Getting Smart Podcast

This week, Tom is sitting down with the president and CEO of Lumina Foundation, Jamie Merisotis. Jamie is a globally-recognized leader in philanthropy, education, and public policy. Jamie’s foundation, Lumina Foundation, is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. They envision a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials. In this episode, Jamie discusses his newest book, Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines. In his book, Jamie makes that case that the question is not, “What is the future of work?” but, “What is the work of the future?” Jamie and Tom discuss the new paradigm of work (one that consists of learning, earning, and serving), the importance of shifting to a model of teaching and learning about the skills and traits that are uniquely human, and how we can keep equity in the forefront in working toward building a credentialing system that works for everyone.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Jamie Merisotis. [:43] Tom welcomes Jamie Merisotis to the podcast. [1:07] Jamie has been in the postsecondary policy space for about 30 years. At a young age, he ran a national commission on financing a postsecondary. He shares about how he landed this job and what the experience was like. [3:26] How this commission helped springboard Jamie into co-founding the Institute for Higher Education Policy in 1993. [4:40] In 2008, Jamie joined the Lumina Foundation as the President and CEO. He shares why he was interested in this opportunity. [6:58] Jamie speaks about the work they’re doing at Lumina Foundation with policy advocacy, new learning models, competency-based learning, and impact investing. Jamie elaborates on impact investing as an emerging strategy. [8:59] Jamie highlights some of the major changes he has seen in education since publishing his last book, America Needs Talent: Attracting, Educating & Deploying the 21st-Century Workforce, as well the key observations that led to his newest book, Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines. [13:05] The second chapter in Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines makes the case for the work that only humans can do which blends traits such as compassion, empathy, and ethics; developed skills for problem-solving, and integrative skills. Would Jamie agree that this could also be the summary of a new outcomes framework for learning institutions? [15:53] A core insight from Jamie’s book is that the new paradigm of human work is learning, earning, and serving. He elaborates on what this means and why it is important. [18:10] Jamie’s book challenges the traditional academic disdain for the workplace. It reads, “Our education system does not do a good job of developing skills that human work requires, in large part because we’re often divorced from the settings where human work is actually performed.” Jamie elaborates on this and shares his thoughts on how we can better integrate work and learning. [22:35] The importance of shifting to a model of teaching and learning about the skills and traits that are uniquely human. [25:05] How a transparent system of credentialing could be a part of how learning institutions and work environments connect. Jamie also speaks about how we can get better at credentialing in general (and, in particular, for the skills that matter the most). [27:01] Jamie points to the Europass system as a comprehensive and dynamic system. Should we be aiming for this in America? [28:28] The importance of keeping equity in the forefront to build credentialing systems that work for everybody. [31:12] Jamie closes out with a few thoughts on revolutionizing democratic society. He describes the connection between his view of human work and the contribution that it can make to strengthening a democratic society. [34:33] Tom thanks Jamie for his new book and for imparting his wisdom on the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Jamie Merisotis Lumina Foundation Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines, by Jamie Merisotis Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) America Needs Talent: Attracting, Educating & Deploying the 21st-Century Workforce, by Jamie Merisotis Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 273: “Conrad Wolfram on Computational Thinking” The Math(s) Fix: An Education Blueprint for the AI Age, by Conrad Wolfram Cobots CEW Georgetown — Center on Education and the Workforce World Values Survey (WVS Database) Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 229: “Eric Williams on Empowering Students to Make a Contribution”   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 Amy Klement, Managing Partner of Imaginable Futures, a global philanthropic investment firm that believes learning has the power to unlock human potential and aspires to provide every learner with the