More Than A Test

On this episode of More Than a Test, host Laura Glaab is joined by Julia Rafal-Baer, an advocate for women in educational leadership. They discuss the challenges faced by women in education, including the lack of representation in top leadership positions and the bias they encounter throughout their careers. Julia shares her own experiences and the initiatives she has started, such as Women Leading Ed and the Forum for Educational Leadership, to support women in advancing their careers.

They also highlight the need for systemic changes in the education system to better support and promote women leaders. The episode addresses the intersectionality of gender and race, the importance of diversity in leadership roles, and the impact of biases in hiring processes. They explore tangible actions that can be taken to accelerate change, including creating support systems, addressing bias in hiring, and promoting transparency in salaries.

Timestamps

[00:02:56] ILO Group has a dual focus - supporting current leaders and training the next generation. A public database was created to address the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, showing a wider gender gap than expected. Turnover rates among leaders have increased, but men still dominate top positions. When women leave their jobs, men often replace them, impacting leadership stability. Education's promise of opportunity is undermined without diverse leadership.

[00:08:34] Julia highlights the lack of empathy for individuals being attacked in board meetings and the challenges faced by schools due to reduced funds from COVID. They also discuss the difficulty in women securing leadership roles in education and question why the system is resistant to change.

[00:09:59] Bias in leadership turnover and search processes affects the representation of women. Support systems, sponsorship, diverse finalist pools, and bias training are crucial to accelerating change. Off-limits questions and upfront commitments should be part of the hiring process to prevent biased decisions.

[00:14:40] Bias, societal expectations, and lack of diverse leadership examples are prevalent. There needs to be family and well-being support.

[00:18:35] In 2018, the Chief Operating Officer noticed a gender disparity in the success of the Future Chiefs program. In response, they hosted a meeting for women and showed them the data, leading to the creation of Women Leading Ed. Within two years, the program helped surpass the men in superintendent placements. They also launched the Forum for Educational Leadership and now have over 100 women in Women Leading Ed with over 400 signatures to their advocacy agenda.

Connect with Julia Rafal-Baer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrafal/

Website: https://www.ilogroup.com/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543 

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/ 

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/ 

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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amira-learning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amira_learning/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amira-Learning-App-100064672554061/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning 

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On this episode of More Than a Test, Laura Glaab sits down with Karl Rectanus, the creator of LearnPlatform, to discuss the challenges and rewards of making a difference in education. Coming from a family of educators, Rectanus recognized the need to make a big impact in education due to the industry's significant equity challenges. He shares his story of creating LearnPlatform and how it became a game-changing EdTech effectiveness system used by school districts and states to vet products for compliance with student data privacy laws. Additionally, they discuss the importance of understanding and analyzing evidence and effectiveness in real-world settings to make informed decisions for students and learning.

Rectanus also talks about the transformation in education transpiring due to new tools and technology improvements, and how his company is a capacity-building and change management organization that works with schools, districts, and institutions.

Tune in to hear about the fascinating world of education technology and how LearnPlatform is at the forefront of evidence-building and helping educators and students succeed.

Timestamps

[00:02:37] EdTech enables lifelong learning for success.

[00:06:56] Education evidence building with technology integration.

[00:11:39] Education funding requires evidence-based interventions.

[00:16:52] Effectiveness vs efficacy in classroom engagement.

[00:19:24] Education transforming with AI as the catalyst.

[00:24:51] LearnPlatform: tracking EdTech effectiveness, efficiently.

[00:31:32] Research approach and credibility for a business idea.

[00:36:06] Teacher turned startup founder joins Instructure for growth.

[00:39:34] Focus on student and teacher, not regulation.

[00:42:50] Three generations, summer road trips, love reading.

Connect with Karl Rectanus

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krectanus/

Website: https://learnplatform.com/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543 

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/ 

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/ 

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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amira-learning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amira_learning/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amira-Learning-App-100064672554061/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning 

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On this episode of More Than a Test, host Laura Glaab interviews Thomas Arnett, a Senior Research Fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. Arnett shares his journey as a former Teach for America middle school math teacher who sought to revolutionize the education system. He discusses his work with Clayton Christensen's Institute for Disruptive Innovation and how the "Jobs to Be Done" framework can be applied to understand why teachers adopt new instructional practices. Arnett also introduces the Mastery Transcript Consortium and offers insight into standards-based or competency-based grading to promote objectivity and progress.

