Learning Unboxed

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Jessica Reid Sliwerski, co-founder and CEO of Ignite Reading, to explore why waiting until third grade to address reading gaps is often too late. Jessica shares the case for a “first grade promise,” where schools commit to helping children become fluent, on-grade-level readers before they leave first grade.

We also dig into how Ignite Reading combines daily one-on-one virtual tutoring, the science of reading, precise diagnostics, and ongoing data to support students and classroom teachers. Jessica explains why strong curriculum and teacher training alone may not provide the differentiation many young readers need, and how districts can build a stronger literacy ecosystem around them. Join us to learn how earlier, more targeted intervention can give every child a stronger start as a reader.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Why first grade is a critical window for learning to read
• Moving beyond the traditional “read by third grade” benchmark
• Using high-dosage, one-on-one tutoring to close early literacy gaps
• Supporting teachers with precise diagnostics, differentiation, and actionable data
• Building stronger literacy systems through school and district partnerships
• Creating a “first grade promise” that gives every child the opportunity to become a fluent reader

Resources:

• Jessica Reid Sliwerski’s LinkedIn
• Ignite Reading’s LinkedIn   

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we welcome back Jason Blair, arts educator and founder of the Agents of Change, to explore what happens when schools are designed around student agency instead of compliance. Jason shares how the festival brings students from across Central Ohio together to showcase learning rooted in voice, ownership, purpose, and authentic connection with their communities.

We discuss why meaningful learning cannot simply be scaled through a one-size-fits-all model, and why educators should instead create conditions where ideas can spread and adapt to individual learners. Jason also shares how giving students authentic audiences builds confidence, resilience, and a stronger sense of mattering. 

Join us to explore how listening to students, embracing experimentation, and letting go of control can create classrooms where learners truly come alive.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Designing learning environments around student agency rather than compliance
• Creating authentic audiences for student learning
• Helping educators move past fear and give students greater ownership
• Why successful educational ideas should spread and adapt rather than simply scale
• Viewing school as a place where students are continually becoming
• Building community support by making powerful student learning visible

Resources:

• Agents of Change

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Chaz Van De Motter, Vice President of Operations at New Reach, to explore how community-based learning can help young people move more quickly from education to meaningful income. Chaz explains how New Reach combines education, live events, technology, mentorship, and peer support to create practical pathways into entrepreneurship, real estate, skilled trades, and other careers.

We also discuss the skills students need to become workforce ready, including financial literacy, focused problem-solving, relationship-building, and the responsible use of AI. Chaz shares why access to information alone is not enough and how accountability, personalized guidance, and strong networks can help learners turn knowledge into action. Join us to explore how educators can prepare students to navigate new technologies, build career confidence, and take greater ownership of their futures.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Creating alternative pathways from learning to earning
• Building community, mentorship, and accountability into education
• Teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship at an earlier age
• Helping aspiring entrepreneurs define their audience, value, and financing needs
• Preparing students to use AI responsibly in the workforce
• Replacing passive content consumption with practical, outcome-driven learning

Resources:

• New Reach’s Website
• New Reach’s LinkedIn
• New Reach’s Instagram
• New Reach’s TikTok 

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Garrett Smiley, founder and CEO of Sora Schools, to explore how education can move beyond delivering content and give students meaningful reasons to learn. Garrett shares how Sora combines online learning with strong relationships, interdisciplinary projects, and opportunities for students to connect academic concepts to real-world interests and challenges.

We also discuss what traditional public schools can learn from Sora’s model, including offering families multiple learning pathways, replacing high-stakes testing with mastery-based assessment, and giving students greater control over their schedules and projects. Garrett explains how meaningful, useful work helps young people develop the independence and confidence they need for college, careers, and life. Join us to explore how student agency and project-based learning can make education more relevant.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Why access to more educational content has not automatically improved student engagement 
• How Sora Schools combines online learning with community and meaningful relationships 
• Using interdisciplinary projects to connect academic standards with real-world challenges
• Replacing high-stakes testing with mastery- and competency-based assessment
• How public schools can offer flexible pathways without losing their community role 
• Helping students build agency, independence, and college readiness

Resources:

• Sora Schools
• Connect with Garrett Smiley on Linkedin

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Mike Caldwell, founder and CEO of LinkedLeaders, a platform designed to help K-12 school leaders find meaningful support when they feel isolated, overwhelmed, or stretched thin. Mike shares how a simple Facebook post offering support to struggling principals quickly revealed a much bigger need for accessible, personalized mentorship.

Together, we explore how school leaders can move beyond one-size-fits-all support and tap into a “human library” of mentors, coaches, and experts who understand different contexts and challenges. Mike also shares how LinkedLeaders is helping organizations build stronger communities of support through mentorship, fireside chats, and challenge-based journeys. 

Tune in to learn how connection, choice, and community can help keep great leaders leading.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Why so many school leaders feel isolated, overwhelmed, and stretched thin
• How LinkedLeaders grew from one Facebook post into a national support platform
• The value of a “human library” approach to mentorship and coaching
• Why school leaders need support beyond their immediate peer circles
• How organizations can build stronger communities for their members
• Using challenge-based journeys to help leaders find the right support

Resources:

• LinkedLeaders

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Dr. Manfred Stapff, physician, researcher, author of Real-World Evidence Unveiled, and host of The Real-World Evidence Perspective. Together, we explore how educators can help students navigate a world overflowing with information, misinformation, statistics, and AI-generated answers.

