Getting Smart Podcast

In this week's episode, Tom virtually sits down with Kim Smith, founder of the Pahara Institute and co-founder of NewSchools Venture Fund and Bellwether Education Partners. Kim Smith is widely recognized as an innovative and entrepreneurial leader in education and has been featured in Newsweek's report, "Women of the 21st Century," as the kind of woman who will shape America's new century. Kim was also a founding team member at Teach for America, created and led an Americorps program for community-based leaders and education, managed a business startup, and completed a brief stint in early online learning at Silicon Graphics. She has helped to incubate numerous education and social change organizations and has served on a range of boards. In Tom and Kim's conversation today, they discuss investment opportunities, Kim's impressive career in identifying and supporting innovations in education, and her advice for this year. Key Takeaways: [:09] About today's episode with Kim Smith. [1:03] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Kim to the podcast! [2:19] Kim shares how both of her parents were also educators and how they influenced her career. [3:49] How long was Kim at Teach for America? [3:57] What did Kim do after Teach for America? [5:17] The origin story of NewSchools Venture Fund. [6:34] Tom underscores how innovative of an idea the NewSchools Venture Fund was when it was founded in 1998. [7:26] Kim speaks about the early criticisms of the NewSchools Venture Fund as well as the challenges. [7:50] What led to the idea of NewSchools Venture Fund? [10:49] How Kim recruited an incredibly talented team for NewSchools Venture Fund. [12:53] Lessons learned from the incredible success of NewSchools Venture Fund. [16:39] Tom gives John Doerr a shoutout for the role he played in the success of NewSchools Venture Fund. [17:15] Kim's legacy at NewSchools Venture Fund has certainly resulted in a thousand great schools — all of which are still thriving to this day! Kim shares how she is proud of this accomplishment. [17:51] Tom shares his appreciation for Kim's early insights and leadership with R&D and ed-tech venture funds. [19:23] Kim's recent thoughts on philanthropy. [20:50] In 2012, Kim founded Pahara Institute, a non-profit focused on talent. Kim shares the origin story, why she wanted to create it, and its main mission. [24:49] How many leaders have been a part of Pahara over the last eight years? [24:58] What Kim is proudest of with Pahara Institute. [28:34] Kim's advice for philanthropists in this day and age. [29:57] Advice for system heads. [31:30] Advice for state leaders that would help support families and learners. [33:00] Kim speaks about her hopes for the new Secretary of Education. [33:35] What Kim hopes all of these groups keep in mind as we head into 2021. Mentioned in This Episode: Kim Smith's LinkedIn Stanford Graduate School of Business Teach for America Pahara Institute NewSchools Venture Fund Bellwether Education Partners John Doerr Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 212: "Teach for America: Helping All Kids Receive the Education They Deserve, with CEO Elisa Villaneuva Beard" 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!

This week, Tom is speaking with Joe Erpelding, a passionate educator and leader who is in the business of transforming schools and students' lives. Joe served as the Principal at the Poway Unified School District for a number of years before making his way to Design39Campus where he was able to create a magical, one-of-a-kind school experience for every learner. Now, he is transitioning to support the team at Thrively, a tool for helping learners understand their strengths, purpose, and passion. Listen in as Tom speaks with Joe about what makes Design39 a magical place to be, why design thinking matters, and what Thrively can do for education. Key Takeaways: [:09] About today's episode with Joe Erpelding. [:44] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Joe to the podcast! [:50] How long has Joe been with Design39? [1:05] What makes Design39 such a magic TK-8 campus. [2:46] How the Design39 building reflects the amazing program and culture. [3:15] How Joe and his colleagues describe what learners should know and be able to do at Design39. [4:53] How they express their learning goals at Design39. [5:53] What design thinking means to Joe and how they practice it at Design39. [7:02] Joe builds a picture of what you would see if you walked into the classrooms of the primary grades. [8:37] About the double classrooms, common spaces, and unique seating options at Design39. [9:58] Joe shares about the unique "learning parties" at Design39 for the intermediate grades. [11:10] The role of the teacher (or "learning experienced designers," as they're called at Design39). [13:19] How does Joe think about the role of a school head, now having almost two decades of school leadership? [14:37] Joe describes a difficult challenge that their community went through and how they approached it together, ultimately overcoming it. [16:46] How Joe leads his own learning as a school head. [19:04] How Joe and his colleagues led a new way forward in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. [21:51] About the