Learning Can’t Wait
The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast is your view into how changemakers are driving innovation in the field of education. Each week we interview leaders who are challenging the status quo at a time when it is absolutely necessary to rebuild the system for our students. Podcast Powered by Fullmind
Episodes
Episodes
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
In this episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Emmanuel George, New York Regional Superintendent at Democracy Prep Public Schools. At the top of the episode, Emmanuel thanks his mother and other family members who helped form his values of humility, respect, and civic-mindedness. Democracy Prep has a large focus on direct participation in civics education from an early age. Students engage in activities that teach them to actively engage with and influence the political system. Partnerships with families and community organizations are also crucial, as these collaborations provide additional support and resources, addressing systemic challenges faced by many students.
When talking about finding great educators for Democracy Prep, Emmanuel emphasizes that a teacher's willingness to improve is more critical than their initial skill level. Additionally, the school focuses on whole child development, offering a well-rounded education that includes arts, athletics, and academic rigor. This comprehensive approach ensures students are academically prepared and equipped with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in life and contribute positively to their communities.
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Tuesday Jul 09, 2024
Tuesday Jul 09, 2024
In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer continues her miniseries on rural education with Dr. Amy Azano, a professor at the School of Education at Virginia Tech and the founding director of Virginia Tech's Center for Rural Education. Dr. Azano shares her journey from a small town in the Shenandoah Valley to becoming a leading scholar in rural education. She discusses how her upbringing shaped her passion for supporting rural educators and students.
Dr. Azano highlights the unique challenges and opportunities in rural education, emphasizing the importance of valuing the cultural and geographical contexts of rural areas. She explains how this understanding should shape educational policies to better serve rural communities.
The conversation also covers the initiatives of the Center for Rural Education at Virginia Tech, including specialized courses, research, and outreach programs like a summer enrichment camp for high-achieving rural middle school students. Dr. Azano underscores the importance of equity in rural education, addressing funding disparities and fostering inclusive environments for all rural learners.
Produced by Fullmind
Learn more:
Teaching in Rural Spaces: Thriving in Classrooms, Schools, and Communities
Lua Project
Tuesday Jun 25, 2024
Tuesday Jun 25, 2024
Join host Hayley Spira-Bauer in this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast as she continues the Rural Education mini-series with insightful guests Heather Bookstaver, Ann Lewis, and Taylor Gump. Featuring perspectives from two seasoned educators and a passionate student teacher, this episode explores both the unique charms and challenges of teaching in rural areas.
Heather, Ann, and Taylor share a profound love for their rural communities, driven by a deep sense of connection and support that fuels their dedication to education. They reveal how these tight-knit communities foster collaboration and how technology enhances the learning experience in rural schools.
Through heartfelt personal stories, our guests vividly illustrate the realities of rural education, expressing their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on their students' lives. This episode is a testament to the power of community and the enduring passion for teaching that thrives in rural America.
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Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer returns to the Rural Education mini-series with guests Mike Barrera, Superintendent of Premont ISD, and Conrad Cantu, Superintendent of Freer ISD. Both guests bring valuable perspectives from their roles in the Rural School Innovation Zone (RSIZ), sharing their expertise on the unique challenges faced by rural schools.
The episode delves into Mike and Conrad’s backgrounds in education, highlighting their districts' contributions to RSIZ. Conrad discusses the inception of the medical academy, while Mike elaborates on offering cybersecurity and drone certification courses, among other initiatives. They also discuss future challenges, emphasizing the importance of integrating industry into their communities and expanding their programs beyond graduation.
A major hurdle for rural schools, as agreed by both superintendents, is the attraction and retention of quality educators. They suggest that fostering a strong community and providing compensation incentives at both local and state levels are critical solutions. Emphasizing the significant impact educators have on students, Mike and Conrad encourage new rural teachers to embrace the serene rural lifestyle and build a meaningful community around them.
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Tuesday Jun 11, 2024
Tuesday Jun 11, 2024
In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer returns to the Rural Education mini-series with a conversation featuring Richard Wright, superintendent of Agua Dulce ISD, and Michael Gonzalez, executive director of the Rural School Innovation Zone (RSIZ). They discuss the unique challenges and innovative solutions in rural education, emphasizing the importance of community support and collaboration.
