Getting Smart Podcast

Today, Getting Smart team member, Rebecca Midles, is virtually sitting down with Kelley Munger and Megan Marcus of FuelEd. Kelley and Megan are both professional development consultants that specialize in social-emotional learning and relationship building. Megan is the founder of FuelEd. She started her career in research and helped lead the research efforts for the book, The Social Neuroscience of Education: Optimizing Attachment and Learning in the Classroom, by Louis Cozolino. Kelley completed her Ph.D. in Early Intervention and Special Education at the University of Oregon and is a researcher and licensed therapist working in areas of trauma, adult attachment, special education, and human development. Join in the conversation as they talk about the intersections of whole-child and SEL, how to best develop SEL within teachers and leaders, and where educators can get started in their SEL journeys. Key Takeaways: [:09] About today's episode with Kelley Munger and Megan Marcus of FuelEd. [:55] Rebecca welcomes Kelley and Megan to the Getting Smart Podcast. [1:04] How Kelley and Megan first met and came together with FuelEd. [2:10] The differences (and similarities) between social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and whole-child and whole-person work. [4:52] How and why they incorporate all three lenses (of SEL, trauma-informed practices, and whole-person work) at FuelEd. [5:04] Kelley describes what "attachment stories" are. [7:56] The importance of identity and the differences in SEL practices for educators vs. students. [16:10] About Getting Smart's new report on what's next in learning! [16:46] Dos and Don'ts for teaching SEL. [23:11] Key takeaways and advice for scaling, and more on the inception of FuelEd. [26:36] How anti-racist teaching is being supported through SEL and the work that Kelley and Megan are doing at FuelEd. [31:20] Kelley and Megan share some ideas on addressing large-scale trauma/collective stories to help educators and students. [34:47] Rebecca thanks Kelley and Megan for joining the podcast. [36:27] Where to learn more about FuelEd and the work that Kelley and Megan are doing in this world! Mentioned in This Episode: Rebecca Midles | Getting Smart FuelEd @FuelEdSchools on Twitter Megan Marcus Kelley Munger The Social Neuroscience of Education: Optimizing Attachment and Learning in the Classroom, by Louis Cozolino Getting Smart's Newest Report: "20 Invention Opportunities in Learning & Development" Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 308 — "Phoenix Charter Academy on The Primary Person Advisory Model" Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include "Podcast" in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

Today Tom is sitting down virtually to speak with Jeremy Keeshin, about his new book, Read Write Code: A Friendly Introduction to the World of Coding and Why It's the New Literacy. Jeremy has been an innovator from an early age and co-founded CodeHS back in 2012 when he was just graduating from Stanford University with a BS in Computer Science. CodeHS is an online coding education platform that helps schools teach computer science to high school students. Jeremy is an advocate for continuous learning, focusing on emerging technologies, and providing free access to education for all high schoolers. In this episode, Jeremy speaks about his book, Read Write Code, the many benefits of learning to code, why it might be the new literacy, and whether or not students should still be thinking about going to college. He also speaks about the many opportunities that learning coding provides, what CodeHS offers educators and schools, how the rise of A.I. and machine learning is changing what should be taught to students in high school, and advice for students interested in pursuing a career in computer science. Key Takeaways: [:00] About Project Unicorn. [:33] About today's episode with Jeremy Keeshin [1:13] Tom welcomes Jeremy to the podcast! [2:02] When did Jeremy originally get hooked on coding? [3:10] Did Jeremy always know that he wanted to focus on computer science? [3:47] Jeremy speaks a bit about his experience studying Computer Science at Stanford University. [5:18] How, why, and when Jeremy started his company, CodeHS. [5:49] Jeremy explains what CodeHS is. [6:51] About CodeHS's business model. [7:18] What teachers and administrators get in the premium offering that CodeHS offers. [7:49] Why they offer free programming through CodeHS. [9:07] Why what CodeHS offers is so invaluable to so many teachers and schools. [10:15] For students with a deep interest in computer science, what courses should they take in high school? [12:46] What programming languages would Jeremy recommend students focus on? [14:14] Is coding the new literacy or is it just a vocational skill? [17:32] What coding looks like at the elementary level and the best long-term way of teaching programming in a sustainable way for students. [18:55] How the rise of A.I. and machine learning in every sector of the economy has changed what we should teach students in high school. [21:57] Computer science is moving really quickly. How can we give students advice about what careers might