Learning Can’t Wait

This podcast episode features a conversation between Hayley Spira-Bauer and Nicola "Nikki" Soares, president of Kelly Education. Nikki, who began her career as a social studies teacher before moving into academic publishing and eventually leading Kelly Education, discusses the challenges facing education staffing today. She highlights the teacher shortage crisis, declining enthusiasm for the profe...

Michelle Culver, founder of the Rhythm Project and former Teach for America leader, discussed how AI is transforming human relationships, particularly for young people. After noticing that conversations about AI focused on work and education but neglected interpersonal connections, Culver launched the Rhythm Project to bridge this gap. The organization conducts research, builds coalitions, and cre...

🔥 25 episodes. Countless takeaways. One unforgettable season. Season 7 of Learning Can’t Wait covered it all— 🎮 Esports 🏫 Absenteeism 💰 Federal funding 🎙️ And a lineup of guests who blew us away.

This is one of those episodes you feel as much as you hear. Shannon Cox’s dream of becoming a fighter pilot was derailed by a stroke in high school—but what followed is a remarkable story of purpose, resilience, and transformational leadership in education. From flying a Blue Angel jet to redesigning how we think about absenteeism, future self-vision, and SEL, Shannon’s work is nothing short of in...

Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Garrison joins host Hayley Spira-Bauer to share how her rural Illinois district is transforming education through career-connected learning and athletics. From skilled trade pathways to building resilience through sports, Dr. Garrison highlights the power of community partnerships, student-centered opportunities, and modeling civility in schools. A must-listen for educa...

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Bryan Hassel and Kendall King of Public Impact to explore how innovative staffing models—like the Opportunity Culture initiative—are transforming schools across the country. They dive into the power of multi-classroom leadership, sustainable funding strategies for foundations and policymakers, and how digital learning c...

Join Hayley Spira-Bauer , host of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, as she sits down with Scott Anderberg , Chief Operating Officer at Moodle , to discuss the future of learning management systems. Scott shares how Moodle is integrating AI while staying true to its open-source philosophy and commitment to equity. From AI-powered tools to small but impactful educator-driven features, Moodle continue...

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, we sit down with Mary Jo Fairhead , Founder and Director of Onward Learning , to explore the unique strengths of rural education and the importance of redefining student success. Mary Jo shares how small, tight-knit communities foster deep collaboration and resourcefulness, creating learning environments where students can thrive at their own pace. She chall...

In this impactful episode of The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with education thought leader Jeff Livingston about the urgent challenges shaping the future of learning. From the looming threat to the E-Rate program , which ensures broadband access for schools and libraries, to the broader funding uncertainties that could reshape K-12 education, Jeff offers a passionat...

What happens if schools lose access to critical funding for internet and network infrastructure? In this timely episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Jodie Buenning , a communications and policy expert, to break down what the E-Rate program is, why it’s vital to public education, and what’s at stake as a Supreme Court case looms that could reshape how E-Rate funds ar...

Superintendent PJ Caposey returns to The Learning Can't Wait podcast for a fast-paced, eye-opening mini series episode about the complex—and often misunderstood—realities of school funding. In this episode, PJ and host Hayley Spira-Bauer dive into how districts are creatively generating revenue, the lasting impacts (and limitations) of ESSER spending, and what really delivered ROI during the pande...

In this funding mini series episode of Learning Can’t Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Rita Ferrandino —founder of Arc Capital Development, education investor, and innovation consultant at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education . Rita shares her insights on how research, funding, and innovation intersect in today’s EdTech landscape. From navigating federal grants to b...

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Peter Relan , chairman of MathGPT , to explore how AI-powered tools are transforming math education. Peter discusses how AI can alleviate the burden on educators by automating course management, generating assignments and quizzes, and providing Socratic-style tutoring that encourages critical thinking—without giving awa...

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Louise Baigelman , Founder and CEO of Storyshares , to explore how educators can engage struggling readers through high-interest, age-appropriate content. Louise shares how Story Shares collaborates with teachers at every stage of content development, using direct classroom feedback to refine their literacy resources. S...

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, we sit down with Malvika Bhagwat , Partner and Head of Outcomes at Owl Ventures , to dive deep into the evolving landscape of EdTech efficacy and research. Malvika challenges the traditional "gold standard" of randomized controlled trials, explaining why more dynamic, iterative approaches are essential for measuring the impact of rapidly evolving educational...

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Kate Eberle Walker , CEO of Presence , to explore how teletherapy is transforming education. Kate dives into the power of remote evaluations, the importance of early intervention, and how Presence is tackling the nationwide backlog of assessments.   We also discuss a game-changing partnership with Move This World that’s simp...

In this episode of The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer engages in an important conversation with Richard Carranza , a seasoned education leader with a passion for leveraging technology to create more equitable learning experiences. Richard shares his journey from working in the New York City school system to joining IXL Learning , emphasizing how data-driven EdTech tools can h...

How can we better prepare and sustain school leaders, especially those from the communities they serve? In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Rob Schwartz , an experienced education leader, to discuss the evolving landscape of school leadership and the crucial role of equity in education. Rob shares insights on the challenges and opportunities for leaders o...

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, we sit down with Bridget Johnson , founder of the Dean’s Roundtable , to discuss the evolving role of school deans in student life and support. Often seen as the disciplinarians of a school, deans actually play a critical role in fostering student growth, decision-making skills, and overall well-being. Bridget shares practical strategies for deans and educat...

How can technology drive systemic change in education? In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, we sit down with Julia Fallon , Executive Director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) , to explore the evolving role of technology in modernizing schools. Julia shares insights on how policy, infrastructure, and leadership play a critical role in shaping the future of educa...

How is technology shaping the way we learn and connect? In this thought-provoking episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with renowned education innovator and author Isabelle Hau to explore the evolving role of AI, relationships, and play in education. Isabelle shares groundbreaking research on AI companions and their impact on human interaction, both promising and conce...

Esports isn’t just about playing video games—it’s about teamwork, leadership, resilience, and real-world skills that can shape a student’s future. In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with esports expert Chris Aviles , founder of Garden State Esports , and Andrew Abramson, a passionate young esports competitor, to explore the transformative impact of gaming in...

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Haley sits down with Gail daMota , the president of the Education Finance Council (EFC), to discuss the complexities of higher education financing and the importance of accessible, affordable education. Gail shares her journey into the education finance sector, where she has worked for over 30 years advocating for nonprofit and state-based financial aid...

What’s the key to innovation in education? Our guest Evan Abramson says it’s trust, relationships, and a willingness to listen. In this episode, he shares his framework for evaluating ed tech tools and partnerships, focusing on what really matters: solving real problems for students, teachers, and schools. Evan highlights the role of trust—not just in relationships but through humility, honesty, a...

On our newest episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast , our host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with educator and author Dan Fitzpatrick about how competition and AI are driving innovation in education. They explore the potential of technologies like AI tutors to reshape learning models, referencing groundbreaking examples like Synthesis, an online school fostering creativity and problem-solving. Th...