Richard and Michael highlight how rural communities come together to share resources and expertise through the RSIZ, enhancing educational opportunities despite limited resources. They stress the crucial role of technology in making education accessible in remote areas and discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated tech adoption.
Both guests share their personal journeys and offer advice to aspiring rural school leaders: step out of comfort zones, champion students, and embrace resilience and determination. This episode showcases the collaborative spirit and innovation that define rural education, illustrating how these attributes create exceptional opportunities in challenging environments.
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Monday Jun 03, 2024
Monday Jun 03, 2024
On this special episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, we take a brief detour from our Rural Education Miniseries to sit down with Arne Duncan, former Secretary of Education and current Managing Partner of Emerson Collective.
Arne brings a wealth of experience from his time at Chicago Public Schools and the Obama Administration, offering unique perspectives on what officials at local, state, and federal levels are missing in our education system. With a passion for creating stable, safe communities for children, Arne discusses fighting chronic student absenteeism with “relentless outreach,” the intentional use of technology in the classroom, and addressing the nationwide teacher shortage with an educator-centered approach.
Known for successfully bridging political divides, Arne encourages us to see education as a nation-building goal. He also shares his best advice for new educators and extends a heartfelt thank you to those leading the future of our democracy in the classroom.
For further reading, check out Arne Duncan’s book: “How Schools Work: An Inside Account of Failure and Success from One of the Nation's Longest-Serving Secretaries of Education.”
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Tuesday May 28, 2024
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Welcome to Episode One of our Rural Education mini-series on the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! This week, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts a panel of three incredible education leaders to help us dispel myths about rural America:
Melissa Harris - Senior Fellow at Transcend
Allen Pratt - Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association
Taylor McCabe-Juhnke - Executive Director at Rural Schools Collaborative
Tune in as our guests illuminate the many positive aspects of rural education, exploring how the "scrappiness" of rural schools inherently fosters a culture of innovation. The group also delves into the opportunities of AI and other technologies, while describing why collaboration between rural schools and communities is essential.
Join us every Tuesday at fullmindlearning.com/podcast. Next week, we continue our Rural Education mini-series by discussing collegiality in rural schools with Michael Gonzalez and Richard Wright.
Show notes from this conversation include:
Changing the One-Size-Fits-All Education Model from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Rural Cultural Wealth: Dismantling Deficit Ideologies of Rurality from the Journal for Multicultural Education
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Tuesday May 21, 2024
Tuesday May 21, 2024
This week on the Learning Can’t Wait podcast host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Jessica Sie, Chief Academic Officer at Zeta Charter School.
In this inspiring episode, Jessica describes her passion for breaking down systemic and structural barriers to education. We learn how Jessica defines innovative work and why she believes some of the most exciting ideas to transform education might be coming from different sectors entirely. Finally, Jessica shares her philosophy around teacher professional development and why she always grounds her work in its core mission, vision, and values.
Join us every Tuesday at fullmindlearning.com/podcast. Next week, we begin our Rural Education mini series! Speaking with teachers, superintendents, non-profit leaders, and governmental advocacy groups, the Learning Can’t Wait podcast will dig deep into the current state of rural education and how we can best set rural students up for success.
To kick off the series, we’ll speak with Melissa Harris, Taylor McCabe-Juhnk, and Allen Pratt to dispel myths about rural America.
Book recommendations for this week’s episode include:
Mindset by Carol Dweck
Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
Power of Moments by Chip & Daniel Heath
Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammonds
Produced by Fullmind
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Hosted by Hayley Spira-Bauer
Triage. Transition. Transformation. These are the three stages of disaster relief and after two years of a global pandemic, our education system has been both triaged and has transitioned…it is high time for transformation.
This transformation is brought to life by Hayley Spira-Bauer. Hayley is a progressive school founder, Teach for America alumni, lifelong educator, and Chief Academic Officer at Fullmind. She is passionate about educational evolution and dedicated to amplifying the voices of teachers and schools nationwide.
Why? Because Learning Can't Wait.