be attractive to them and what they should be learning in high school? And how can we help teachers and counselors stay up-to-date on this knowledge? [24:07] Should students go to college for coding with so many great resources online? [26:17] Tom plugs Jeremy's fantastic book, Read Write Code: A Friendly Introduction to the World of Coding and Why It's the New Literacy. [26:39] Who should read Jeremy's book? [26:56] Why secondary teachers would really benefit from reading Jeremy's book. [27:33] With things moving so fast, how does Jeremy keep up and continually learn? [28:36] Tom thanks Jeremy for joining the podcast! Mentioned in This Episode: Project Unicorn Jeremy Keeshin Jeremy Keeshin's Twitter CodeHS Read Write Code: A Friendly Introduction to the World of Coding and Why It's the New Literacy, by Jeremy Keeshin JavaScript Python Coding in the Wild Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 138: "AI4All Extends the Power of Artificial Intelligence to High School Girls" Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include "Podcast" in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

Today Tom is speaking with Dr. Ron Crutcher, President and Professor of Music at the University of Richmond. He's also the author of the new book, I Had No Idea You Were Black: Navigating Race on the Road to Leadership. Dr. Crutcher was a founding co-chair of Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP) and a former member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. His new book, I Had No Idea You Were Black, outlines his success as a Black intellectual navigating highly-charged social issues, his principles for leading and being, his personal and professional journey, his struggles as both an artist and an educator to overcome the blindness and cruelty of racism, and the ways in which we must build colleges and universities as places where learning starts with listening and where courage and character matter. Listen in as Tom and Dr. Crutcher discuss the influence of music, strong leadership, the role of university and college, lessons on life and leadership, and much more. Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode with Ronald A. Crutcher. [:44] Tom welcomes Ronald A. Crutcher to the podcast and congratulates him on his new book! [:56] How did the cello first enter Dr. Crutcher's life? [4:28] How an incredibly influential teacher put Dr. Crutcher on a completely different life trajectory. [8:22] How this influential teacher (and the experiences that followed) impacted Dr. Crutcher's leadership style. [11:44] Dr. Crutcher shares additional insights from his musical and performing arts background that he brings to his work today as an educational leader and President and Professor of Music at the University of Richmond. [14:47] Ron shares the story that resulted in the title of his book, I Had No Idea You Were Black: Navigating Race on the Road to Leadership. [17:20] Ron speaks more on his experience of being one of the few African-Americans involved in symphonies and orchestras and the lessons he learned. [19:05] What began Ron's dream of leading a university. [21:25] About Getting Smart's new report on what's next in learning! [23:05] Important characteristics and values for leaders and those in a role such as a college or a university President. [27:20] How Ron is able to stand by these values in his own role. [28:04] Ron speaks on the importance of being in a diverse community and what that should look like in a college or university. [31:14] Three key lessons from Ron's book on acknowledging race, controversies, and slowing down to have these important conversations around diversity. [34:42] Ron elaborates what he sees the purpose of higher education as and what higher ed can do to create a shared reality around diversity and equity. [38:20] Ron's agenda for improving diversity and equity at the University of Richmond. [42:28] Tom thanks Ron for joining the podcast and sharing his invaluable insights! Mentioned in This Episode: Ronald A. Crutcher's LinkedIn I Had No Idea You Were Black: Navigating Race on the Road to Leadership, by Ronald A. Crutcher Getting Smart's Newest Report: "20 Invention Opportunities in Learning & Development" Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges, by Loren Pope and Hilary Masell Oswald Getting Smart Podcast Ep: "Joe Truss on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture in Schools" Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include "Podcast" in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Summer Stephens and Nate Waite about district change in the Churchill County School District. Summer Stephens is a longtime educator and superintendent that has successfully implemented systems of blended and online learning, voice and choice, self-paced learning, project-based learning, and design thinking. A specific focus of her work includes bridging the gap between courses traditionally identified as core and CTE, and, working to ensure that systems have opportunities and pathways for all students to engage in future-ready work. Nate Waite has a background in both the classroom and in edtech and is now the Innovation and Professional Learning