ClassCast Podcast

ClassCast Podcast Clip 029.1 features Megan O'Connor, a successful entrepreneur in the education field, talking with host Ryan Tibbens about her role and responsibilities as Kaplan's Entrepreneur in Residence. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, innovating in the education space, or a career in business, Ms. O'Connor shares useful insights in this quick clip.  Be sure to like, follow, share, and comment to let us know what you think! 

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ClassCast Podcast Clip 029.2 features Kaplan Entrepreneur in Residence Megan O'Connor describing the new Boost Year program, how it works, and what if offers students who are looking for a different educational experience before college.  Students who are considering a gap year or alternate path between high school and college might consider what a Boost Year offers in terms of career insights and readiness. Be sure to life, follow, share, and comment to let us know what you think! 

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.029 features Kaplan's Entrepreneur in Residence Megan O'Connor speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about the new Boost Year program, entrepreneurship in education, and how formal education might change after COVID-19 pressures. Ms. O'Connor shares her own educational and professional background, including her work at education tech firms, and her beliefs about how college will change to better prepare students for careers. Her current project, Kaplan's Boost Year, is an alternative to the traditional gap year experience, designed to improve students' career readiness prior to entering college. 

Anyone interested in gap years, career preparation, or entrepreneurship in the field of education will find immense value in this episode.  Be sure to like, follow, share, and comment to let us know what you think!

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.028, Safa & Falak Koreshi question host Ryan Tibbens about whether or not he would homeschool his own children and what motivates that decision. As a long-time public school teacher who has been exploring the nature of education for years, he sees the situation in professional light, but also as the father of two young children, making the question personal changes the tone of the response.  After listening to the rest of this episode, ClassCast fans should ask themselves: Would I homeschool my own children?

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.028, Safa & Falak Koreshi, both of whom were homeschooled then unschooled then public schooled, speak with host Ryan Tibbens about the differences between "education" and "schooling" and why understanding the distinctions is vital to improving public education. 

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.028, formerly homeschooled sisters Safa & Falak Koreshi talk about how homeschooling and public schooling prepared them for college, particularly for STEM and lab-based classes, and professional situations. Many people misunderstand what homeschooling is really like and what it offers (or can't offer) to students; this discussion helps to better define what most students may want or need from their education, whether at home, in school, or beyond. 

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.028, Safa Koreshi describes her experiences in public school, after being homeschooled until 8th grade, and how school's focus on grades, GPAs, class ranks, and college admissions make it seem more like an academic competition than an experience for personal growth.  Host Ryan Tibbens then references an idea that first came up in Ep.013 with Beth Konkoski -- "fantasy students." Many students refer to high school as a "game," and this discussion helps to lay bare those issues for parents or teachers who are unclear about how many students feel. 

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In this highlight from ClassCast Podcast Ep.028, sisters Safa &  Falak Koreshi describe their educational experiences, from homeschool to unschooling to public schooling to college, and how their transitions and different experiences inform their views of education and self improvement.

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Episode 028 of the ClassCast Podcast features sisters Safa and Falak Koreshi speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about their experiences with homeschooling, unschooling, public schooling, college, and how their unique educational paths have shaped their views on education and personal improvement. They also pull from each phase of their educational progressions to address specific ways we can improve public education and why homeschooling can be great (but also why it might not be for everyone). If you are an educator seeking to expand your views of what education is and can be, if you are a parent considering what homeschooling or unschooling might mean for your own children, if you are a community stakeholder who wants public schools to better address students' needs, this episode is for you. 

Many people involved in public schools tend to shrug off or downplay homeschooling, but that is a narrow and short-sighted view that limits our understandings of what education can or should be. People have been educated outside of school institutions for most of human history; the modern conception of school is a relatively new invention, so if we are serious about considering all options, pulling all the best ideas together, and creating systemic change to improve educational processes and outcomes, then the Koreshi family's experiences and comparisons must be considered.  Make sure you like/share/follow/comment on ClassCast Podcast's website and social media posts to help spread our vision of critical thinking and honest discourse to improve public education.  (And remember, we stream on all major podcast services!)

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.027 features the president of the Gap Year Association and founder of EnRoute Consulting, Julia Rogers, sharing insights into gap years, student travel, improving the college experience, and more. Gap years have been growing in popularity for over a decade, but now with COVID-19 pandemic-related college closures, delayed openings, online classes, cancelled social events, and more, gap years are the trendiest (and perhaps most substantive) contingency plan available. Ms. Rogers' insights and advice offer both immense value and interesting perspectives on higher education. If you are interested in gap years, travel, alternate education paths, improving college performance, or great COVID-19 contingency plans, this episode is essential listening. 

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