LEARN Podcasts

What can being 6'7" tall teach us about effective leadership? As it turns out, quite a lot. Steve Bowler—known professionally as "Stand Tall Steve"—joins us to share how his physical height became the foundation for a powerful leadership philosophy that's transforming school cultures across the country. Steve reveals three profound parallels between tall people and great l...

Are our children spending too much time in the digital world and missing out on real-life experiences? What happens when we prioritize screens over face-to-face connections? These are the questions at the heart of my conversation with Katherine Martinko, author of "Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance.” Katherine shares her unconventional upbringing i...

Ken Kahn takes us on a fascinating journey through the evolution of artificial intelligence in education—from his early days at MIT's AI Laboratory in the 1970s to today's revolutionary chatbot capabilities. As the author of "The Learner's Apprentice: AI and the Amplification of Human Creativity," Ken shares a vision where AI serves not as a replacement for teachers but as...

What if we stopped seeing some students as "difficult to teach" and started designing our classrooms for everyone from the beginning? That's the transformative question at the heart of my conversation with Devon Warnock and Jennifer Mercer, Consultants for Inclusive Education at Lester B Pearson School Board. Both educators began their careers in classrooms with diverse learning pro...

Kate Arthur's journey from English literature graduate to AI education pioneer offers a refreshing perspective on our technological future. Her newly released book "Am I Literate?" poses a crucial question about what literacy means in an age where machines can read, write, and create alongside us. Arthur shares the pivotal moments that shaped her career path - from working in commun...

Shannon Merenstein takes us on a fascinating journey through the transformative power of creativity and play in childhood education. Drawing from her rich background as an artist, educator, founder of Hatch Partners in Play , and co-author of " Collage Workshop for Kids ," Shannon dismantles the myth that creativity is an innate gift rather than a muscle requiring regular exercise. What...

Gabriel Rshaid takes us on a compelling journey through the evolving landscape of education in the age of artificial intelligence. As the director and co-founder of both the Learner Space and the Global School in Argentina, Gabriel brings a unique perspective on how we might harness AI's potential while safeguarding the essential human elements of learning. Drawing from his transformation fro...

Valéry Psyché takes us on a fascinating journey from her physics studies in France to becoming a pioneering researcher and educator in AI education at TELUS University in Quebec . This conversation reveals the complex layers of distance learning design, where teams of experts collaborate to create engaging online learning environments that keep students motivated despite physical and temporal sepa...

What makes a first-year teacher not just survive, but truly thrive? Michelle Cummins, author of "The First Year Teacher Survival Guide: Fifth Edition" and education advisor at Brisk Teaching, brings decades of wisdom to this question while exploring the evolving landscape of education. Michelle's remarkable journey from childhood teacher (complete with a playroom chalkboard at age s...

What if our children's screen time challenges aren't actually about them at all? When Emily Cherkin noticed her 7th-grade students increasingly absorbed by social media, they quickly pointed out an uncomfortable truth: "My parents are texting while driving, playing Candy Crush, always on Facebook." This pivotal realization—that screen addiction is fundamentally an adult problem...

What does it mean to be a "techno-Victorian" in today's rapidly evolving educational landscape? JD Williams embodies this fascinating philosophy, prioritizing human autonomy while thoughtfully embracing technological augmentation. Our conversation explores this delicate balance at a time when screens increasingly separate us from authentic connections. Drawing from her rich experien...

Can “traditional" education methods be doing more harm than good? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with renowned author and lecturer Alfie Kohn , as he challenges the status quo of grading and memorization, advocating for a shift towards fostering cooperation, altruism, and empathy in our schools. Alfie reflects on his own unremarkable schooling experience to highlight how ingrain...

Unlock the secrets of nature-based education with our incredible guest, Jenna Jasek from the Outdoor Learning School/Store. Jenna, with her roots deep in the natural landscapes of rural British Columbia, brings a unique perspective on integrating outdoor experiences into modern educational practices. Listen as she recounts childhood adventures like huckleberry picking with her grandmother, and how...

What if nearly everything we do in education actually makes a difference? In this episode, we welcome the brilliant John Hattie, a pioneering figure in educational research, to unravel the mysteries behind effective teaching practices. John takes us on a fascinating journey through his career, from his early days in psychometrics and statistics to his groundbreaking work on meta-analysis. His move...

Imagine unlocking the secrets to nurturing mental well-being in our schools and communities—this is precisely what Dr. Tina Montreuil, a distinguished figure in counselling psychology at McGill University, helps us explore. Her journey from a passion for teaching to spearheading the Childhood Anxiety and Regulation of Emotions Laboratory (CARE) offers a unique lens on child internalizing disorders...

Shannon Bell is our guest, and she's got quite the story to tell! From her beginnings as a journalist in the United States to becoming a leading voice for the English-speaking community in Quebec, Shannon's journey is filled with fascinating turns. She shares how embracing Francophone culture and learning French, all with the help of her Francophone husband and friends, has enriched her...

Unlock the innovation of English Language Arts (ELA) program in Quebec’s Anglophone schools as we sit down with passionate educators Kathleen Murray (LBPSB) and Melinda Clifford (MEQ). Ever wondered how ELA differs from its French counterpart? Discover the unique, literacy-based approach in classrooms across Quebec, rooted in constructivist learning and enriched by metacognitive strategies. Throug...

What happens when you blend education with joy and curiosity? Dean Shareski, a seasoned educator and our special guest, paints a vivid picture of the transformative power of play-based learning. Despite not having a familial legacy in teaching, Dean discovered his calling amongst the laughter and boundless energy of primary grade classrooms. Listen as he shares his journey and insights into why nu...

Join us for an engaging discussion with Kevin Dykema, past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, as he sheds light on the evolving landscape of math education. Kevin shares his transformation from excelling in rote memorization to prioritizing a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. We explore the challenges educators face when adhering to procedural teaching metho...

Embark on an inspiring journey with author, consultant, and President of Thistle Educational Development Ainsley Rose, whose career path defied convention and expectation. Starting as a physical education teacher, Ainsley's story is one of serendipity and leadership recognized by others, leading him to a fulfilling 52-year career in teaching and administration. We dive into the challenges tha...

Education enthusiasts and educators alike will find inspiration in our engaging conversation with Garfield Gini-Newman, a veteran educational expert with an illustrious 40-year career. This episode promises to transform your perspective on critical thinking within the classroom. Learn how Garfield, alongside Dr. Roland Case at the Critical Thinking Consortium, has influenced educational practices...

Ever wondered how to truly transform educational practices and outcomes? In our latest episode, we promise you'll uncover groundbreaking insights from Megan Webster, a renowned educational expert from Quebec. Discover how her childhood passion for teaching has evolved into a career defined by innovation in professional development. With a focus on frameworks like understanding by design, Mega...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. John Spencer, a visionary in the realm of educational technology and project-based learning. Discover how Dr. Spencer transitioned from a middle school classroom to becoming a thought leader in educational practices, with a focus not on technology itself but on the passion for learning it can ignite. We dive into his early days of blogging and how tha...

What happens when a middle school math teacher with a knack for tech becomes a leading voice in education technology? Join us as Eric Curts takes us through his fascinating journey from classroom to tech integration specialist. Eric's story is one of passion and innovation, where hands-on learning meets digital transformation. With engaging anecdotes about using cooking to teach math and pion...