Personalized learning deserves personalized tools. In this week’s episode, we sit down with Larissa Green and Joseph Jung, the duo behind Spark , a flexible EdTech platform built from the ground up for alternative schools. Tune in to hear how Spark is giving microschools and co-ops the software they need to organize, manage, and inspire student-centered education. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.sparkyourschool.com www.facebook.com/YourSchoolSpark www.instagram.com/spark.schoo...
Jun 03, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 147
Can AI be a tool for inclusion—or is it reinforcing the digital divide? Join us as we explore how young people are stepping into the future of tech and what it means to build equitable, human-centered innovation. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with Mike and Delali on LinkedIn Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and ...
May 27, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 146
From the Adirondacks to Antarctica, our guest, Greg Morrissey, has led students on expeditions that combine outdoor adventure with meaningful academics. Tune in and learn how the Mountain Goat Movement is helping students develop skills and discover their own potential through outdoor challenges. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.mountaingoatmovement.com @mountaingoatmovement LinkedIn: @Greg Morrissey Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support yo...
May 20, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 145
What if students understood the science behind effective learning strategies? In this episode, Gretchen Wegner shares with us how teaching brain science to students transforms their willingness to try new approaches and take ownership of their education. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.antiboringlearninglab.com www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-wegner/ Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebel...
May 13, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 144
In this episode, we chat with Jacqui O'Connell, founder of Spiritus, an alternative education community born from one mother's need to find better options for her child. Tune in to learn how her approach provides a different path forward for both children and parents. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.facebook.com/spiritusalternativeeducation Instagram: @spiritushomeeducation Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openm...
May 06, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 143
Microschools often face significant regulatory hurdles. Our guest this week, Jon England, chats with us about some of the most common barriers and what we can do to overcome them. Tune in and discover practical strategies for navigating regulatory challenges in opening your microschool! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Twitter/X: @Principal_Jon Website: EdInnovators.org Email: jon@edinnovators.org Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?...
Apr 29, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 142
What does it take to implement anti-bias education that goes beyond the surface? Our guest, Sahba Rohani, Executive Director of Roots ConnectED, discusses the"dual process for change”—a combining of personal mindset shifts with collective action in classrooms. Sahba shares with us how her organization helps educators embed both reflective practices and inclusive approaches into daily routines, creating sustainable cultural shifts far more effective than isolated diversity initiatives. Listen now...
Apr 22, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 141
Math anxiety starts early, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode Aditya Nagrath, co-founder of Elephant Learning, shares why confidence and belief are critical for math success—and the tools we can use to change a child’s trajectory. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with Aditya on LinkedIn Visit elephantlearning.com to learn more about how the program works to reduce math anxiety and teach math! Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support y...
Apr 15, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 140
What makes extraordinary schools? In this enlightening conversation, Jenee Henry, Chief Learning Officer at Transcend, explores how community-based design is helping schools evolve beyond industrial-era models to create learning environments where everyone thrives. From competency-based approaches to student-driven projects, discover how education is being reimagined across America. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get your copy of Extraordinary Learning for All: How Communities De...
Apr 08, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 139
Project-based learning isn’t just about doing projects—it’s about designing deep, concept-driven experiences. In this episode, I'm breaking down what makes a project meaningful, highlighting common mistakes to avoid, and sharing real-world examples of successful interdisciplinary project-based learning. Tune in and start transforming your classroom today! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Join our community on Skool Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the...
Apr 01, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 138
This week we’re joined by Chris Hull, founder of Otus, an edTech tool designed by educators to simplify the way schools manage data, assessments, and instruction. Join us as we dive deep into an innovative approach that reimagines education as a personalized journey of discovery. Learn how Otus is using AI and data to empower teachers to do what matters most: connecting, inspiring, and truly seeing each student's unique potential. From transforming traditional grading to creating comprehensive s...
Mar 25, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 137
Kids need the chance to make decisions. But how do we create the right balance between structure and independence? Tune in for strategies that empower kids to take ownership of their choices. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school! Learn more about the Rebel...
Mar 18, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 136
What happens when we give students the tools to restore relationships rather than simply punishing behavior? In this week's episode, AJ Crabill, Senior Coach at Student Led Restorative Practices, shares with us how community circles build belonging, mediation circles resolve conflicts, and restorative circles address harm. Tune in to learn why these approaches better serve student success and how you can implement them in your own spaces. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect wi...
Mar 11, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 135
Starting a school isn't easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, we break down the biggest challenges to opening a school and share strategies to help you overcome them. Whether you’re considering starting a microschool, virtual school, or something entirely new, this episode will help you take the next step with confidence! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need? Visit https://openmysch...
Mar 04, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 134
The secret to student success might not be what you think. Our guest reveals why executive functioning skills—the ability to organize, manage time, set goals, and complete tasks—form the foundation for all learning yet are rarely taught explicitly in schools. Through his personal story of classroom struggles, he shares how he developed an innovative approach to embedding these skills naturally into daily routines. Tune in to learn why his book on executive functioning became an instant bestselle...
Feb 25, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 133
In this episode, we dive into the evolving world of microschools and a recent article published by the Center for American Progress, "The Importance of Holding Microschools Accountable". As the founder of a microschool, I understand the need for accountability, but the current system we're being held to often doesn't support the innovation and flexibility that microschools thrive on. How can we balance the need for oversight with the freedom to create dynamic, student-centered learning environme...
