EdSpark Podcast

In the 20th and final episode of the EdSpark Podcast with Dr. Karen Garza, a new leader of Battelle for Kids (BFK) is introduced. Dr. Garza has announced her retirement after nearly seven years at the helm of the national not-for-profit that has served millions of students throughout the nation since 2001. In this rich conversation, Dr. Garza introduces new BFK President and CEO Mike Duncan, Ed. D...

In this episode, Jamie Meade, vice president and chief of staff, and Dr. Karen Garza, president and CEO of Battelle for Kids, and continue their conversation about the profound impacts of hope. They discuss the implications cultivating hope can have both on the students and adults in a school system. The two also share how closely tied hope is to advancing a vision 21st century, deeper learning fo...

The Power and Promise of Leading with the Science of Hope  The science of hope is an evolving and impactful area of study that education leaders can look to for inspiration.  In this episode, Jamie Meade, vice president and chief of staff at Battelle for Kids, talks about what’s she’s found about the science of hope—as opposed to wishful thinking—and its profound impact on education. She and Dr. K...

An innovative education system leader knows how to lead with an aspirational vision for the future that challenges students and staff to think beyond traditional ideas.  Dr. Dave Schuler, executive director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is a wonderful example of this type of leader. He joins Dr. Karen Garza, president and CEO of Battelle for Kids, for a conversation about how ed...

An innovative education system leader knows how to lead with an aspirational vision for the future that challenges students and staff to think beyond traditional ideas. Dr. Dave Schuler, executive director of AASA—The School Superintendents Association, is a wonderful example of this type of leader. He joins Dr. Karen Garza, president and CEO of Battelle for Kids, for a conversation about how educ...

In the second part of their conversation on starting and sustaining educational transformation systemwide, Dr. Melvin Brown, superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools, and Dr. Karen Garza, President and CEO of Battelle for Kids, talk about how he’s embarking on educational transformation in his new district. He discusses how he’s begun seeding the work with staff and his plans to engage communit...

In today’s challenging educational landscape, it’s important to remain focused on the work that will prepare students for success now and in the future. Dr. Melvin Brown, superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools, navigates these challenges daily and understands the value of this work. He joins Dr. Karen Garza, president and CEO of Battelle for Kids, for a conversation about why he believes a Po...

In part two of this conversation, Dr. Michael Barnes, superintendent of Mayfield City Schools, talks with Dr. Karen Garza, president and CEO at Battelle for Kids, about how focusing on the vision led to practices that empower both staff and students. He also discusses how Mayfield students develop a sense of ownership in their learning throughout their time in the district.  Dr. Michael Barnes has...

Establishing a system-wide vision for your school district is a game-changer for communities and students.   Dr. Michael Barnes, superintendent of Mayfield City Schools, knows this well. In this episode, he joins Dr. Karen Garza, president and CEO at Battelle for Kids, to discuss why having a vision for students is so important and how his community collectively worked together to form this vision...

In this episode of the EdSpark21 podcast, Dr. Karen Garza talks with Dr. Jim Mahoney about his book, To Lead Is To Teach: Stories and Strategies from the Classroom to the Boardroom. Their conversation explores the impact of teachers, how good teaching and effective leading are interchangeable, and the power of storytelling.   Dr. Jim Mahoney is an educational leader, entrepreneur, and renowned exp...

In this episode of the EdSpark21 podcast, Dr. Karen Garza talks with Ken Kay and Suzie Boss about their new book, Redefining Student Success: Building a New Vision to Transform Leading, Teaching, and Learning. Their conversation explores tools, ideas, and compelling examples that encourage bold educational leadership and enduring system transformation.    Ken Kay has worked for almost two decades...

In this episode of the EdSpark21 podcast, Karen Garza talks with Sarah Fine and Jal Mehta—taking a deep dive into the research findings in their book, In Search of Deeper Learning: The Quest to Remake the American High School.     Sarah M. Fine, Ed. D. is a faculty member at the High Tech High Graduate School of Education.    Jal Mehta, Ph. D. is a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Educa...

In this episode of the EdSpark21 podcast, Dr. Pedro Noguera and Valerie Greenhill explore the importance of building relationships with students, ways to offer meaningful support to educators, and how we all can work towards equitable, deeper learning outcomes for every student.      Dr. Pedro Noguera is the Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education. A sociolog...

Mickey Porter, Coach and Leadership Facilitator at PlusONE Leadership, and Battelle for Kids President and CEO, Karen Garza, explore Dr. Brené Brown’s four courage-building skills that we can learn in order to become the daring leaders our school districts and communities need, particularly during these uncertain times.    Mickey is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, longtime educator, school...

Battelle for Kids CEO, Dr. Karen Garza, talks with Cindy Foley, Executive Deputy Director for Learning and Experience at Columbus Museum of Art. They cover creativity, collaboration, empathy, problem solving, and other 21st century skills that overlap the world of education and art, as well as the roles institutions such as museums and schools play in their greater communities.

Battelle for Kids CEO, Dr. Karen Garza, talks with Michael McCormick, superintendent at Val Verde Unified School District, about how their Portrait of a Graduate became the North Star they follow to realize a 21st century education for every student in their district.

Battelle for Kids CEO, Karen Garza, and Stephen Chang from The National Equity Project discuss the important role equity, diversity, and inclusion play in realizing 21st century learning for every student.

Battelle for Kids CEO, Dr. Karen Garza, talks with Columbus City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Talisa Dixon.

Battelle for Kids CEO, Dr. Karen Garza, talks with Tony Wagner, Senior Research Fellow at the Learning Policy Institute, and author of several books, including Most Likely to Succeed, The Global Achievement Gap, and Learning By Heart, due out in April of 2020.   

Battelle for Kids CEO, Karen Garza, talks to Jeff Brown, Superintendent of Granville Exempted Village Schools, and Mario Basora, Superintendent of Huber Heights City Schools.