Strategic Thinking to Shape the Future of Education-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep.65 w/Greg Schermbeck

In Episode 65 of the Global Career Tech Education Podcast, host Sylvester Chisom sits down with Greg Schermbeck, Founder and Principal of SchermCo, to explore how strategic implementation is transforming education and workforce systems across the country. Greg shares lessons from his journey as a former educator turned social impact leader, emphasizing the power of persistence, data, and community partnership. This episode offers practical insights for educators, nonprofit leaders, and anyone working to build more equitable and effective systems.

Topics Covered:-The Power of Public Investment in Workforce Systems

-Education to Employment: Creating Pathways for High School Students

-Data-Driven Family Empowerment That Works

-Listen, Respond, Repeat: The Formula for Family Engagement

-Charlotte’s First Workforce Development Plan

-Greg Schermbeck’s Vision for the Future of CTEGreg Schermbeck Bio:

On today’s episode, I’m joined by Greg Schermbeck, the founder and principal of SchermCo & founder of the SchermCo Foundation a national social-impact implementation firm that partners with schools and mission-driven organizations to drive equity and outcomes in underserved communities. Through services like strategic advising, family empowerment, workforce development, and data-driven corporate social responsibility, Greg and his team are helping to create sustainable change at the systems level. A former teacher, school leader, and Teach For America alum, Greg brings both on-the-ground experience and a visionary lens to his work. He’s also the host of the Square Pizza podcast, where he amplifies the voices of leaders of color making a difference across the country. Let’s dive in.

Learn More About SchermCo.

Mapping The Student Learning Journey-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep.64 w/Ekta Sahasi CEO of Spikeview

In Episode 64 of the Global CTE Podcast, host Sylvester Chisom sits down with Ekta Sahasi, the visionary Founder and CEO of Spikeview. Together, they explore how digital portfolios, GenAI, and student-centered design are transforming the future of Career & Technical Education. Ekta shares powerful insights on empowering students to own their learning journeys, showcase their skills, and unlock equitable access to career and educational opportunities.

Topics Covered:

-The Learning Journey Map: A New Way to Understand Growth

-The Most Important Durable Skill: Adaptability

-CTE in Action: Mapping Growth Through Real-World Experiences

-What Makes a Student's Digital Portfolio Stand Out-Generative AI Meets Student VoiceEkta Sahasi Bio:Ekta Sahasi is the founder and CEO of Spikeview. Ekta is a dynamic executive with over 25 years of experience driving innovation, scaling ventures, and delivering transformative business outcomes. Recognized for her strategic vision and leadership, she excels at spearheading product innovation, building and leading high-performance teams, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, and driving meaningful impact. With deep expertise in early-stage venture development, fundraising, and operational excellence, Ekta seamlessly bridges technical proficiency with business acumen.Six years ago, Ekta founded spikeview, a context-aware, privacy-first, GenAI-powered digital portfolio platform designed to empower young adults. spikeview enables users to document their experiences, build networks, and access a wide range of educational and career opportunities. Today, it is a leading platform for educators and students, facilitating diverse pathways from high school to postsecondary education and career success.

STEM FOR GIRLS: SHAPING KENYA'S FUTURE

Episode 63 of the Global CTE Podcast, hosted by Sylvester Chisom, is the final installment of the Black In CTE Series and a powerful tribute to Women’s History Month. Featuring Magaga Enos, a Kenyan educator pioneering STEM education and girls’ empowerment, this episode showcases the voices of his former students, Tatyana Bella and Rebecca Naisimoi young women from the Maasai communities in Kenya who are breaking barriers in engineering and climate activism. Their stories highlight the power of mentorship, real-world STEM projects, and the urgent need to align education with economic mobility in Kenya and beyond.Topics Covered:

-BEADS for Education: Turning Cultural Tradition into Opportunity

-Aligning Education with Economic Mobility In Kenya

-The Solar Oven Project: Student-Led Innovation

-Innovating the STEM Curriculum for Girls In Kenya

-From Classroom to Community: Scaling Impactful Solutions

BIOS:Magaga Enos Bio:

Magaga Enos is a Kenyan educator and advocate for educational transformation with extensive experience in marginalized communities. As STEM Lead Educator at BEADS for Education, he pioneered programs merging cultural heritage with modern education, inspiring 400+ girls to pursue STEM fields. As Director of Full STEAM Forward Kenya, he increased girls' participation in STEM by 40% across multiple schools. Magaga also serves as HundrED Country Lead and Ambassador, spotlighting Kenyan educational innovations globally. His passion lies in creating frameworks that combine STEM learning with entrepreneurial mindsets to drive local innovation and community empowerment.

