Getting Smart Podcast

Today Tom is speaking with Stephanie Krauss; an educator, social worker, researcher, and writer. Her work focuses on what young people need in the first quarter of life for them to thrive and be ready for adulthood. She is a senior advisor to JFF and a staff consultant for the Youth Transition Funders Group. In this episode, Tom and Stephanie discuss the ways her childhood ultimately led her to follow up her teaching career with an education in social work. Her new book, Making It: What Today’s Kids Need for Tomorrow’s World, focuses on the rarely discussed but extremely important currencies required for kids today. During the discussion, Stephanie highlights the social and financial realities of kids, the inequities and injustices that exist in the education system, and how adults can equip young people with the competencies they need to survive.   Key Takeaways: [:11] About today’s episode with Stephanie Krauss. [:43] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Stephanie to the podcast! [1:22] Stephanie chose to pursue social work to better understand the social and financial realities of kids. [3:27] The “Readiness is a Right” philosophy. [7:59] Stephanie’s book, Making It: What Today’s Kids Need for Tomorrow’s World, unpacks the complexity and explains the injustice of what is required for readiness. [12:36] Stephanie describes the new currencies she focuses on in her book, Making It. [20:11] Injustices and inequities in social capital and the role it plays in a child’s life. [25:07] How young people can be discerning about choosing credentials and cash. [27:32] Stephanie tackles the lack of access to capital/cash for students living in poverty. [31:44] Specific ways educators and community leaders can be currency builders.   Mentioned in This Episode: Stephanie Malia Krauss Making It: What Today’s Kids Need for Tomorrow’s World, by Stephanie Krauss Who You Know: Unlocking Innovations That Expand Students' Networks, by Julia Freeland Fisher, with Daniel Fisher, foreword by Clayton M. Christensen   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

Today Tom is speaking with Navid Nathoo; an innovator, entrepreneur, and creator of the new program and platform, The Knowledge Society. The Knowledge Society is an after-school program that helps learners navigate interests and encourages them to contribute to their communities as well as the global community with a series of projects. In this episode, Tom and Navid talk about what the future of education could be and how to get learners to find their spark and lean into difference-making. Navid shares about the genesis of The Knowledge Society, its mission, why he decided to create it, and how the program itself works. He also shares some key insights on how you can skill up in a new area, the importance of honing your ability to problem-solve, and the top indicators of what makes someone successful.   Key Takeaways: [:09] About today’s episode with Navid Nathoo. [:48] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Navid to the podcast! [1:25] Navid shares about his background and his upbringing in Canada. [2:21] About the previous companies Navid has founded. [3:19] Navid shares how he first became interested in the space of artificial intelligence and data science. Navid also highlights the importance of honing the ability of problem-solving as well as using emerging technologies to solve problems. [7:10] Navid offers insights on how you can skill up in a new area. [9:47] Why did Navid decide to start The Knowledge Society? [13:20] One of the top key indicators of what makes someone successful, and the mission of The Knowledge Society. [14:35] About The Knowledge Society program and some of its major goals. [16:39] Would Navid say that students have to be self-directed in this program? [18:00] How do they match students with projects? [20:00] How many learners are in the program? And where are they from? [21:36] Navid talks about their business model and scaling aspirations. [23:05] Would it be possible to use this model to rethink high school and college? [26:29] Tom and Navid share what they love about The Knowledge Society. [28:18] Navid shares some examples of impressive student projects. [32:02] Tom thanks Navid for joining the podcast and Navid shares where you can learn more about TKS online!   Mentioned in This Episode: Navid Nathoo’s LinkedIn The Knowledge Society TKS’ Twitter Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 284: “Joanne McEachen on Contributive Learning”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

