Digital Portfolios, Feedback Culture, and Rethinking Readiness with Tisha Poncio and Rick Butterworth

In Episode 330 of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Tisha Poncio and Rick Butterworth, authors of Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders. This conversation is all about transforming classrooms by prioritizing neurodiversity, digital portfolios, and building real-world readiness through entrepreneurial thinking.

We dig into what it really means to shift from compliance-based learning to authentic student voice, how educators can reframe feedback, and why every learner deserves space to reflect, create, and grow.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and intros
 03:10 – Tisha and Rick’s origin story
 06:35 – The real message behind Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders
10:45 – What digital portfolios can unlock in the classroom
14:20 – Why feedback culture needs to change
19:00 – Classroom examples of student voice in action
25:10 – Rick’s take on workplace readiness and how schools miss the mark
29:40 – Branding, identity, and giving students ownership
35:15 – Practical steps to empower neurodivergent learners
42:50 – Why educators should embrace their inner entrepreneur
50:00 – The question: “What’s your EduKryptonite?”
58:00 – Closing thoughts and reflection

🛠️ Learn more about Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders: Inspire Your Students to Succeed in School and Beyond. 

🙏 Big thanks to our sponsors for supporting meaningful conversations in education:
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