Better Learning Podcast

Educator and author E. D. Hirsch talks with host Kevin Stoller about his views on the state of education. He shares his thoughts on the connection between reading skills and cultural literacy, the correlation between reading skills and future income, and the importance of shared knowledge. 

E.D. Hirsch, Jr., founder and chairman of the Core Knowledge Foundation and professor emeritus at the University of Virginia, is an esteemed voice in education reform, championing equal educational opportunity. Originally a literary critic and English professor, Hirsch was prompted towards education reform when he observed the impact of students' background knowledge on their reading comprehension. This led to his concept of cultural literacy, which asserts that effective reading comprehension requires extensive background knowledge in addition to basic decoding skills. Hirsch established the Core Knowledge Foundation in 1986 and quickly gained renown with his book, "Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know," which topped the New York Times bestseller list for over six months. His subsequent publications, including "How to Educate a Citizen: The Power of Shared Knowledge to Unify a Nation," continually advocate for the use of common, coherent, and sequenced curricula in public schools, particularly from preschool to grade 8.

Core Knowledge Foundation: https://www.linkedin.com/company/core-knowledge-foundation/

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Who made this episode possible?

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/

Is education in need of reform or complete revolution? What's the difference?

Those are some of the questions that are tackled in this episode. Kevin Stoller is joined by Professional Learning Partnerships' Chief Learning Officer, Julia Skolnik. She shares her knowledge on how brain science could be used to shape education and she discusses how bridging the philosophical gap between education and entrepreneurship could make a world of difference for children.

For more on Professional Learning Partnerships, visit https://www.learningpartnerships.org/.

To reach out to Julia, find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaskolnik/

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Who made this episode possible?

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/

In this very special episode, Host Kevin Stoller chats with Jolene Levin. Jolene is the Executive Director of the brand new education-oriented nonprofit, The SecondClassFoundation. This organization was founded around the idea of changing the ways we view and talk about education online, in print, and in movies and television shows. They discuss her journey into the world of education and share their excitement for what The SecondClassFoundation can bring to education. 

Most importantly, SCF is looking for collaborators to help bring this mission of changing narratives around education to fruition. Visit www.secondclassfoundation.org to find out how you can help. 

Jolene Levin is the Executive Director of the SecondClassFoundation. She is a passionate advocate for educational innovation with over a decade of experience shaping diverse learning environments. Known for her transformative work at NorvaNivel where she aided schools in shifting towards agile learning spaces, Jolene brings a wealth of understanding to the future direction of education. Committed to reimagining how education is perceived and experienced, Jolene leverages her broad portfolio of successful case studies to create inclusive learning spaces attuned to evolving student needs.

At the SecondClassFoundation, she continues her mission to improve education by leveraging media as a powerful tool. The foundation is actively engaged in various projects aimed at enhancing current learning spaces and amplifying their impact through the creation and dissemination of entertaining and meaningful stories via media channels. Through her leadership at the SecondClassFoundation, Jolene strives to challenge outdated perceptions of classrooms and revolutionize education for the benefit of students, educators, and communities alike.

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Who made this episode possible?

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/

In order for a community to buy into what a school distract wants to do, it has to be engaged in the process. While that might sound impossible, the guests on this episode are proof that there is a productive bridge that you can build between a community and its schools. Joining the podcast are Tom Parent from Saint Paul Public Schools as well as Meg Parsons and Heidi Neumueller from Cuningham. They talk about the power and possibility of inviting stakeholders into the process of school design. They share a broad vision for interacting with the community as well as specific ideas that have helped them shape their schools for the better.