The episode concludes with a discussion of unconventional educational models and how schools can get into the business of teacher development and preparation to align with instructional practices and philosophies.

Key Moments

[00:02:12] Summarizing the education sector through analysis, writing & presentations.

[00:05:08] Teacher preparation programs do not align with innovation.

[00:09:44] Disruption is an asymmetry between new and established.

[00:11:42] Disruptive innovation needs technology, a model, and a network.

[00:15:09] Flexible schools with personalized learning and tech.

[00:20:03] Nonprofit started by teachers empowers self-directed learning.

[00:24:49] Teachers want real-world connections in education.

[00:27:56] Separate teacher and assessor roles for grading.

[00:32:24] Teaching was hard, the system needs change.

[00:37:32] School models changing; growing recognition for a change.

[00:44:35] Teaching offers diverse career opportunities.

Connect with Thomas

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasarnett/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543 

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/ 

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/ 

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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amira-learning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amira_learning/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amira-Learning-App-100064672554061/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning 

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Creating An Easier Teaching Pathway for Aspiring Teachers

In this episode of the More Than a Test podcast, Jennifer Jordan explains how TeachStart creates a pathway into teaching for people who want to teach but don’t have the opportunity, plus her passion for ensuring all kids have great teachers. Jenny is the Executive Director at TeachStart and formerly COO at Teach for America Bay Area. She excels at leading high-performance teams and helping schools to grow and succeed.

Listen in to learn the importance of improving teaching conditions for the benefit of both teachers and students. You will also learn how we can lighten the load on credential teachers by having enough different adults in the school building. 

What You Will Discover:

• 00:00 Creating An Easier Teaching Pathway for Aspiring Teachers
• 01:18 How TeachStart creates a pathway into teaching for people who want to teach.
• 04:32 How TeachStart is smartly spending substitute funds by hiring experienced subs. 
• 07:49 Jenny explains their training focus on classroom management and the science of reading. 
• 09:36 The importance of improving teaching conditions for the benefit of teachers and students. 
• 12:28 The value of deep listening and seeking input as a leader before making crucial decisions.  
• 13:22 How to prioritize and engage those impacted by your decisions as a leader. 
• 17:26 The questions TeachStart is asking to figure out where they fit in the education ecosystem. 
• 19:54 The potential solution to help lighten the school load on credential teachers. 
• 21:44 The good-intentioned policies that hold up the process for aspiring professional teachers. 
• 25:57 The importance of models that allow people to try teaching before fully committing to it.  
• 30:48 Jennifer on how her belief that all kids deserve great teachers inspires her work. 
• 32:50 Some rapid-fire questions with Jennifer! 

Connect with Jennifer:

• TeachStart Website: https://teachstart.org/ 
• Jenny’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-jordan-a04a1314/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543 

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/ 

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/ 

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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amira-learning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amira_learning/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amira-Learning-App-100064672554061/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning 

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In this episode of the More Than a Test podcast, Todd Grindal, Associate Center Director and Principal Senior Researcher at SRI Education discusses the organization's work in education-focused research and technical assistance. He also shares his personal journey and views on dyslexia.

SRI Education conducts high-quality research, builds capacity through technical assistance, and develops innovative tools that improve teaching and accelerate and deepen learning. In this episode, Todd discusses how curriculum developers can make it easy and straightforward for teachers to use tech tools and programs. He also talks about the tools, support, and understanding available today for dyslexic students to have it easier with printed text.

If you are a teacher, parent, or anyone who is interested in learning more about dyslexia, this episode is for you. Todd provides valuable insights and information that can help you support dyslexic students in your life.

What You Will Discover:

00:00 Episode begins

01:14 SRI’s focus on providing technical assistance, research, and evolution in 3 key areas.

03:50 Todd explains where SRI belongs in supporting young students in the education system.

06:26 The work SRI is doing with policymakers and practitioners to support teachers.

11:28 Frustrations that exist in choosing and making tools fit in the art and science of teaching.

13:33 How developers can make tech tools easy and straightforward for teachers to take up.