opportunity and the tools they need to imagine, and to realize, a brighter future. Amy formerly worked for eBay where she served as vice president of relationship marketing and as vice president of product strategy and operations. Joining as one of its earliest employees, Amy also worked for PayPal as vice president of product. She then went on to help lead Omidyar Network’s work in Education, Financial Inclusion, Property Rights, and Consumer Internet & Mobile initiatives in key geographies. Join in on the conversation to hear all about the incredible work Imaginable Futures is doing, the grantees and investments they’re making, and Amy’s overall philosophy on educational philanthropy. Amy also speaks about the recent report she collaborated on with IDEO titled, “Learning Reimagined: Radical Thinking for Equitable Futures,” and touches on the themes of equity, impact investing, and the importance of values. Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Amy Klement. [:40] Tom welcomes Amy Klement to the podcast. [1:06] Amy speaks a bit about her time as an early employee at PayPal. [1:24] Amy shares some highlights and key takeaways from her seven years with PayPal and interacting with some of Silicon Valley’s biggest personalities. [5:47] About Amy’s shift from PayPal to eBay and her experience in the VP role. [6:36] About Pierre Omidyar and why Amy decided to help him launch the Omidyar Network. [8:44] Amy and Tom highlight a few of Imaginable Futures’ grantees, starting with Wonderschool. [10:30] What Amy appreciates and loves about Bridge International. [12:56] What Amy appreciates about the innovative African network, SPARK Schools. [14:20] About the incredible global network, Teach For All, and what Amy loves about it. [16:40] About Imaginable Futures; their structure, the work that they do, and more. [18:43] Is Imaginable Futures an impact organization, first and foremost? [18:54] Amy elaborates on how Imaginable Future’s flexibility allows them to structure investments in a way that promotes both scaled impact and sustainability in the most efficient way possible. [20:28] Imaginable Futures has a wonderful but challengingly broad agenda; investing from early learning through post-secondary in America, Africa, and Latin America. What does Amy think about collecting the best ideas and narrowing those down to investment choices? [22:55] Imaginable Futures’ beautiful set of values: where they came from, how they uphold them, and what they are. [24:15] Are Imaginable Futures’ investment 50/50 between return-seeking and philanthropic? And is it by design or did it just work out that way? [24:55] The importance of taking on risk when it comes to philanthropy. [30:10] About Amy’s new report, “Learning Reimagined: Radical Thinking for Equitable Futures”. [31:52] Two key provocations from Amy’s report: 1. What if student agency became the most important measure of learning? And, 2. What if young people connected in new ways, developed voices, organized for change across politics, climate, systemic inequities, and even their own learning? [34:25] Amy and Tom discuss other provocations in the “Learning Reimagined” report: “What if learning progressions were based on competencies?” And: “What if home-schooling became the new school if we learned more about different school formats?” Amy also shares her thoughts on whether she thinks we’ll see home-schooling innovations take off as a result of the pandemic. [35:25] The importance of addressing inequities quickly (and now more than ever). [36:29] Amy’s closing thoughts on what’s next for Imaginable Futures. [37:58] Tom thanks Amy for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Amy Klement Imaginable Futures Pierre Omidyar Omidyar Network Wonderschool Bridge International SPARK Schools “SPARK Schools: Scaling Affordable Excellence in South Africa,” by Tom Vander Ark | Getting Smart “Low-Cost Schools Are Transforming Africa,” by Tom Vander Ark | Getting Smart Teach For All “Teaching Without Internet” on WhatsApp “Learning Reimagined: Radical Thinking for Equitable Futures” IDEO African Leadership Academy Teach for India Kids Education Revolution Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 282: “Shauntel Garvey on EdTech Impact Investing”   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 month on Getting Smart, the podcasts will be focused on the theme of difference-making — which is also the subject of a new book launched just this week by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag, Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility. To kick things off, Joanne McEachen is joining the podcast to have a conversation with Tom about her newest book, The Depthvale Detectives and the Great Education Crisis: A Guide to Contributive Learning in Schools. Joanne is the founder and CEO of The Learner First, an international education