Learning Can’t Wait

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer returns to the Rural Education mini-series with guests Mike Barrera , Superintendent of Premont ISD , and Conrad Cantu , Superintendent of Freer ISD . Both guests bring valuable perspectives from their roles in the Rural School Innovation Zone (RSIZ), sharing their expertise on the unique challenges faced by rural schools....

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer returns to the Rural Education mini-series with a conversation featuring Richard Wright, superintendent of Agua Dulce ISD , and Michael Gonzalez , executive director of the Rural School Innovation Zone (RSIZ). They discuss the unique challenges and innovative solutions in rural education, emphasizing the importance of comm...

On this special episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, we take a brief detour from our Rural Education Miniseries to sit down with Arne Duncan, former Secretary of Education and current Managing Partner of Emerson Collective. Arne brings a wealth of experience from his time at Chicago Public Schools and the Obama Administration, offering unique perspectives on what officials at local, state,...

Welcome to Episode One of our Rural Education mini-series on the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! This week, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts a panel of three incredible education leaders to help us dispel myths about rural America:   Melissa Harris - Senior Fellow at Transcend Allen Pratt - Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association Taylor McCabe-Juhnke - Executive Director at Rural Schoo...

This week on the Learning Can’t Wait podcast host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Jessica Sie, Chief Academic Officer at Zeta Charter School.   In this inspiring episode, Jessica describes her passion for breaking down systemic and structural barriers to education. We learn how Jessica defines innovative work and why she believes some of the most exciting ideas to transform education might be co...

Welcome back to the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! This week, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts a thought-provoking conversation with Juliana Finnegan, VP of Educator Experience at Vivi.     Tune in as Juliana shares her thoughts about the role of technology in the classroom and how it can support effective instruction without replacing essential human connection.  Hayley and Juliana also discuss Learning La...

This week on the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Brandon Cardet-Hernandez, Chief Strategy Officer at Mrs. Wordsmith.   In this delightful conversation, Brandon describes how both rigor and play are central to his work helping kids to read and tackling the ‘30 million word gap’.  Brandon also shares lessons from his early career and what it’s like to work on educ...

Welcome back to Season 5 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! Today, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts a conversation with Doug McCurry, Former Co-CEO and Superintendent of Achievement First, now working as a consultant. Doug shares insights on the resilience learned from his father and son, the impact of smartphones on school and mental health, and  why summer is a great time for both students and teacher...

Welcome back to the Learning Can't Wait Podcast! This week, we're excited to present a panel discussion on innovation in education featuring Brett Roer, Jacob Kantor, and Candice Sears. Tune in as host Hayley Spira-Bauer talks to our respected guests about what makes them hopeful about education today. They'll explore how we can make technology work with, not against, traditional teaching methods....

Join us today for a special solar eclipse episode of the Learning Can't Wait Podcast! Host Hayley Spira-Bauer dives into the universe of STEM with John Dedeax Davis Jr., an Education Specialist at NASA's Office of STEM Engagement, and Talia Milgrom-Elcott, the Founder and Executive Director of Beyond100K. In this captivating discussion, they explore how NASA shares scientific concepts with the pub...

In this week's installment of the Learning Can't Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer engages in a captivating dialogue with Chrissybil Boulin, the visionary force behind Jump Start Tutoring and the CEO of Vero Learning. Tune in to this enlightening exchange as Chrissybil shares her journey, revealing how a setback—failure to gain admission into her desired college—propelled her into the realm of...

On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait Podcast Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Senior Research Analyst at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, Dr. Steven Weiner. Listen to this delightfully nerdy discussion where Steven shares his research on unconventional learning environments and what insights we can gain from them.  Hayley and Steven also discuss why they both believe that...

Welcome back to Season 5 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! Today, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts an inspiring conversation with Dr. Asya Johnson, Master Principal of Longwood Preparatory Academy.   Listen as Asya describes the profound impact of education on her trajectory and how her past experiences continue to shape her work today. Asya explains her efforts to implement culturally responsive practi...

Season 5 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast has arrived!  To kick off our new season, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Erin Mote, Executive Director of Innovate Edu.  Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation where Erin describes why she believes that the state of education is our biggest national security crisis. Erin and Hayley explore how mistakes are part of constantly learning and...

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes.    Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Hedy Chang and Malika Elwin to discuss student attendance. Listen as Hedy and Malika explain why absenteeism is most often a symptom of a much larger picture, and how their work uses data to diagnose problems and take preventative steps. Produced by Fullmind

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes.  On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, Founder of Thriving Students Collective. Listen as Rebecca describes how her background in school psychology has informed the work she does to beat burnout in schools. Sharing her 4 Pillar...

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes.  Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Jean-Claude Brizard, President & CEO of Digital Promise to explore innovation in education.  Listen as Jean-Claude explains how “controlled meandering” has influenced his path in education, along with his ongoing drive to fight injustice.  Hayley and Jean-Claud...

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes. On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with school leaders Brett Roer, Dr. PJ Caposey, and Dr. Dan Cox to speak about discipline and balance in school leadership. The group explores how the challenges they've faced in their individual lives have contributed...

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes. On today’s episode, host Hayley Spira-Bauer talks to Karl Rectanus, founder of LearnPlatform. Tune in as Karl and Hayley explore how a school’s purse strings affect the classroom, and how education leaders can lean into the realities around funding. Karl also dives into his 4 successful education innovation pro...

Season 4 is a wrap!  On this week's episode, we look back to the highlights of this insightful season of Learning Can’t Wait.  Huge thank you to all of our impressive guests for sharing your valuable time and knowledge with us.  As we take a break, we'll be rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes. Stay tuned for Season 5 launching on March 5th! Produced by Fullmind

Welcome back to the Learning Can't Wait podcast! In today's episode, host Hayley Spira-Bauer engages in a compelling conversation with educators Natalie Arias and Kevin Malonson. The duo takes us on a journey through their personal narratives, sharing the pivotal moments that led them to the field of education. Delving into their advocacy work with Teach Plus, Natalie and Kevin shed light on the o...

Welcome back to the Learning Can’t Wait podcast!  Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Dr. Adrian Mim, Founder and CEO of The Calculus Project.  Listen as Adrian explains how curricula is built around white middle class, and how we can work to close math achievement gaps by promoting and practicing inclusivity.  Dr. Mim describes why it is important for students to learn about the mathematic...

Welcome back to the Learning Can’t Wait podcast!  Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Jean-Claude Brizard, President & CEO of Digital Promise to explore innovation in education.  Listen as Jean-Claude explains how “controlled meandering” has influenced his path in education, along with his ongoing drive to fight injustice. Hayley and Jean-Claude explore the benefits of variability wh...

On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, Founder of Thriving Students Collective.  Listen as Rebecca describes how her background in school psychology has informed the work she does to beat burnout in schools.  Sharing her 4 Pillars of Thriving, Rebecca also explains why rested, happy minds are more productive. Rebec...

Welcome back to the Learning Can’t Wait podcast!  Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Hedy Chang and Malika Elwin to discuss student attendance.  Listen as Hedy and Malika explain why absenteeism is most often a symptom of a much larger picture, and how their work uses data to diagnose problems and take preventative steps. Join us every Tuesday at fullmindlearning.com/podcast. Next week...