Make It Mindful: An Education Podcast

Summary: In this episode of Make It Mindful , host Seth Fleischauer welcomes Lindy Hockenberry, a seasoned educator and technology integration specialist, to discuss the mindful adoption of technology in education. Lindy shares her journey from teaching in a rural Montana school to becoming a technology consultant, helping schools and educators effectively integrate technology into the classroom....

In this episode of Make It Mindful , host Seth Fleischauer delves into the intersection of education and technology with guest Rushton Hurley, an education futurist and founder of NextVista.org. Rushton shares his insights on the evolving role of technology in education, particularly focusing on the potential of AI and its impact on teaching and learning. Key topics discussed include: The concept...

Nikole Sheaffer is an artist, mom, writer, educator, and facilitator. She is a key figure at the Environmental Charter School (ECS) in Pittsburgh and the founder of The Thinking Lab. In this episode, Nikole and Seth talk about: Transitioning from corporate sustainability to education The concept of teachers as facilitators rather than traditional educators Importance of fostering intellectual disc...

In this thought-provoking episode of "Make It Mindful," Seth Fleischauer converses with Chris Giles, an instructional technology coach with a rich background in educational technology. Moving through various roles from a district Canvas administrator to his current position, Chris's journey reflects a deep commitment to enhancing educational experiences through technology. This episode dives into...

In this episode of "Make It Mindful," Seth Fleischauer explores transformative education practices with Tierra Crothers, Director at the School of Education, Sacramento County Office of Education. With 25 years of educational experience deeply rooted in family tradition, Tierra shares her journey from classroom teaching to district-level administration. She discusses the impact of her work across...

In this episode of "Make It Mindful," Seth Fleischauer delves into the transformative power of AI in supporting students' mental health. With Lauren Pinto on break, Seth welcomes Brenda Peña and Scott Freschet to discuss the groundbreaking Alongside app. Scott, a co-founder of Alongside and a seasoned EdTech professional, outlines the app's role as a 24/7 mental health tool that offers an AI chatb...

In this episode of "Make It Mindful," Seth Fleischauer converses with Aaron Baughman, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services at Northville Public Schools in Michigan. Aaron delves into his district's progressive integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational settings, overcoming significant logistical and political challenges to harness AI's potential for personalized and...

Welcome to this week's episode of Make It Mindful, where we dive deep into the innovative ways technology is used in education. Seth Fleischauer hosts a compelling conversation with Jed Stefanowicz, an elementary educator turned Director of Digital Learning and Innovation. Jed brings decades of experience to discuss the thoughtful integration of AI in classrooms, emphasizing the human aspect of ed...

In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer chats with Sophie Smith, a recent college graduate who turned a viral TikTok into a thriving ed-tech startup. Sophie shares her journey from scrambling to fill her summer with internships during the pandemic to accidentally attracting hundreds of high schoolers to a leadership program overnight. This surprising turn of events led her to recogniz...

In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer engages with Justin Reich, an MIT faculty member who critically examines the rapid evolution of AI and its implications in the educational landscape. Reich provides a nuanced perspective, challenging the prevailing excitement around AI's exponential growth and its integration into educational settings. He discusses the historical context of...

In this episode of Make It Mindful , host Seth Fleischauer engages with Monica Burns, a former New York City public school teacher and the voice behind the popular Class Tech Tips blog and podcast. Monica shares her journey from classroom teaching to becoming a pivotal figure in educational technology. She discusses the evolution of her career, sparked by her early adoption of iPads in a one-to-on...

In this episode of Make It Mindful , host Seth Fleischauer is joined by Danelle Almaraz, Chief Impact Officer for Innovate Ed, who brings over a decade of experience in the field of continuous improvement in education. Together, they explore the universal challenges faced by educators, including the leadership pipeline shortage and the necessity of fostering student empowerment and future readines...