Dr. Stapff shares practical ways to teach learners how to evaluate data, trace information back to its source, and ask better questions before accepting something as true. From clinical trials and real-world evidence to ChatGPT, journalism, and old-school library research, this conversation is a thoughtful reminder that information literacy is now an essential life skill. 

Join us to explore how we can help students become more discerning, curious, and responsible users of information.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Why reliable information matters for decision-making in education, medicine, politics, and everyday life
• How students can learn to question data, statistics, and sources before accepting them as true
• The difference between controlled scientific studies and messy real-world evidence
• How AI can help gather information while still requiring human judgment and critical thinking
• Why educators should teach learners to trace information back to original sources
• The growing responsibility of the receiver in evaluating misinformation and bias

Resources:

• Real-World Evidence Unveiled: Navigating the Maze of Modern Misinformation by Dr. Manfred Stapff
• The Real-World Evidence Perspective on Spotify
• Dr. Manfred Stapff’s LinkedIn
• Candid Advisory

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Laura Tavares, Executive Director of the WPS Institute, to explore how learning ecosystems can help schools become more connected, relevant, and student-centered. Laura shares how WPS works alongside public schools, districts, and community partners to create real-world learning experiences that build agency, belonging, and purpose.

We look at the work happening in Salem, Massachusetts, where a small middle school pilot grew into a broader model centered on student voice, learning immersions, design studios, and community partnerships. Laura also shares what it takes to scale this kind of work, from flexible scheduling and local partners to family advocacy and a clear shared vision. Join us to hear how communities can reimagine where, how, and with whom learning happens.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Why schools need learning ecosystems rooted in connection, relevance, and student agency
• How Salem, Massachusetts scaled a middle school pilot into a broader community-connected model
• The role of learning immersions, design studios, and local partnerships in student engagement
• Why engagement is a foundation for achievement, especially in the middle grades
• How families, educators, and civic partners can help protect and grow innovative learning models

Resources:

• Learn more about WPS Institute
• Explore NuVu’s project-based design studio model
• Visit MIT Morningside Academy for Design

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Leah Ellis, founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit helping children ages six to 17 build real business, financial, and leadership skills through hands-on experience. Leah shares how watching her own daughter start a business at four years old sparked a bigger vision for helping children lead, create, and solve problems right now.

We explore what happens when adults step back, ask better questions, and let young people make real decisions. Leah walks us through children’s business fairs, mastermind groups, problem spotting, financial literacy, and the power of letting kids learn from failure in safe, meaningful ways. Tune in to hear how entrepreneurship can help children build confidence, agency, and practical skills for life.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How the Society of Child Entrepreneurs helps children build business, money, and leadership skills
• Why adults should guide children with questions instead of managing their ideas
• What children learn through business fairs, product design, customer interaction, and failure
• How entrepreneurship builds confidence, resilience, and real-world problem-solving
• Ways educators and families can start small with market days, problem spotting, and “how” questions

Resources:

• Society of Child Entrepreneurs
• Society of Child Entrepreneurs on Facebook
• Sparks to Stars: The Story of Astra & Zeke
• Acton Children’s Business Fair
• Kansas Leadership Center
• Search Institute’s Developmental Assets

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Amy Besida, Chief Program Officer at Embarc, a Chicago-based organization helping schools bring learning beyond the classroom through real-world experiences, reflection, and community connection.

Amy shares how Embarc grew from two teachers taking students outside their neighborhood into a full school-day model rooted in belonging, agency, and purpose. We talk about what it means to design experiences that help students understand who they are, what they value, and how they want to show up in the world.

From corporate partner experiences to student reflection practices, Amy offers a thoughtful look at how schools can move beyond achievement culture and create learning that supports whole-human development. Join us to explore how experiential learning can help students feel seen, connected, and ready for what’s next.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How Embarc began as a teacher-led effort at Harper High School in Chicago
• Why experiential learning helps students build agency, identity, and belonging
• How reflection turns real-world experiences into deeper learning
• What schools can measure beyond traditional achievement data
• How community and business partners can co-create meaningful student experiences
• Practical ways educators can start with student interests, assets, and needs

Resources:

• Embarc Chicago
• Embarc’s LinkedIn
• Embarc’s Instagram
• Embarc Impact Report
• This American Life: Harper High School, Part One
• UChicago Consortium on School Research: Student Attendance
• Education Reimagined Learner-Centered Ecosystem Lab

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Betsy Potash, former English teacher, curriculum creator, and host of the Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. We explore how teachers can move away from teacher-centered instruction and create classrooms where students have more voice, choice, and ownership over their learning.

Betsy shares practical strategies that help make that shift feel possible, including project-based learning, podcasting, silent discussion, and hexagonal thinking. We also talk about why creative structures matter, how they build confidence and engagement, and what it looks like to design learning that feels relevant beyond school. Join us to explore fresh ways to spark agency, discussion, and deeper thinking in the classroom.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How teachers can step out of the spotlight and create more student-centered learning
• Why agency, real-world context, and authentic audience increase engagement
• How hexagonal thinking helps students make connections across texts, ideas, and lived experience
• Why silent discussion creates space for every learner to participate and build confidence
• How contemporary, multimodal approaches can make ELA more relevant and creative 

Resources:

• The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast
• Toolkit for getting started with hexagonal thinking
• The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast Instagram

Produced by NOVA