for Educators course, developed in partner...
Aug 14, 2024•27 min
In this episode of the Getting Smart podcast, Shawnee Caruthers speaks with Kathy Goodacre, Principal Gabe Oliveira, and Vice Principal Erika Raffo about the transformative work happening in Sonoma County through the CTE Foundation and its partnership with Elsie Allen High School. Kathy discusses the foundation’s mission to invest in and expand career technical education (CTE) programs across the county, emphasizing the importance of connecting classroom learning to real-world applications and h...
Aug 07, 2024•36 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we’re joined by Todd Smith, past podcast host and guest and CEO of Symphony Workforce , and Stacey Ocander, Senior Director of Workforce and Education Initiatives at Nebraska Hospital Association to discuss their collaborative efforts to address the healthcare workforce crisis in Nebraska. Stacey discusses the innovative statewide curriculum she developed for third to fifth graders, which introduces students to various healthcare professions through ...
Jul 31, 2024•38 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark talks to Conrad Wolfram, CEO of Wolfram Research and author of The Math Fix, to discuss the evolving role of computational thinking in education. They explore how the surge in computational power and AI can transform math education by moving away from manual calculations and focusing on real-world problem-solving. Conrad Wolfram shares insights on the necessity of integrating computational tools into the curriculum, emphasizing that mo...
Jul 24, 2024•39 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark talks to Dr. Candy Van Buskirk, Assistant Superintendent of the Career Academy Network in South Bend, Indiana, to discuss her new book, 'Learn Outside. They talk about the innovative educational strategies at Career Academy Network and the goals of the new pathways campaign aiming to link students to economic mobility, focusing on experiential learning through career academies. Outline Career Academy Network: Origin and Vision Experien...
Jul 17, 2024•28 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark talks with Jean-Claude Brizard, CEO of Digital Promise They talk about the organization's unique congressional mandate and its role in educational innovation. They explain how Digital Promise has exceptional access to U.S. government agencies, enhancing its impact on educational policy and practice. Brizard discusses the power networks like the League of Innovative Schools have in credentialing and micro-credentials for teachers, and t...
Jul 10, 2024•35 min
This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is part of a new short monthly series where Mason Pashia is joined by Dr. Jason Cummins, a previous guest and a friend of the podcast, to speak with indigenous leaders and academics to discuss how indigenous ways of knowing and leading can, and should, shape the education system. On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, hosts Mason Pashia and Dr. Jason Cummins are joined by Dr. Shane Doyle, an Indigenous educator and researcher. Dr. Doyle shares his...
Jun 28, 2024•30 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we’re joined by two members of the Communities Foundation of Texas team: Chris Coxon, Managing Director of Programs; and Ryan Franklin, Senior Director, Policy & Advocacy. Educate Texas has been in a leadership role in college and career readiness school models for over two decades, and has been the lead intermediary supporting the successful growth of both the Early College High School and P-TECH school models. Outline: Overview of Educate Texas...
Jun 26, 2024•31 min
This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is sponsored by Mrs. Wordsmith, learn more at mrswordsmith.com and save 15% on your order by entering discount code GETTINGSMART15 at checkout, (edited) On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers is joined by Dr. Gholnecsar Muhammad. You might know her as Gholdy. Dr. Muhammad is an associate professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Illinois Chicago. She is the author of the essential 2020 book “Cultivating Genius:...
Jun 19, 2024•32 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Victoria Andrews is joined by Melissa Byrne, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning at Barrington Community 220 School District in Illinois. We visited Barrington High School a few weeks ago with a team of principals from the Kansas City area. Melissa shared Barrinton’s Learner Profile, Pathways implementation, and Gem program that allows students to self-select competencies for a project. Links: View Full Shownotes and Transcript Learner...
Jun 12, 2024•21 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia is joined by Jennifer Brandsberg-Engelmann to discuss a new approach to teaching economics and why it is critical to teach economics to K-12 students as a way of understanding the world. Links Regenerative Economics Course Link to the course Recent Webinar on the Generative Economics Curriculum Doughnut Economics Kate Raworth GCSE Requirements Revised GCSE Syllabus Mason’s Biomimicry Blog...
