The What And Who Of EDU

Lectures have a reputation. And it's... not great. Think glazed eyes, hidden phones and the eternal question: "Will this be on the exam?" But lectures don't have to be one-way streets. In this Top 10 episode of The What & Who of EDU, we share 10 engagement strategies straight from real educators who've wrestled with disengaged students, and won. 🔥 Spoiler: There are iClickers, Disney villains, co...

We talk a lot about helping students succeed, but what if the most powerful tools aren't new technologies or teaching hacks, but the quiet moments where students reflect, connect, and feel like they actually belong? In this special edition of Digging Into the Data on the What & Who of EDU, host Marisa Bluestone returns with Marcy Baughman, VP of Learning Science & Research at Macmillan Learning, t...

What if improving your students' exam scores didn't mean more grading, longer lectures, or sacrificing your personal life to the pedagogical gods? In this special episode of Digging Into the Data, host Marisa Bluestone sits down with Marcy Baughman, VP of Learning Science & Research at Macmillan Learning, to break down a large-scale study funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The focus? F...

We've all read those suspiciously flawless essays that scream "I was born in a chatbot!" And while AI isn't going anywhere, neither is our responsibility as educators to teach thinking—not just typing. In this episode of The What & Who of EDU, host Marisa Bluestone brings you 10 practical AI guardrails and hacks straight from real educators. From rubric-writing clones and "tilted" assignments to S...

Today's Syllabus: What happens when we stop seeing high school and college as separate worlds? In this episode, host LaShawn Springer chats with Dr. Siska Brutsaert, principal of Bard High School Early College Bronx, about how their innovative dual enrollment model is disrupting the traditional diploma track and empowering students to take on college-level coursework before they've even turned 18....

What does it mean to truly belong in a classroom? For many students, the feeling of belonging isn't automatic—it's something that has to be cultivated. In this episode of The What and Who of EDU, we explore how educators are creating inclusive learning environments where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to take academic risks. From learning every student's name to designing assignments th...

Summary What if one of the biggest keys to student success isn't what they're learning, but how they're thinking about their learning? In this episode, we're diving into metacognition—the science of thinking about thinking—and its powerful impact on student learning. We break down its history, from its early roots to modern research proving that metacognitive strategies can significantly boost aca...

Summary Academic anxiety is real—but the good news? Confidence can be built. In this episode of The What and Who of Edu, we're diving into battle-tested strategies from real educators who have helped students push past their fears and develop the kind of self-assurance that transforms their learning experience. From building a classroom squad to normalizing mistakes (yes, even the professors!) we...

  Summary How can schools truly educate the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally? In this episode, Dr. Anthony Perry from The Lab School in Washington, D.C. shares his insights with LaShawn Springer on holistic education, inclusive learning environments, and the power of intentional school structures. 🎙️ Guest: Dr. Anthony Perry, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging,...

Welcome to The What and Who of Edu. Join us as we talk with thought leaders, educators, and experts to explore the latest trends, innovations, and best practices shaping education today. Whether in the classroom or beyond, we equip educators with the tools and insights to support student learning anytime, anywhere.