Learning Can’t Wait

On our newest episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast , our host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Christina Dukes Brown , a passionate advocate for educational equity and community engagement. Dr. Brown shares her candid perspective on the challenges educators face, emphasizing the critical need for better preparation and trauma-informed practices to support both academic and social-emotio...

In this thought-provoking episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Michael Horn , acclaimed author of Job Moves and a visionary in education innovation. Together, they dive into the transformative power of technology in education, from personalized learning tools to the growing micro school movement that’s reshaping how students learn and thrive. Michael shares both t...

To wrap up Season 6 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast , our host Hayley Spira-Bauer takes a moment to reflect on the incredible insights, stories, and innovations shared by our remarkable guests. This season was nothing short of groundbreaking, with thought leaders diving into topics like AI in education, equity for multilingual learners, rural school transformation, and the urgent need for civic...

How can we spark a love for math and challenge the myth of the “math person”? In this episode, Hayley Spira-Bauer interviews Co-Founder and CEO of Zearn , Shalinee Sharma to discuss how mindset, persistence, and fun can transform math learning. Shalinee shares research on how American and Japanese students approach problem-solving and explains why experts succeed by working slower, not faster. Tog...

On our latest episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast , our host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Patrick Fredriks , Deputy director of Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative , to discuss how rural education can thrive through innovation, community, and collaboration. By partnering with local industries, the Collaborative fosters hands-on learning opportunities, like the "Behind the Drywal...

On this episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast , host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by  Vriti Saraf , CEO and Co-founder of Ed3 DAO , to discuss how emerging technologies like AI and blockchain can transform education when anchored in strong pedagogical practices. Vriti shares her journey from Teach for America to leading global education initiatives, highlighting pivotal moments that shaped he...

In this podcast episode, Hayley engages Nicole and Izzy Galante from Mosaic Instructional Planning about their perspectives on what makes teaching excellent and how their tool, Mosaic, supports that vision. They describe excellent teaching as a vulnerable, empathetic, and collaborative experience where teachers learn with and in front of their students, moving away from the traditional model of im...

On this inspiring episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast , our host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Vallerie Cave , Superintendent of Allendale County Schools , and renowned educator and speaker Shawn Blanchard to explore the unique challenges and triumphs of rural education. Dr. Cave shares her innovative strategies for providing Allendale students with high-quality opportunities, from...

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer takes a dive deep into the evolving landscape of education with Heather Rubin , the administrative coordinator for ENL and bilingual programs with Eastern Suffolk BOCES in New York State. Heather shares her insights on cultural responsiveness, project-based learning, and the critical role of technology in fostering equ...

In this episode of The Learning Can't Wait podcast, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Stephanie Elizalde , Superintendent of Dallas Independent School District (ISD) , to explore the innovative strategies that have made Dallas ISD a national leader in teacher retention and student achievement. Dr. Elizalde shares insights into the district's unique Teacher Excellence Initiative , which ties te...

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer welcomes back Dr. Kelsey Young , Associate Director of Research Insights and Analytics at Curriculum Associates. Together, they dive into the latest research reports released by Curriculum Associates, including data from i-Ready that reveals significant insights into student academic performance post-pandemic. Dr. Young di...

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, we dive into the vital role of civic education in shaping engaged, responsible citizens. Host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Beverly Leon , Founder and CEO of Local Civics , and Dr. Peter Tragos , Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at New Trier High School District , to explore how educators can cultivate civil discourse, critica...

In this special episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer talks with  Lisa Tarshis , Executive Director of the Primer Foundation , about the innovative world of micro schools and the impact of personalized learning. Tarsus introduces the Primer Fellowship, a program empowering educators to create community-driven micro schools tailored to students' unique needs. Listeners will learn...

In this episode of Learning Can't Wait, we dive deep into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education with Dr. Vicki Phelps and Marisa Janicek . Our guests explore how AI can enhance personalized learning, streamline teacher tasks, and foster more engaging classroom experiences. They address critical ethical considerations surrounding AI, such as data privacy and bias, whi...

Continuing our AI Mini Series, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Muhsinah Morris , the visionary behind Morehouse College ’s Metaversity program, to discuss the transformative role of technology in creating equitable, accessible learning environments for all students. Dr. Morris shares her unique perspective on access, going beyond socioeconomic divides to include accessibility for neurod...

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer chats with Alex Kotran , co-founder of aiEDU , about the current AI hype cycle in education. Alex discusses why we may be both overhyping and underhyping AI, the expected slow progress in the next three years, and the potential breakthroughs over the next eight. He highlights the risks of AI replacing human jobs and st...

To kick off our AI in Education Mini Series, we dive deep into the future of education with Mike Yates from the Reinvention Lab at Teach for America . Yates shares his journey of working with tech giants like Google and AWS to empower students to transition from passive consumers of technology to active creators. He discusses the opportunities and challenges AI presents in education, from in-perso...

In our latest episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Chad Aldeman , founder of Read Not Guess , as they unpack two massive topics; the national teacher shortage crisis and preparing educators in an effective way. Chad shares his perspective on training, recruitment, and retention and potential ways to take them to a higher level. Learn about boosting t...

On our latest Learning Can't Wait episode, out host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Amanda Bickerstaff , Founder and CEO of AI for Education as they dive into how AI can be effectively used in today's classroom. This incredibly insightful conversation covers Amanda's personal and professional path, the quick trajectory of AI for Educaiton, and what the future may hold for the company. Hayley and A...

🌟 WELCOME TO SEASON 6 🌟 To kick off this season of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Siya Raj Purohit , from the Education Go-to-Market Team at OpenAI and general partner at Pathway Ventures , for an inspiring and insightful conversation. Siya shares her remarkable journey from being an ESL student to becoming a leading voice in the education and technology secto...

On this SPECIAL EPISODE of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast , our host Hayley Spira-Bauer chats with chats with 8th graders from Montgomery County ESC during their lifestyle fair. From interests to student support to advice for incoming middle schoolers, these students use their real life experiences to inform thoughtful conversation.  Tune in to gain insight on what it's really like to be a middle...

🌟 SEASON 5 IS A WRAP! 🌟 From NYC to rural America, this incredibly powerful season covered it all. In today's episode, our host, Hayley Spria-Bauer recaps all that season 5 held. Thank you to our wonderful, inspiring guests this season. Your work in the education space is critical to our youth's and our nation's futures! And, thank you to YOU, our listeners! Stay tuned for what Season 6 will bri...

In this episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast , our host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with  Emmanuel George , New York Regional Superintendent at Democracy Prep Public Schools . At the top of the episode, Emmanuel thanks his mother and other family members who helped form his values of humility, respect, and civic-mindedness. Democracy Prep has a large focus on direct participation in civics...

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer continues her miniseries on rural education with Dr. Amy Azano , a professor at the School of Education at Virginia Tech and the founding director of Virginia Tech's Center for Rural Education . Dr. Azano shares her journey from a small town in the Shenandoah Valley to becoming a leading scholar in rural education. She dis...

Join host Hayley Spira-Bauer in this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast as she continues the Rural Education mini-series with insightful guests Heather Bookstaver , Ann Lewis, and Taylor Gump . Featuring perspectives from two seasoned educators and a passionate student teacher, this episode explores both the unique charms and challenges of teaching in rural areas. Heather, Ann, and Taylor...