The Next Class 2.0

In this episode, Rob Birdsell, the host, welcomes Katie Everett, executive director of the Lynch Foundation. They discuss the foundation's focus on five areas, including Catholic education. Katie highlights the foundation's commitment to supporting Catholic schools and mentions the diverse initiatives they fund, from education to healthcare and global projects. Katie emphasizes the need for collab...

In this podcast episode, hosts Rob and Niko welcome Sister Vickie Perkins as their special guest. Sister Vickie, the founding president of Crystal Ray Kansas City, shares her inspiring journey. She discusses the inception of the school, breaking the cycle of poverty through education, and her current role in housing development for the marginalized. Sister Vickie also talks about the significance...

In this week's new episode, meet Fr. Jeff Sullivan, serving as the assistant director of Campus Ministry at Creighton University. Join Rob as he delves into Fr. Jeff's insights on spiritual leadership within educational settings, the significance of prayer, and the avenues to discover and cultivate spiritual guidance.

Lincoln Snyder is the President/CEO of the National Catholic Educational Association. In this episode, we explore Lincoln's thoughts on Catholic education in the US, new strategies for NCEA, and what he thinks about class choice. Tune in for the full episode!

In this special episode of the "The Next Class" podcast, Rob Birdsell is joined by his guest Dr. Tim Uhl, a multifaceted education leader. Rob, the host of The Next Class podcast, holds the titles of Executive Vice-President at Amerigo Education, President of Catholic Virtual, and is the visionary founder of ILLE. This collaborative podcast episode, brings together two passionate hosts to dive int...

In this episode, Rob and Tom get together with venture capitalist B.J. Cassin. B.J. founded and chaired the Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation, providing start-up funds for 25 Cristo Rey high schools nationwide! 

In this episode, Rob gets together with John Rey for a live podcast. John is currently the Principal Consultant at Capa Pro, which provides training and infrastructure support to help education and nonprofit organizations.

Rob and Tom host a special guest named Kim Smith. Kim is an innovator and serial social entrepreneur. Kim has founded and had involvement with multiple companies including the Pahara Institute, Teach for America, New Schools Venture Fund and more!

Join Rob and Tom as they welcome Melodie Wyttenbach, executive director of the Barbara and Patrick Roche Center for Catholic Education at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development.

In this episode, Rob and Tom welcome a special guest by the name of Josh Hale. Josh is the President and CEO of Big Shoulders Fund. 

Rob and Tom welcome Don Shalvey to the Next Class. Don is the founder of Aspire Public Schools, one of the first charter schools in America, and former Deputy Director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Rob and Tom welcome Rob Schnieders – the Vice President for Online Strategy and Innovation at Fairfield University and the former Co-Host of the Next Class!

Rob and Tom welcome Bren Madden – the Executive Director, Next Education Workforce at Arizona State University. Brent shares his work around developing the next generation teacher work force.

Rob and Tom welcome Jeanne Allen – the founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform. They dive deep into the NAEP scores and what it means for the students. Sponsored by Catholic Virtual.

Rob and Tom start the new season off with Jeb Bush, 43rd governor of the state of Florida, about the current state of education, online vs remote learning, and much more.

For the first time Rob and Tom have an episcopal guest…the Most Reverend Donald Hying, Bishop of Madison, Wisconsin. Come hear about his new Catholic school, a web developer who has been beatified, what parents want from Catholic education, and snowmobiling.

Rob and Tom talk with Fr. Mesa, Secretary of Secondary and Pre-Secondary Education for the Society of Jesus (Jesuit), about what makes Jesuit education unique and about their interests in opening new Jesuit schools around the world.

Rob and Tom talk with leading educational policy expert – Rick Hess – about what education will look like after the pandemic. Rick is the Director of Education Policy at the American Enterprise Institute.

Something different – Rob and Tom are the guests on The Next Class as they discuss the article “Beginnings and Endings: A New Vision for Education” and how online education can enhance traditional schools in six practical ways.

Lincoln Snyder is the President/CEO of the National Catholic Educational Association and talks to Rob and Tom about Catholic education in the US, enrollment increases, and what he learned working for beverage companies in Europe.

Join Rob and Tom as they learn about another creative and growing education model from Fr. Katsouros, founder of Arrupe College in Chicago and current President/CEO of the Come to Believe Network.

Rob and Tom go global with Dr. Philippe Richard, Secretary General of the International Office of Catholic Education from Rome. Learn what’s happening outside the US, next year’s World Congress, and why Philippe works with the UN and UNESCO.

Fr. Foley founded the Cristo Rey Network, a new model of high school.  But where did the inspiration come from?  Join Rob and Tom as they hear from Fr. John about his work and thoughts on the future.

Developing leaders, using data, and staying true to the mission. Join Rob and Tom as they talk with Richard Barth, CEO of the KIPP Foundation that supports 270 schools in the KIPP network.

Rob and Tom talk with Joe Womac (President of the Specialty Family Foundation) about how school leaders can engage with foundations.