Today, Tom is virtually sitting down with Trace Pickering, the Executive Director of Iowa BIG — one of Getting Smart’s favorite learning programs in the country! Trace has a background in community building, has served as the Associate Superintendent of Cedar Rapids Community School District, and has also served as the Associate Director of Education Reimagined. Trace has a legacy of empowering people to pursue interesting and important projects while bringing together an entire community. In this conversation, Tom and Trace discuss the power of community-connected projects, how to scale a program like Iowa BIG, and how to create a culture of project-based learning. Trace also shares about the genesis of Iowa BIG, some incredible student-led projects that have come out of Iowa BIG, and his thoughts on why community-centered learning is more important than ever.   Key Takeaways: [:09] About today’s episode with Trace Pickering. [:55] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Trace to the podcast! [1:05] Did Trace grow up in Iowa? [1:16] Trace and Tom go into the “Way-back Machine” to 12 years ago after the Cedar River covered Cedar Rapids in a flood. Trace shares his reflections from what he learned in the process of a local newspaper inviting him to host a series of community conversations about what was next for Cedar Rapids. He also shares how this series of community conversations led to the creation of Iowa BIG. [6:54] Trace explains what Iowa BIG is, what its mission is, and how long it has been running. [8:46] How does this work for students? How many high schools do they work with? [9:23] Trace shares about how Iowa BIG is learner-centered and how the projects work around this. [11:54] Do many or all of the student projects at Iowa BIG revolve around the concept of “community as classroom”? [12:22] The idea that students should do work that matters to them and their community is really central to every project that’s co-constructed at Iowa BIG. [12:42] Trace shares a recent example of an incredible student project that helped out the community in the midst of the pandemic. [17:05] Trace shares how they incorporated communication expectations into that project and how the organizing students developed and demonstrated communication standards as part of the project. [19:07] Trace shares how they incorporate science and math learning into these community projects and shares a specific example of an amazing student project. [21:50] Trace gives advice to those who want to start up a similar program and become more learner-centered. [23:48] Tom offers further suggestions on how you could begin to implement a similar program. [24:11] What would an Iowa BIG ecosystem look like? What if all high schools were learner-centered? [26:57] Does Trace feel that this sort of work is more important than ever in this current landscape? [29:09] Where to learn more about Iowa BIG and the work that Trace Pickering is doing. [30:01] Tom thanks Trace for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Iowa BIG @IowaBIG Twitter The Iowa BIG Podcast on Spotify @IowaBIG Facebook @IowaBIG Instagram Trace Pickering’s LinkedIn XQ | Iowa BIG The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, by Tom Vander Ark, Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag LimoLink Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 265: “Jenny Pieratt on Powerful PBL”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

In this episode, Tom is joined by Kelly Young, President of Education Reimagined, to chat with Randy Ziegenfuss, podcast host and former Superintendent, about his multi-decade influence in the education space. Randy recently retired from the role of Superintendent in the Salisbury Township School District where he served for the past 15 years. Currently, he teaches as a Clinical Adjunct Professor of Education at Moravian College and Delaware Valley University. You can read his blog at WorkingAtTheEdge.org and listen to his podcasts at ShiftYourParadigm.org or TLTalkRadio.org. Listen in as Tom and Kelly reflect on Randy’s influence and experience on leadership and learner-centered education! Key Takeaways: [:09] About today’s episode with Randy Ziegenfuss. [:55] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Randy Ziegenfuss to the podcast! [1:05] Tom thanks Kelly for joining as a co-host in this episode. [1:58] Many people know Randy as the Salisbury Township School District’s Superintendent, which is in Allentown, PA. Did Randy grow up there? Where did he go to school and what did he excel in? [3:56] Tom and Randy highlight the huge role extracurricular activities and the arts often play in being powerful learning experiences for people in their formative years. [5:33] Why every young person deserves an experience in music and the arts in high school, and why these experiences are especially powerful and important. [7:02] Did Randy plan to be a music teacher? What were his early aspirations? [9:50] Did Randy ever take a school group to Broadway? [10:27] When and how did Randy make the shift from music to ed-tech? [12:20] How Randy was first introduced to Education Reimagined and the powerful collaboration that they’ve had over the last several years. [14:05] When did Kelly first hear about Randy? [14:55] What Kelly really likes about Randy’s podcasts. [15:52] Randy reminisces on what led to the creation of his podcasts. [18:24] Tom shares what he really appreciated about Randy’s podcasts. [18:50] The benefits and challenges of having learners involved in many of Randy’s dialogues throughout the years. [19:53] Kelly shares why she believes listening to learners is so vitally important. [20:18] What Randy sees as being really powerful in hearing from young people and what he thinks listeners gained from listening to them. [23:17] Kelly and Randy reflect on learner-centered leadership, what they’ve come to learn about it, and what makes a learner-centered leader. [29:28] What Randy and