To see what the panel is talking about during the podcast, visit the following two pages: Interactive Map of Facility Prioritization for Improvements

Inclusive Restrooms: Private ● Secure ● Safe

Tom Parent, AIA, serves as the Executive Director of Operations and Administration for Saint Paul Public Schools, Minnesota's largest urban school district, where he oversees 9 departments and numerous staff. His primary focus is on the involvement of communities in strategic planning of built environments, an effort that earned him recognition from the International Association of Public Participation. He is a licensed architect with significant experience in educational and non-profit settings. His credentials include being a 2013 Hubert H. Humphrey Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota. Margaret (Meg) Parsons, FAIA, NCARB, ALEP, LEED AP BD+C, ALEP, is a licensed Architect and Principal at Cuningham, a 320-person firm with six US locations. Since 1989, she has focused on educational projects, assisting schools with facility planning and community engagement, and leading efforts on numerous projects including the Facility Master Plan for Saint Paul Public Schools. She was elevated to the American Institute of Fellows (FAIA) in 2020 and is an Accredited Learning Environment Professional (ALEP) through A4LE. Parsons, who's licensed in 14 states, is a published author, former guest lecturer at San Diego State University, and serves as the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Region 4 Board Director, and the Board Chair of Cuningham. Heidi Neumueller brings a combination of commitment, drive, and sensitivity to each project. She is adept at leading immersive workshops, engaging with clients and user groups, to transform their vision and needs into active environments for learning. Heidi is leading conversations across the country based on her research of the key design components that contribute to safety and security of inclusive restroom design. Heidi is the 2018 recipient of the AIA Minnesota Young Architect Award.

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Who made this episode possible?

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/

When the pandemic hit, every educator in America was impacted. Schools were physically closed and there was a frantic push to transform entire curricula designed for in-person learning into virtual experiences that would benefit children. In 2021, Janine and Jeff Yass started The Yass Prize to honor some of the  educators who worked tirelessly for students. Since then, their work has grown to include honoring educators, schools, and initiatives who provide STOP-enabled education for students.

The Vice President of the Yass Prize, Caroline Allen, joins us for this episode. She outlines the goals of the Yass Prize and explains what it means to be a STOP school.

The Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless education is a rapidly growing effort to find, reward, celebrate and expand best-in-class education organizations from every sector, in every state, and to create unprecedented partnerships that accelerate impact with the speed and urgency our students deserve.

In 2022, the Yass Prize organization awarded $20 million to winners, alumni and special state initiatives.  Read more about them here and encourage others to apply. The 2023 application is now open and submissions must be received by 11:59 PM ET on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

For more information, visit www.yassprize.org. 

Caroline Allen is the Vice President of the Yass Prize, and leads the team with managing and executing the application process, judging process, awardee announcements, and accelerator bootcamp. Prior to joining the Yass Prize team, she spent eight years in the classroom, teaching Special Education and elementary general education in Massachusetts, including at the nationally recognized Edward Brooke Charter School in East Boston. She is a Teach For America alum and has extensive experience working with teachers, families, community members and school leadership in the areas of professional development, teacher coaching, strategic vision planning and differentiation to meet the diverse needs of all learners. Caroline received her undergraduate and Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.  

Social Channels:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-grace-allen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinegraceallen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroline.dosky

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CarolineGAllen1

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Who made this episode possible?

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/

Scott Meyer has a very unique background. He has a master's degree in Philosophy, Peace, and Conflict Transformation and he now works in the world of AI. He's the perfect guest to come speak about what's happening currently in education and how we can prepare ourselves for the future. Scott emphasizes the importance of embracing one's uniqueness and taking the "weird route" in life. He also talks about the potential for AI in education.

Scott Meter writes, teachers, and consults on AI adoption across industries. He's a Rosetta Stone for making complex tech understandable and useful. He created Five Minute AI (http://fivemin.ai/.), providing quick tutorials to help people live well and work smart with AI. His courses apply AI in specific industries such as non-profits, creative agencies, and education. You'll find him exploring the future of learning and AI through podcasts, essays, and videos at Ed3.gg.

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Who made this episode possible?

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/

Our world feels chaotic and divided. That's the bad news. The good news is that the next generation of leaders are sitting in classrooms right now and we have an opportunity to prepare them for the future. Kelly Smith, founder of the microschool Prenda, joins the show to discuss the future of education and how we can break out of our silos to do the work that needs to be done. They also talk about Kelly's new book, "A Fire to be Kindled" which explores the idea that humans have the potential to solve all of our world's problems if we focus on education and personal growth. 

For more on Prenda, visit https://www.prenda.com/.

For more on Kelly's new book, visit https://www.prenda.com/a-fire-to-be-kindled-book.

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Who made this episode possible?