On this week's Make It Mindful , hosts Seth Fleischauer and Lauren Pinto welcome guest Forest Bronzan, co-founder and CEO of Digital Detox. The episode delves into the complex relationship between technology use and our lives. Bronzan shares insights from his work, particularly focusing on achieving a mindful balance between our digital interactions and core values, what it is to be present, and s...

Liz Gallo, the founder and CEO of Why Maker, joins host Seth Fleischauer to discuss the potential to revolutionize education through the lens of design thinking. Liz outlines her vision of making education more relevant and impactful by teaching students critical problem-solving skills and fostering empathy, all while preparing them for the complexities of the modern world (including navigating th...

In this episode, Seth and Lauren interview Jordan Lewis, a Partner Development Specialist at MyBlueprint, a student success and career education company. They discuss the concept of competency-based education and how it is changing the traditional education model. Jordan explains the importance of digital portfolios in showcasing student growth and reflection. They also explore the connection betw...

In this episode, Seth and Lauren interview Harben Porter and KK Neimann from World Savvy, an education nonprofit focused on embedding global competence into teaching and learning. They discuss the concept of global competence and the importance of mindset shift in education. The guests explain how global competence is not just about geographic knowledge, but also about the skills and dispositions...

In this insightful episode of Make It Mindful, Seth and Lauren delve into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the educational landscape with the expertise of Andrew Easton, a seasoned educator, speaker, author, and consultant. Andrew illuminates the importance of embracing a growth mindset and the necessity for continuous learning amidst the swift advances in technology...

In this episode of Make It Mindful , host Seth Fleischauer delves into the dynamic world of media literacy with Julie Smith, a renowned instructor at the School of Communications at Webster University. Their conversation covers a broad spectrum, highlighting the profound impact of media literacy on both children and adults. Key Points Covered: "What is media literacy and why is it important?" : Ju...

In the latest episode of the podcast, hosts Seth and Lauren delve into the intricate relationship between technology and education with their guest (and former co-host), Komal Shah, a seasoned middle school teacher. Their conversation pivots around the unique technological landscape at High Tech High, emphasizing how it integrates with and enhances Project-Based Learning (PBL). A key focus of thei...

Summary Dr. Caroline Miller, a high school English teacher and department head at an elite private school, discusses academic integrity, the impact of proximity to power, engaging students in long-form education, unconventional paths to teaching, and the ethical dilemmas of AI and ChatGPT. She emphasizes the importance of balancing creativity and academic standards, reducing homework, and anxiety....

Dive deep into Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and its intersection with technology with guest Margot Toppen.  How can technology support, without overshadowing, the human-centric nature of SEL? We unravel the apparent contradiction of using technology in an inherently human domain, acknowledging that while tech offers valuable tools, it cannot replace the human empathy and understanding essential...

After leaving teaching for a few years, our former cohost Komal Shah recently returned to the classroom, drawn back by the innovative project-based learning model at High Tech High. Unlike many teachers fleeing the profession today, she was inspired by her colleagues and the hands-on, relevant learning happening in the classrooms. Students at High Tech High engage in project-based learning (PBL) w...

In this episode, Seth and Lauren interview Dr. Kiersten Greene, an expert in literacy education and teacher preparation. Dr. Greene shares insights on the next generation of teachers - Gen Z candidates who seem driven by making an impact rather than just finding a secure job. She acknowledges the very real recruitment and retention crisis in teaching, but says those who still pursue the career ten...

In this episode we interview Dr. Chandler Chang of Therapy Lab. Dr. Chang discusses how - though they are not expected to act as therapists - teachers play an important role in supporting students' mental health in schools. Dr. Chang's therapy company has experience providing wellness services in schools. Her school pilot program provides brief coaching sessions that teach students concrete life s...

In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Dr. Grant Atkins, educational researcher with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as we discuss mindful approaches for professional learning and literacy instruction.  Dr. Atkins shares invaluable insights gathered from observations of and conversations with a diverse range of teachers. He argues that administrators can leverage teacher buy-in to quality profes...