Thrively app, how it is being used at Design39, and what Joe is hoping to accomplish by joining the team. [24:52] The age range Thrively covers. [25:25] How the feature "sparks" within the Thrively platform helps ignite students' curiosity. [26:10] How Thrively helps promote social justice. [27:01] The various ways teachers can utilize Thrively. [29:16] Joe's hopes for joining the Thrively team and what he hopes they can accomplish over the next two years. [30:21] Where to learn more about Thrively, Design39Campus, and connect with Joe online. [30:55] Tom thanks Joe for joining the podcast. Mentioned in This Episode: Joe Erpelding Poway Unified School District Design39Campus Thrively Education Reimagined Stanford d.school Altitude Learning Big Picture Learning Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 95: "Leadership for School Progress in Poway Unified" 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 talking with journalist and author, Jeff Selingo, about his new book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions. This book was published in September 2020 and was named an Editor's Choice by the New York Times book review. Jeff has written about higher education for more than two decades and is a New York Times best-selling author of three books. He is also a regular contributor to The Atlantic and is a special advisor for innovation and professor of practice at Arizona State University. Additionally, he co-hosts the Future U Podcast, with Michael Horn. Listen in as Tom and Jeff talk about what's going on under the hood of higher ed and what opportunities there are for a more equitable future. Jeff also shares many tips and advice for learners and their families when selecting and applying for the college and universities that are right for them. Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode with Jeff Selingo. [:48] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Jeff to the podcast! [:52] What percentage of Americans have a post-secondary degree? And is it better than it was twenty years ago? What should we be aiming for? [1:52] Does Jeff see higher ed changing from something that you do after high school to something that you continue to access throughout life? [4:53] Should colleges be turning their alumni networks into learning networks? [6:14] How many institutions are there for American higher ed? [7:06] The impact that the pandemic is having on these institutions and, in turn, the communities they're a part of. [8:32] How many universities are selective? [9:47] Is it true that a large percentage of young people actually get into their first-choice college? [10:30] Jeff shares his thoughts on the ACTs and the SATs. Is he pro- or anti-testing? [12:20] Has college lost its return on investment over the last decade? [13:20] Tom congratulates Jeff on his new book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions. [13:40] Why did Jeff decide to write this book? [15:06] While researching his book, Jeff spent a lot of time in three universities in particular. How did he choose them and why? And were these universities selective? [15:54] How many students did Jeff track at these universities? [16:15] Is the admissions process better or worse than most would think? [17:37] What does Jeff mean by, "Schools are either buyers or sellers"? [18:48] Jeff's predictions for the future of "buyers." [20:32] Jeff's advice for applicants from his book. [22:59] How big should your college funnel be? And how do you narrow it down? [24:02] Does early admission improve your chances of getting in? [24:33] Is fit or image more important when choosing where to go? [25:12] How Jeff advises learners and their families on the trade-offs between reputation and cost. [27:57] What the parents' role should be in this process. [28:50] What should the high school experience be so that learners are positioned to make a good choice in selecting which college or university is right for them? [30:27] What would Jeff add to his book now, given the pandemic? [31:43] Jeff's predictions on what college might look like coming out of the pandemic. [32:14] What does Jeff mean by, "Colleges should recruit all students like athletes"? [33:15] America seems to have fallen out of love with higher ed in the last few years. Is Jeff optimistic about the future of the sector? [35:08] Tom plugs Jeff's book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions and gives his recommendation on who should be reading it. [35:47] Where to learn more about Jeff and his book online. [36:10] Tom thanks Jeff for joining the podcast. Mentioned in This Episode: Jeff Selingo Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, by Jeff Selingo Future U Podcast with Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn Lumina Foundation Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 286: "Jamie Merisotis on Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines" Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 297: "Michelle Weise on Long Life Learning" Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs that Don't Even Exist Yet, by Michelle Weise Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 228: "Michael Horn on Choosing College" 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!