consultancy. The ‘welcome’ to her new book, The Depthvale Detectives and the Great Education Crisis, promises that all students can learn to contribute and add to the world in all manners of ways. And, when they do, no matter their plans or pursuits, they’ll have what they need to find real success. This book is a story for both educators, parents, and students about using your powers (AKA what you’re learning) for good. These powers can help you discover what it takes to contribute and how to make wellbeing, meaning, and fulfillment the ultimate outcomes of all that you do. In Joanne’s conversation with Tom, they discuss how schools can commit to contributive learning so that all students can learn how to add to the world, what is important to measure, the key elements of deep learning, and the fascinating five-phase change process that she outlines in her newest book, The Depthvale Detectives and the Great Education Crisis.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode. [1:06] Tom welcomes Joanne McEachen to the podcast. [1:18] Joanne elaborates on what her email signature, “Meaning and fulfillment is the new wealth, and contribution is the only way to earn it,” means. [2:36] How Joanne thinks about contribution and what it means. [5:06] The ‘welcome’ to Joanne’s new book, The Depthvale Detectives and the Great Education Crisis, where she first made the discovery of the sentiment described, and what it means. [7:27] Contributive learning: the new superpower. [7:49] Joanne shares about growing up in New Zealand and how her education has shaped her current philosophy around education. [8:48] All of Joanne’s books indicate a strong sense of purpose and measuring what matters. She elaborates on how she developed the ideas in these books while leading two schools in New Zealand. [10:54] Joanne shares what is on her list of important things to measure and how she hopes they would be measured. [14:26] Joanne describes the elements of deep learning and what it has been like for her to write with Michael Fullan. [16:35] Joanne elaborates on what she and Michael mean when they speak about deep learning. [17:34] Why did Joanne choose a novel format for her new book, The Depthvale Detectives and the Great Education Crisis: A Guide to Contributive Learning in Schools? [19:28] Joanne cleverly worked in a five-phase change process into the story of her new book. Tom recaps the first two phases (1. Start with yourself; who are we really? 2. Pinpoint your purpose; why are we here?) and Joanne explains why it is important for teams to start with these ideas. [21:45] Joanne elaborates on the next two phases (3. Dive into outcomes; what do we want? 4. Plot your position; where are we now?). [23:22] Joanne explains what the final phase, “5: Invite teams to commit to contribution,” looks like. [25:15] What Karanga is, where to find it online, and why Joanne is passionate about it. [27:29] Where to find Joanne online and learn more about what she is up to. [27:51] Tom closes out the podcast with a beautiful sentiment from Joanne, and Joanne shares how people can incorporate this idea into their school. [28:38] Tom thanks Joanne for the work that she does and for joining the podcast. [29:08] About Tom and Emily’s new book, Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility.   Mentioned in This Episode: Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag Joanne McEachen The Learner First Twitter @TheLearnerFirst Twitter @JoanneMcEachen The Depthvale Detectives and the Great Education Crisis: A Guide to Contributive Learning in Schools, by Joanne McEachen and Matthew Kane Making the Important Measurable, Not the Measurable Important, by Joanne McEachen and Jane Davidson Measuring Human Return: Understand and Assess What Really Matters for Deeper Learning, by Joanne McEachen and Matthew Kane Michael Fullan Deep Learning: Engage the World Change the World, by Michael Fullan, Joanne Quinn, and Joanne McEachen Dive into Deep Learning: Tools for Engagement, by Joanne Quinn, Joanne McEachen, Michael Fullan, Mag Gardner, and Max Drummy Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 277: “Michael Fullan on Leading in a Culture of Change” Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 151: “Michael Fullan Sees Global Momentum for Deep Learning” Our Iceberg is Melting, by John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber Karanga.org   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 Vander Ark is joined by Ed Hess to talk hyper-learning — one of the new demands of the 21st-Century workforce. After 20 years in business, Ed Hess has spent nearly two decades in academia teaching leadership. He is a professor of business administration and Batten Faculty Fellow at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. He is the author of eleven books, over sixty articles, and over 60 Darden cases. His new book, Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change, suggests that for humans to stay relevant in the workplace, we have to be able to excel cognitively, behaviorally, and emotionally in ways that technology can’t. Join in on today’s conversation with Tom and Ed to learn how you can implement hyper learning in your own life, your organization, or your school!   