The LearnIt Podcast with Dhiraj Hariramani

In today's episode, we sit down with Sam Demma, an entrepreneur, author, and the youngest Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) in history. His journey is a powerful testament to resilience, but it started from a place of deep personal loss. After three career ending injuries shattered his dream of playing professional soccer, he admits, "I felt worthless." This is a raw, honest, and...

Catherine Hant returned to lead St. Mildred's Lightbourn School, where she was once a student. In this honest conversation, she reveals why girls' schools create uniquely powerful environments for confidence building, how real world internships either confirm or eliminate career paths, and why the language we use with students matters more than we think. Most students graduate without ever experie...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Cinde Lock, the pioneering first female Head of School at the historic Pickering College. Her journey is a fascinating one, spanning a multi-decade global career leading schools in West Africa, Korea, and beyond. This is a deeply inspiring and practical conversation. Cinde shares her powerful vision for a new model of schooling, one where students aren't j...

How does a school with a 200-year history stay on the cutting edge of innovation? In today's episode, we sit down with two senior leaders from Upper Canada College, Brendan Dellandrea (VP, Advancement) and Dr. Julia Kinnear (VP, Learning & Academic Innovation), for a rare and candid conversation about the art and science of building a world-class school. This isn't just a discussion about one...

Today's episode is special, we had a truly inspiring conversation with Robert Martellacci, one of the most respected voices in Canadian EdTech. His journey is fascinating, starting with a passion for hockey that led him, unexpectedly, to a 30+ year career shaping how technology is used in our schools. We talked about everything from the lessons of the dot com crash to the immense promise and p...

In today's episode, we sit down with Angela Mantie, a remarkable leader in education whose story challenges our traditional ideas of what makes a "good student" or a "good teacher." She shares with raw honesty that she was once a student who struggled to fit in, and that music was the only place she could feel a sense of success and belonging. This is an incredibly sincere...

In this episode of the LearnIt Podcast, we sit down with Katie Young, a recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence. She shares a grounded and insightful perspective on modern education, shaped by her core belief that students are curious, capable, and looking for optimism. This is an honest conversation about the realities of teaching today. Katie discusses her journey from a...

In this profound and personal conversation, we sit down with Tanay Naik, Secondary School Deputy Principal at the United Nations International School of Hanoi. His journey is a powerful testament to the idea that our greatest challenges often pave the way for our greatest purpose. From feeling lost as a "third culture kid" to escaping the "teacher's kid curse," Tanay's...

In today's episode of "Behind the Chalkboard," we sit down with Dave Krocker, the Head of School at Rosseau Lake College, whose career is a powerful testament to radical change and authentic leadership. What happens when a competitive Muay Thai fighter decides to reshape the world of education? You get a school that "literally blew it all up." Dave's journey is one of c...

In today's episode, we sit down with David DeSantis, Director of Education at ALCDSB, whose remarkable 33-year career is a testament to the idea that leaders are made, not born. His journey is one of profound transformation, from a young teacher "banging his head against the wall" in frustration, to a provincial leader shaping the future of education. This is a raw, honest, and deeply insightful c...

In today's episode, we sit down with John Reid, the Head of School at The Rosedale Day School, whose career is a testament to the power of embracing unexpected opportunities. John's journey began with a plan to pursue medicine, but a "gap year" teaching job in the remote northern community of Moosonee changed everything. It was there he discovered that education wasn't just a job, but a lifestyle,...

In today's episode, we sit down with Dr. Brendan Browne, the Director of Education for the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). Brendan’s journey began with a passion for special education inherited from his mother, a pioneer in the field. But his path was anything but linear, taking him from being an award-winning playwright to leading one of the largest publicly funded Catholic school...

In today's episode, we sit down with Helen Pereira-Raso, the current Superintendent & CEO of GEMS Dubai American Academy and former Head of School at Holy Trinity School (HTS). Arriving in Canada as a young immigrant who couldn't speak English, Helen made a personal vow: to become the kind of teacher who ensures "no kid ever felt that they were alone." This simple but powerful principle became...