This week, Tom is joined by special guest, Maya Ajmera, the President and CEO of the Society for Science & the Public and Publisher of its award-winning magazine, Science News. In 1993, Maya founded The Global Fund for Children (GFC), a non-profit organization that invests in innovative, community-based organizations working with some of the world's most vulnerable children and youth. She is also a celebrated children's book author with more than twenty books under her belt. Recently, Maya was awarded the 2020 Public Service Award by the National Science Foundation. In this conversation, Tom talks with Maya about social entrepreneurship, why science matters now more than ever, and her extraordinary journey through the world of science and impact. Maya highlights the importance of project-based learning, science fairs, equity in delivering science news, and providing all learners with the opportunity to become a scientist or engineer, and the Society for Science & the Public's role in pushing these changes forward. Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode with Maya Ajmera. [:53] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Maya to the podcast! [1:00] Maya shares how she first became entranced with the world of science through duckweeds. [3:00] Maya speaks about her experience both attending the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and now being a trustee. [4:25] About the mentorship program at the NC School of Science and Mathematics that led to Maya being recognized as one of the nation's leading young scientists. [5:31] Does Maya agree that every learner should have the opportunity to be a part of a science fair every other year from grades 6-12? [6:42] How Maya's organization has helped lead the science fair movement. [6:59] Why science fairs are so beneficial to students' learning. [7:42] When and how Maya made the decision to switch from basic science to public policy, and eventually found The Global Fund for Children at only 24 years old. [10:55] Maya speaks about leading the GFC for 18 years and why she ultimately decided to leave and become a professional lecturer and visiting scholar at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. [13:44] Why and how Maya took on her new role as President and CEO of the Society for Science & the Public. [16:13] Maya further elaborates on the equity of the Society for Science & the Public and how they ensure equitable participation in their programs. [19:02] Having taken over Science News during a time where it was very difficult to be a publisher, Maya shares how she has rethought and reworked the business model into becoming more sustainable and having a broader impact. [22:03] As a society we are facing the challenge of an ever-present general distrust and disregard of science with the rise of social media. Maya shares how she thinks we can regain this trust back and how The Society for Science & the Public is playing a role in rebuilding an interest. [24:17] What science learning could and should look like in school. [27:57] About the incredible International Science and Engineering Fair by The Society for Science & the Public. [28:45] The link between science education, entrepreneurship, and impact; and what we could be doing to introduce more young scientists to impact models (that could provide them with the opportunities to start companies, launch social enterprises, etc.). [31:30] What areas of science is Maya most encouraged by right now? [33:22] Maya's advice for students that are interested in science. [34:07] Tom congratulates Maya on winning the 2020 Public Service Award by the National Science Foundation. [34:45] What's next for Maya and The Society for Science & the Public? [35:55] Where to find Maya and The Society for Science & the Public online. [36:54] Tom thanks Maya for joining the podcast. Mentioned in This Episode: Maya Ajmera Society for Science & the Public Science News Magazine The Global Fund for Children (GFC) International Science and Engineering Fair Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 233: "Rebecca Parks on Learning and Exploring Through Nature and Science" 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 joined by a powerful panel of ed leaders to discuss the future of learning. You will hear from Dr. Pamela Moran, Byron Sanders, and Ed Hess. Dr. Pamela Moran is recognized internally as a leading advocate for contemporary education. