

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

Jul 13, 2022 • 34min
Frank Keil on Wonder, Childhood and Lifelong Learning
This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is brought to you by What If. On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark and Getting Smart Podcast Producer Mason Pashia are joined by Dr. Frank Keil, a Yale Professor of Psychology & Linguistics and author of the new book Wonder: Childhood and the Lifelong Love of Science. When it comes to thinking about thinking … Frank is one of the best. Together, they discuss the majesty of wonder, how we need to do a better job of instilling wonder on a daily basis and how it is how science is a fantastic avenue for exploring a sense of wonder. Links: Frank Keil Bio Wonder: Childhood and the Lifelong Love of Science Excerpt from Wonder: Childhood and the Lifelong Love of Science The Age of Wonder Annie Murphy Paul Podcast Marin Reeves Podcast When You Wonder, You’re Learning Podcast

Jul 6, 2022 • 31min
Mark Benigni and Barbara Haeffner on Education As The Great Equalizer
This episode of the Getting Smart podcast is a part of our New Pathways campaign. Find out more here. On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Dr. Mark Benigni, the award-winning superintendent of Meriden Public Schools and the co-author of the forthcoming book The Great Equalizer: Six Strategies to Make Public Education Work in America.We’re also joined by Barbara Haeffner, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Innovation at Meriden Public Schools and co-author. Together, they discuss Mark’s legacy in Meriden and the book’s strategies for reimagining and building a better public education. Links Book Link Mark Benigni LinkedIn Mark Benigni Twitter Barbara Haeffner LinkedIn New Pathways Campaign Meriden Portrait of a Graduate Tools For Building a Climate

Jul 1, 2022 • 49min
Experiencing Success In What’s Next: The Six Pillars of New Pathways
This episode of the Getting Smart podcast is a part of our New Pathways campaign. Find out more here. This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is a re-airing of our recent New Pathways Town Hall that breaks down each of the six pillars of pathways. These pillars will help learners find meaning in their personal, professional, and communal lives. Our New Pathways campaign is comprised of Unbundled Learning, Credentialed Learning, Accelerated Pathways, New Learning Models, Support and Guidance, and Policies and Systems and steered by our guiding principles of: Intentionality, Equity, Curation and Purpose, the goal of New Pathways is to help learners experience success in what’s next. Find all links mentioned in this town hall here.

Jun 29, 2022 • 33min
Bill Ritter on What Everyone Should Know About America’s Energy Revolution
This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is a part of our Green Schools campaign, an initiative to highlight important thinkers and activists in the movement to make schools more sustainable, more green, and more mindful of our relationship with the planet. On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by his friend and former Governor of Colorado, Bill Ritter. Bill Directs Center for the New Energy Economy, Colorado State University which works with state and federal policymakers to create clean energy policy throughout the country. During his four-year term, Ritter established Colorado as a national and international leader in clean energy by building a New Energy Economy. Years ago, Governor Ritter authored a book entitled, Powering Forward – What Everyone Should Know About America’s Energy Revolution, which we talk about at length on this episode. Links Center for the New Energy Economy Powering Forward – What Everyone Should Know About America’s Energy Revolution Bill Ritter LinkedIn Dr. Bryan Willson Senator Tim Wirth Green Cross Justice 40 TerraPower Modular Reactors Boulder Valley School District

Jun 22, 2022 • 37min
Isaiah R. Walker on Recruiting and Retaining Black, Indigenous, Educators of Color
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Deion Jordan is joined by Isaiah Walker, principal at KIPP Philadelphia Prep Academy, where he manages and mentors multiple Principals in Residence. Isaiah started his teaching career at Saint Charles Borromeo School in Harlem, teaching middle school science. He then transitioned to Newark to teach middle school English language arts at Great Oaks Charter School. Later on, Isaiah spent five years working with KIPP focusing on building teacher coaching and leadership development with KIPP NYC and KIPP School Leadership Programs. As a leader in his building and the KIPP network, Isaiah developed multiple at-risk intervention programs to address social and emotional issues for students that are being used throughout the organization and across the country. Isaiah holds a B.A. from Columbia University, has studied and received certifications from Cornell University and Harvard University and is currently studying at the University of Pennsylvania. Links: KIPP Philadelphia The Fire Next Time Bettina Love Kim Marshall’s Podcast Center for Black Educator Development - Black Men Educator Conference