The LearnIt Podcast welcomes Rashmi Swarup, Director of Education at Peel District School Board, sharing her journey and vision for inclusive, innovative education. 🌱 Nurturing Roots: Reflects on growing up in a warm home where reading, outdoor activities, and strong values shaped her early development. 🌍 Global Perspective: Drawing from experiences across India, the Middle East, and Canada to b...

The LearnIt Podcast welcomes Anthony Cordeiro, Superintendent of Education @ HCDSB, sharing his remarkable journey from childhood custodian to educational leader.🧹 Early School Board Connection: Started working with the school board at age 12, learning every role from the ground up 🏫 Relationship-Centered Leadership: "Your success is gonna be determined by your relationship with that child" 🤖 A...

Welcome to the LearnIt Podcast. Today we're sitting down with Leanne Foster, Principal at University of Toronto Schools. From teaching kindergarten to leading one of Canada's most academically rigorous schools, Leanne brings a refreshingly honest perspective to educational leadership. We explore what authentic leadership looks like in education, how to balance high academic standards with student...

The LearnIt Podcast welcomes Allison Campbell-Rogers, Innovation Program Educator @ Havergal College, sharing insights on education innovation and the future of learning. 🏫 HC-X Innovation: Explores Havergal College's innovation hub and its role in developing future-ready teaching and learning approaches. 🧠 Systems Thinking: Discusses how frameworks like systems thinking, design thinking, and fu...

The LearnIt Podcast welcomes Jason Buccheri, EdTech Strategist & 'Education Matters' Podcast Host, sharing insights on Canadian education and EdTech innovation. 🇨🇦 Canadian Edge: Explores Canada's education system's unique strengths in creating equity while preserving our educational identity. 🌍 Market Insight: Offers practical advice for EdTech entrepreneurs navigating both US and Canadian e...

LearnIt Podcast welcomes Tracy Faucher, Deputy Head of School at Holy Trinity School, sharing her journey as an educational leader in Canada 🎭 Unexpected Path: Switched all her university applications from marine biology to education after a transformative co-op experience in a Grade 3 classroom that felt like exactly where she belonged. 🌍 Global Perspective: Teaching in Istanbul helped her deve...

🎙️ LearnIt Podcast welcomes Grace McCallum, Head of School at Branksome Hall, sharing her journey from classroom teacher to educational leader across four continents. 👧 Early Influences: From decorating cakes at Dairy Queen to working alongside her sisters at Drugstore, these early employment experiences shaped her approach to hard work and relationships. 🏫 Leadership Journey: A bold moment walk...

🎙️ LearnIt Podcast welcomes John De Faveri, Director of Education at York Catholic District School Board, sharing wisdom from his extensive career in education leadership. 👦 Early Influences: Growing up as a shy, reflective peacemaker who naturally brought people together—traits that would define his leadership approach. 🏫 Classroom Journey: From his first nervous day teaching Grade 6 to forming...

Leadership and Innovation with Patti MacDonald. Education Insights with Patti MacDonald 🎙️ LearnIt Podcast welcomes Patti MacDonald, Head of School at Montcrest School, where relationships and lifelong learning shape an engaging, inclusive environment. 🚀 Leadership Journey: From public education to independent schools, Patti’s early experience without a prescribed curriculum shaped her student-ce...

Myke Healy on Innovative Teaching and Leadership in Education. Education Insights with Myke Healy 🎙️ In this episode of the LearnIt Podcast, we are excited to host Myke Healy, Assistant Head of Senior School - Teaching & Learning at Trinity College School (TCS). With over 20 years of experience in education, Myke has held multiple leadership roles, shaping innovative academic practices and fos...

Joe Romano on Building Relationships and Creating Conditions for Continuous Improvement. Education Insights with Joe Romano 🎙️ In this episode of the Learnit Podcast, we are excited to host Joe Romano, a visionary leader in professional learning, innovation, and strategic planning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. With over a decade of experience span...

Transforming Public Education - reflections from jeewan chanicka, Director of Education WRDSB. Education Insights with jeewan chanicka 🎙️ In this episode of the Learnit Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome jeewan chanicka, a transformational leader in education, social justice advocate, and thrill-seeker! Tune in as we dive into: 🌟 Childhood memories and how they shaped jeewan's journey into ed...