Facilitator for the region. The bulk of his time is spent right at Churchill, SD, where has been for the last 24 years. Listen in as Summer and Nate talk with Tom about district change, professional learning models, and how they each continue their own learning! Key Takeaways: [:11] About today's episode with Summer Stephens and Nate Waite of Churchill County School District. [:58] Tom welcomes Summer and Nate to the Getting Smart Podcast! [1:12] Where the Churchill County Public School is. [2:18] Has Nate been directly working with Summer in the last two years she has been working at Churchill County? [2:36] What was the state of learning when Summer first arrived at Churchill? [4:25] Was the "Profile of a Learner" in place when Summer joined the team or did she develop it? [5:56] About the different Profiles of a Learner: Critical Thinker, Inspired Innovator, Collaborative Learner, Effective Communicator, Global Citizen, and Lifelong Learner. [8:05] Nate provides some background on why they developed the Global Citizen and Inspired Innovator profiles and what it means to be those learners. [11:21] Summer elaborates on their change strategy at Churchill. [13:47] The four elements of Churchill's instructional model. [18:06] A powerful new tool that every teacher should be using with their learners: the Well-Being Index by Turnaround for Children. [19:01] What professional learning looks like in Churchill. [21:10] Was 2020 the toughest year of Summer's career? [23:30] Nate shares about the challenges (and the silver lining) that the staff of Churchill has experienced in the last 12 months. [25:50] What is going to be better and different in Churchill 18 months from now? What capabilities and strategies have they implemented in the last 12 months that they will continue to take forward? [28:43] How Nate has continued his own learning. [30:42] How Summer has continued her own learning. [32:28] Tom Vander Ark thanks Summer Stephens and Nate Waite for joining the podcast! Mentioned in This Episode: Summer Stephens' LinkedIn Nate Waite's LinkedIn Churchill County Public School Naval Air Station Fallon Well-Being Index | Turnaround for Children Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 232: "Virginia Superintendent James Lane on Unleashing Innovation" Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include "Podcast" in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

In this episode, Getting Smart team member, Rashawn Caruthers, talks with two educators from Phoenix Charter Academy about their Primary Person Model. This model is a one-on-one advisory system that puts mental health and wellness at the forefront of student progress, which now — more than ever — is so important. Phoenix Charter Academy is a member of the Strategy Lab cohort, which is part of the Always Ready for Learning Network; a project from The Learning Accelerator. As storytelling partners on the project, Getting Smart is thrilled to share this vital work that helps districts work together to accelerate the development of a more resilient and equitable education future. Rashawn's two guests today are Scarlet Im and Marisa Balleani of Phoenix Charter Academy. Scarlet is a Mathematics teacher and Marisa is an Academic Support Teacher and IEP/504 Case Manager. These two educators demonstrate care and a willingness to learn and iterate for the benefit of their learners. In their conversation, Scarlet and Marisa share about the Primary Person Model from its successes to its challenges and the future of the practice. At the end of the episode, Scarlet shares a special one-on-one conversation with her and a scholar to demonstrate what the PPM model looks like on a daily basis. Key Takeaways: [:11] About today's episode with Scarlet Im and Marisa Balleani of Phoenix Charter Academy. [1:18] Rashawn Caruthers welcomes Scarlet and Marisa to the podcast. [1:31] Scarlet shares her background and gives an introduction to the Phoenix Charter Academy. [2:56] Marisa speaks about her role at Phoenix Charter Academy. [3:42] About the Primary Person Model and how it originally began. [5:36] How Marisa has witnessed the Primary Person Model create a shift for students. [7:09] Key findings that Scarlet is seeing from these one-on-one meetings with students and educators. [9:19] Marisa shares her personal experience with her PPM caseload and the benefits she is seeing amongst students. [10:06] How are they collecting data from the PPM program to continue to build the program post-COVID-19 and in different reflective practices? [11:35] Scarlet shares how they have used professional development to support the PPM work within their school. [14:21] Marisa shares how they use the data they collect to shift their teaching practices and their level of support for one another. [15:55] Is the PPM model scalable? Can other schools utilize it? [19:38] What would students say about the PPM model? What do they like most about it? [21:44] A special check-in between Scarlet and one of her scholars where they go over his weekly schedule, upcoming goals, and more! [32:46] Rashawn thanks Scarlet and Marisa for joining the podcast! Mentioned in This Episode: Phoenix Charter Academy Strategy Lab Always Ready for Learning Network The Learning Accelerator Scarlet Im Marisa Balleani Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 217: "How Educators Can Positively Impact a Child's Cognitive Development with Dr. Pamela Cantor" Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include "Podcast" in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