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Virginia School Consortium for Learning and routinely consults with higher education, non-profits, and school districts. Byron Sanders is the President and CEO of Big Thought; an organization that serves 150,000 students at more than 400 locations with creative enrichment. Their work is about closing the opportunity gap and building agency, hope, and creativity. Ed Hess has spent more than 20 years in the business world as a Senior Executive at Warburg Paribas Becker, Boettcher & Company: Robert M. Bass Group, and Jones Lang Wooten. He's the author of 13 books, over 150 practitioner articles, and over 60 Darden cases dealing with innovation, learning cultures, and system processes. Join in the conversation as Tom speaks with his esteemed guests about the invention opportunities in learning, the future of the American high school, and the kinds of learning experiences that are really going to benefit students. This is a deep and powerful conversation with tons of key takeaways, important lessons, and insightful wisdom that you won't want to miss out on! Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode with Pam Moran, Ed Hess, and Byron Sanders. [1:18] Tom welcomes his panel of guests to the podcast! [1:44] Ed Hess's book, Hyper-Learning, suggests that we should learn to do stuff that computers are not very good at (i.e. excel cognitively, behaviorally, and emotionally in ways that technology cannot). Ed elaborates more on this and how it sets the stage for the future of education. [7:53] Byron's thoughts on we should redefine the purpose of, and goals of, high school. [11:50] Pam shares her insights on how she sees the redefining of the goals and purpose of high school, and whether or not Portrait of a Graduate is a good step in the right direction. [17:35] Tom's new book, Difference Making at the Heart of Learning, shares the radical proposition that high school should be a place where you figure out who you are, what you're good at, what you care about, where/how you're going to make a difference in the world, and that difference-making is the new superpower. Does Ed see this as part of the new core purpose of high school? [19:58] The kinds of learning experiences that Byron sees as really benefiting high school students. [24:20] Pam shares what kinds of learning experiences she sees as benefiting high school students. [25:15] Pam proposes a question for the panel: "What would need to change if what we wanted to do was to move towards kids who understand the concept of 'quiet egos' and why that is an important disposition to have success in life?" [26:02] Ed answers Pam's question. [27:02] Ed shares a prediction on how he sees the future of classrooms within high schools. [29:12] Tom proposes that making an advisory structure and relationships central in both the secondary and post-secondary experience is part of the answer. Ed also shares his thoughts on this. [31:00] Byron answers Pam's question. [32:12] Byron elaborates on the stakes and challenges that we're really facing in trying to redefine high school. [33:42] In response to this inequity problem, some would say the answer would be to double down on the current inherited system that is not working for high school students. What is Byron's response to this? [36:41] Ed shares his thoughts on what he sees as being at stake as we redefine these inherited systems. [38:51] Pam shares her own thoughts and insights on the topic of what we need to be cautious of as we redefine high school. [42:18] Byron shares his thoughts on how we could reorganize the high school experience in a more community-connected way. [49:56] Pam asks Ed for his insights on what it would take to actually start to create an environment for teenagers that doesn't look like anything that we have right now. [53:23] Tom wraps up the podcast and gives his thanks to Pam, Ed, and Byron for sharing their insights and wisdom. Mentioned in This Episode: Dr. Pamela Moran Virginia School Consortium for Learning (VaSCL) Byron Sanders Ed Hess Big Thought Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change, by Ed Hess Portrait of a Graduate Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag Journeyman Ink: DaVerse Lounge Creative Solutions We Are Crew: A Teamwork Approach to School Culture, by EL Education EL Education Valor Public Schools Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 236: "Listening to Kids and Designing from Scratch for Timeless Learning with Pam Moran" Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 254: "Byron Sanders on Closing the Opportunity Gap in Dallas" Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 283: "Ed Hess on Adapting to the Speed of Change" GettingSmart.com/InventionOpportunity 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!

