Shiva Rajbhandari, a freshman at UNC Chapel Hill and climate and education activist, discusses his journey in climate activism, including student-led efforts for climate action and the importance of involving students in educational decision making. They also explore the purpose of education and the transforming power of public schools.

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Victoria Andrews is joined by Producer Mickey Breeze, the 10-time Beat Battle Champion of the Twin Cities. He is also a former teacher for the “Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project.” and a DJ for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Twins. He’s a proud alumni of the High School for Recording Arts in St. Paul, MN.  We’re also joined by Dr. H. Bernard Hall an Assistant Professor of Urban Teacher Education at Drexel University in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum. His teaching and research interests include urban teacher education and development, social justice-oriented approaches to secondary English education, hip-hop pedagogy, anti-Black educational policy and practice, and critical qualitative research.  Links:  Mickey Breeze H. Bernard Hall HipHopEd Conference IG: Mickey. Breeze  

Tommy Thompson, a marketing and entrepreneurship teacher, and Rupa Kumaran, a student from Frisco ISD, discuss student entrepreneurship. They cover topics such as the importance of community support, the changing roles of teachers, the development of communication skills in entrepreneurship classes, and the plans for post-graduation entrepreneurship. They emphasize the significance of community involvement and call on listeners to volunteer in schools.

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.   In this episode, they are joined by Dr. Susan Faircloth to discuss the relationship between education and sovereignty, the National Indian Education Study, identity and home, and indigenous leadership. 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.  Dr. Susan Faircloth, the former director of the School of Education at Colorado State University. An enrolled member of the Coharie Tribe of North Carolina, she focuses her research on Indigenous education; education of culturally and linguistically diverse students with special educational needs; and moral and ethical dimensions of school leadership. Faircloth has published widely in such journals as Educational Administration Quarterly, Harvard Educational Review, The Journal of Special Education Leadership, International Studies in Educational Administration, Values and Ethics in Educational Administration, Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education, Rural Special Education Quarterly, and Journal of Disability Policy Studies. She has also authored, co-authored, edited and contributed chapters to several books on topics related to Indigenous education. Links: Q&A about the National Indian Education Study Susan Faircloth Scholarship List Dr. John Tippeconnic III Indian Education for All Act National Indian Education Study - Setting the Context  

Dr. Chris Unger, author of A Revolution in Education, discusses the flaws of the current education system and the need for learner-centered schools. He advocates for revolutionizing education to engage and empower students, emphasizing the importance of supporting student agency and pursuing student interests. The podcast also explores the use of AI in education for competency-based learning. Overall, it offers a fresh perspective on transforming education for the better.

This podcast explores the importance of support and guidance in creating new pathways for learners. It discusses successful advisory models and technology platforms that personalize learning. The podcast also looks at how AI technology can promote equity and access in education. Additionally, it highlights the significance of advisory in building relationships with students and fostering organic growth. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need to define success outcomes and clarify the vision in an advisory system.

How might we design new school models to better serve all young people? What are the skills, and jobs of tomorrow? IFTF’s Foresight Essentials course is great for those looking to build something new or trying to innovate within their current role.  On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers is joined by Sharhonda Bossier, CEO of Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC) and Carmita Semaan, Founder of the Surge Institute.  EdLoC “supports talented leaders of color in education and related fields to thrive as disruptive and innovative agents of change.” The Surge Institute is “the preeminent pipeline addressing the dearth of leadership of color at decision-making tables. Surge educates, empowers and energizes leaders of color who will create transformative change in the communities they serve.” Links: Sharhonda Bossier Carmita Semaan EdLoC Surge Bridgespan Fellows  

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Bob Schwartz to talk about pathways to opportunity and the role of college, specifically community colleges. Bob’s new book is America's Hidden Economic Engines: How Community Colleges Can Drive Shared Prosperity, which argues that community colleges need to be in the center of any national education and skills strategy. “At their best, community colleges are the most nimble, flexible, market-oriented institutions in our higher education system, working closely with employers to meet regional labor market demands.” Links: America’s Hidden Economic Engines: How Community Colleges Can Drive Shared Prosperity Review of America’s Hidden Economic Engines  Bob Schwartz Bio “Gold Standard: The Swiss Vocational Education and Training System” Gallup Poll Work-based learning GPS report Northeastern’s Co-Op Model  

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Tom Vander Ark is joined by Ben Wildavsky to discuss his new book The Career Arts: Answering Big Questions About College and Career. This book makes the case for building career success through broad education, targeted skills, and social capital. Ben is also a visiting scholar at UVA and hosts the Higher Ed Spotlight podcast. Links: Amazon Link LinkedIn New Pathways Brookings Institution Higher Ed Spotlight Podcast Ryan Craig on Apprenticeships LinkedIn Study Climb Hire Point Loma Nazarene University Link Support and Guidance Publication Michelle Weise on Long Life Learning  

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.  Dr. Robin Zape-tah-hol-ah Minthorn is a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, Apache, Nez Perce, Umatilla and Assiniboine and is currently the Professor and Department Chair at the College of Education at Oklahoma University. At the time of this recording was a professor at UW Tacoma. Prior to her time in Washington, Dr. Minthorn served as Coordinator of Native American Affairs at Oklahoma State University and an adjunct faculty at Pawnee Nation College. Preceding that, as an academic advisor at Comanche Nation College, which is Oklahoma’s first tribal college. Dr. Minthorn also co-founded Gamma Delta Pi, American Indian Sisterhood and RAIN (Retaining American Indians Now) as an undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma. As an academic professional, she co-founded ONASHE (the Oklahoma Native American Students in Higher Education) Conference. Links:  Dr. Robin Zape-tah-hol-ah Minthorn Unsettling Settler Colonialism  Since Time Immemorial Sweeney Winchief Paolo Friere  Dr. Michael Yellow Bird Connie Mcloud Native Student Challenges Indigenizing the Academy