Tatyana Bella Tatyana is an Aeronautical Engineering student at the Technical University of Kenya, with a strong passion for innovation and problem-solving in STEM. She's an example of how education and mentorship can shape futures. Tatyana is an alumna of BEADS High School, where she was deeply influenced by the guidance of Mr. Magaga, not just as a teacher but as a mentor who helped her embrace a future-focused mindset and the power of cultural identity in STEM. Now, as she navigates the world of engineering, she carries forward the lessons of resilience, innovation, and community impact.

Rebecca Naisimoi Rebecca is a passionate education student at the Kabarak University dedicated to shaping the next generation as a teacher. She practices her career through mentorship where she guides her peers and younger students toward success. Rebecca is an alumna of BEADS high school where she was greatly influenced by the training of her teachers and founder of BEADS on mentorship and environmental activism. Driven by a deep passion for teaching and sustainability, Rebecca participated in the YALE program where she gained valuable insights into leadership and environmental advocacy. Rebecca campaigned for environmental conservation in her community, presented petitions to the government officials and wrote a book on climate change by the help of Ashoka ChangeMakers and World readers. As a committed climate action activist, Rebecca advocates for sustainable practices, environmental education, and policy changes to combat climate change. With the vision of a better future, Rebecca blends education, mentorship, and activism to inspire meaningful change in her community and beyond.

Fostering Student Agency, Autonomy & Acceleration-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Episode 62 w/Kimberly Neal-Brannum

Episode 62 of the Global CTE Podcast features Kimberly Neal-Brannum, founder of Believe Schools, in the next installment of the Black In CTE series. Kimberly shares her journey in education entrepreneurship, her mission to ensure students graduate with real career credentials and wealth-building opportunities, and how CTE can drive economic mobility. From building strong industry partnerships to reimagining high school education, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about innovation, equity, and student success in career education.Topics:

-Education as a Launchpad, Not a Limitation

-Teaching Students to Fight for the Right Things

-Building the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals

-Authentic Leadership: Building Strong Teams in Education

-The Key to Strong CTE & Industry Partnerships

-Reimagining High School Career PathwaysKimberly Neal-Brannum Bio:

Kimberly Neal-Brannum is the founder of BELIEVE Schools, with campuses in both Indianapolis and St. Louis. She is deeply committed to ensuring that every student graduates with real choices and the tools for economic upward mobilitywhether through college, career, or entrepreneurship. She believes that education should be a launchpad, not a limitation, and her work reflects that mission every day. Before founding BELIEVE Schools, Kimberly’s leadership was instrumental in transforming schools across the country. She served as Managing Director of Secondary Education for KIPP: DC, where she successfully turned around its largest middle school. She also founded Muchin College Prep in Chicago, a school that remains one of the top-performing schools in the Noble Network of Charter Schools and one of the best in Chicago. With a background as a principal and school social worker, Kimberly has always put students at the center of her work, ensuring they have not just access, but true opportunities to thrive beyond the classroom. Sylvester has a free gift for you!

A Free Career Tech Education Masterclass Here:⁠https://workwithglobalcte.com/⁠

Reimagining Education -Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep. 61 with Tremain Holloway

Hosted by Sylvester Chisom, this episode is the second installment of the Black In CTE Series, featuring special guest Tremain Holloway, Doctoral Candidate at Harvard Graduate School of Education and former Principal of Maritime High School. Together, they explore how schools can serve as learning labs, the power of cross-sector collaboration in education, and the role of CTE in creating economic mobility. Tremain also shares insights from his time at Harvard, his vision for reimagining education, and the importance of representation in leadership.Topics Covered:

-Breaking Cycles: CTE as a Pathway to Generational Wealth

-Inside Harvard’s Doctorate in Education Leadership

-Reimagining Schools: Making Communities Learning Labs

-The Power of Critical Hope: Harvard’s Alumni of Color Conference

-Collaboration is the Key to Reimagining Education

Tremain Holloway Bio:Today, I’m excited to welcome back a special guest, Tremain Holloway! Tremain is a Doctoral Candidate at Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Founding Principal of Maritime High School in Seattle, where he’s leading innovative, hands-on learning experiences that connect students to real-world careers. We first met on a Durable Skills panel at the CAPS National Conference, and I was so impressed with his work that I had to have him back on the Global CTE Podcast. With over 10 years in education, Tremain is rethinking how schools prepare students for the future. Let’s dive into this conversation about innovation, leadership, and industry partnerships in CTE!

The Adaptable Leader Thriving In CTE Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep. 60

InEpisode 60 of theGlobal CTE Podcast, we kick off thefirst installment of the Black In CTE series with Dr. Ian Buchanan, a renowned education leader, executive coach, and author. Dr. Buchanan shares powerful insights onadaptive leadership, the evolving definition of intelligence in the AI era, and the importance of rethinking post-high school pathways for Black male students. This episode is packed with valuable strategies forCTE educators, school leaders, and anyone committed to transforming education and leadership for the future.