This week, Tom is sitting down with author and advisor, Michelle Weise, to discuss her new book, Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs that Don't Even Exist Yet. Michelle is currently serving as an entrepreneur-in-residence and Senior Advisor at Imaginable Futures, a venture of The Omidyar Group. Michelle was formerly the Chief Innovation Officer at Strada Education Network's Institute for the Future of Work, and Sandbox Collaborative, the innovation center of Southern New Hampshire University. She was also the co-author of Hire Education: Mastery, Modularization, and the Workforce Revolution, with Clayton Christensen. In this conversation, Tom and Michelle discuss her background in the arts and innovation; how and why she came to write her new book, Long Life Learning; what long life learning means to her; what she predicts to be the future of business models for long life learning; and her advice on how we can all make good decisions about what to learn next no matter where we are on our long life learning journey. Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode with Michelle Weise. [:55] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Michelle to the podcast. [:59] Tom congratulates Michelle on her new book, Long Life Learning. [1:37] When did Michelle's interest in language, literature, and poetry begin? [2:27] Michelle elaborates on her deep passion for poetry and how both reading and writing it helped her get through the death of her 10th-grade chemistry teacher. [3:07] Michelle's exploration of Asian-American and African-American poetry and fiction in graduate school. [3:58] Michelle's favorite African-American poet and what drew her to Asian-American poetry in particular. [4:57] Tom highlights a poet whose work he recently fell in love with: Rita Dove. [5:14] How and why Michelle came to be a Fulbright Scholar in Seoul, South Korea. [6:20] Michelle's path after coming from Korea and why she decided to join an ed-tech start-up with Gunnar Counselman. [9:15] After a short stint at Fidelis, Michelle joined the Clayton Christensen Institute as a Senior Research Fellow of Higher Education for nearly 2½ years. There, she also had the opportunity to write a book with him called, Education: Mastery, Modularization, and the Workforce Revolution. [9:38] Michelle's experience working with Clayton on their book together. [10:57] Tom reflects on a past experience with Clay and Michelle shares an important lesson that she learned through working with him. [13:16] After Christensen Institute, Michelle did another three-year stint at Strada, a non-profit impact fund in Indianapolis. [13:50] About Michelle's role at Strada and how it led to her writing her new book, Long Life Learning. [15:53] At Strada, Michelle had the opportunity to interview hundreds of people. Was this specific to Long Life Learning or was it more for the R&D center at Strada? [17:00] Young people today are not only going to live longer but they're also going to experience more change in their lifetimes than previous generations. The old model of education and work is already becoming obsolete. As Michelle shares in her book, we need to begin thinking about long life learning. [20:22] With this knowledge, is it becoming less critical to make a decision about where you go to college immediately after high school? [22:44] Would Michelle agree or disagree with the sentiment Ryan Craig expressed in his 2018 book, A New U, that unless you can get a free or subsidized education at a selective university you really should think about a hard sprint to a good first job as an entry point to an earn-and-learn ladder? [25:58] Does Michelle foresee Gen Zrs having careers somewhat resembling her own? I.e. taking a "tour of duty" approach? [28:17] What are the business models for long life learning going to be? [32:03] What advice do people need to make good decisions about what to learn next? [37:24] Does Michelle see AI making it easier for us to learn in the direction we point to? [40:28] Is Michelle optimistic about adaptive learning? [42:17] Some of the other ways Michelle sees AI aiding us in the future. [43:58] Does AI have the potential to make hiring more equitable? Or is Michelle concerned that more inequity will surface in AI-driven systems? [46:11] As a long-life learner herself, how does Michelle continue her journey every day in "getting smart?" [45:56] Would Michelle agree that Louise Glück was a good choice for the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature? [47:53] Tom plugs Michelle's book, Long Life Learning. [48:23] Tom thanks Michelle for joining the podcast. [48:48] About Tom and Emily's book, Difference Making at the Heart of Learning. Mentioned in This Episode: Michelle Weise's LinkedIn Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs that Don't Even Exist Yet, by Michelle Weise Imaginable Futures The Omidyar Group Education: Mastery, Modularization, and the Workforce Revolution, by Clayton Christensen and Michelle Weise The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, by Tom Vander Ark, Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennon Emily Dickinson (Poet) The Art of Hunger: Essays, Prefaces, Interviews, by Paul Auster Kamau Brathwaite (Poet) Rita Dove (Poet) Fulbright Korea Gunnar Counselman Michael Horn