

Getting Smart Podcast
Getting Smart
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.
Be sure to also check out GettingSmart.com to stay on the cutting edge of innovations in learning.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 2, 2024 • 34min
Sharif El-Mekki on Growing Educators of Color Through Pleasure, Duty and Honor
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Shawnee Caruthers is joined by Sharif El-Mekki, Founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development. A proud alum of Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, PA and the former principal of Mastery Charter, Shoemaker Campus, Sharif sees education as activism and teachers as civic leaders. Sharif is also the co-host of the 8 Black Hands podcast. His mantra, “We Need Black Teachers” is more than a rallying cry, but a deep desire to give voice to the over 8 million black learners that need to see themselves in their classrooms and community. Links: Center for Black Educator Development Phillys7thWard 8 Black Hands podcast Teaching Pathways LinkedIn Center for Black Educators 2022 Report Dr. Gregg Carr Fugitive Pedagogy by Dr. Jarvis Givens Education of Black People by W.EB Dubois Speeches to the Youth by Malcolm X Black Teachers on Teaching by Dr. Michelle Foster Dr. Vanessa Siddle Walker Dr. Gholdy Muhammad Dr. Zaretta Hammond

29 snips
Jan 31, 2024 • 35min
Charles Fadel on Education and Competencies for the Age of AI
In this episode, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Charles Fadel, Founder of Center for Curriculum Redesign. They discuss the impact of AI on education, reshaping curriculum, teaching modern disciplines, and the ultimate goal of education - wisdom. They explore the use of AI as a tutor and a tool for designing curricula, emphasizing its role as a helper rather than a threat. The podcast highlights the importance of informed decision-making in education and provides additional resources for further learning.

Jan 26, 2024 • 31min
Dr. Hollie Mackey on Getting Beyond Marginality and Growing Leaders
Dr. Hollie Mackey, expert in field building and policy making, discusses her work on indigenous education and the importance of school accessibility. She emphasizes the need for systemic change, addressing assimilation, and improving achievement rates for native students. The podcast also explores the significance of culturally relevant teaching and nurturing the education ecosystem.

7 snips
Jan 24, 2024 • 37min
Amanda Bickerstaff on AI for Education
Amanda Bickerstaff, Co-Founder and CEO of AI for Education, discusses the importance of designing new school models, the skills and jobs of the future, and the impact of AI on teaching and learning. She reflects on her journey with AI for education, highlighting its potential to improve education and alleviate administrative burden. The podcast also explores the potential benefits and concerns of using AI in education, and introduces AI for Education as a valuable resource.

Jan 17, 2024 • 40min
Derek Wenmoth and Annette Thompson on The Agency Playbook
Derek Wenmoth and Annette Thompson, authors of the Agency by Design playbook, join the host to discuss learner agency in education, emphasizing the need for choices and skills. They explore the three dimensions of agency, the potential of AI in education, and the importance of risk-taking, trust, and ownership in empowering learners.

Jan 10, 2024 • 27min
America’s Promise Alliance on Collective Action and Field Building
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia is joined by two individuals from America’s Promise Alliance (APA), an organization that weaves people and organizations together for a positive impact. Mike O’Brien, CEO of America’s Promise Alliance, and Parvathi (Parv) Santhosh -Kumar their VP of Community Impact. Together, they talk about the importance of field building, how uniquely bi-partisan and longstanding organizations like APA can drive change through radical collaboration, what they learned from a 180-organization listening tour across the U.S. and much more. Links: America’s Promise Parvathi Santhosh-Kumar LinkedIn Mike O’Brien LinkedIn Baratunde with Jon Alexander Kim Smith on Getting Smart Podcast

Jan 3, 2024 • 27min
Michael Matsuda on Over a Decade of Educating For Purposeful Life
This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is a part of our New Pathways campaign. In partnership with American Student Assistance (ASA), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Stand Together and the Walton Family Foundation, the New Pathways campaign will question education’s status quo and propose new methods of giving students a chance to experience success in what’s next. On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast we’re joined by Superintendent Michael Matsuda. Superintendent Matsuda has served in his role at Anaheim Union High School District for a decade and is also the author of the great new book: Educating for Purposeful Life: A New Conception of Schooling for the 21st Century. The mission of the Anaheim Union High School District is to prepare high school graduates who possess a clear sense of purpose and the capacity to achieve their goals … talk about a pathways vision. Links: Michael Matsuda Bio Educating for Purposeful Life: A New Conception of Schooling for the 21st Century Career Preparedness Systems Framework Anaheim Union High School District Ben Wildavsky on The Career Arts: Answering Big Questions About College and Career American Student Assistance New Pathways

Dec 20, 2023 • 49min
Apprenticeship Pathways in Teaching and Tech
Erin Mote and Maureen Tracy Mooney discuss teacher apprenticeships, while Ryan Craig explores apprenticeships in tech. The podcast covers the challenges and benefits of apprenticeships, the crisis in college education, launching pad programs for students, and a comparison of apprenticeship programs worldwide. It delves into the difference between internships and apprenticeships and highlights the importance of apprenticeships in various sectors.

Dec 15, 2023 • 46min
Alex Red Corn on How School Leaders Can Be Culturally Responsive to Indigenous Youth
This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is part of a new short monthly series where Mason Pashia is joined by Dr. Jason Cummins, a previous guest and a friend of the podcast, to speak with indigenous leaders and academics to discuss how indigenous ways of knowing and leading can, and should, shape the education system. Awaachiáookaate’, or Jason Cummins Ed.D is an enrolled member of the Apsaalooke Nation, and recently served as the Deputy Director for the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities, Office of the Secretary. Previously, he was the principal at Crow Agency Public School. As an Indigenous scholar and school leader he has innovatively worked to lead schools towards authentically serving Native American students PreK-12 and their communities by implementing culturally sustaining, trauma-informed, and restorative approaches. We are joined by Alex Red Corn, Ed.D, a citizen of Osage Nation, where he is a member of the Tsi.zhu.wah.shtah.geh (Gentle Sky/Peacekeeper) clan. At Kansas State University, he is Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Coordinator of Indigenous Partnerships, CoChair of the Indigenous Faculty and Staff Alliance, Executive Director of the Kansas Association for Native American Education (KANAE) and Program Coordinator for the Indigenous Educational Leadership Graduate Links: A Walk in My Shoes Documentary Alex Red Corn Bio The Rural Educator Journal of American Indian Education Indigenous Steam (Analise and Megan Bang) Osage Ribbon Work Lanny Real Bird Liberating Sovreign Potential

Dec 13, 2023 • 28min
Jean Eddy on Crisis-Proofing Today's Learners
Jean Eddy, CEO of American Student Assistance (ASA) and author of Crisis-Proofing Today’s Learners, discusses the revolution ahead in personalized education experiences, the importance of career exploration in middle grades, AI's impact on education, and the need for adaptability in preparing students for the future.