Jun 07, 2024•32 min
This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is sponsored by Mrs. Wordsmith, learn more at mrswordsmith.com On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Dr. Carl Gombrich, the Dean at the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), to discuss his transition from University College London (UCL) to LIS, motivated by a desire for educational innovation. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Gombrich shared his experience of fostering interdisciplinary education at UCL and his subseq...
Jun 05, 2024•35 min
We hope you’ve attended our town halls, but are you looking for even more ways to learn in community? Check out one of the two forthcoming webinars from the Aurora Institute. Learn more here . This Getting Smart Town Hall focused on pathways in Health Sciences and focus on the following elements of effective pathways: sector job prospects and entrepreneurial opportunities career exploration resources high school pathway examples work-based learning and credentialing opportunities postsecondary p...
May 31, 2024•43 min
This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is sponsored by Mrs. Wordsmith, learn more at mrswordsmith.com On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Dr. Shari Camhi, Superintendent of the Baldwin School District in Long Island. Together, they discuss the need for enhanced media literacy in an age where information credibility is increasingly questioned. Additionally, Dr. Camhi shares insights from her decade-long tenure in Baldwin, highlighting how her personal expe...
May 29, 2024•30 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers is joined by two of the leaders leaning into this space, Juan Jose Gonzalez, Managing Director of Pathways & Operations at Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University ( EdSystems ) and Gina Schuyler, Department Chair of Career and Technical Education at Grayslake Central High School, a partner of EdSystems. EdSystems is a part of the Accelerate ED initiative, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Acc...
May 22, 2024•40 min
This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is part of a new short monthly series where Mason Pashia is joined by Dr. Jason Cummins, a previous guest and a friend of the podcast, to speak with indigenous leaders and academics to discuss how indigenous ways of knowing and leading can, and should, shape the education system. On this podcast episode, they are joined by Lona Running Wolf from the Piikani Nation to discuss her extensive work in educational reform and cultural preservation. Lona shares ...
May 17, 2024•34 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Nate McClennen is joined by Sarah Elizabeth Ippel, Founder and Executive Director of the Academy for Global Citizenship, a public K-8 charter school that opened in 2008 on the southwest side of Chicago. ACG just moved into a brand new campus in partnership with the Cultivate Collective project — a multi-generational community hub that includes an urban farm, health center, and adult education programs. Together, Nate and Sarah discuss her journey to f...
May 15, 2024•36 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Tom Vander Ark is joined by Yu-Ling Cheng ,Co-Producer of Remake Learning Days and Director of Kidsburgh and Parents as Allies , (Kidsburgh operates as a project of Grantmakers of Western PA ). Remake Learning Days is one of the world's largest festival of hands-on learning where parents and caregivers learn alongside their kids. The festival began in 2016 in southwestern PA and has since taken root in other regions. In 2024, there will be 2,000+ even...
May 10, 2024•27 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Shawnee Caruthers is joined by Jennifer Mellor, Chief Innovation Officer at the Phoenix Chamber Foundation and Mike Huckins, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and IT Operations at the Greater Phoenix Chamber. Together, Jennifer and Mike are working on ElevateEdAZ, a remarkable initiative by the Arizona design team that's revolutionizing education and workforce development in the state, is working to be at the intersection of key stakeholders to ...
May 08, 2024•30 min
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Tom Vander Ark is joined by, Dr. Lesley-Ann Noel, a professor at North Carolina State University. Lesley-Ann is also author of Design Social Change , a new book from Stanford’s d.School run featuring past guests Sam Seidel and Olatunde Sobomehin on Creative Hustle and Sarah Stein Greenberg on Creative Acts for Curious People. Just the other day we ran an episode we recorded live at SXSW EDU 2024 with some of her colleagues....
May 03, 2024•33 min
