Host: Rachael Mann, Executive Director of NCLA
Guest: Tricia Friedman (she/her), Founder of Allyed.org and Director of Learning and Strategy at Shifting Schools

In this episode, podcast host Rachael Mann sits down with global educator and changemaker Tricia Friedman, whose career has spanned classrooms and leadership roles across the U.S., China, Thailand, Morocco, Ukraine, Indonesia, Switzerland, Singapore, and now Canada. Together, they explore how futures literacy and AI literacy intersect to help Career and Technical Education (CTE) leaders design more adaptive, human-centered learning ecosystems.

Tricia shares insights from her REFRAME approach—a model that blends foresight, relational intelligence, and emerging technology—to empower educators to lead with curiosity, courage, and creativity in an AI-driven world.

💡 Conversation highlights:

• How futures and AI literacies redefine leadership in CTE

• Practical ways to cultivate future-ready learners

• Embracing uncertainty as a leadership asset

• Why relational intelligence is a non-negotiable human skill in the age of AI

• First steps for CTE leaders ready to weave these literacies into strategic planning

🎧 Tune in for an inspiring and actionable conversation about the mindset shifts needed to prepare both educators and learners for the future of work.

🔗 Explore Tricia’s Bespoke Bot

Rahsaan Bartet joins the NCLA Podcast to discuss career literacy and the importance of introducing career exploration in middle school. He shares his own career journey, insights on helping students make informed decisions about their futures, and strategies for integrating career-driven education into classrooms.

Rahsaan started his career in education as a member of City Year, an AmeriCorps program, where he dedicated a year of service in Cleveland, Ohio, helping students stay in school and prepare for college and careers. After City Year, he worked in the Youth Services Department at Goodwill, connecting young people ages 16-24 with community services through a federal WIOA grant. His experience includes roles at JobCorps and in private post-secondary education.

Currently, Rahsaan is the Elementary and Community Liaison at Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC), a Career and Technical School District in Glendale, Arizona. He leads initiatives that bring career literacy into elementary and middle schools, ensuring students gain early exposure to career pathways. He is passionate about helping people achieve their version of the American dream through career and technical education.

Rahsaan has been actively involved in career and technical education at the national level through the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) as a conference presenter, mentor, and New and Related Services Section lead. He has also served in leadership roles, including ACTE - Arizona (President), Opportunities for Youth (Chair), and TradeUp (Board Member).

Tune in to learn how career literacy is shaping the future of CTE and how educators can support students in discovering their potential.

Connect with Rahsaan Bartet and West-MEC:
Facebook: facebook.com/westmec
X (Twitter): x.com/westmec
Instagram: instagram.com/westmec

Contact: Chris Cook – [email protected]

Want to be a guest or suggest a topic? Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Fawn Wilde, the director of the Western Statewide CTE Consortium in South Dakota.  The discussion centers around innovative CTE programs and the consortium's mission to bridge education and industry, enhancing student success and workforce readiness across over 20 school districts. Fawn emphasizes the importance of community and industry collaboration in advancing CTE, highlighting significant investments in facilities like the Spearfish High School CTE Center and Wall School District's new facility. Fawn sheds light on how these expansions align with workforce development goals and local job market needs, providing examples of hands-on training and real-world exposure for students. Additionally, she touches upon overcoming the perception issues surrounding CTE, involving school counselors, and promoting CTE among educators and parents. The conversation concludes with insights on how to ensure these programs evolve to meet future workforce demands, making a broader community impact, and fostering pride in local communities.

Learn more about these initiatives:

Spearfish High School Debuts New CTE Center

Hot Springs School District

Wall School Breaks Ground For Career And Technical Education Building

Custer Jr-Sr High School CTE Addition

More about our podcast guest:

Fawn Wilde is a seasoned education professional and success coach with a passion for empowering fellow educators and students to create innovative solutions that bridge the gap between education and industry, fostering a network that supports student success and workforce readiness. Her extensive background in program management, community engagement, leadership, and finance has equipped her with the skills to build and sustain strong partnerships and drive results as the Director for the Western Statewide CTE Consortium of over 20 school districts in western South Dakota. She is motivated by her commitment to being a role model for her daughters and the belief that together, we can achieve more than we do on our own.  