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/

This episode brings together a roundtable of nutrition and school experts to discuss the complexities of nutritious school meals, the impact of changing dietary regulations, and innovative approaches to food education. They also explore potential changes in the area of school and nutrition, such as enhancing fruit and vegetable procurement and advocating for universally-funded meals.

Our panelists are:

Scott Anderson is a retired educator with a long history in education and food service. He now travels the nation sharing stories about food service programs through Scott's Free Lunch. Find out more at https://www.scottsfreelunch.com/.

Lindsey Hill is the founder of MenuLogic K12 and has extensive experience as a school nutrition director. She is passionate about using technology to improve school nutrition programs and empower operators with financial and operational knowledge. Find out more at https://menulogic-k12.com/.

Dr. Lennor Johnson is the Superintendent/President of Imperial Community College District, with a career dedicated to helping underserved students achieve their educational goals. He has played a crucial role in implementing programs to support students from diverse backgrounds. Find Lennor at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennor-m-johnson-ed-d-0a395935

Kirsten Reitzammer is the director of student nutrition at Allen Independent School District. As a registered dietitian, she is committed to finding innovative ways to serve and satisfy the student population. Find Kirsten at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-reitzammer-ms-rdn-55685147.

Karen Weintraub is a respected health reporter for USA Today and other leading publications. She has extensive experience in reporting on public health issues, particularly in the areas of childhood obesity and nutrition. Find out more about Karen at https://www.karenweintraub.com/.

Conor Doyle is the Digital Marketing Manager at AmTab. Learn more at https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-doyle-465034118/.

For more on the Collaborative Learning Network, visit https://www.collaborativelearningnetwork.com/.

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Who made this episode possible?

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/

Research on education isn't in short supply, but being able to shuffle through the research and apply it within your building can be very daunting. With so much energy being invested into understanding the practices that will help our students and teachers succeed, how can an administrator or teacher make sense of all of it? 

In this episode, we speak Dr. David Vroonland, former superintendent and the Executive DIrector of LEARN: The Learning Environments Action Resource Network. Dr. Vroonland discusses the future of schools and how LEARN aims to help superintendents stay informed and connected with important research. He also touches on the importance of action and collaboration in shaping the future of education.

Dr. David Vroonland, is serving as the first Executive Director of L.E.A.RN – an organization dedicated to providing districts, at no cost, access to research, resources and experts in the categories of Access, Safety, Health, Innovation and Sustainability.  Prior to this role Dr. Vroonland was a public school educator for 36 years, with 7 of those years as Mesquite ISD’s Superintendent of Schools and 6 of those years as Frenship ISD’s Superintendent of Schools.  Dr. Vroonland has been recognized with multiple awards including Region 10’s Superintendent of the Year, the Association of Texas Professional Educators’ Administrator of the Year and the Texas Educational Support Staff Association Administrator of the Year.

If you want to help support LEARN, feel free to reach out to Dr. Vroonland at [email protected].

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Who made this episode possible?

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/

It is easy to identify some of the challenges and opportunities in education. Actually doing something about it is much harder. Even with no formal background in education, Tanya Sheckley identified some opportunities for change and ended up founding UP Academy: an elementary lab school that engages children's senses wonder and curiosity by focusing on their academic, emotional and physical growth through a differentiated learning and project-based curriculum. In this episode, she talks about how she found herself starting a school, what her goals are, and what is happening next.

Tanya Sheckley is Founder and President of UP Academy, an elementary lab school which values innovation, empathy and strength and incorporates a unique neuro-development program for children with physical disabilities. Tanya's vision and mission show it's possible to celebrate differences, challenge what's broken in the American education system, and that all children can receive a rigorous well-rounded education. She is an Edupreneur, Author of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms of Imagination and Impact and host of the Rebel Educator podcast. She speaks frequently on the future of education and entrepreneurship. She is a rebel educator who works with new and existing schools to question the status quo and develop innovative student experiences through inclusion and project-based learning.

For more information on Up Academy, visit www.upacademysf.com.

For more on Tanya Sheckly, visit www.tanyasheckley.com.

For more on the Collaborative Learning Network, visit https://www.collaborativelearningnetwork.com/.

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Who made this episode possible?

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/