Rebel Educator®

Personalized learning deserves personalized tools. In this week’s episode, we sit down with Larissa Green and Joseph Jung, the duo behind Spark , a flexible EdTech platform built from the ground up for alternative schools. Tune in to hear how Spark is giving microschools and co-ops the software they need to organize, manage, and inspire student-centered education. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN...

Can AI be a tool for inclusion—or is it reinforcing the digital divide? Join us as we explore how young people are stepping into the future of tech and what it means to build equitable, human-centered innovation. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with Mike and Delali on LinkedIn Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need? Visit https:/...

From the Adirondacks to Antarctica, our guest, Greg Morrissey, has led students on expeditions that combine outdoor adventure with meaningful academics. Tune in and learn how the Mountain Goat Movement is helping students develop skills and discover their own potential through outdoor challenges. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.mountaingoatmovement.com   @mountaingoatmovement Li...

What if students understood the science behind effective learning strategies? In this episode, Gretchen Wegner shares with us how teaching brain science to students transforms their willingness to try new approaches and take ownership of their education. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.antiboringlearninglab.com www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-wegner/ Want to open your dream school...

In this episode, we chat with Jacqui O'Connell, founder of Spiritus, an alternative education community born from one mother's need to find better options for her child. Tune in to learn how her approach provides a different path forward for both children and parents. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.facebook.com/spiritusalternativeeducation Instagram: @spiritushomeeducation Want...

Microschools often face significant regulatory hurdles.  Our guest this week, Jon England, chats with us about some of the most common barriers and what we can do to overcome them. Tune in and discover practical strategies for navigating regulatory challenges in opening your microschool! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Twitter/X: @Principal_Jon Website: EdInnovators.org Email: jon@e...

What does it take to implement anti-bias education that goes beyond the surface?  Our guest, Sahba Rohani, Executive Director of Roots ConnectED, discusses the"dual process for change”—a combining of personal mindset shifts with collective action in classrooms.  Sahba shares with us how her organization helps educators embed both reflective practices and inclusive approaches into daily routines, c...

Math anxiety starts early, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode Aditya Nagrath, co-founder of Elephant Learning, shares why confidence and belief are critical for math success—and the tools we can use to change a child’s trajectory. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with Aditya on LinkedIn Visit elephantlearning.com to learn more about how the program works to reduce math a...

What makes extraordinary schools?  In this enlightening conversation, Jenee Henry, Chief Learning Officer at Transcend, explores how community-based design is helping schools evolve beyond industrial-era models to create learning environments where everyone thrives.  From competency-based approaches to student-driven projects, discover how education is being reimagined across America. RESOURCES AN...

Project-based learning isn’t just about doing projects—it’s about designing deep, concept-driven experiences. In this episode, I'm breaking down what makes a project meaningful, highlighting common mistakes to avoid, and sharing real-world examples of successful interdisciplinary project-based learning. Tune in and start transforming your classroom today! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPIS...

This week we’re joined by Chris Hull, founder of Otus, an edTech tool designed by educators to simplify the way schools manage data, assessments, and instruction. Join us as we dive deep into an innovative approach that reimagines education as a personalized journey of discovery. Learn how Otus is using AI and data to empower teachers to do what matters most: connecting, inspiring, and truly seein...

Kids need the chance to make decisions.  But how do we create the right balance between structure and independence?  Tune in for strategies that empower kids to take ownership of their choices. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need? Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about...

What happens when we give students the tools to restore relationships rather than simply punishing behavior?  In this week's episode, AJ Crabill, Senior Coach at Student Led Restorative Practices, shares with us how community circles build belonging, mediation circles resolve conflicts, and restorative circles address harm.  Tune in to learn why these approaches better serve student success and ho...

Starting a school isn't easy, but you don’t have to do it alone.  In this episode, we break down the biggest challenges to opening a school and share strategies to help you overcome them. Whether you’re considering starting a microschool, virtual school, or something entirely new, this episode will help you take the next step with confidence! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Want to...

The secret to student success might not be what you think. Our guest reveals why executive functioning skills—the ability to organize, manage time, set goals, and complete tasks—form the foundation for all learning yet are rarely taught explicitly in schools. Through his personal story of classroom struggles, he shares how he developed an innovative approach to embedding these skills naturally int...

In this episode, we dive into the evolving world of microschools and a recent article published by the Center for American Progress, "The Importance of Holding Microschools Accountable". As the founder of a microschool, I understand the need for accountability, but the current system we're being held to often doesn't support the innovation and flexibility that microschools thrive on. How can we ba...

How do you create meaningful change in education without losing your job? My guest this week, Jennifer D. Klein, explores the delicate balance of innovation and resistance through the lens of her experiences in nontraditional education.  Jennifer shares with us her incredible insights about leading change in schools today. From poetry in the wilderness to navigating political turbulence, discover...

How do we create schools where students actually want to learn? Meet Kapono Ciotti, an educator working to transform schools from teacher-centered stages to student-led learning environments. Drawing from his experiences in progressive education systems, Ciotti shares practical strategies for letting students take the lead in their learning journey. His innovative approaches and the What School Co...

I'm so excited to share my recent TED Talk with you all! In this episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes of how this opportunity came to life and share my full talk, where I explore the power of brave questions and how they’ve shaped my journey as an education innovator. Tune in now to listen and get inspired! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Learn more about the Rebel Project Liter...

Daniel Bauer and Glenn Robbins chat with us about Stoic principles like wisdom, courage, and temperance and how they can help guide leaders in education to act with integrity, even in challenging times. Learn how to focus on what truly matters, navigate ethical dilemmas with confidence, and inspire your school community through grounded and purposeful leadership. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN T...

Burned out, overwhelmed, and struggling with student behavior—sound familiar?  Dr. Jessica Werner, founder of Northshore Learning, joins us to share how her innovative, life-coaching-style approach to professional development is changing the game for teachers.  Tune in to discover how she's helping educators reclaim their passion and transform classrooms. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: The root caus...

In this episode, we sit down with Yvette Cole, a Kindergarten teacher and first-time author, to discuss the inspiration behind her book and how culturally responsive teaching can transform classrooms.  Yvette shares her journey in advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, and how her book, Harriet's Dinner Party , offers an engaging way for young children to learn about influen...

Hey Rebel Educators! Let's talk about one of the biggest challenges in our community - finding and connecting with the right families.  Whether you're launching a new school, growing your educational program, or developing an edTech solution, this episode breaks down exactly how to align your core values with your marketing efforts. Tune in to learn how to create partnerships that matter, events t...

In this episode of Rebel Educator , I take you behind the scenes of founding Up Academy—an educational journey sparked by my daughter Eliza’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy.  Faced with a system that didn’t believe in her potential, I set out to create a school that would not only support her but all students in need of a personalized, community-driven education.  From navigating real estate challeng...

What if education could be a launchpad for innovation instead of a standardized assembly line?  Join us as Serj Hunt, Founder of City as a School, dismantles traditional learning models and reveals a radical approach to preparing young people for a complex, rapidly changing world.  From AI-powered learning to real-world problem-solving, this conversation challenges everything you thought you knew...