Topics:

-Leadership Trends: From Technical to Adaptive Skills

-Empowering Black Men in Education Leadership

-Know Your Saboteurs: How Leaders Get in Their Own Way

-Navigating Political Shifts in Education

-Rethinking Post-High School Pathways for Black Males

Dr. Ian Buchanan Bio

Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Ian Buchanan, an accomplished education leader, executive coach, and author with nearly three decades of experience in transforming leadership and educational equity. He has served as an Assistant Superintendent and worked in both public and charter school environments, giving him a unique perspective on education leadership. As the founder and CEO of Nia Education Group, Dr. Ian is dedicated to empowering leaders through strategic coaching and professional development. He is also the author ofKING: Four-Part Leadership Framework for Black Men, a powerful guide to navigating leadership and personal growth. His work centers on fostering excellence, equity, and empowerment, particularly within Career and Technical Education.

Learn more about Dr. Ian's work:

Sylvester has a free gift for you!

A Free Career Tech Education Masterclass Here:https://workwithglobalcte.com/

Leadership & Work Based Learning-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep.59 w/Dr. T.J. Vari

Episode #59 of the Global Career Tech Education Podcast concludes the Excellence in Work-Based Learning series with special guest Dr. T.J. Vari. In this episode, Dr. Vari dives into the critical role of leadership in education, strategies to develop career pathways for students, and how to create innovative learning environments that foster success. Tune in for actionable insights that will inspire leaders to break barriers and transform the future of work-based learning.

Topics Covered:

-Work-Based Learning Across the Globe

-Durable Skills Through Work-Based Learning

-Representation in Career Exposure

-Combating the Urgency Trap in Leadership

-Shifting Mindsets for School Leadership

-Building Effective Professional Learning Communities

Dr. TJ Vari Bio:

Dr. T.J. Vari is the senior director of product strategy at MaiaLearning, with a focus on postsecondary planning for students worldwide. Dr. Vari is a former deputy superintendent, middle school assistant principal and principal, and high school English teacher. Dr. Vari is an award-winning educator, recognized speaker, and the cofounder of TheSchoolHouse302, a leadership development company with an international footprint. He is the coauthor of six books on educational leadership, which are the basis for his speaking engagements, coaching, and leadership development institutes.

Sylvester has a free gift for you!

A Free Career Tech Education Masterclass Here:

https://workwithglobalcte.com/

Driving Work-Based Learning with Data-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep. 58 w/Jason Van Nus

-Leveling the Playing Field with Career Assessments

-Celebrating Skills in Special Education

-Work-Based Learning as a Tool for Equity

-Teaching Students to Leverage Social Capital

-Using Data to Recruit Community Leaders

-Innovative Data Tracking for Work-Based Learning

Today’s guest is Jason Van Nus, the 2023 Georgia ACTE Teacher of the Year and a finalist for the 2025 ACTE National Teacher of the Year. Jason currently serves as the Director of Work-Based Learning and Youth Apprenticeship Programs for Lowndes County Schools in Valdosta, Georgia. Under his leadership, the program has grown by over 500%, generating more than $28 million in economic impact. A nationally recognized leader, speaker, and educator, Jason has been featured for his innovative data-tracking techniques and groundbreaking community partnerships. He’s also in the final stages of his Ph.D. in Career and Technical Education, focusing on workforce and economic development.

Transforming Education Through Work-Based Learning Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep.57 w/Kristy Volesky

-What is Work-Based Learning?

-International Perspectives on Work-Based Learning

-Bright Spots in Work-Based Learning Across the Nation

-Breaking Privilege Barriers in Work-Based Learning

-Embedding Work-Based Learning into the Curriculum

Kristy Volesky is an educational advocate who ambitiously supports students, teachers, schools, colleges, businesses and communities. With a passion for collaboration, Kristy has always sought ways to streamline educational programs and initiatives with key business and community leaders to efficiently address local challenges.

Kristy’s experience teaching, leading, collaborating and developing solutions with industry thought leaders has led to the advancement of effective work-based learning practices locally and nationally. Kristy serves on ACTE’s Work-based Learning Policy Team, co-leads the monthly state leader network collaboration with the Coalition for the Career Development Network, is on the Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinator Board and is the owner of Volesky Consulting.

Kristy has over 20 years of educational experience as a teacher, work-based learning coordinator, educator, state level program consultant and national leader in work-based learning. Last year she published her first book, Transformational Work-Based Learning to support coordinators overseeing internship programs. Kristy holds a bachelor’s degree in business education and a master’s degree in organizational leadership.

Sylvester has a free training for you!

Visit: www.workwithglobalcte.com

Scaling Durable Skills In Education-Global Career Tech Education Podcast Ep.56

Learn more about Durable Skills: https://americasucceeds.org/policy-priorities/durable-skills

https://www.pathsmith.org/