16:15 Regular dialogue between stakeholders reduces early learners’ suspension and expulsion.

20:04 How to create a stronger engagement between students, teachers, and parents.

24:26 How SRI clearly explains to clients good and bad ideas after their research.

27:40 SRI’s role in collecting, interpreting, and providing evidence, plus their other impacts.

30:23 Todd shares his dyslexic journey and how tech tools have made it easier for him to read.

35:13 The tools and support available today to lessen the impact of dyslexia in students.

37:51 Find some reason to care about school besides printed text as a dyslexic student.

40:16 How to support students where they’re good at while recognizing their challenges.

42:16 Some rapid-fire questions with Todd!

Connect with Todd:

SRI Education: https://www.sri.com/education-learning/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-grindal-2bb09414/

Book Mentioned: Far from the Tree by Robin Benway

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543 

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/ 

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/ 

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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amira-learning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amira_learning/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amira-Learning-App-100064672554061/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning 

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In this episode of the More Than a Test podcast, Jean-Claude Brizard talks about the impact of technology in the education system and the importance of engaging parents as equal partners in tech efforts. Jean-Claude is a former educator and school superintendent. He is now the President and CEO of Digital Promise. Digital Promise shapes the future of learning and advances equitable education systems by bringing together solutions across research, practice, and technology.

Listen in to learn the importance of making research usable and actionable for the educator when creating learning technology. You will also learn the importance of building a network to help you progress in your career and offer support when needed.

What You Will Discover:

• 00:00 Episode Begins

• 01:19 Brizard on how Digital Promise is bringing together research, technology, and practitioners.

• 02:03 Engaging parents as equal partners is important for your tech product’s success.

• 03:55 The places to find parents and engage with them as equal partners in your efforts.

• 05:03 How Digital Promise is connecting research to practice and practice to informed research.

• 06:32 The importance of making research usable and actionable for the educator.

• 09:45 The things that excite Brizard about Digital Promise and its impact on young people.

• 12:50 Why tech should be an enabler in the learning process, not a leader.

• 14:31 Brizard on when education became his passion and how he rose up the ladder in the system.

• 17:07 Hard work and a reliable network are important to help you progress in your career.

• 19:14 He discusses when he was a principal and the impact of the technology available then.

• 20:54 How being a school principal can prepare one to become a successful superintendent.

• 23:27 How to avoid malicious compliance by building excitement around a piece of software.

• 25:32 The importance of tech leadership at the district and school level to ensure coherence.

• 27:06 The difference between being a school superintendent and a CEO of a non-profit.

• 29:20 Brizard shares the “sandwich” story and how it impacted his teaching career.

• 32:26 Some rapid-fire questions with Jean-Claude!

Connect with Jean-Claude:

• Digital Promise Website: https://digitalpromise.org/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-claude-brizard-0080a810/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543 

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/ 

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/ 

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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amira-learning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amira_learning/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amira-Learning-App-100064672554061/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning 

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In this episode of the More Than a Test podcast, Kari Kurto talks about the science of learning and how she developed a passion for education. Kari is the National Science of Reading Project Director at The Reading League, a nonprofit organization that aims to advance the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction.

Listen in to learn how to build knowledge around the science of reading as an educator and then impact students beyond the classroom. You will also learn how to build a reading foundation for kids to decode and encode letters for them to self-teach without guessing.

What You Will Discover:

· 00:00 Episode Begins

· 00:21 Kari’s role as the National Science of Reading Project Director at the Reading League.

· 01:05 The importance of creating awareness and understanding around the science of reading.

· 04:21 The commitment that has helped Reading League become an authentic voice and leader.

· 05:57 How to build knowledge around the science of reading and become a critical consumer.

· 08:13 The science of reading misconception and how to determine red flags in a curriculum.

· 10:09 How to start building your science of reading knowledge as an educator.

· 11:39 How to use a systematic sequence to teach kids text decoding without looking at pictures.

· 17:00 How to build a reading foundation for kids to self-teach without guessing.

· 19:50 Kari talks about some of the future projects she’s leading at the Reading League.

· 24:11 She discusses her past career as a casting director and how she pivoted into education.

· 31:29 Ensure your curriculum materials have a comprehensive approach founded in research.