Gerry Paist has been the Superintendent of the Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School District in Palmer, Massachusetts since 1974 and is currently the longest-serving school superintendent in Massachusetts. He credits that longevity to the students and staff of the District and especially to the outstanding members of the Pathfinder School Committee (a.k.a. School Board). Previously he spent six years as an administrator at Westfield State College in the office of the Vice President and Academic Dean. At Westfield State, he oversaw the Vocational Teacher Training Program and was responsible for creating the college’s first full-time day graduate program in the Administration of Occupational Education. A native of Pennsylvania, Gerry grew up and attended high school in suburban Philadelphia. In the fall of 1957, he entered Lafayette College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961. Following graduation from Lafayette, he went directly to Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education where he received his M.A.T. degree in June 1962. He subsequently served as a mathematics teacher in the public schools of Wayland and Stoneham, Massachusetts. In 1966 he received a leave of absence from Stoneham to pursue doctoral work at Harvard where he received his Ed.D. from the Graduate School of Education’s Administrative Career Program in June 1971. Gerry reports that a school superintendent’s position is often a 70-hour week, but he finds time to be a season ticket holder for the Springfield (MA) Thunderbirds hockey team, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Broadway in Boston, City Stage, and the University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center. Gerry’s professional associations include the American Association of School Administrators, Mass. Assn. of School Superintendents, Mass. Assn. of Vocational Administrators, Mass. Vocational Assn. and ACTE. He is a long time Board Member and past Chairman of the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce in Palmer, Mass.

In this episode of the NCLA Podcast, Rachael Mann is joined by Keely Gant to discuss an innovative initiative, "High School to Highway."

Keeley Gant, Director of Career and Technical Education at the Educational Service District 123 in Pasco, Washington, provides leadership support for four surrounding small rural school districts of North Franklin, Kiona Benton, Dayton, and Columbia School Districts.  In this role, she brings a collaborative career-connected learning approach focused on developing student readiness for career, college, and life.  Keeley’s experience in education originated when she served in Admissions and Recruitment at Washington State and Boise State University.  She later transitioned to Workforce Education at Columbia Basin Community College where she began to focus on alignment of CTE curriculum between the secondary and postsecondary systems for articulation of early college credit and pathway design.  It was her work in partnership with her K12 colleagues that led her to her current role as CTE Director, where she has been able to utilize her experience in higher education to build career pathways starting at the middle, through high school and on to postsecondary education, training, apprenticeship, military or direct employment.  Keeley is passionate about helping students achieve their career dreams through personalized pathways for success.  By strategically aligning students’ secondary education and work-based learning experiences through a seamless transition to postsecondary education and training, Keeley aims to connect students to high-wage, high-demand careers in their areas of interest.  In response to the increasing labor market demand and workforce shortage, North Franklin School District’s Commercial Driver’s Prep course has provided many students in Connell, Washington the opportunity to do just that. 

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, we hand the mic to the students of CTEC, Salem, Oregon’s Career Technical Education Center, for our first-ever podcast takeover. Hosted by Dr. Mark Covelle of Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, this episode spotlights students actively shaping their futures through hands-on learning and industry partnerships.

To kick off the conversation, Heidan Trinidad Esquivel, a second-year student in the Residential Construction program, and Jack Arthurs, a future professional in Cosmetology, alongside their principal, Rhonda Rhodes, share their experiences. Next, we’re joined by three students from CTEC’s innovative Behavioral Health and Human Services program—Nevaeh Humbyrd, Luis Mendoza Juarez, and Aaron Hayes—alongside their teacher, licensed clinical social worker Scott Filley.

Listen in as these young professionals share how CTEC’s unique four-pillar model—industry involvement, professionalism, authentic work, and integrated curriculum—equips them with the skills, certifications, and confidence to succeed in their chosen career paths. From building real homes to providing mental health support, these students are creating a lasting impact within their community.