Kelly would hope to see in a learner-centered ecosystem. [32:30] Would Randy say that last year was the toughest year of his professional career? What would he say was the most challenging aspect? [35:32] Randy highlights some of the cracks, openings, and opportunities that came from this tough last year. [37:50] Tom and Kelly thank Randy for his incredible contributions to the education space. [39:00] Randy gives his thanks to Tom and Kelly. [40:13] Getting Smart thanks Randy and Kelly for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Randy Ziegenfuss’s LinkedIn Randy’s Twitter @Ziegeran WorkingAtTheEdge.org TLTalkRadio.org ShiftYourParadigm.org Salisbury Township School District Moravian College Delaware Valley University Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 170: “Randy Ziegenfuss on Teacher Leadership and Student-Centered Learning”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

In this week’s episode, Tom virtually sits down with Kim Smith, founder of the Pahara Institute and co-founder of NewSchools Venture Fund and Bellwether Education Partners. Kim Smith is widely recognized as an innovative and entrepreneurial leader in education and has been featured in Newsweek’s report, “Women of the 21st Century,” as the kind of woman who will shape America’s new century. Kim was also a founding team member at Teach for America, created and led an Americorps program for community-based leaders and education, managed a business startup, and completed a brief stint in early online learning at Silicon Graphics. She has helped to incubate numerous education and social change organizations and has served on a range of boards. In Tom and Kim’s conversation today, they discuss investment opportunities, Kim’s impressive career in identifying and supporting innovations in education, and her advice for this year.   Key Takeaways: [:09] About today’s episode with Kim Smith. [1:03] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Kim to the podcast! [2:19] Kim shares how both of her parents were also educators and how they influenced her career. [3:49] How long was Kim at Teach for America? [3:57] What did Kim do after Teach for America? [5:17] The origin story of NewSchools Venture Fund. [6:34] Tom underscores how innovative of an idea the NewSchools Venture Fund was when it was founded in 1998. [7:26] Kim speaks about the early criticisms of the NewSchools Venture Fund as well as the challenges. [7:50] What led to the idea of NewSchools Venture Fund? [10:49] How Kim recruited an incredibly talented team for NewSchools Venture Fund. [12:53] Lessons learned from the incredible success of NewSchools Venture Fund. [16:39] Tom gives John Doerr a shoutout for the role he played in the success of NewSchools Venture Fund. [17:15] Kim’s legacy at NewSchools Venture Fund has certainly resulted in a thousand great schools — all of which are still thriving to this day! Kim shares how she is proud of this accomplishment. [17:51] Tom shares his appreciation for Kim’s early insights and leadership with R&D and ed-tech venture funds. [19:23] Kim’s recent thoughts on philanthropy. [20:50] In 2012, Kim founded Pahara Institute, a non-profit focused on talent. Kim shares the origin story, why she wanted to create it, and its main mission. [24:49] How many leaders have been a part of Pahara over the last eight years? [24:58] What Kim is proudest of with Pahara Institute. [28:34] Kim’s advice for philanthropists in this day and age. [29:57] Advice for system heads. [31:30] Advice for state leaders that would help support families and learners. [33:00] Kim speaks about her hopes for the new Secretary of Education. [33:35] What Kim hopes all of these groups keep in mind as we head into 2021.   Mentioned in This Episode: Kim Smith’s LinkedIn Stanford Graduate School of Business Teach for America Pahara Institute NewSchools Venture Fund Bellwether Education Partners John Doerr Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 212: “Teach for America: Helping All Kids Receive the Education They Deserve, with CEO Elisa Villaneuva Beard”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

This week, Tom is speaking with Joe Erpelding, a passionate educator and leader who is in the business of transforming schools and students’ lives. Joe served as the Principal at the Poway Unified School District for a number of years before making his way to Design39Campus where he was able to create a magical, one-of-a-kind school experience for every learner. Now, he is transitioning to support the team at Thrively, a tool for helping learners understand their strengths, purpose, and passion. Listen in as Tom speaks with Joe about what makes Design39 a magical place to be, why design thinking matters, and what Thrively can do for education.   