· 34:15 She describes her experience teaching and working on other projects in Rhode Island.

· 39:20 Tips on how to create the science of reading impact beyond your class as an educator.

· 43:50 Some rapid-fire questions with Kari!

Connect with Kari:

· Website: https://www.thereadingleague.org/

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kari-kurto-b88a798/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543 

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/ 

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/ 

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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amira-learning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amira_learning/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amira-Learning-App-100064672554061/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning 

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In this episode of the More Than a Test podcast, Amit Patel talks about topics like the role of EdTech in education and how his company is investing in this sector, globally. Amit is the Managing Director at Owl Ventures, a venture capital fund that invests in the world's leading education technology companies. He is deeply committed to creating sustainable and higher-quality education solutions.

Listen in to learn about the growth of EdTech over the last decade, plus how the pandemic introduced more people and institutions to what is possible with EdTech. You will also learn the importance of understanding the education system and what could work before investing in EdTech.

What You Will Discover:

• 00:56 How Owl Ventures invests in education & Amit’s day-to-day as Managing Director.

• 06:04 Amit explains why he knew Amira was special and why he then invited Laura to connect with them.

• 08:16 Three major buckets Owl Ventures looks at when investing in EdTech companies.

• 10:00 How early stage products are measured qualitatively vs. quantitively.

• 13:08 Amit on why Amira Learning is the right product that its founder created.

• 16:06 The growth of EdTech in the last decade and the value of investing in the sector.

• 18:49 How the pandemic introduced more people and institutions to EdTech’s possibilities.

• 21:34 Amit’s current favorite EdTech product and its impact on the education sector.

• 25:51 Types of solutions EdTech should be focused on to add value to students and teachers.

• 28:52 Where Amit’s interest in EdTech came from and the amazing things he’s done throughout his career.

• 36:07 The importance of understanding the education system before investing in EdTech.

• 37:42 How Amit ended up at Owl Ventures and how EdTech will shift education patterns.

• 42:48 Rapid fire questions with Amit

Connect with Amit:

• Website: https://owlvc.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitashwinpatel/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543 

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/ 

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/ 

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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amira-learning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amira_learning/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amira-Learning-App-100064672554061/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning 

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In this episode of the More Than a Test podcast, we have Steve Carnevale talk about his venture capital and philanthropy journeys, plus his role in improving education for kids with learning differences. Steve is a venture capitalist and the founder and co-chairman of the UCSF Dyslexia Center, which translates neuroscience to enable precision education.

Listen in to learn how neuroscience and technology are working to improve education for kids with learning differences like dyslexia. You will also learn the importance of building skills, being curious and open-minded, and watching for opportunities to prepare yourself for successful entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

What You Will Discover:

• 00:00 Episode Begins

• 01:31 Steve’s entrepreneurship background and journey to philanthropy and giving back.

• 02:45 How dyslexic conversations and collaborations gave rise to the Dyslexia Center.

• 09:16 How they created a common language between neuroscience and teaching.

• 11:27 How the Multitudes Program hints at kids at risk for learning differences.

• 14:18 Why identifying learning differences in kids early will prevent life-long misery.

• 17:13 The importance of teaching kids decoding skills and training teachers to teach decoding.

• 19:30 The value of investing in brain science and technology to change the course of education.

• 23:59 The battle of the haves and have-nots with dyslexia and what we can do differently.

• 27:50 How Steve moved from corporate into venture capital with a goal to change the world.

• 30:23 He shares an example of a great idea that worked, plus his biggest failure in business.

• 36:27 How Steve learned to lead from behind, showing people different ways of operating.

• 38:28 The skills you need to build to prepare yourself for entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

• 39:47 Steve on family, finding out his son is dyslexic, plus more on his journey.

• 45:03 He discusses his hope and patience in opportunities in education despite the challenges.

• 47:47 Rapid fire questions with Steve

Connect with Steve:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-carnevale-611149/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543 

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/ 

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/ 

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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amira-learning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amira_learning/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amira-Learning-App-100064672554061/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning 

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Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Hosted by Laura Glaab, VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

More Than a Test is brought to you by Amira Learning.

Check out Amira Learning here: https://www.amiralearning.com/