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode. [:43] Tom welcomes Ed Hess to the podcast. [:50] After twenty years in business, Ed switched to academia. Ed shares why he decided to make the shift. [2:16] Does Ed teach executive or full-time students at Darden? [3:58] Tom and Ed speak about their experiences teaching students. [6:34] Ed speaks about his 2017 book, Humility Is the New Smart: Rethinking Human Excellence in the Smart Machine Age, and how he landed on that title. [11:17] Why humility is so key for both educators and learners, and Ed’s predictions on technology advancements in the next 10 years. [14:58] Ed defines the term “hyper-learning.” [17:49] Personal behaviors and practices of hyper-learning as outlined in Ed’s book. [22:20] Why daily advisory systems are so effective and mission-critical for learners. [25:03] How to cultivate a culture in your workplace that values hyper-learning. [32:05] Tom thanks Ed for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Ed Hess Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change, by Ed Hess Humility Is the New Smart: Rethinking Human Excellence in the Smart Machine Age, by Ed Hess Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 264: “Ryan Craig on Putting America Back to Work” Future of Work | Getting Smart   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 talking education venture funding with Shauntel Garvey! Shauntel is a partner and co-founder of Reach Capital, an impact-focused edtech venture fund that was spun out of non-profit NewSchools Venture Fund, in 2015. Since then, they have deployed about $95 million in 61 investments, including some well-known startups such as ClassDojo, Ellevation, NearPod, and Newsela — all while maintaining a focus on education and workplace innovations. Join the conversation to learn more about Reach Capital, how they have evolved since branching out from NewSchools, the amazing companies in their portfolio, what a typical investment process looks like, and all about return, growth, and impact when it comes to venture funding.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode. [:45] Tom welcomes Shauntel Garvey to the podcast. [:53] How did Shauntel get to MIT? [2:50] Why did Shauntel decide to go to Stanford and pursue a dual education MBA? [4:01] Was Shauntel aware of how many extraordinary people have gone through this same program when she was going through it herself? [4:49] Shauntel shares about when she first learned about NewSchools Venture Fund and what led her to become involved. [6:35] How and when Shauntel and her co-founder (of Reach Capital) decided to branch out from NewSchools and start their own venture fund. [8:22] About the second fund they’re currently investing in with Reach Capital. [9:04] How Reach Capital has evolved from NewSchools, going beyond K-12 funding. [9:55] Can you run a viable venture fund, looking for both impact and return? How does Reach Capital try to maximize both of those? [11:38] The meaning behind the name “Reach Capital.” [12:08] How Reach Capital is looking to bring more diverse founders into edtech and why Shauntal believes it is so incredibly important. [14:40] Shauntel walks listeners through the venture process in a typical investment. [18:26] What does it mean to lead deals? And do they like to lead deals at Reach Capital? [19:00] After making the investment with a company, what does their relationship look like going forward? How do they continue to support them? [20:54] How many companies in Reach Capital’s portfolio is Shauntel actively involved in? [21:26] The hardest part of Shauntel’s job currently. [21:50] Lightning round of the cool companies in Reach Capital’s portfolio! Shauntel speaks about the incredible work of Abl, BetterLesson, ClassDojo, AdmitHub, Desmos, Ellevation, Hone, Newsela, PeopleGrove, Schoolzilla, Tynker, Nearpod, Outschool, Epic!, and Riipen. [32:12] The gaps Shauntel is currently seeing in education where there’s an opportunity to make a big difference. [35:34] With Reach Capital, do they try to create spaces that can bring together public and philanthropic investments as well as private investments? [37:29] Infrastructure challenges and the inequities that have been amplified during the pandemic. [38:30] Tom thanks Shauntel for joining the Getting Smart Podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Shauntel Garvey Reach Capital NewSchools Venture Fund ClassDojo Ellevation Nearpod Newsela Abl BetterLesson AdmitHub Desmos