Learning Can’t Wait

Aruna Gilbert, Chief Program and Policy Officer at the Early Learning Coalition, shares her journey from economics and global environmental work to a deep lifelong commitment to early childhood education. She discusses the transformative power of early learning, the critical role of early educators—often underappreciated women—and innovative approaches using data-driven tools to support children’s development, educators, and families. Aruna emphasizes relationships as the foundation of learning and shares her hope for equalizing educational opportunities for all young children.

Dr. Michael Stone, superintendent of Lee County School District in Arkansas, shares his journey from growing up in a large single-parent family in Lee County to becoming a passionate educator and community leader. He discusses the shift in community values, the challenges and benefits of technology in schools, especially the impact of cell phones, and the importance of fiscal responsibility in school administration. Dr. Stone emphasizes community engagement and mindset shifts among parents and staff, underlining how rural communities thrive around their schools. He also shares practical advice for new teachers, stressing continuous learning and passion for student growth.

This episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast brings together three thought leaders in education technology—John Gamba from Penn GSE, Jason Green of Your Way Learning, and Will Krasnow from SwiftScore—to discuss the evolving role of AI in education. They explore how AI is reshaping classrooms by enhancing teacher practice and student engagement when paired with the right mindset and research-backed methods. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities in AI adoption among educators and school leaders, emphasizing starting with solving real educational problems rather than AI itself. Together, they highlight the importance of research-informed, learner-centered approaches and share strategies for successful AI integration to support teachers and improve outcomes for students.

This podcast conversation between Nate McClennen and Hayley Spira-Bauer explores the transformative potential of AI in education, focusing on reducing teacher workload, reimagining the school day to enhance human connection, and integrating media literacy as a core skill for students. They discuss the challenges of scaling project-based learning within compliance-driven systems and envision a future where AI acts as a co-pilot for personalized learning, fostering student agency and passion-based education while meeting standards. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of media literacy in navigating misinformation and preparing students for an AI-influenced world, underlining that teachers remain central to providing meaningful, joyful learning experiences.

Dr. Jeff Carlson shared insights from his diverse experiences in education, from rural Idaho schools to urban New York City classrooms, emphasizing the critical role of public education in community life and equity. He highlighted challenges rural schools face, such as limited access to advanced coursework and technology, and expressed concern about policymakers burdening schools with societal issues instead of addressing them directly. Carlson advocates for thoughtful integration of technology in classrooms, family engagement, and realistic, equitable expectations for public education’s role in empowering all students.

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, Dr. Kaycee Brock, a candidate for the Atlanta Public School Board, shares her journey from educator to education consultant and now to political candidate. She discusses her motivations for running, emphasizing her passion for equity in education, her extensive background in various education roles, and her commitment to being actively involved in the community. Dr. Brock highlights the disparities within Atlanta Public Schools and stresses the importance of providing all students with quality opportunities, advocating for reading interventions and clear pathways to college and career success.

The episode features Dr. Malcolm Jones II, Assistant Superintendent of Forest City School District, discussing his journey from a young athlete to an educational leader who values academic and personal development. He emphasizes the importance of academic standards set by his parents, the lessons learned from sports, and the transformative leadership led by the district’s superintendent, which has uplifted a historically challenged school district. Dr. Jones highlights the integration of AI in education, its potential to revolutionize teaching and learning, and the necessity to adapt instructional methods accordingly. He also shares insights on restorative justice practices in schools, advocating for behavior education rather than punitive measures, and stresses the power of relationships in creating a positive learning environment. Finally, he encourages new teachers to seek mentorship and remain lifelong learners.

Auditi Chakravarty shares her unique journey from growing up as a child of immigrants in rural America to becoming a passionate educator and the CEO of Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF), an organization pioneering advanced inclusive Research and Development (R&D) in education. She highlights the critical disconnect between learning Sciences, Education Ecosystems, and Practitioners, advocating for research that includes educators and learners as partners. The episode explores how AERDF's approach uses iterative, time-limited programs to accelerate learning breakthroughs, especially in technology like AI, while addressing equity and the future needs of education systems.

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, Douglas Wilson, principal of Avondale High School in Michigan, shares insights into his leadership philosophy focused on continuous improvement, collaboration, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity. He highlights the school's diversity and commitment to equitable education for all students, emphasizing reflective practice and creativity among staff. Wilson also discusses the importance of integrating emerging technologies like AI thoughtfully and intentionally in education, advocating for preparing students to use these tools responsibly while evolving assessment methods to match technological advances.

 In this episode of the Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, Andy Shean, Chief Learning Officer at Penn Foster Group, shares his personal journey from situational poverty to education leadership and underscores the transformative power of education. Shean describes his work at Penn Foster Group, a radically affordable, direct-to-career institution serving 300,000+ students, and introduces the LADDS model—Learner-centered, Authentic, Differentiated, and Skill-based learning—as a scalable framework for driving completion and equity in online education. He highlights innovations such as generative AI-powered feedback and multimodal learning, all designed to create high-quality, accessible learning for diverse communities. Shean closes by emphasizing the human side of online teaching and the importance of curiosity, belonging, and restlessness in effective education.