Key Takeaways: [:09] About today’s episode with Joe Erpelding. [:44] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Joe to the podcast! [:50] How long has Joe been with Design39? [1:05] What makes Design39 such a magic TK-8 campus. [2:46] How the Design39 building reflects the amazing program and culture. [3:15] How Joe and his colleagues describe what learners should know and be able to do at Design39. [4:53] How they express their learning goals at Design39. [5:53] What design thinking means to Joe and how they practice it at Design39. [7:02] Joe builds a picture of what you would see if you walked into the classrooms of the primary grades. [8:37] About the double classrooms, common spaces, and unique seating options at Design39. [9:58] Joe shares about the unique “learning parties” at Design39 for the intermediate grades. [11:10] The role of the teacher (or “learning experienced designers,” as they’re called at Design39). [13:19] How does Joe think about the role of a school head, now having almost two decades of school leadership? [14:37] Joe describes a difficult challenge that their community went through and how they approached it together, ultimately overcoming it. [16:46] How Joe leads his own learning as a school head. [19:04] How Joe and his colleagues led a new way forward in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. [21:51] About the Thrively app, how it is being used at Design39, and what Joe is hoping to accomplish by joining the team. [24:52] The age range Thrively covers. [25:25] How the feature “sparks” within the Thrively platform helps ignite students’ curiosity. [26:10] How Thrively helps promote social justice. [27:01] The various ways teachers can utilize Thrively. [29:16] Joe’s hopes for joining the Thrively team and what he hopes they can accomplish over the next two years. [30:21] Where to learn more about Thrively, Design39Campus, and connect with Joe online. [30:55] Tom thanks Joe for joining the podcast.   Mentioned in This Episode: Joe Erpelding Poway Unified School District Design39Campus Thrively Education Reimagined Stanford d.school Altitude Learning Big Picture Learning Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 95: “Leadership for School Progress in Poway Unified”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

Today, Tom is talking with journalist and author, Jeff Selingo, about his new book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions. This book was published in September 2020 and was named an Editor’s Choice by the New York Times book review. Jeff has written about higher education for more than two decades and is a New York Times best-selling author of three books. He is also a regular contributor to The Atlantic and is a special advisor for innovation and professor of practice at Arizona State University. Additionally, he co-hosts the Future U Podcast, with Michael Horn. Listen in as Tom and Jeff talk about what’s going on under the hood of higher ed and what opportunities there are for a more equitable future. Jeff also shares many tips and advice for learners and their families when selecting and applying for the college and universities that are right for them.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Jeff Selingo. [:48] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Jeff to the podcast! [:52] What percentage of Americans have a post-secondary degree? And is it better than it was twenty years ago? What should we be aiming for? [1:52] Does Jeff see higher ed changing from something that you do after high school to something that you continue to access throughout life? [4:53] Should colleges be turning their alumni networks into learning networks? [6:14] How many institutions are there for American higher ed? [7:06] The impact that the pandemic is having on these institutions and, in turn, the communities they’re a part of. [8:32] How many universities are selective? [9:47] Is it true that a large percentage of young people actually get into their first-choice college? [10:30] Jeff shares his thoughts on the ACTs and the SATs. Is he pro- or anti-testing? [12:20] Has college lost its return on investment over the last decade? [13:20] Tom congratulates Jeff on his new book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions. [13:40] Why did Jeff decide to write this book? [15:06] While researching his book, Jeff spent a lot of time in three universities in particular. How did he choose them and why? And were these universities selective? [15:54] How many students did Jeff track at these universities? [16:15] Is the admissions process better or worse than most would think? [17:37] What does Jeff mean by, “Schools are either buyers or sellers”? [18:48] Jeff’s predictions for the future of “buyers.” [20:32] Jeff’s advice for applicants from his book. [22:59] How big should your college funnel be? And how do you narrow it down? [24:02] Does early admission improve your chances of getting in? [24:33] Is fit or image more important when choosing where to go? [25:12] How Jeff advises learners and their families on the trade-offs between reputation and cost. [27:57] What the parents’ role should be in this process. [28:50] What should the high school experience be so that learners are positioned to make a good choice in selecting which college or university is right for them? [30:27] What would Jeff add to his book now, given the pandemic? [31:43] Jeff’s predictions on what college might look like coming out of the pandemic. [32:14] What does Jeff mean by, “Colleges should recruit all students like athletes”? [33:15] America seems to have fallen out of love with higher ed in the last few years. Is Jeff optimistic about the future of the sector? [35:08] Tom plugs Jeff’s book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions and gives his recommendation on who should be reading it. [35:47] Where to learn more about Jeff and his book online. [36:10] Tom thanks Jeff for joining the podcast.   