Hone PeopleGrove SchoolMint Schoolzilla WriteLab Julia Freeland Fisher Tynker Outschool Epic! Riipen Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 264: “Ryan Craig on Putting America Back to Work” Raise Your Hand Texas NSBA Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 274: “Rachelle Dene Poth on Charting a New Course”   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 gaming and esports expert, Mike Sepso. Mike is widely considered the godfather of esports and has been at the heart of esports for nearly 20 years. In 2002, Mike launched Major League Gaming, a professional esports organization. He later sold MLG to game-maker, Activision, in 2015. Last year, Mike launched Vindex to provide infrastructure to the esports industry. And just recently, Vindex acquired Belong Gaming Arenas and plans to open more than 500 Belong locations in hometowns across America. Right now, about half of America is gaming during the pandemic. It might surprise you to know that gaming is bigger than both music and movies combined. This year, video game revenue will likely top $170 billion. Though the percentage of gamers that play professionally is small, it is growing. Esports is approximately a $1 billion business itself. Join in today’s conversation with Tom to hear about Mike’s mission to open local arenas across America to grow esports, as well as what he thinks about esports as a career path (and how high schools, colleges, and educators should play the game).   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode. [1:06] Tom welcomes Mike to the podcast. [1:11] Having been at the heart of esports for nearly 20 years, would Mike say that he’s always been a gamer? [1:35] The history of when and how esports emerged out of the video game market. [3:35] The origin story behind Mike’s founding of Major League Gaming. [7:11] How Mike thinks about the global gaming market today and why he believes gaming has become so big, so fast. [11:48] The mission behind Mike’s new company, Vindex, and some of the history behind esports. [18:50] The three-pronged strategic approach they’re taking with Vindex. [22:52] Mike shares about their exciting acquisition of Belong Gaming Arenas as well as why they wanted to acquire them. [31:50] Where these gaming arenas will be placed and how big they will be. [33:40] Is esports a viable career path? And what role can or should high schools and colleges play with regards to esports? [37:52] How will esports impact communities? Should economic directors be thinking about esports or working it into their plans? [39:38] How big is the market of esports? Where does Mike see it a couple of years from now? [41:07] How has esports been positively and negatively impacted by COVID-19? Does it only have growth to look forward to in the coming years? [46:26] Tom thanks Mike for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Mike Sepso’s LinkedIn Mike Sepso’s Twitter @MSpeso Major League Gaming Activision Vindex Belong Gaming Arenas Overwatch League Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 238: “Chad Dorsey on Modeling and Data Science in STEM Education”   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 today’s episode, Tom is joined by Julia Freeland Fisher and Dr. Mahnaz Charania. Julia is the Director of Education Research at the Clayton Christensen Institute and the author of the important 2018 book, Who You Know: Unlocking Innovations That Expand Students’ Networks. Dr. Mahnaz Charania is a Senior Research Fellow, also at the Clayton Christensen Institute. Recently, Julia Freeland Fisher and Dr. Mahnaz Charania co-authored an incredibly important new paper together called, “The Missing Metrics: Emerging Practices for Measuring Students’ Relationships and Networks.” The paper outlines how measuring for diversity and social capital can open new doors and perspectives for students at various junctures in their education journey. Through this, education systems can start to build an evidence base for closing the social side of opportunity gaps and ensure that all students are supported equitably in their path to economic prosperity. Join in for the conversation as Tom, Julia, and Dr. Mahnaz discuss the four-dimensional framework for measuring students’ social capital they’ve proposed in their paper, “The Missing Metrics,” and why social capital needs to be taken into account when addressing equity, access, and more.