Learning Can’t Wait

Heather Bookstaver, Ann Lewis, & Taylor Gump | Rural Education, Community Engagement, Technology in Schools

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.
Produced by Fullmind

Mike Barrera & Conrad Cantu | Rural Education, Career and Technical Education, Rural School Innovation Zone

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.
Produced by Fullmind

Richard Wright & Michael Gonzalez | Rural Education, Teacher Shortage, Rural School Innovation Zone

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.
Produced by Fullmind

Arne Duncan | Community Schools, Chronic Absenteeism, Teacher Shortage, Education Reform

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.”
Produced by Fullmind

Melissa Harris, Allen Pratt, Taylor McCabe-Juhnke | Rural Education, Innovation, Collaboration

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
Produced by Fullmind

Jessica Sie | Innovative Education, Professional Learning, Charter Schools, Mindset

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

Juliana Finnegan | Vivi, Student Driven Learning, Tech Enabled Learning, AI in Education

Welcome back to the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! This week, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts a thought-provoking conversation with Juliana Finnegan, VP of Educator Experience at Vivi.  
 
Tune in as Juliana shares her thoughts about the role of technology in the classroom and how it can support effective instruction without replacing essential human connection.  Hayley and Juliana also discuss Learning Language Models and the vital difference between passive and active engagement.  Finally, we learn about why Juliana believes we need to make technology “future proof” if we’re going to use it in schools.
 
Join us every Tuesday at fullmindlearning.com/podcast. Next week, we talk to Jessica Sie, Chief Academic Officer at Zeta Charter School.
 
Resources from this conversation include:
NETP
Jessica Grose's three writing pieces
Research-Based, Online Learning for Teachers
Vivi for Teachers
Produced by Fullmind

Brandon Cardet-Hernandez | Science of Reading, Play Based Learning, Universal Pre-K

This week on the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Brandon Cardet-Hernandez, Chief Strategy Officer at Mrs. Wordsmith.  
In this delightful conversation, Brandon describes how both rigor and play are central to his work helping kids to read and tackling the ‘30 million word gap’.  Brandon also shares lessons from his early career and what it’s like to work on education at a political level.  Lastly, Brandon emphasizes that “not all screen time is created equal” and shares tips for how adults can be more involved in children’s use of technology.
Produced by Fullmind