Strada Education Network Derek Thompson on The Atlantic Crazy/Genius Podcast by Derek Thompson Stanford d.school Harvard Extension School A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, by Ryan Craig David Blake Learn In Louise Glück Wins the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 285: "Amy Klement on Equity and Imaginable Futures" Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag 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 the podcast in this episode is Marni Baker Stein, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at the Western Governors University (WGU). For over 25 years, Marni has been designing and scaling programs to improve access, affordability, and student success. Prior to joining WGU, she worked for educational institutions in the United States and abroad on the development and administration of pioneering high school, undergraduate, graduate, continuing, and professional programming models delivered through competency-based, online, and hybrid formats. Marni was selected by the Department of Education to serve as a member of the National Technical Working Group, charged with expanding the 2016 National Education Technology Plan and using technology to transform higher education. Join in on today's conversation as Tom and Marni talk about the future of higher ed and the role of advisors and skills. Marni shares experiences during her education as well as her career, how the learning model at WGU has changed in the last three years (and what's next on the roadmap), about WGU's new "achievement wallet" and how it will help transcript students' competencies, how the education landscape has been shifting away from degrees to more skill-based progression (and what this means for traditional higher education), and much, much more. Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode with Marni Baker Stein. [1:05] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Marni to the podcast. [1:14] Why did Marni study French and Economics at Penn State University? [2:15] When Marni was pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Penn State, did she already have her sights set on higher ed? [2:43] Marni shares how she came to launch the first English language MBA programming in the former Soviet Union after finishing up her Master's Degree (and later in Japan and Turkey). [4:01] The big takeaways from Marni's experiences developing English programs abroad. [5:07] Marni's experience as a Curriculum Coordinator at UC Santa Barbara. [6:28] In 1998, while helping Penn State launch their online learning program, did Marni have any visibility to Western Governors University (WGU) starting out in Salt Lake City? [8:04] Background on the founding of WGU. [8:33] Highlights from Marni's four years as Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Texas System. [11:14] Three-and-a-half years ago, Marni became the Provost and Chief Academic Officer at the Western Governors University (WGU). She shares about the state of the university at the time; what she saw that they were doing well and areas she saw as an opportunity for improvement. [14:21] How the learning model at WGU has changed in the last three years and what's next for the learning model. [15:54] Marni elaborates on the progress they've made at WGU with regards to focusing on what learners need to know, how they know what learners know, and how they can communicate and capture that. [16:54] About WGU's "achievement wallet" that they're rolling out in the spring and how it will help transcript students' competencies. [18:42] At WGU, mentors play a really important role. Marni describes this role and how they guide the learning journey for students. [21:01] How a mentor helps a learner find out if they're in the right academic program. [22:22] If a learner is struggling with a concept in a class, do they go to their mentor or their course instructor? How would they connect to academic support? [23:30] Are they using a Case Management approach? Is software involved in keeping the learner up-to-date? [24:39] With a set of partners, Marni launched the Open Skills Network. She describes what it is and its overall mission and vision. [27:42] Lately the education landscape has been shifting away from degrees to more skill-based progression. What does this mean for traditional higher education? [32:40] Does Marni predict that more learners will be mixing and matching to create unique pathways? [32:59] Have enrollments increased at WGU since COVID-19? How is WGU participating in the lifelong learning space going forward? [34:41] Is WGU the largest school of education in the country? [35:01] Marni gives an update on Mark Milliron, their Senior Vice President and Executive Dean, as well as an exciting initiative that is being worked on right now. [36:25] Where to learn more about WGU. [36:46] Tom thanks Marni for her leadership at WGU. [37:05] How many learners are enrolled right now at WGU? [37:16] Tom thanks Marni for joining the Getting Smart Podcast. Mentioned in This Episode: Marni Baker Stein's LinkedIn Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 228: "Michael Horn on Choosing College" The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State/PSU) Western Governors University (WGU) University of Texas System