Feb 18, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 132
How do you create meaningful change in education without losing your job? My guest this week, Jennifer D. Klein, explores the delicate balance of innovation and resistance through the lens of her experiences in nontraditional education. Jennifer shares with us her incredible insights about leading change in schools today. From poetry in the wilderness to navigating political turbulence, discover how language, timing, and understanding can help leaders create schools where every student thrives. ...
Feb 11, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 131
How do we create schools where students actually want to learn? Meet Kapono Ciotti, an educator working to transform schools from teacher-centered stages to student-led learning environments. Drawing from his experiences in progressive education systems, Ciotti shares practical strategies for letting students take the lead in their learning journey. His innovative approaches and the What School Could Be framework offer a roadmap for educators ready to trust students with real ownership of their ...
Feb 04, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 130
I'm so excited to share my recent TED Talk with you all! In this episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes of how this opportunity came to life and share my full talk, where I explore the power of brave questions and how they’ve shaped my journey as an education innovator. Tune in now to listen and get inspired! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at projectup.us o...
Jan 28, 2025•20 min•Season 5Ep. 129
Daniel Bauer and Glenn Robbins chat with us about Stoic principles like wisdom, courage, and temperance and how they can help guide leaders in education to act with integrity, even in challenging times. Learn how to focus on what truly matters, navigate ethical dilemmas with confidence, and inspire your school community through grounded and purposeful leadership. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with Daniel on X and Instagram or give him a call/text at 312-788-7596 Connect ...
Jan 21, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 128
Burned out, overwhelmed, and struggling with student behavior—sound familiar? Dr. Jessica Werner, founder of Northshore Learning, joins us to share how her innovative, life-coaching-style approach to professional development is changing the game for teachers. Tune in to discover how she's helping educators reclaim their passion and transform classrooms. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: The root causes of teacher burnout and how it impacts classroom dynamics. Strategies for addressing challenging stu...
Jan 14, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 127
In this episode, we sit down with Yvette Cole, a Kindergarten teacher and first-time author, to discuss the inspiration behind her book and how culturally responsive teaching can transform classrooms. Yvette shares her journey in advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, and how her book, Harriet's Dinner Party , offers an engaging way for young children to learn about influential Black historical figures. Tune in to learn how to create a classroom that makes all students fee...
Jan 07, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 126
Hey Rebel Educators! Let's talk about one of the biggest challenges in our community - finding and connecting with the right families. Whether you're launching a new school, growing your educational program, or developing an edTech solution, this episode breaks down exactly how to align your core values with your marketing efforts. Tune in to learn how to create partnerships that matter, events that connect, and messaging that resonates. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Join our co...
Dec 31, 2024•20 min•Season 5Ep. 125
In this episode of Rebel Educator , I take you behind the scenes of founding Up Academy—an educational journey sparked by my daughter Eliza’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Faced with a system that didn’t believe in her potential, I set out to create a school that would not only support her but all students in need of a personalized, community-driven education. From navigating real estate challenges to overcoming unexpected setbacks, this episode is a raw and honest look at how Up Academy came to ...
Dec 24, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 124
What if education could be a launchpad for innovation instead of a standardized assembly line? Join us as Serj Hunt, Founder of City as a School, dismantles traditional learning models and reveals a radical approach to preparing young people for a complex, rapidly changing world. From AI-powered learning to real-world problem-solving, this conversation challenges everything you thought you knew about education. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: Learner agency and how we can empowering students to nav...
Dec 17, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 123
Step into the exciting world of AI in education with an inspiring conversation that breaks down barriers and reimagines learning for the digital age. Join us as my guest and I, Brett Roer, explore how students and educators are navigating the complex landscape of artificial intelligence, turning potential fears into powerful learning opportunities. From innovative classroom applications to personalized learning experiences, this episode explores how AI can be a bridge to more engaging, individua...
Dec 10, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 122
When educational leaders challenge the status quo, remarkable things happen. Pablo Muñoz has dedicated his career to proving this truth in some of New Jersey's most underserved school districts. From implementing innovative learning strategies to writing "The Leader's Algorithm," Muñoz demonstrates how thoughtful leadership can unlock extraordinary student potential. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: Strategies for creating competitive school districts in communities with high poverty rates The power...
Dec 03, 2024•45 min•Season 5Ep. 121
In this exciting episode, you’ll get an inside look at Up Academy's innovative Project-Based Learning approach through the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum! You’ll hear: How students from 2nd to 5th grade delved into the complex world of banned and challenged books. Student voices sharing their unfiltered perspectives on literary freedom and social issues. These young learners discuss books like Harry Potter, Malala's Magic Pencil, and The Lorax, demonstrating remarkable critical thinking about...
Nov 26, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 120
Could doing less for our kids actually help them more? In this episode, you'll learn: What "lighthouse parenting" is and how it differs from helicopter and snowplow parenting. Why letting children struggle, face natural consequences, and solve their own problems is crucial for their development How being a steady beacon of light, rather than a controlling force, can help build more confident, capable, and resilient kids If you're a parent or educator ready to step back and light the way instead ...
Nov 19, 2024•19 min•Season 5Ep. 119
What does an SAT score really tell us about intelligence? Tune in for a fascinating discussion about the evolution of standardized testing, its role in modern education, and why MIT recently reversed course on test-optional admissions. Our guest this week, Shahar Link, CEO and founder of Mindspire Tutoring and Test Prep, brings both personal experience and historical perspective to this timely conversation. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: The evolution of standardized testing and its role in modern...
Nov 12, 2024•30 min•Season 5Ep. 118