Mentioned in This Episode: Jeff Selingo Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, by Jeff Selingo Future U Podcast with Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn Lumina Foundation Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 286: “Jamie Merisotis on Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines” Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 297: “Michelle Weise on Long Life Learning” Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs that Don‘t Even Exist Yet, by Michelle Weise Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 228: “Michael Horn on Choosing College”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

This week, Tom is joined by special guest, Maya Ajmera, the President and CEO of the Society for Science & the Public and Publisher of its award-winning magazine, Science News. In 1993, Maya founded The Global Fund for Children (GFC), a non-profit organization that invests in innovative, community-based organizations working with some of the world’s most vulnerable children and youth. She is also a celebrated children’s book author with more than twenty books under her belt. Recently, Maya was awarded the 2020 Public Service Award by the National Science Foundation. In this conversation, Tom talks with Maya about social entrepreneurship, why science matters now more than ever, and her extraordinary journey through the world of science and impact. Maya highlights the importance of project-based learning, science fairs, equity in delivering science news, and providing all learners with the opportunity to become a scientist or engineer, and the Society for Science & the Public’s role in pushing these changes forward. Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Maya Ajmera. [:53] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Maya to the podcast! [1:00] Maya shares how she first became entranced with the world of science through duckweeds. [3:00] Maya speaks about her experience both attending the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and now being a trustee. [4:25] About the mentorship program at the NC School of Science and Mathematics that led to Maya being recognized as one of the nation’s leading young scientists. [5:31] Does Maya agree that every learner should have the opportunity to be a part of a science fair every other year from grades 6-12? [6:42] How Maya’s organization has helped lead the science fair movement. [6:59] Why science fairs are so beneficial to students’ learning. [7:42] When and how Maya made the decision to switch from basic science to public policy, and eventually found The Global Fund for Children at only 24 years old. [10:55] Maya speaks about leading the GFC for 18 years and why she ultimately decided to leave and become a professional lecturer and visiting scholar at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. [13:44] Why and how Maya took on her new role as President and CEO of the Society for Science & the Public. [16:13] Maya further elaborates on the equity of the Society for Science & the Public and how they ensure equitable participation in their programs. [19:02] Having taken over Science News during a time where it was very difficult to be a publisher, Maya shares how she has rethought and reworked the business model into becoming more sustainable and having a broader impact. [22:03] As a society we are facing the challenge of an ever-present general distrust and disregard of science with the rise of social media. Maya shares how she thinks we can regain this trust back and how The Society for Science & the Public is playing a role in rebuilding an interest. [24:17] What science learning could and should look like in school. [27:57] About the incredible International Science and Engineering Fair by The Society for Science & the Public. [28:45] The link between science education, entrepreneurship, and impact; and what we could be doing to introduce more young scientists to impact models (that could provide them with the opportunities to start companies, launch social enterprises, etc.). [31:30] What areas of science is Maya most encouraged by right now? [33:22] Maya’s advice for students that are interested in science. [34:07] Tom congratulates Maya on winning the 2020 Public Service Award by the National Science Foundation. [34:45] What’s next for Maya and The Society for Science & the Public? [35:55] Where to find Maya and The Society for Science & the Public online. [36:54] Tom thanks Maya for joining the podcast.   Mentioned in This Episode: Maya Ajmera Society for Science & the Public Science News Magazine The Global Fund for Children (GFC) International Science and Engineering Fair Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 233: “Rebecca Parks on Learning and Exploring Through Nature and Science”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

