In this episode of the Legend Makers Podcast, we sit down with Mark Edwards, Assistant Superintendent at Reading Community Schools in Ohio, to unpack what it really means to educate the whole child—and why now is the time to reimagine what success looks like in school.

With 22+ years in education, Mark has worn nearly every hat there is: teacher, communicator, curriculum leader, tech manager, HR chief, facilities head—you name it. But at his core, he’s a passionate educator on a mission to restore purpose, joy, and relevance to K-12 learning.

Together, we explore:

• The problem with turning education into a “knowledge delivery” system—and how it robs both teachers and students of joy
• Why curiosity, communication, resilience, and leadership matter more than content in today’s world
• How Reading Schools is embedding career-focused, real-world learning starting in kindergarten
• The bold shift from “get the diploma” to “find your next”
• How soft skills and purpose-driven learning can prepare students for a rapidly evolving workforce
• What Mark tells his own son—and others—about learning, failure, and finding meaning in your work

Mark also shares what excites him about the future: innovation, personalization, and using AI not to replace educators but to free them up to do what they do best—connect, mentor, and inspire.

If you care about shifting from compliance to connection, from content to curiosity, and from burnout to belonging, this is the conversation for you.

Listen now and be reminded why education still holds the power to change everything—when we get it right.