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode. [:55] Tom welcomes Julia Freeland Fisher and Dr. Mahnaz Charania to the podcast. [1:28] Dr. Mahnaz Charania shares why she decided to study experimental social psychology. [2:02] What sparked Dr. Mahnaz Charania’s interest in education? [2:43] Did Dr. Mahnaz Charania work with Helene Gayle at the CDC? [3:13] Julia Freeland Fisher recaps her career journey from her early work around blended learning to social capital. [5:48] Dr. Mahnas Charania shares what interests her about the work she is currently doing around social capital. [6:32] Julia shares what she would add to the 2020 epilogue of her 2018 book, Who You Know, with regards to the pandemic. [11: 33] The backstory behind the comprehensive measurement framework that is outlined in Julia Freeland Fishers and Dr. Mahnaz Charania’s paper, “The Missing Metrics: Emerging Practices for Measuring Students’ Relationships and Networks.” [12:50] How Dr. Mahnaz Charania is addressing social capital through a continuous improvement approach. [14:33] The four-dimensional framework for measuring students’ social capital: quantity of relationships, quality of relationships, the structure of networks, and the ability to mobilize relationships. [14:39] How to measure the quantity of relationships and why it matters. [18:44] How to measure the quality of relationships, why it is a key aspect in the four-dimensional framework, and some examples. [22:30] About the structure of networks, why it is important, and how to measure it. [24:39] About Getting Smart’s sponsor this week, Micro-Collegiate Academy by TEL Education. [25:51] About the last of the four categories, the ability to mobilize relationships, and how to measure it. [27:00] The benefits of using extended transcripts or portfolios in helping young people tell the story of who they’re becoming, what they’ve accomplished, what they’ve overcome, and who they’ve connected with. [30:33] Examples of fantastic online digital extended transcripts or portfolios and what great extended transcripts and portfolios should include. [33:04] Why continuous improvement/self-growth is a key component in measuring these metrics. [35:00] How educators and institutions can help students build their networks (especially during the pandemic). [36:59] Dr. Mahnas Charania’s advice for principals and counselors on where to start. [38:25] Julia’s advice for principals and counselors on where to start. [40:07] Are these emerging metrics just as important as your reading or math score? [41:01] Tom thanks both guests for joining this week’s episode.   Mentioned in This Episode: Clayton Christensen Institute Who You Know: Unlocking Innovations That Expand Students’ Networks, by Julia Freeland Fisher “The Missing Metrics: Emerging Practices for Measuring Students’ Relationships and Networks,” by Dr. Mahnaz Charania and Julia Freeland Fisher Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CARE International Critical Mentoring: A Practical Guide, by Torie Weiston-Serdan The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, by Tom Vander Ark, Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen LinkedIn Trovvit Big Picture Learning ASU Local xSEL Labs Micro-Collegiate Academy | TEL Education Greenlight Credentials Climb Hire CareerVillage Nepris Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 165: “Why Youth Need Social Capital and How Schools Can Help” (A 2018 interview with Julia Freeland Fisher)   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’s episode is featuring an interview with Dr. Helene Gayle. Dr. Gayle is the CEO of the Chicago Community Trust; one of the nation’s leading community foundations. The trust works with donors, non-profits, community leaders, and residents to lead and inspire philanthropic efforts that improve the quality of life for the residents of the Chicago region. For 30 years, Dr. Gayle was one of the world’s leading experts on infectious diseases, leading global efforts at the CDC, the Gates Foundation, and CARE International. Dr. Gayle’s global-to-local story gives her a unique perspective on issues of race and class and sets the stage for the trust attack on the racial and ethnic wealth gap. In this episode, she speaks about her role as CEO of CCT and the work they are doing around closing the racial and ethnic gap in Chicago and America; her ideas on what would help improve the quality of (and access to) education in Chicago; and her thoughts and predictions around the impact COVID-19 will have long-term.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Dr. Helene Gayle [:59] Tom welcomes Dr. Helene Gayle to the podcast! [1:57] Dr. Gayle speaks about her career journey and why she decided to transition from pediatrics to public health. [4:18] About Dr. Gayle’s incredible 30-year career in public health. [8:37] Dr. Gayle’s thoughts and predictions on COVID-19. [10:20] Dr. Gayle elaborates on how we’ve done as a country dealing with COVID-19. [11:56] About three years ago, Dr. Gayle became the CEO of the Chicago Community Trust. She explains what it is and why the role interested her. [16:28] How Dr. Gayle is taking on the equity and wealth gap in Chicago through the Chicago Community Trust. [21:47] How COVID-19 has actually amplified Chicago Community Trust’s message and