NCLA Podcast

Host: Rachael Mann, Executive Director of NCLA Guest: Tricia Friedman (she/her), Founder of Allyed.org and Director of Learning and Strategy at Shifting Schools In this episode, podcast host Rachael Mann sits down with global educator and changemaker Tricia Friedman , whose career has spanned classrooms and leadership roles across the U.S., China, Thailand, Morocco, Ukraine, Indonesia, Switzerland...

Rahsaan Bartet joins the NCLA Podcast to discuss career literacy and the importance of introducing career exploration in middle school. He shares his own career journey, insights on helping students make informed decisions about their futures, and strategies for integrating career-driven education into classrooms. Rahsaan started his career in education as a member of City Year, an AmeriCorps prog...

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Fawn Wilde, the director of the Western Statewide CTE Consortium in South Dakota.  The discussion centers around innovative CTE programs and the consortium's mission to bridge education and industry, enhancing student success and workforce readiness across over 20 school districts. Fawn emphasizes the importance of community...

Gerry Paist has been the Superintendent of the Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School District in Palmer, Massachusetts since 1974 and is currently the longest-serving school superintendent in Massachusetts. He credits that longevity to the students and staff of the District and especially to the outstanding members of the Pathfinder School Committee (a.k.a. School Board). Previously...

In this episode of the NCLA Podcast, Rachael Mann is joined by Keely Gant to discuss an innovative initiative, "High School to Highway." Keeley Gant, Director of Career and Technical Education at the Educational Service District 123 in Pasco, Washington, provides leadership support for four surrounding small rural school districts of North Franklin, Kiona Benton, Dayton, and Columbia School Distri...

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, we hand the mic to the students of CTEC, Salem, Oregon’s Career Technical Education Center, for our first-ever podcast takeover. Hosted by Dr. Mark Covelle of Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, this episode spotlights students actively shaping their futures through hands-on learning and industry partnerships. To kick off the conversation, Heidan Trinidad Esq...

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, host Rachael Mann interviews Rick Turner, Superintendent of Vantage Career Center, and Daniel Joyce, a STEM instructor specializing in drone technology. They discuss the evolution and impact of Vantage's Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, highlighting the innovative approach to integrating drone training in STEM education. The conversation explores vari...

In this episode, Rachael Mann sits down with Mac Beaton, the Director of Workforce and Career Development for Henrico County Public Schools, to explore the transformative power of creative Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities. Henrico County students recently took on an ambitious project to renovate 48,000 sq ft of a mall in under a year, gaining invaluable commercial construction experience. T...

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Zach Kinzler, a master's student at the University of San Diego and head of growth at Uflow.io, an AI education startup. Zach shares his journey from industrial and systems engineering to AI education, the potential and challenges of AI in education, the importance of ethical considerations, and the need for collaboratio...

In this podcast, Rachael Mann is joined by Dr. Michael Conner to discuss a range of topics in CTE and how leaders can prepare for the next stage of education. Dr. Michael Conner is a trailblazer in the field of education, renowned as the CEO/Founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group and an international award recipient. His storied career spans from Superintendent of Schools to Teacher, with pivotal...

In this episode of the NCLA Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Brown, co-founder of Toolfetch.com and a fervent advocate for the skilled trades. Andrew brings a unique blend of entrepreneurship and a deep passion for vocational education to our discussion, offering invaluable insights into the stability and potential of careers in skilled trades. Throughout the conversation, Andrew addresses how ski...

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Frank Polen for a discussion on implementing all-day labs, using classroom reduction aids, workforce development through CTE summits, the challenges of funding CTE programs, best practices in CTE, community impact, and ensuring visibility and growth of CTE programs. Frank Polen is the Assistant Superintendent, Director of Cu...

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Glenn Cosper, a distinguished board member from Moore Norman Technology Center, who talks about the evolving landscape of career and technical education (CTE). They discuss the critical role of board members in CTE programs, personal journeys in the CTE space, challenges in starting new CTE programs, engaging with advisory c...

