Driving Education

Want to visit the hallways of a school district that's making waves? In this episode of Driving Education , Katie travels to Gulf Shores to see how this district embodies the very best of what's  possible in public education. You will get to hear from teachers who share:  What great teaching really looks like day-to-day How relationships drive everything The joy, the challenge, and the responsibil...

What happens when educators stop asking, "How do we teach this standard?" and start asking, "How can students experience this in the real world?" In this episode of Driving Education , Katie sits down with several Teachers of the Year from Gulf Shores City Schools to talk about how project-based and place-based learning are transforming classrooms. You'll hear stories about students: • Growing let...

Katie didn't plan to record this episode. While leading professional development in Jefferson County, she unexpectedly ran into Dr. Ash Kaiser — the educator who, years earlier at Adamsville Elementary, planted a seed that transformed her classroom practice. What started with chickens, gardens, and project-based learning became something deeper. In this heartfelt conversation, Katie and Dr. Kaiser...

Valentine's Day is often about cards, candy, and grand gestures — but this episode is about something deeper. In this special Valentine edition of Driving Education , Katie walks through the halls of Hoover High School where she witnesses the You Matter movement in action reminding every single student, staff and faculty member that their inherent worth is seen, and the world needs every single pe...

In this episode of Driving Education , Katie sits down with Hailey Ridgeway from the Alabama State Department of Education — one of the brilliant minds behind ALEX (Alabama Learning Exchange) . If you've ever felt overwhelmed by standards, lesson planning, or finding high-quality resources that actually fit your students, this episode is for you. Hailey pulls back the curtain on how ALEX has evolv...

In this episode of Driving Education , Katie welcomes Dr. Mackey for a joyful, thoughtful conversation about leadership, perspective, and what it means to show up fully — even when the road is hard. Dr. Mackey brings humor, honesty, and heart as he reflects on leadership, resilience, and the importance of choosing joy in the work of education. From lighthearted moments to meaningful insights, this...

In this episode of Driving Education , Katie and Aubrey pull back the curtain on one of the most prestigious honors in education — the Milken Educator Award . Often called the "Oscars of Teaching," the Milken is surrounded by secrecy, surprise, and speculation. But behind the mystery is something much deeper: exceptional educators doing extraordinary work every single day — without knowing who is...

In this unforgettable episode of  Driving Education , Katie sits down with Dr. Walter Gonsoulin — "Dr. G" — Superintendent of Jefferson County Schools, National Superintendent of the Year , and one of U.S. News & World Report's 25 Best Leaders in America . Dr. G shares his extraordinary journey from a sixth-grade classroom in Louisiana to leading one of the largest school districts in Alabama — an...

Katie and Aubrey hit the road with former Alabama Teacher of the Year Jennifer Brown to visit Paul Bryant High School and see how Principal Hines has built a culture of trust, visibility, and growth. From walkthroughs to data tracking to student ownership, this episode is full of practical insight—and a little karaoke. In this episode: Visiting Paul W. Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa City Schools...

What if the "end game" of education isn't test scores or standards—but preparing students to thrive in Alabama's future workforce? Katie and Aubrey dive into that big question with Valerie Curtis, Director of the Jacksonville State Regional Inservice Center. Valerie shares how partnerships with industry, regional STEM ecosystems, and K–12 collaboration are shaping what students need right now to b...

In this episode of Driving Education , Katie and Aubrey ride along with Alabama's top tech leaders to explore how instructional technology is really about people—not devices. You'll hear from Angie Clark, Katie Maddox, and Molly Evans as they share stories of innovation, collaboration, unplugged backups, 3D printing prosthetics, and the human connections that make teaching powerful. Their message...

In this inspiring episode of Driving Education , Katie and Aubrey take a deep dive into the Let Grow Experience —a simple but powerful approach that builds childhood independence and reduces anxiety. Katie shares how she piloted the Let Grow Experience with her first graders after learning that  the antidote to anxiety is independence . The transformation in her classroom sparked interest across A...

In this powerful episode of Driving Education , Katie sits down with Lisa Keane — a licensed professional counselor, play therapist, and trauma expert — for a timely conversation about mental health in schools and what educators can do to support students and themselves. Lisa shares insight from her 18 years of experience working with children and families, explaining how attachment, regulation, a...

In this first full episode of Driving Education , get to know Alabama's 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year —  Katie Collins and Aubrey Bennett  — as they share their journeys, inspirations, and classroom philosophies. From elementary to high school, from two different large school districts, Katie and Aubrey open up about what drew them into teaching, what keeps them inspired, and how they're working...

Welcome to Driving Education! In this first ride, Alabama Teachers of the Year Katie Collins and Aubrey Bennett hop in the Apple Car (yes, it really has a giant apple on it 🍎) and share how this whole podcast adventure began. From fantasy football and karaoke favorites to heartfelt conversations about what drives educators forward, Katie and Aubrey open up about their shared passion for teaching,...