Joining Tom today is Thomas Hatch, a professor at the Teachers College Columbia University and the Director of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST). Thomas's research includes studies of school improvement, district, and national levels. His latest book, The Education We Need for a Future We Can't Predict, focuses on efforts to create more powerful learning experiences both inside and outside schools in developed and developing contexts. In Thomas and Tom's conversation, they discuss the future of powerful learning, micro-innovations, and change. Thomas takes listeners through his book, The Education We Need for a Future We Can't Predict, and shares the key components that lead to school and systems change. This is a fascinating discussion so don't miss out! Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode with Thomas Hatch. [:42] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Thomas Hatch to the podcast. [:51] Thomas shares the origin story of NCREST as well as its mission. [3:01] Tom shares his appreciation for Thomas's early work on the concept of coherence. [3:39] Thomas takes us to the early beginnings of his work around coherence and explains what it is and why it is important. [7:26] Tom congratulates Thomas on his new book, The Education We Need for a Future We Can't Predict, and shares what he loves about it. [7:54] Thomas tells about each of the sections in his book, starting with part 1: "Why Should Schools Change?" He headlines the case for change and provides some suggestions on how to create agreements around them. [11:40] Tom shares the key insights he appreciated in the first section. [12:27] The second section of the book covers barriers to change. Thomas lists some of the barriers and what we can do to make progress in overcoming them. [15:39] In section three of Thomas's book, he writes about how schools can improve. In particular, he focuses on high-leverage problems. Thomas explains what these are, why they're critical, and shares some examples. [17:33] The next section of Thomas's book is on how education can change where he introduces the concept of micro-innovations. Thomas explains what these are and what they can do to move a system agenda forward. [20:18] Tom shares how 4.0 Schools have been teaching this idea of micro-innovations. [21:07] Chapter 5 of Thomas' book is on systems change. Thomas speaks about two critical elements of systems change that are covered in this chapter: capacity building and collective responsibility. [25:28] Would Thomas agree that it takes a decade-long push on all three of these primary levers to really promote systems change? [27:44] Thomas reflects on his career, professional learning, and how he has seen education change over the years. [30:29] Would Thomas say that writing is part of his learning process? [32:00] What's next for Thomas? [34:10] Tom thanks Thomas for joining the Getting Smart Podcast! Mentioned in This Episode: Thomas Hatch's Website The Education We Need for a Future We Can't Predict, by Thomas Hatch National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Project Zero ATLAS Communities | Project Zero The New American Schools Development Corporation (JSTOR) Success For All Foundation Linda Darling-Hammond Coalition of Essential Schools Theodore R. Sizer 4.0 Schools Albemarle County Public Schools Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 256: "Jenny Pieratt on Powerful PBL" Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include "Podcast" in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

Today Tom is speaking with Stephanie Krauss; an educator, social worker, researcher, and writer. Her work focuses on what young people need in the first quarter of life for them to thrive and be ready for adulthood. She is a senior advisor to JFF and a staff consultant for the Youth Transition Funders Group. In this episode, Tom and Stephanie discuss the ways her childhood ultimately led her to follow up her teaching career with an education in social work. Her new book, Making It: What Today's Kids Need for Tomorrow's World, focuses on the rarely discussed but extremely important currencies required for kids today. During the discussion, Stephanie highlights the social and financial realities of kids, the inequities and injustices that exist in the education system, and how adults can equip young people with the competencies they need to survive. Key Takeaways: [:11] About today's episode with Stephanie Krauss. [:43] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Stephanie to the podcast! [1:22] Stephanie chose to pursue social work to better understand the social and financial realities of kids. [3:27] The "Readiness is a Right" philosophy. [7:59] Stephanie's book, Making It: What Today's Kids Need for Tomorrow's World, unpacks the complexity and explains the injustice of what