University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Open Skills Network (OSN) WGU 2019 Annual Report 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's episode features a conversation with Dr. Donna Housman. Dr. Housman is a clinical psychologist and founder of the Housman Institute, a Boston-based, early childhood training, research, and advocacy organization. This institute also features its own lab school, Beginnings. In these challenging times, Dr. Donna Housman has been providing insights to parents who are having to not only adjust to the stress of having to self-quarantine and social distance but also become full-time teachers and caregivers to their children. Listen in as Dr. Housman talks with Rebecca Midles, the Vice President of Learning Design at Getting Smart, about the importance of mental health among parents, teachers, and students. Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode with Dr. Donna Housman. [:50] Welcoming Dr. Donna Housman to the podcast. [1:02] Dr. Housman shares about her work and background. [2:35] Why teachers are becoming increasingly stressed and burned out; and how they can get the help, support, and feedback they need in order to be able to serve students and their schools. [6:26] Dr. Housman highlights a study. [8:26] A big piece to why teachers are stressed right now and why they need, more than ever, SEL. [9:45] What teachers need to do in order to be available for the children that they teach. [10:38] Strategies, advice, and hope in moving forward during this time. [13:56] The importance of relationships, especially between teachers and their students during this pandemic. [14:48] About Housman Institute's ECSEL Program and how it benefits both teachers and students. [18:38] Rebecca thanks Dr. Donna Housman for joining the podcast. Mentioned in This Episode: Housman Institute Housman Institute's ECSEL Program "Teachers Are Anxious and Overwhelmed. They Need SEL Now More Than Ever." (YCEI with CASEL) April 7th, 2020 Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (YCEI)Collaborative for Social Emotional and Academic Learning (CASEL) Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 202: "Jared Cooney Horvath on Cognitive Neuroscience" 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 the Getting Smart team is joined by Donna McDaniel to discuss professional learning and real-world learning. Donna is a longtime educator who has bridged the world of business and education. Through her experience and numerous school settings, Donna has invaluable experience for knowing the ins and outs of what qualifies as real-world skills. She has taken this knowledge to create the CAPS program in the Blue Valley School District, which has gone on to create a network of more than 70 professional learning-centric schools in the United States. Now, Donna is supporting Kansas City's Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, as they seek to implement a novel regional movement towards ensuring that all students graduate with valuable professional experiences. Also joining the conversation in this episode is Rashawn Caruthers, the Director at Getting Smart. Previously, she was the Director of Career and Technical Education at Kansas City Public Schools and, prior to that, the Assistant Director of Career and Technical Education at Kansas City Missouri School District. Together, Tom, Donna, and Rashawn take a look at Donna's journey in business and education, the importance of professional learning and market value assets, the real-world learning initiative she is a part of, and the kind of impact she has seen through real-world learning experiences. The Getting Smart team found Donna's commitment to the intersectionality of education and the workplace inspiring and is sure you will too! Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode with Donna McDaniel. [1:00] Tom welcomes Donna McDaniel to the podcast. [1:05] Tom shares that they are also joined by Rashawn Caruthers. [2:35] Going in the "wayback machine," Donna shares why she decided to study education in Kansas City. [3:40] What attracted Donna to being a teacher (and later, a school leader) as someone who used to personally struggle in school. [4:21] Where Donna started her career in education. [4:59] Rashawn reflects on her early career in education and how her and Donna's paths have aligned. [5:19] About Donna's pivot from the world of business to the world of education and why she believes this experience was crucial in her ability to lead in education. [7:26] The origin story of Blue Valley's program, CAPS. [9:42] Rashawn shares her experience with CAPS. [10:10] How CAPS helps students develop an entrepreneurial mindset. [13:20] CAPS is a next-generation career center. Donna further describes what the program itself looks like. [14:56] Tom shares his appreciation for CAPS and how it has become a national movement in real-world learning. [15:46] How did the idea of "market value assets" from Susan Wally turn into a regional initiative sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation? [20:02] Rashawn speaks of the key pieces in real-world learning and what she most loves about the initiative. [21:00] Donna shares why she believes that this real-world learning initiative has had such strong, positive support across the