Education Matters Podcast

In this episode of Education Matters, Jason Buccheri sits down with Peter Sovran , Director of Education and CEO of the Upper Grand District School Board , for the show’s first on-location recording inside a school district. Filmed in Upper Grand’s Innovation Lab, this conversation explores how one Ontario school board is rethinking professional learning, educator support, and innovation at scale....

In this special episode recorded in partnership with the Canadian Association of School System Administrators , Jason Buccheri is joined by co-host Reg Klassen and guests Leona Prince and Monique Gray Smith for a powerful conversation about storytelling, identity, reconciliation, and the future of education. Together, they explore how stories shape the way young people understand themselves, their...

In this inspiring episode of Education Matters , host Jason Buccheri sits down with an exceptional leadership team to explore how school systems can move sustainability from a seasonal checklist to an integrated organizational strategy. Joined by Jen Stevens (President and CEO of Learning for a Sustainable Future) along with Aiman Flahat (Superintendent of Education) and Rachel Irwin (Environmenta...

In this episode of Education Matters , host Jason Buccheri sits down with Dean MacInnis , President of the Canadian Association of Principals , and Dr. Alec Couros , Professor of Educational Technology and Media. Presented in partnership with the Canadian Association of Principals , the conversation dives into the shifting role of school leadership as generative artificial intelligence arrives fas...

In this episode of Education Matters , host Jason Buccheri leads a vital discussion on the evolving challenges facing boys and men in modern society and the education system. Inspired by the research of Richard Reeves, the conversation explores startling statistics regarding declining academic achievement and rising rates of suicide among young males. Joining the roundtable are Ashanti Branch , fo...

This special episode of the Education Matters podcast, hosted by Jason Buccheri and Dr. Gina Cherkowski , features an in-depth conversation with renowned child psychiatrist and educator Dr. Jean Clinton . Recorded in anticipation of the 2026 Mental Health and Schools Summit, the discussion centers on the transformative power of human connection, encapsulated in Dr. Clinton’s guiding principle: &qu...

This episode of Education Matters features an in-depth conversation with Kelly Hines , Vice President and Chief of Staff at Discovery Education . With a unique career trajectory that began with 15 years as a classroom teacher before transitioning into various leadership roles in the EdTech sector, Kelly provides a rare perspective that bridges pedagogical intent with organizational strategy. Host...

In this episode of Education Matters, host Jason Buccheri sits down with Peter Worley, co-founder of The Philosophy Foundation, to explore the vital role of philosophical inquiry in modern schooling. In an era dominated by instant information and fast thinking, Worley advocates for bringing "slow thinking" back into the classroom to help students weigh arguments and question assumptions....

In this episode of Education Matters , host Jason Buccheri continues the Edtech series featuring guest Brad Fountain, a former teacher and administrator with over twenty years of experience inside the Edtech industry. Fountain provides a unique dual perspective, bridging the gap between classroom realities and corporate development to explain why districts often adopt and eventually abandon techno...

In this episode of the Education Matters Podcast , Jason Buccheri sits down with Marc Kielburger , co-founder of the WE movement and a visionary who has influenced millions of students across Canada and beyond. Marc shares deeply personal reflections on his journey—from winning a national science fair in grade seven to navigating the complex intersection of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and glob...

In this episode of Education Matters, host Jason Buccheri explores the vital role of philosophy in the modern school system with guest Professor Anthony Grayling, a world-renowned public philosopher and principal of Northeastern University London. This conversation is another installment in our Big Idea series, which explores the thinkers, traditions, and questions sitting at the heart of what edu...

In this episode of Education Matters, host Jason Buccheri explores the vital role of educational identity in the modern school system with guest Reginald Klassen, the Executive Director of CASSA. As a special instalment in the "Podcast Lounge Series," this episode features a collection of voices recorded directly in the podcast lounge during the annual Canadian Association of School System Adminis...

In this episode of Education Matters , host Jason Buccheri explores the vital role of philosophy in the modern school system with guest Jonny Thomson , a former teacher and founder of Mini Philosophy . The conversation challenges the idea of philosophy as a niche academic subject, presenting it instead as the "beating heart" of a child's education. Thomson highlights how philosophica...

