Getting Smart Podcast

In the latest episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, host Victoria Andrews engages in an enlightening conversation with Tiffany Green, the visionary founder of Uprooted Academy. This innovative platform is designed to transform the college application journey for young students by incorporating holistic elements such as financial literacy, wellness, and community engagement. Tiffany shares her pers...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, host Rebecca Midles sits down with Aylon Samouha, the CEO of Transcend and a visionary in education reform. They delve into the concept of The Third Way, an approach that blends community insights with proven educational practices to create lasting change in schools. Aylon shares his insights from years of experience in the field, discussing the limita...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, host Nate McClennen explores the topic of teen engagement with guests Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, authors of "The Disengaged Teen." They delve into the four modes of learning—passenger, achiever, resistor, and explorer—offering insights on how students move between these modes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of agency and engagemen...

Welcome to the Getting Smart Podcast, in today's episode, we dive into the innovative initiatives of District 214, a leader in creating personalized, real-world learning experiences for students. Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, District 214 is part of the Illinois Accelerate Ed cohort, focusing on bridging K-12 education with postsecondary opportunities and careers. Join us as...

In this episode, Mason Pashia is joined by Michael Horn to discuss his new book, "Job Moves: Nine Steps for Making Progress in Your Career." They explore the jobs-to-be-done theory and how it applies to career choices, highlighting the iterative process of career pathways. Michael shares insights on hiring your job, storytelling in career development, and the role of experiences in credentialing....

Mark your calendars for SXSW EDU March 3-6, 2025 in Austin, Texas, and register now at  sxswedu.com . Let's work together to shape the future of education—one idea at a time. In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark interviews Abby Falik, founder of The Flight School, a transformative educational initiative aimed at high school graduates. The Flight School offers an innovative...

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, Arizona is pioneering a transformative approach through unbundled learning. This model breaks down traditional educational silos, integrating K-12, higher education, and workforce readiness to equip students with the skills necessary for the 21st century. By leveraging partnerships with local businesses and educational institutions, initiatives li...

The podcast episode "New Hampshire Unbundled" explores how New Hampshire has become a leader in unbundled and competency-based learning, offering students personalized educational pathways that extend beyond traditional school environments. By embracing initiatives like the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) and Learn Everywhere, the state provides learners with opportunities to earn...

In Colorado, the unbundled learning movement is reshaping how education is delivered, bridging the gap between traditional schooling and real-world experiences. This initiative is driven by the need to provide students with relevant, career-connected learning opportunities that prepare them for future success. By integrating work-based learning, internships, and community projects, Colorado is fos...

In this engaging episode of the Getting Smart podcast, hosts Jordan Luster and Victoria Andrews dive into the world of micro schools with Coi Morefield, the innovative founder of the Lab School of Memphis. Morefield introduces Microschool Masters, a groundbreaking platform designed to address the unique challenges of microschool education by transforming teaching teams into exceptional educators a...

The recent "What's Next in Learning 2025" Town Hall highlighted pivotal trends poised to redefine education, emphasizing the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI), governance shifts, and literacy. AI is revolutionizing classrooms by offering personalized learning experiences but also posing challenges such as plagiarism and ethical use. The discussion underscored the need for thoughtful g...

In this episode, Shawnee Caruthers explores the innovative approach of the Blue Sky Institute to redefining healthcare education through its partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University. This initiative addresses workforce shortages by offering accelerated pathways that integrate technology with hands-on experience, preparing students for leadership role...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we explore LEGOs exciting new venture into science education with their latest K-8 curriculum. Tom Vander Ark chats with Bo Stjerne Thomsen, head of LEGO Education, about how this innovative, inquiry-based learning approach is set to transform classrooms by integrating hands-on science experiences aligned with NGSS standards. Designed to reignite stude...

In today's episode, we're diving into the transformative world of career-connected learning with two pioneers leading the charge. Joining us are Dannyelle Austin, the executive director at Launchpad, and Lisa Richardson, the project lead of Catalyze. Catalyze is dedicated to reshaping how students interact with potential career pathways by fostering a community of practice that connects educationa...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark sits down with Dennis "Doc" Littky, an educational innovator whose work with Big Picture Learning and College Unbound is reshaping the landscape of personalized and experiential education. From the inception of Big Picture Learning, which challenges conventional schooling with its "leaving to learn" model, to the founding of College Unbo...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark delves into the innovative educational approaches of Tacoma Public Schools, highlighting their commitment to integrating college and career readiness into a unified pathway. Partnering with Tacoma, Tom speaks with Adam Kulaas, Director of Innovative Learning, who shares insights on how the district is empowering students for life readine...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark delves into the intricacies of workforce development and public leadership with Jennifer Purcell, the director of Future Ready Oregon. This state-level initiative represents a groundbreaking approach to aligning education and workforce systems, with a strong emphasis on equity and access. Jennifer shares insights into how Future Ready Or...

In this episode of the Getting Smart podcast, Tom Vander Ark is in conversation with Laura Slover and Mike Flanagan, focusing on the transformative initiatives in education being spearheaded by ETS and the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC). The discussion gets into the Skills for the Future initiative, emphasizing the shift from traditional education models towards competency-based education tha...

In the podcast episode featuring Laurie Gagnon, the focus is on the transformative potential of Competency-Based Education (CBE) in reshaping K-12 learning environments. Laurie discusses how CBE moves away from traditional seat-time-based models, emphasizing mastery of skills and knowledge at an individualized pace. This approach not only personalizes learning but also aligns with the Aurora Insti...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Victoria Andrews takes us into the transformative world of eSports alongside Danny Martin, co-founder and CEO of eSposure. With eSports growing into a $250 billion industry, it's more than just competitive gaming; it's a thriving ecosystem that fosters community, teaches valuable workforce skills, and opens pathways to entrepreneurship. Victoria shares...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen and Tim Dasey delve into the multifaceted impact of AI on education, exploring both the challenges and opportunities it presents. As AI becomes a larger part of various educational contexts, it prompts a reevaluation of traditional teaching methods and calls for the creation of new strategies to ensure students are prepared for an AI-dri...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers gets into a profound discussion with Dr. Christopher Emdin and Sam Seidel about their latest work, "From White Folks Who Teach in the Hood." This conversation is essential for educators who are ready to challenge their own biases and rethink their roles in marginalized communities. Emdin and Seidel explore the importance of cultural c...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, hosts Jordan Luster and Victoria Andrews dive into the world of microschools, exploring how these small, adaptive learning environments are making education more accessible and equitable. The conversation touches on the different strategies employed by micro school leaders across the country, emphasizing their commitment to overcoming challenges like f...

Project Lead the Way is a proven national leader in science, technology, engineering, and math education, for Pre-K through high school. They strive to help teachers make every student in every grade STEM-successful, through interactive, problem-based learning. Learn more and find a school with Project Lead The Way near you. In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we learn about "The Solutio...

In this podcast episode, Victoria Andrews gets into the transformative power of community in education. Joined by John Watson and Mawi Asgedom, the three discuss how fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion can lead to innovative learning environments. John Watson, the CEO of Evergreen Education Group, highlights the importance of creating spaces like the Digital Learning Annual Conference (DL...