My guest today is Ellie Foust.  Ellie is a middle school science teacher at Merrill Middle School in Denver Public Schools.  She also provides Project-Based Learning (PBL) professional development training for schools across the nation as a National Faculty member for PBL Works.  Additionally, Ellie supports organizations including the George Lucas Educational Foundation and InterED and Global Stage as a consultant in developing projects and rubrics related to STEAM, PBL and deeper learning which she discusses in the podcast.

In our talk, Ellie dissects some of the core components of Project-Based Learning, how she has shifted her thinking in education as a result of diving into PBL and what she prioritizes when supporting schools and other educators who are beginning their journey into the world of PBL.  She also discusses some extraordinary examples of how she has infused the elements of PBL into her science classes and overcome some of the challenges that COVID has brought to deeper learning.

My guest today is Danny Medved.  Danny is the Director of Professional Learning at Mesa County Valley School District 51 in Grand Junction. Previously, Danny was the founding principal at Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design as well as a founding teacher and school leader at High Tech Early College, both in Denver Public Schools.

In our conversation, Danny discusses how he has dared greatly in his decision to enter the world of education after a background in entrepreneurship and compares and contrasts the two worlds.  He talks deeply about being on a founding team of two schools and how he as a generalist intentionally surrounds himself with talented specialists with a common vision in his core belief that a team is everything.  He also discusses his approach to sustainable and passionate learning in his current role and how the traditional approach in professional learning rarely yields the desired change in teaching practices.

Danny is a true innovator and inspirational leader and the real epitome of a Humble Badass Educator.

Michael Soguero is a professional development consultant who has worked with schools across the country to support them in bringing their aspirations to life.  He is a founding faculty member of the Eagle Rock School & Professional Development Center and later returned to the organization for more than a decade as their director of Professional Development.  Prior to that role, he worked and lived in New York city as a school leader at The School for the Physical City, an Expeditionary Learning School, and the Bronx Guild, a Big Picture Learning School.

In our conversation, Michael talks about some of the most important pieces to consider when developing teachers and leaders as they implement innovative practices.  He discusses how he supports schools by taking a deep inventory of their assets rather than approaching learning from a place that focuses on filling gaps.  Michael also shares about some of his excitement for his recent work in uniting innovative ideas.

Michael Soguero has deep knowledge in making change happen.  Thanks for tuning in to today’s episode of Humble Badass Educators with Michael Soguero.

Today’s humble badass educator is Kevin Gant.  Kevin is the Director of Network Innovation for New Tech Network, a nation-wide network of over 200 schools spanning Elementary, Middle and High schools that are working to transform teaching and learning.  Previously, Kevin was a Teams Designer and School Development Coach for New Tech.  Kevin has also worked at New Tech school Nex+Gen Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico as an integrated Math and Science teacher and later as a Teacher Coach.  Kevin was recognized by President Obama as New Mexico’s 2015 recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

In our conversation, Kevin discusses some of the key elements that foster successful student-directed learning in Project-Based Learning (PBL) classrooms.  He names some of the partnerships that he utilized in his own classrooms and how integrating with other subject areas through co-teaching enhanced a connected experience for his students.   He talks about some of the ingredients that led Nex+Gen Academy to high levels of success and larger picture insights of what direction he would like to see our education system take.

It is my opinion that Kevin Gant would make for a fantastic new Secretary of Education, so President Elect Biden, I hope you are listening to today’s episode of Humble Badass Educators.