In the debut of the Big Ideas sub-series, host Jason Buccheri sits down with renowned author, poet, and scholar B.W. Powe for a wide-ranging conversation on education, media ecology, and the cultivation of the "poetic being." B.W. Powe—a student of Marshall McLuhan and Northrop Frye—bridges the gap between deep academic tradition and the urgent challenges of our media-saturated present....

In this episode of the special series on Edtech, host Jason Buccheri sits down with Dr. Julian Reed, a professor at Furman University and founder of ActiveEd, the company behind Walkabouts. Dr. Reed’s journey bridges deep academic research with the startup world, offering a blueprint for building tools that truly serve the classroom. A self-described hyperactive kid who struggled in school, Julian...

In this inaugural episode of our new sub-series on Education Technology, host Jason Buccheri is joined by seasoned EdTech veteran Matt Monjan, founder of Infuse Ed. With decades of experience on the front lines—including 14 years at Discovery Education—Matt offers a rare, unvarnished look at the realities of the K-12 market. This conversation is a must-listen for EdTech founders, startups, and inv...

In this special episode of the Education Matters Podcast , host Jason Buccheri is joined by Mental Health Summit founder Dr. Gina Cherkowski to reflect on last year’s gathering and explore what’s ahead for the 2026 Mental Health Summit in Banff. Together, they share powerful insights from educators, leaders, and students on how schools can meaningfully support mental health, well-being, and belong...

In this conversation, Chris Fuzessy shares his journey from growing up in Montreal to becoming a leader in education in Alberta. He discusses the importance of community, the impact of Indigenous education, and the role of mental health and well-being in schools. Chris emphasizes the need for trust and transparency in educational leadership and explores the potential of AI in enhancing teaching an...

In this episode of the Education Matters podcast, Gary Stager shares his insights on education, emphasizing the importance of making learning engaging and meaningful for students. He reflects on his own educational experiences, the influence of music and programming, and the need to reclaim the art of teaching in a system often dominated by rigid pedagogical approaches. Stager discusses the potent...

In this conversation, Jason Buccheri hosts Michael Stevenson and Mark Pearmain to discuss the evolving landscape of education, focusing on the concept of human flourishing. They explore the importance of redefining educational purposes beyond mere employment, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that includes emotional, ethical, and social competencies. The discussion also highlights the r...

In this week’s episode of Education Matters, storyteller and advertising veteran Neal Foard explores story-first leadership—how small, consistent acts of care shape culture faster than any memo. Drawing on a Bay Area upbringing and a career helping brands explain ideas clearly, Neal shows how leaders can use stories to set tone, build trust, and make values visible in daily routines. He contrasts...

In this engaging conversation, Chris Kennedy, a seasoned educator and superintendent, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of education, the impact of AI, and the importance of community and leadership in schools. He reflects on his upbringing in a family of educators, the inspiring teachers he has encountered, and the need for innovative approaches in classrooms. Chris emphasizes the sig...

In this deeply reflective episode of The Education Matters Podcast, Dr. Pius Ryan—Superintendent of Schools in North Vancouver—offers a sweeping yet grounded vision of education. Tracing a path from his early days in Newfoundland to his current leadership in British Columbia, he brings both heart and systems thinking to bear on a central question: what kind of education is needed for a good life i...

In this conversation, Brendan Browne, the Director of Education at the Toronto Catholic District School Board, shares insights from his extensive career in education. He discusses his upbringing, the impact of technology on childhood, and the importance of philosophy in education. Brendan emphasizes the significance of creating inspiring classrooms where students feel loved and safe, the role of t...

In this weeks podcast, join us as we dive into the world of BC trustees with Tracy Loffler, the President of the BC School Trustees Association. Tracy shares her journey from a school trustee to leading an organization that advocates for public education across British Columbia. Discover her experiences, the challenges she faces, and her vision for creating inclusive and supportive learning enviro...