is required for readiness. [12:36] Stephanie describes the new currencies she focuses on in her book, Making It. [20:11] Injustices and inequities in social capital and the role it plays in a child's life. [25:07] How young people can be discerning about choosing credentials and cash. [27:32] Stephanie tackles the lack of access to capital/cash for students living in poverty. [31:44] Specific ways educators and community leaders can be currency builders. Mentioned in This Episode: Stephanie Malia Krauss Making It: What Today's Kids Need for Tomorrow's World, by Stephanie Krauss Who You Know: Unlocking Innovations That Expand Students' Networks, by Julia Freeland Fisher, with Daniel Fisher, foreword by Clayton M. Christensen Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include "Podcast" in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

Today Tom is speaking with Navid Nathoo; an innovator, entrepreneur, and creator of the new program and platform, The Knowledge Society. The Knowledge Society is an after-school program that helps learners navigate interests and encourages them to contribute to their communities as well as the global community with a series of projects. In this episode, Tom and Navid talk about what the future of education could be and how to get learners to find their spark and lean into difference-making. Navid shares about the genesis of The Knowledge Society, its mission, why he decided to create it, and how the program itself works. He also shares some key insights on how you can skill up in a new area, the importance of honing your ability to problem-solve, and the top indicators of what makes someone successful. Key Takeaways: [:09] About today's episode with Navid Nathoo. [:48] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Navid to the podcast! [1:25] Navid shares about his background and his upbringing in Canada. [2:21] About the previous companies Navid has founded. [3:19] Navid shares how he first became interested in the space of artificial intelligence and data science. Navid also highlights the importance of honing the ability of problem-solving as well as using emerging technologies to solve problems. [7:10] Navid offers insights on how you can skill up in a new area. [9:47] Why did Navid decide to start The Knowledge Society? [13:20] One of the top key indicators of what makes someone successful, and the mission of The Knowledge Society. [14:35] About The Knowledge Society program and some of its major goals. [16:39] Would Navid say that students have to be self-directed in this program? [18:00] How do they match students with projects? [20:00] How many learners are in the program? And where are they from? [21:36] Navid talks about their business model and scaling aspirations. [23:05] Would it be possible to use this model to rethink high school and college? [26:29] Tom and Navid share what they love about The Knowledge Society. [28:18] Navid shares some examples of impressive student projects. [32:02] Tom thanks Navid for joining the podcast and Navid shares where you can learn more about TKS online! Mentioned in This Episode: Navid Nathoo's LinkedIn The Knowledge Society TKS' Twitter Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 284: "Joanne McEachen on Contributive Learning" Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include "Podcast" in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

Today, Tom is virtually sitting down with Trace Pickering, the Executive Director of Iowa BIG — one of Getting Smart's favorite learning programs in the country! Trace has a background in community building, has served as the Associate Superintendent of Cedar Rapids Community School District, and has also served as the Associate Director of Education Reimagined. Trace has a legacy of empowering people to pursue interesting and important projects while bringing together an entire community. In this conversation, Tom and Trace discuss the power of community-connected projects, how to scale a program like Iowa BIG, and how to create a culture of project-based learning. Trace also shares about the genesis of Iowa BIG, some incredible student-led projects that have come out of Iowa BIG, and his thoughts on why community-centered learning is more important than ever. Key Takeaways: [:09] About today's episode with Trace Pickering. [:55] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Trace to the podcast! [1:05] Did Trace grow up in Iowa? [1:16] Trace and Tom go into the "Way-back Machine" to 12 years ago after the Cedar River covered Cedar Rapids in a flood. Trace shares his reflections from what he learned in the process of a local newspaper inviting him to host a series of community conversations about what was next for Cedar Rapids. He also shares how this series of community conversations led to the creation of Iowa BIG. [6:54] Trace explains what Iowa BIG is, what its mission is, and how long it has been running. [8:46] How does this work for students? How many high schools do they work with? [9:23] Trace shares about how Iowa BIG is learner-centered and how the projects work around this. [11:54] Do many or all of the student projects at Iowa BIG revolve around the concept of "community