Today, Tom is joined by a powerful panel of ed leaders to discuss the future of learning. You will hear from Dr. Pamela Moran, Byron Sanders, and Ed Hess. Dr. Pamela Moran is recognized internally as a leading advocate for contemporary education. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Virginia School Consortium for Learning and routinely consults with higher education, non-profits, and school districts. Byron Sanders is the President and CEO of Big Thought; an organization that serves 150,000 students at more than 400 locations with creative enrichment. Their work is about closing the opportunity gap and building agency, hope, and creativity. Ed Hess has spent more than 20 years in the business world as a Senior Executive at Warburg Paribas Becker, Boettcher & Company: Robert M. Bass Group, and Jones Lang Wooten. He’s the author of 13 books, over 150 practitioner articles, and over 60 Darden cases dealing with innovation, learning cultures, and system processes. Join in the conversation as Tom speaks with his esteemed guests about the invention opportunities in learning, the future of the American high school, and the kinds of learning experiences that are really going to benefit students. This is a deep and powerful conversation with tons of key takeaways, important lessons, and insightful wisdom that you won’t want to miss out on!   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Pam Moran, Ed Hess, and Byron Sanders. [1:18] Tom welcomes his panel of guests to the podcast! [1:44] Ed Hess’s book, Hyper-Learning, suggests that we should learn to do stuff that computers are not very good at (i.e. excel cognitively, behaviorally, and emotionally in ways that technology cannot). Ed elaborates more on this and how it sets the stage for the future of education. [7:53] Byron’s thoughts on we should redefine the purpose of, and goals of, high school. [11:50] Pam shares her insights on how she sees the redefining of the goals and purpose of high school, and whether or not Portrait of a Graduate is a good step in the right direction. [17:35] Tom’s new book, Difference Making at the Heart of Learning, shares the radical proposition that high school should be a place where you figure out who you are, what you’re good at, what you care about, where/how you’re going to make a difference in the world, and that difference-making is the new superpower. Does Ed see this as part of the new core purpose of high school? [19:58] The kinds of learning experiences that Byron sees as really benefiting high school students. [24:20] Pam shares what kinds of learning experiences she sees as benefiting high school students. [25:15] Pam proposes a question for the panel: “What would need to change if what we wanted to do was to move towards kids who understand the concept of ‘quiet egos’ and why that is an important disposition to have success in life?” [26:02] Ed answers Pam’s question. [27:02] Ed shares a prediction on how he sees the future of classrooms within high schools. [29:12] Tom proposes that making an advisory structure and relationships central in both the secondary and post-secondary experience is part of the answer. Ed also shares his thoughts on this. [31:00] Byron answers Pam’s question. [32:12] Byron elaborates on the stakes and challenges that we’re really facing in trying to redefine high school. [33:42] In response to this inequity problem, some would say the answer would be to double down on the current inherited system that is not working for high school students. What is Byron’s response to this? [36:41] Ed shares his thoughts on what he sees as being at stake as we redefine these inherited systems. [38:51] Pam shares her own thoughts and insights on the topic of what we need to be cautious of as we redefine high school. [42:18] Byron shares his thoughts on how we could reorganize the high school experience in a more community-connected way. [49:56] Pam asks Ed for his insights on what it would take to actually start to create an environment for teenagers that doesn’t look like anything that we have right now. [53:23] Tom wraps up the podcast and gives his thanks to Pam, Ed, and Byron for sharing their insights and wisdom.   Mentioned in This Episode: Dr. Pamela Moran Virginia School Consortium for Learning (VaSCL) Byron Sanders Ed Hess Big Thought Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change, by Ed Hess Portrait of a Graduate Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag Journeyman Ink: DaVerse Lounge Creative Solutions We Are Crew: A Teamwork Approach to School Culture, by EL Education EL Education Valor Public Schools Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 236: “Listening to Kids and Designing from Scratch for Timeless Learning with Pam Moran” Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 254: “Byron Sanders on Closing the Opportunity Gap in Dallas” Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 283: “Ed Hess on Adapting to the Speed of Change” GettingSmart.com/InventionOpportunity   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

