Getting Smart Podcast

Mar 04 2025 499 ep. 35 mins 644
Getting Smart Podcast artwork

This podcast has over 500 episodes highlighting developing trends in K-12 education, postsecondary and lifelong learning. Each week, Getting Smart team members interview students, leading authors, experts and practitioners in research, tech, entrepreneurship and leadership to bring listeners innovative and actionable strategies in education leadership. Be sure to also check out GettingSmart.com to stay on the cutting edge of innovations in learning.

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The Students Know Best, Can Education Learn from Community? | Aylon Samouha

Mar 04 2025 28 mins  
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, host Rebecca Midles sits down with Aylon Samouha, the CEO of Transcend and a visionary in education reform. They delve into the concept of The Third Way, an approach that blends community insights with proven educational practices to create lasting change in schools. Aylon shares his insights from years of experience in the field, discu

How bad is the "Disengagement Crisis"? | Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop

Feb 25 2025 41 mins  
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, host Nate McClennen explores the topic of teen engagement with guests Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, authors of "The Disengaged Teen." They delve into the four modes of learning—passenger, achiever, resistor, and explorer—offering insights on how students move between these modes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of

What if all students had a menu of pathways options in high school? | Dr. Lazaro Lopez and Students from District 214

Feb 18 2025 32 mins  
Welcome to the Getting Smart Podcast, in today's episode, we dive into the innovative initiatives of District 214, a leader in creating personalized, real-world learning experiences for students. Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, District 214 is part of the Illinois Accelerate Ed cohort, focusing on bridging K-12 education with postsecondary opportunities and care

Are you "hiring" your dream job? | Michael Horn

Feb 11 2025 30 mins  
In this episode, Mason Pashia is joined by Michael Horn to discuss his new book, "Job Moves: Nine Steps for Making Progress in Your Career." They explore the jobs-to-be-done theory and how it applies to career choices, highlighting the iterative process of career pathways. Michael shares insights on hiring your job, storytelling in career development, and the role of experiences in

What if the Gap Year Was Actually a Launch Year? | Abby Falik

Feb 04 2025 32 mins  
Mark your calendars for SXSW EDU March 3-6, 2025 in Austin, Texas, and register now at sxswedu.com. Let’s work together to shape the future of education—one idea at a time. In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark interviews Abby Falik, founder of The Flight School, a transformative educational initiative aimed at high school graduates. The Flight School of

Profile of an Unbundled Learning Ecosystem: Arizona

Jan 30 2025 50 mins  
In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, Arizona is pioneering a transformative approach through unbundled learning. This model breaks down traditional educational silos, integrating K-12, higher education, and workforce readiness to equip students with the skills necessary for the 21st century. By leveraging partnerships with local businesses and educational institutions

Profile of an Unbundled Learning Ecosystem: Colorado

Jan 30 2025 46 mins  
In Colorado, the unbundled learning movement is reshaping how education is delivered, bridging the gap between traditional schooling and real-world experiences. This initiative is driven by the need to provide students with relevant, career-connected learning opportunities that prepare them for future success. By integrating work-based learning, internships, and community projects,

Profile of an Unbundled Learning Ecosystem: New Hampshire

Jan 30 2025 46 mins  
The podcast episode "New Hampshire Unbundled" explores how New Hampshire has become a leader in unbundled and competency-based learning, offering students personalized educational pathways that extend beyond traditional school environments. By embracing initiatives like the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) and Learn Everywhere, the state provides learners with opport

What Does it Take to Make a Great Microschool Leader? | Coi Morefield

Jan 28 2025 24 mins  
In this engaging episode of the Getting Smart podcast, hosts Jordan Luster and Victoria Andrews dive into the world of micro schools with Coi Morefield, the innovative founder of the Lab School of Memphis. Morefield introduces Microschool Masters, a groundbreaking platform designed to address the unique challenges of microschool education by transforming teaching teams into excepti

Town Hall: What’s Next in Learning 2025

Jan 23 2025 39 mins  
The recent "What’s Next in Learning 2025" Town Hall highlighted pivotal trends poised to redefine education, emphasizing the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI), governance shifts, and literacy. AI is revolutionizing classrooms by offering personalized learning experiences but also posing challenges such as plagiarism and ethical use. The discussion underscored the nee