Jun 17, 2022 • 32min
Regeneron Science Talent Search on Science Projects That Matter
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Nate McClennen is joined by three incredible students who recently competed in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, an event co-hosted with Society for Science. Check out our podcast episode with Maya Ajmera to hear more about Society for Science. The students are Christine Ye, a student at Eastlake High School Aseel Rawashdeh, a student at Anderson High School, and Elijah Burks, a student at Caddo Parish Magnet High School. Let’s listen in as they discuss their science projects, what project-based learning has done for them as learners, agency, and much more. LINKS: Christine’s Project Video Aseel’s project video Elijah video Regeneron Talent Search Society for Science Getting Smart Podcast with Maya Ajmera

Jun 15, 2022 • 28min
Nadine Levitt on Learning Through Music
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Shawnee Caruthers is joined by Nadine Levitt, founder of WURRLYedu and PD Reimagined. She is also the creator of the My Mama Says book series and writer of numerous blogs and education resources. Nadine has a varied combination of experiences - from lawyer, to opera singer to education advocate and we are thrilled to have her on the podcast. Links WURRLYedu PD Reimagined My Mama Says

Jun 8, 2022 • 42min
GPS Education Partners and DuPage County Schools on Work-Based Learning
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen is joined by GPS Education Partners (GPS Ed) and representatives of DuPage County Schools to discuss school and industry partnerships and work-based learning. We recently supported GPS Ed in publishing a white paper called Work-Based Learning Ecosystems: Improving OPPORTUNITY for All by Integrating SCHOOL, COMMUNITY and the WORKPLACE. On this episode, our guests are: Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, Superintendent of DuPage County Schools Jovan Lazarevic), Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction of Lake Park HS Jim Campbell, the business partner on this project and VP & General Manager, Fabrication Division of Prince Industries Jeff Ziegler, GPSEd's Partner Development Manager for our Client Solutions Team WBL learning ecosystems have three elements - community, education (cc and K-12), and business partners - and then an intermediary to help bring them together. This episode works to highlight that relationship. Links: White Paper GPS Education Partners DuPage SD Prince Industries DuPage Youth Apprenticeship Program

Jun 3, 2022 • 32min
Embark Education on Embedding Learning in Business
Producer's Note: This episode had some minor technical difficulties, notably some persisting pops and clicks throughout the recording. On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Shawnee Caruthers is joined by some innovators in Colorado’s Embark Education program. Embark Education is a micro middle school in North Denver embedded in two small businesses – Pinwheel Coffee and Framework Cycles. Embark supports students to courageously inquire, engage, and discover a sense of self in an environment that is learner-centered, integrated, and embedded. We’re joined by Brian Hyosaka, an Embark Educator and incoming Head of School. Brian is also accompanied by three students today: Maura(6th), Neela(7th), and Lachlan (8th). Links: Brian Hyosaka Embark Education Iterative pinwheelcoffee.com frameworkcycles.com Blog Post on Purposeful Learning Embark Blog Post on Scheduling Embark Blog Post on Advisory Conferences

Jun 1, 2022 • 37min
Adam Geller on Improving Your Teaching Practice with AI
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Nate McClennen is joined by Adam Geller, CEO and Founder of Edthena — a personalized professional learning and video observation tool. Nate and Adam discuss a wide range of things from their backgrounds as science teachers, the psychology of performance improvement, embedding culturally responsive pedagogy, and much more. Links: Adam Geller Zaretta Hammond and Edthena Edthena AI Coach for Teacher Self-Reflective Coaching Style Can the AI Coach Platform Really Help Teachers with Coaching Cycles? The 3 R’s of Strong Teacher Collaboration within the AI Coach Platform How AI Coach Platform Expands Access To Coaching For All Teachers