mission. [23:08] The link to education in Chicago Community Trust’s plan and Dr. Gayle’s thoughts on what would help improve the quality of and access to education in Chicago. [25:23] How Dr. Gayle’s experience and training in public health have shaped her approach in tackling the root cause. [26:40] Dr. Gayle’s thoughts on the guidelines schools should follow in reopening. [28:01] Dr. Gayle’s advice for investors and policymakers at the state and local level. [30:23] Tom thanks Dr. Gayle for her 30-year contribution to public health, for transforming opportunity in Chicago, and for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Dr. Helene Gayle Chicago Community Trust Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CARE International Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 253: “Lia McIntosh on Community Development”   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 today’s episode, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Gary Funk and Haley Richardson for a discussion on rural schools and rural teachers! Gary Funk has spent 30 years serving and advocating for America’s rural schools. For the last four years, he has served as the Director of the Rural Schools Collaborative. Currently, he’s running a campaign called “I Am a Rural Teacher,” which is a national advocacy campaign that gives voice to rural teachers. Recently, Gary and the “I Am a Rural Teacher” campaign recently highlighted the rural school teacher, Haley Richardson, who teaches second grade at University Charter School (UCS) in Livingston, Alabama. In their conversation, Gary and Haley talk with Tom about the work they are doing to encourage teachers to embrace the power of place to help young people appreciate where they’re from and the opportunities that exist there.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Gary Funk and Haley Richardson. [:50] Tom welcomes Gary Funk and Haley Richardson to the podcast! [1:01] Haley speaks about her upbringing, family, and early education. [2:20] Why Haley and her brother both decided to pursue a career in education. [3:36] Gary shares about his upbringing, family, and early education. [5:15] What attracts Haley to teaching in rural communities. [6:55] Why rural schools are so important and, in particular, why it has become a focal point in Gary’s career. [9:00] Why schools are integral to the life and community of a rural area. [9:45] Why a community loses a lot when they lose a school and the negative impact of the consolidation of schools. [11:05] The surge of micro-schools during the pandemic and how they’re helping re-conceptualize what schools are. [12:48] At the University Charter School (UCS), Haley had the chance to be a part of the founding faculty. She shares about her experiences there as well as the origin of the school. [14:04] How they’re expanding UCS going forward. [14:22] Is UCS on the campus of the University of West Alabama (UWS)? [14:38] Do they offer student teaching opportunities at UWS? [15:15] About the Black Belt Teacher Corps program at UWS. [16:30] About the Rural Schools Collaborative that Gary runs. [18:45] Why a sense of place is so important to cultivate — especially in a rural school. [21:34] Gary shares his take on why place is so critical for rural schools as well as how they can better embrace where they’re from to deepen their roots and their connection to the towns that support them. [26:20] Further discussing place-based education and Haley’s relationship with the Place Network Schools. [28:51] Some of the challenges with teaching in a rural area. [31:50] Haley shares some words of encouragement for those considering becoming a rural teacher. [33:00] What Rural Schools Collaborative is trying to accomplish with the “I Am a Rural Teacher” campaign. [34:53] Tom thanks Gary and Haley for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Rural Schools Collaborative I Am a Rural Teacher Campaign Haley Richardson’s Rural Teacher Feature on I Am a Rural Teacher University Charter School (UCS) “The Hobbit Effect: Why Small Works in Public Schools,” by Lorna Jimerson Teton Science Schools Place Network Schools The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, by Tom Vander Ark, Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen I Am a Rural Teacher: Haley Richardson of Alabama (Video) National Rural Education Association   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!  

Michael Fullan, world’s most persistent and persuasive advocate for powerful learning experiences, discusses the second edition of his book 'Leading in a Culture of Change' in this episode. He explores the relevance of education leadership in a culture of change, the importance of moral purpose and impact, the need for co-constructing team-based learning systems, the evolving role of knowledge in education, and creating coherence in existing systems.