region. [23:11] Which kinds of high schools are involved in the initiative and how many are involved in the initiative? [24:21] Donna shares a specific example of how the initiative has had an impact on a school that was greater than expected. [26:19] Tom highlights some rural communities and schools that have successfully modeled real-world learning experiences. [27:55] Challenges that high schools have faced trying to expand access to real-world learning. [30:45] As a district leader in Kansas City, Rashawn shares her perspective on the challenges of trying to create real-world learning experiences in a classroom. [33:00] Does Donna find the commissioners of Missouri and Kansas to be generally supportive of what the districts are trying to do? [34:41] Donna elaborates on how she has been a strong advocate across the region for getting students core credits for real-world learning opportunities. [36:03] Could this real-world initiative be replicated in other states? [37:04] What does Donna hope to see in the next five years as it relates to real-world learning? [39:07] Tom underscores one of his favorite parts about the real-world learning initiative. [40:05] Donnas shares how she thinks the pandemic has created even more of an opportunity to create jobs. [41:13] Tom thanks Donna for her leadership and for joining the podcast! [41:51] Rashawn shares some parting thoughts about the real-world initiative. [42:31] Donna shares some parting words and gives her thanks to Getting Smart. Mentioned in This Episode: Donna McDaniel Blue Valley School District Blue Valley CAPS Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Rashawn Caruthers Northland CAPS Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation's Real World Learning Initiative PREP-KC Hickman Mills School District Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 265 — "Corey Mohn and Shameka Montgomery on Next-Gen Career Education" 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 week's episode, Tom is talking with Dr. Beth Rabbitt and Dr. Asaf Bitton about the state of global health, how it relates to schools, and a new initiative called the Parabola Project, which offers education leaders tools and strategies to minimize health risks while maximizing learning when reopening schools. Dr. Beth Rabbitt is the CEO of The Learning Accelerator, a national non-profit that is working to make the "potential" possible and practical for every teacher and learner. Underpinning TLA's work is a drive to ensure that each student receives an effective, equitable, and engaging education that supports them to reach their full, unique potential. Dr. Asaf Bitton is Executive Director of Ariadne Labs, a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Together, Dr. Beth Rabbitt and Dr. Asaf Bitton have partnered to launch The Parabola Project to help schools minimize COVID-19 health risks while maximizing learning. Listen in as Tom speaks with Beth Rabbitt and Asaf Bitton about what schools should be doing during the pandemic, and what the current research shows. Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode with Beth Rabbitt and Asaf Bitton. [1:05] Tom welcomes Beth and Asaf to the podcast! [1:24] Dr. Bitton shares about Ariadne Labs; their mission, vision, and what they have accomplished thus far. [2:27] Dr. Beth Rabbitt speaks about The Learning Accelerator (TLA); their mission, vision, and what they have accomplished thus far. She also shares about the origin of The Parabola Project. [6:50] Should kids be in school right now? Dr. Bitton shares his insights. [9:03] What can schools do to safeguard staff members in an in-person school setting? [10:51] Dr. Bitton's thoughts on the risk associated with staff members' circles of interaction outside of a school setting. [13:43] Practices that can be put in place to minimize transmission risk. [15:07] Beth offers some suggestions on how superintendents could frame a community dialogue to bridge the gap between parents who want their children back in school and teachers with concerns about returning to a public setting. [18:08] Should schools be paying attention to testing, tracking, and tracing when it comes to COVID-19? And if so, how might they? [20:04] What could school districts and the government be doing better? Does Dr. Bitton see things getting better in the next few months in terms of a coordinated public health response? [23:34] What Beth is telling schools about sports. [25:27] If a school or a district doesn't have room to bring all of their students back in a safe and distant way, is a hybrid schedule still the best approach? [27:12] Dr. Bitton's advice for local health officials and school officials on how they can build a sense of trust about the path forward in terms of precautions, protocols, vaccinations, and strategies. [31:31] How should school and system leaders think about the gaps that seem to be accelerated for the most vulnerable students? [34:44] Dr. Bitton offers some holiday advice to keep in mind in the coming months. [36:43] Where to learn more about The Parabola Project. [37:33] Tom thanks Dr. Rabbit and Dr. Bitton for both joining the podcast. Mentioned in This Episode: The Parabola Project Beth Rabbitt Asaf Bitton Learning Accelerator Ariadne Labs 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!