Join host Rachael Mann in this enlightening episode of "Building the Future," as she converses with Lindsey Hoerbert, the Assistant Principal and Career & Technical Education Coordinator at the Life Ready Center at Lawton Public Schools. Dive deep into the transformative journey of CTE, from Lindsey's personal path starting in high school FFA to leading substantial growth in CTE...

In this engaging podcast episode, our host, Rachael Mann, sits down with the accomplished Shelley Groves, Superintendent/CEO of Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools in Groveport, Ohio. Shelley brings over 26 years of experience in education, with a diverse background that spans from teaching mathematics to her current role as district leader. Throughout the episode, Rachael delves into...

A husband, and father of six, Aaron Polansky currently serves as a Superintendent in the state of Massachusetts and as an Executive Committee Member for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Executive Board Member for the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators, and as part of an advisory council on equity in higher education for Massachusetts Governor, Maura Heal...

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Dr. Mark Covelle to discuss navigating leadership in career and technical education and the power of yes. Dr. Mark Covelle serves as the Administrative Director at the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) in Jamison, Pennsylvania, Bucks County. Before his impactful tenure at MBIT, he was the esteemed Director of Acade...

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, the Assistant Superintendent at Buckeye Career Center shares powerful insights on effective leadership, building relationships, and having the right mindset to ensure success. More about Frank: Frank Polen is beginning his ninth year as the Assistant Superintendent, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Adult Education Director at Buckeye Career Center in Ne...

For 20 years, Brian Ruttman has been instrumental in building Oklahoma’s workforce through his visionary leadership for Oklahoma CareerTech. With a passion for helping others improve their lives through education and employment, Ruttman is a true innovator and inspiring community servant. Ruttman’s service to the Oklahoma CareerTech system began in 2003 at Metro Technology Centers in Oklahoma City...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Christopher Bonn to discuss the role of Career and Technical Education in getting failing schools out of trouble. Dr. Bonn is a highly accomplished educator and leader with over 32 years of experience in various roles, including as an educator, athletic coach, culinary arts teacher, special education teacher, principal, university faculty, mentor, and superint...

In this episode, Dr. Sara Vande Kamp and Fawn Wilde discuss best practices in establishing and sustaining a successful statewide consortia model for stronger networking, collaboration, and greater use of Perkins funds. Learn more about this initiative in this podcast and by diving into the resources below: Techniques Magazine SD Governor's Office of Economic Development Magazine Global CTE Pod...

In this episode, Rachael Mann and Dr. Ranucci discuss engaging students in future emerging technologies and the growing role that Academic Esports is playing in Career and Technical Education. Meet Dr. Ranucci: Dr. Jill Ranucci is a College and Career Readiness advocate and has an extensive background in Career and Technical Education (CTE) as an administrator and teacher. Dr. Ranucci has held dis...

"One of my passions is changing the perception of all stakeholders that CTE students are “less than”  vs. “greater than.” As educators, we all know that there are many professions out there that make an  exorbitant amount of money in comparison to teaching. We also know that many of these professions  require far less formal college education, but yet, we still hesitate to promote these caree...

About Dave Conelias:  Dave jumped into entrepreneurship in the education industry running after school and summer camps, evolved into being a full-time classroom teacher, and is now a well-rounded STEM educator who loves sharing his experiences and teaching others. Before education, Dave worked in both large and small engineering companies holding a variety of positions including leadership l...

Bob DiPietro has dedicated his life to his calling as a fire fighter, and now to spreading that passion to young people as a Fire Science Instructor at Central Arizona Institute of Technology (CAVIT).  Connect with Bob at rbipietro@cavitschools.org and follow his work on social media: LinkedIn: rdipietro14 Twitter: dipietro1414 Books that Bob recommends in this podcast: Leading Change: An Act...