as classroom"? [12:22] The idea that students should do work that matters to them and their community is really central to every project that's co-constructed at Iowa BIG. [12:42] Trace shares a recent example of an incredible student project that helped out the community in the midst of the pandemic. [17:05] Trace shares how they incorporated communication expectations into that project and how the organizing students developed and demonstrated communication standards as part of the project. [19:07] Trace shares how they incorporate science and math learning into these community projects and shares a specific example of an amazing student project. [21:50] Trace gives advice to those who want to start up a similar program and become more learner-centered. [23:48] Tom offers further suggestions on how you could begin to implement a similar program. [24:11] What would an Iowa BIG ecosystem look like? What if all high schools were learner-centered? [26:57] Does Trace feel that this sort of work is more important than ever in this current landscape? [29:09] Where to learn more about Iowa BIG and the work that Trace Pickering is doing. [30:01] Tom thanks Trace for joining the podcast! Mentioned in This Episode: Iowa BIG @IowaBIG Twitter The Iowa BIG Podcast on Spotify @IowaBIG Facebook @IowaBIG Instagram Trace Pickering's LinkedIn XQ | Iowa BIG The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, by Tom Vander Ark, Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag LimoLink Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 265: "Jenny Pieratt on Powerful PBL" Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include "Podcast" in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

In this episode, Tom is joined by Kelly Young, President of Education Reimagined, to chat with Randy Ziegenfuss, podcast host and former Superintendent, about his multi-decade influence in the education space. Randy recently retired from the role of Superintendent in the Salisbury Township School District where he served for the past 15 years. Currently, he teaches as a Clinical Adjunct Professor of Education at Moravian College and Delaware Valley University. You can read his blog at WorkingAtTheEdge.org and listen to his podcasts at ShiftYourParadigm.org or TLTalkRadio.org. Listen in as Tom and Kelly reflect on Randy's influence and experience on leadership and learner-centered education! Key Takeaways: [:09] About today's episode with Randy Ziegenfuss. [:55] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Randy Ziegenfuss to the podcast! [1:05] Tom thanks Kelly for joining as a co-host in this episode. [1:58] Many people know Randy as the Salisbury Township School District's Superintendent, which is in Allentown, PA. Did Randy grow up there? Where did he go to school and what did he excel in? [3:56] Tom and Randy highlight the huge role extracurricular activities and the arts often play in being powerful learning experiences for people in their formative years. [5:33] Why every young person deserves an experience in music and the arts in high school, and why these experiences are especially powerful and important. [7:02] Did Randy plan to be a music teacher? What were his early aspirations? [9:50] Did Randy ever take a school group to Broadway? [10:27] When and how did Randy make the shift from music to ed-tech? [12:20] How Randy was first introduced to Education Reimagined and the powerful collaboration that they've had over the last several years. [14:05] When did Kelly first hear about Randy? [14:55] What Kelly really likes about Randy's podcasts. [15:52] Randy reminisces on what led to the creation of his podcasts. [18:24] Tom shares what he really appreciated about Randy's podcasts. [18:50] The benefits and challenges of having learners involved in many of Randy's dialogues throughout the years. [19:53] Kelly shares why she believes listening to learners is so vitally important. [20:18] What Randy sees as being really powerful in hearing from young people and what he thinks listeners gained from listening to them. [23:17] Kelly and Randy reflect on learner-centered leadership, what they've come to learn about it, and what makes a learner-centered leader. [29:28] What Randy and Kelly would hope to see in a learner-centered ecosystem. [32:30] Would Randy say that last year was the toughest year of his professional career? What would he say was the most challenging aspect? [35:32] Randy highlights some of the cracks, openings, and opportunities that came from this tough last year. [37:50] Tom and Kelly thank Randy for his incredible contributions to the education space. [39:00] Randy gives his thanks to Tom and Kelly. [40:13] Getting Smart thanks Randy and Kelly for joining the podcast! Mentioned in This Episode: Randy Ziegenfuss's LinkedIn Randy's Twitter @Ziegeran WorkingAtTheEdge.org TLTalkRadio.org ShiftYourParadigm.org Salisbury Township School District Moravian College Delaware Valley University Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 170: "Randy Ziegenfuss on Teacher Leadership and Student-Centered Learning" Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include "Podcast" in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!