This week, Tom is sitting down with author and advisor, Michelle Weise, to discuss her new book, Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs that Don't Even Exist Yet. Michelle is currently serving as an entrepreneur-in-residence and Senior Advisor at Imaginable Futures, a venture of The Omidyar Group. Michelle was formerly the Chief Innovation Officer at Strada Education Network’s Institute for the Future of Work, and Sandbox Collaborative, the innovation center of Southern New Hampshire University. She was also the co-author of Hire Education: Mastery, Modularization, and the Workforce Revolution, with Clayton Christensen. In this conversation, Tom and Michelle discuss her background in the arts and innovation; how and why she came to write her new book, Long Life Learning; what long life learning means to her; what she predicts to be the future of business models for long life learning; and her advice on how we can all make good decisions about what to learn next no matter where we are on our long life learning journey.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Michelle Weise. [:55] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Michelle to the podcast. [:59] Tom congratulates Michelle on her new book, Long Life Learning. [1:37] When did Michelle’s interest in language, literature, and poetry begin? [2:27] Michelle elaborates on her deep passion for poetry and how both reading and writing it helped her get through the death of her 10th-grade chemistry teacher. [3:07] Michelle’s exploration of Asian-American and African-American poetry and fiction in graduate school. [3:58] Michelle’s favorite African-American poet and what drew her to Asian-American poetry in particular. [4:57] Tom highlights a poet whose work he recently fell in love with: Rita Dove. [5:14] How and why Michelle came to be a Fulbright Scholar in Seoul, South Korea. [6:20] Michelle’s path after coming from Korea and why she decided to join an ed-tech start-up with Gunnar Counselman. [9:15] After a short stint at Fidelis, Michelle joined the Clayton Christensen Institute as a Senior Research Fellow of Higher Education for nearly 2½ years. There, she also had the opportunity to write a book with him called, Education: Mastery, Modularization, and the Workforce Revolution. [9:38] Michelle’s experience working with Clayton on their book together. [10:57] Tom reflects on a past experience with Clay and Michelle shares an important lesson that she learned through working with him. [13:16] After Christensen Institute, Michelle did another three-year stint at Strada, a non-profit impact fund in Indianapolis. [13:50] About Michelle’s role at Strada and how it led to her writing her new book, Long Life Learning. [15:53] At Strada, Michelle had the opportunity to interview hundreds of people. Was this specific to Long Life Learning or was it more for the R&D center at Strada? [17:00] Young people today are not only going to live longer but they’re also going to experience more change in their lifetimes than previous generations. The old model of education and work is already becoming obsolete. As Michelle shares in her book, we need to begin thinking about long life learning. [20:22] With this knowledge, is it becoming less critical to make a decision about where you go to college immediately after high school? [22:44] Would Michelle agree or disagree with the sentiment Ryan Craig expressed in his 2018 book, A New U, that unless you can get a free or subsidized education at a selective university you really should think about a hard sprint to a good first job as an entry point to an earn-and-learn ladder? [25:58] Does Michelle foresee Gen Zrs having careers somewhat resembling her own? I.e. taking a “tour of duty” approach? [28:17] What are the business models for long life learning going to be? [32:03] What advice do people need to make good decisions about what to learn next? [37:24] Does Michelle see AI making it easier for us to learn in the direction we point to? [40:28] Is Michelle optimistic about adaptive learning? [42:17] Some of the other ways Michelle sees AI aiding us in the future. [43:58] Does AI have the potential to make hiring more equitable? Or is Michelle concerned that more inequity will surface in AI-driven systems? [46:11] As a long-life learner herself, how does Michelle continue her journey every day in “getting smart?” [45:56] Would Michelle agree that Louise Glück was a good choice for the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature? [47:53] Tom plugs Michelle’s book, Long Life Learning. [48:23] Tom thanks Michelle for joining the podcast. [48:48] About Tom and Emily’s book, Difference Making at the Heart of Learning.   Mentioned in This Episode: Michelle Weise’s LinkedIn Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs that Don't Even Exist Yet, by Michelle Weise Imaginable Futures The Omidyar Group Education: Mastery, Modularization, and the Workforce Revolution, by Clayton Christensen and Michelle Weise The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, by Tom Vander Ark, Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennon Emily Dickinson (Poet) The Art of Hunger: Essays, Prefaces, Interviews, by Paul Auster Kamau Brathwaite (Poet) Rita Dove (Poet) Fulbright Korea Gunnar Counselman Michael Horn Strada Education Network Derek Thompson on The Atlantic Crazy/Genius Podcast by Derek Thompson Stanford d.school Harvard Extension School A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, by Ryan Craig David Blake Learn In Louise Glück Wins the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 285: “Amy Klement on Equity and Imaginable Futures” Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!