Rebel Educator®

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 person...

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: S...

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...

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, capa...

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 c...

Giving up control in a classroom or at home can feel messy and uncomfortable, but it's essential for children's growth and independence. In this episode, I share how innovative educators and parents are reimagining their approach to teaching and raising confident decision-makers. Through real stories and practical examples, you'll discover simple yet powerful tools to help young learners build age...

What happens when you walk into a classroom and can't find the teacher?  For Kyle Wagner, this moment sparked a fundamental shift in his understanding of what learning could look like.  In this episode, Kyle shares powerful examples of schools that have transformed from traditional teaching models to student-centered environments - including one that went from requiring SWAT team interventions to...

Welcome to another solo episode of Rebel Educator! As I continue to navigate these solo episodes, I’m excited to dive more into the advantages of small schools. At Up Academy, we are intentionally small, and I believe that small schools offer an ideal environment for student development, both academically and emotionally. Join me as I explore why smaller can be better when it comes to education. I...

Discover the power of small schools with Stuart Grauer, a visionary educator challenging the "bigger is better" mentality in education. Learn how connecting students to their local environment and fostering genuine human connections can revolutionize learning outcomes. From expeditionary education to naturalist leadership principles, Stuart shares insights from his 50-year journey that will inspir...

Are you unknowingly holding your learners back from reaching their full potential? In this solo episode, we’re discussing the benefits "productive struggle" and why allowing children to face challenges is crucial for their growth and success. Tune in and discover how embracing difficulty can supercharge brain development, build confidence, and prepare young minds for real-world triumphs! IN THIS E...

In this episode, we sit down with Janet Wile, Supervisor of Library Services for Central Unified School District in Fresno, California. Janet’s journey has taken her from history teacher to passionate advocate for school libraries and literacy programs.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: Janet's innovative programs that get students excited about reading The challenges of encouraging literacy in a "boo...

Ever feel like you're swimming against the tide when it comes to teaching kids to read? You're not alone!  In this enlightening episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, we welcome seasoned educators Shannon Betts & Mary Saghafi, hosts of the Reading Teachers Lounge podcast. With over two decades of combined experience in various educational settings, from traditional classrooms to specialized re...

Welcome to Season 5 Rebel Educators!  We’ve got a fresh new look, new sound, AND a new release day! Starting next week, catch new Rebel Educator episodes every Monday and start your week with inspiration and innovative ideas for your classrooms.  Plus, we’re adding more solo episodes alongside our guest interviews to keep digging deeper into the big questions in education. What started with one sp...

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Mat Barnett, Director of TK-12 Programs for Beaumont Unified School District (CA). Mat began his career as a teacher in Anaheim, CA, and also held roles including junior high principal and director of education services in the Fullerton School District. Mat describes his interesting journey to the education field, his approach to coaching and professional developm...

In a world filled with unpredictability, how do we equip students with the tools they need to make decisions? Our guest, Roger Spitz, shares his insights on the role of strategic foresight and how embracing complexity and uncertainty can revolutionize education, empowering students and educators to thrive in an ever-changing world. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: The unpredictability and nonlinear na...

Jill Castle is the author of the book, Kids Thrive at Every Size (Workman 2024) and one of the nation’s premier childhood nutrition experts. Known for her ability to blend current research, practical application, and common sense, Jill believes that children can thrive at every size. With her paradigm-shifting, whole-child approach, she inspires parents, healthcare professionals, and organizations...

Dr. Peter Bishop is the Founder and Executive Director of Teach the Future, an organization whose mission is to encourage and support educators who want to include futures thinking in their classes and schools at all levels around the world.  In 2013, Dr. Bishop retired as a Professor Emeritus of Strategic Foresight and Director of the graduate program in Foresight at the University of Houston.  ...

Shaun Morgan is a full-time teacher, personal financial coach for teachers, and podcaster at the Teacher Money Show. He has written about personal finance since 2020, and has hosted virtual summits for teachers to get control of their finances. He does this because he has a deep passion for helping teachers move from a poverty-fixed mindset to a wealthy-growth mindset.  Having struggled to provide...

Dr. Michelle Ament is a dynamic educational leader committed to equipping learners with human-centered skills for career readiness through experiential learning. With 27 years of experience, she transforms K-12 education through cutting-edge learning experiences, fostering academic achievement and social-emotional growth.  Driven by a passion for equity, she empowers educators with innovative appr...

Michael Strong is the most experienced developer of innovative educational programs in the US and the Founder of The Socratic Experience, an online school based on Socratic dialogue that emphasizes personalized and purpose-driven education for students in grades 3-12.   His remarkable career in education spans over three decades, and includes creating many high-performance school programs that pro...

Andrew Ravin is the Founder and Head of School at Workshop Middle School. For nearly 25 years, he’s worked as a social worker, classroom teacher, instructional coach, and school leader. Andrew is an award-winning educator, mentor, and researcher. Most recently, he was named one of the Top 100 Innovators in American Education.  Andrew founded Workshop Middle School to be the change he believes in....

Former chef, hotel manager and history teacher, Josh Reppun is the founder of Plexus Education, LLC, dba as Most Likely to Succeed in Hawai’i, a “movement” founded by extraordinary people dedicated to developing global public, private and charter school conversations around Ted Dintersmith’s film, "Most Likely to Succeed" and his book, "What School Could Be." Josh is also the founder of Josh Reppu...

Today, we’re pleased to share an episode originally recorded for the EdTech Startup Showcase . It’s been my pleasure to host a series of episodes for this show, which spotlights some of the most innovative emerging companies in edtech. In this episode, I’m joined by special guest Wayde Sick, State Director of the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education. Wayde was previously Direc...

EdTech Startup Showcase: Aidan Kestigian, Harvard philosophy fellow and ThinkerAnalytix VP, on using AI to improve information literacy and argument formation Today, we’re pleased to share an episode originally recorded for the EdTech Startup Showcase . It’s been my pleasure to host a series of episodes for this show, which spotlights some of the most innovative emerging companies in edtech. In th...

Devin Vodicka has spent the past 20 years working towards high quality student  outcomes. He has earned multiple prestigious awards in the education field, including  2015 California Superintendent of the Year by both ASCA and Pepperdine University.  He is also a nine-time White House honoree in recognition for his achievements and to  partner with the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Educ...