Kicking off our 9th Season of Trending in Education, we're joined by James Rhyu, CEO of Stride, Inc., formerly known as K12. With 25 years experience in the education technology space, Stride offers unique perspectives on the evolving landscape of K-12 education.

Rhyu, who started his career in accounting and finance, found his way to education through a personal situation and a fortuitous job offer. Now in his 13th year with the company, he's developed a deep appreciation for the needs of families in education. We discuss how the pandemic has changed perceptions of online learning. While many families struggled during this time, it also opened eyes to new possibilities in education. Rhyu emphasizes the importance of recognizing teachers' efforts during this challenging period.

The conversation turns to personalized learning and the role of AI in education. James cautions against rushing to implement AI without careful consideration, especially in K-12 education where error rates could have significant impacts on children's learning.

We explore Stride's approach to personalized learning, which includes not just academic content but also addressing students' emotional and physical needs. Rhyu envisions a future where AI can help create individualized learning plans and assist teachers with administrative tasks like lesson planning.

The discussion broadens to the concept of treating families as customers in education. James argues for giving families more choices and respecting their understanding of what's best for their children. He draws parallels to other industries that have evolved to be more customer-focused over the past 25 years.

Looking ahead, Rhyu sees innovation as key to improving the educational experience. This could involve offering more flexibility in learning formats, integrating technology effectively, and adapting to how students consume information through short-form videos and gaming.

We wrap up with Rhyu's advice for listeners, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful planning in addition to pursuing passion and taking risks. He also calls for depoliticizing education and focusing on what's best for children and families.

As we conclude, James reminds us that K-12 education is about the future of our country and our children. He urges us to put aside political differences and concentrate on what truly matters - the kids.

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