Key Takeaways:

Stay tuned until the end to learn how your school or program can be featured on a future podcast takeover episode and showcase the powerful impact of CTE across the country!

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, host Rachael Mann interviews Rick Turner, Superintendent of Vantage Career Center, and Daniel Joyce, a STEM instructor specializing in drone technology. They discuss the evolution and impact of Vantage's Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, highlighting the innovative approach to integrating drone training in STEM education. The conversation explores various applications of drones across industries, including law enforcement, agriculture, real estate, and healthcare, emphasizing the future potential and industry demand for drone technology. Rick and Daniel share valuable insights on starting a drone program, including curriculum development, necessary certifications, partnerships, and the ongoing need for technological adaptation. This episode underscores Vantage Career Center's commitment to preparing students for emerging careers by equipping them with cutting-edge skills and fostering a culture of continual learning and innovation.

00:00 Introduction to the NCLA Podcast

00:11 Meet Rick Turner: A Journey in CTE

00:54 Meet Daniel Joyce: Innovating with Drones

01:36 Rick Turner on Vantage Career Center

04:06 Daniel Joyce on Drone Program Development

18:11 Challenges and Future of Drone Programs

24:47 Partnerships and Resources for Drone Programs

29:50 Preparing Students for the Future of Drones

40:36 Advice for Starting a Drone Program

42:29 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Rick Turner is a highly experienced professional in the field of Career Technical Education (CTE) with 40 years of dedicated service. He is the current Superintendent at Vantage Career Center in Van Wert, Ohio. Rick has served in a variety of positions in secondary and post-secondary CTE education.

Rick also served as a Director of Adult Education, overseeing all executive-level administrative and leadership functions for Adult Workforce Education. Rick's deep involvement in local, regional, and state initiatives reflects his commitment to advancing workforce training and economic development. Under his leadership, the Adult Education program thrived, both financially and in community status, serving over 4,000 students annually with a wide array of

full-time, part-time, and specialized programs.

Rick's extensive career began as a machine trades instructor, later transitioning to various leadership roles including Learning Community Leader and Tech Prep Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in shaping successful programs, securing substantial funding, and forging partnerships with key industry players. His passion for education is matched by his strong community ties, having been involved in multiple outreach initiatives and

workforce development boards.

Rick is a high school graduate of Vantage Career Center. With numerous accolades, including being inducted into the Vantage Career Center Alumni Hall of Fame, Rick has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead with vision and foster meaningful connections within his community.

Daniel Joyce is a STEM and Part 107 Instructor at Vantage Career Center in Van Wert, Ohio. He is a graduate of The University of Liverpool, United Kingdom and Bowling Green State University, Ohio. Daniel moved to the United States from the United Kingdom in 1999 and became a US citizen in 2018. He has been a Science Teacher for 38 years (in both the UK and US) covering all areas of Science. He has a fascination for technology and how it creates new and exciting opportunities for our students.

The development of the Drone Training Program at Vantage Career Center has allowed Daniel to indulge his love for technology while also empowering students to acquire valuable skills that will benefit them in their future careers.

Daniel is a resident of Pandora, Ohio where he lives with his wife Terri, dogs Charlie and Zinny, and cats Katalina and Hemi.

To learn more about Vantage Career Center's Drone Training Program, visit: https://www.vantagecareercenter.com/

In this episode, Rachael Mann sits down with Mac Beaton, the Director of Workforce and Career Development for Henrico County Public Schools, to explore the transformative power of creative Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities. Henrico County students recently took on an ambitious project to renovate 48,000 sq ft of a mall in under a year, gaining invaluable commercial construction experience. This unique WBL opportunity not only provided hands-on skills but also allowed students to work closely with local businesses, showcasing the vital role of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in today's educational landscape.

Mac Beaton shares his extensive experience in workforce and career development, starting from his days as an apprentice electrician at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard to his current role in Henrico County Schools. With 39 years in education, Mac has been a trailblazer, implementing innovative programs that bridge the gap between education and the workforce. He talks about the nationally recognized "CTE Letter of Intent Signing Day," which celebrates students entering the workforce, much like athletes on signing day, and how this initiative has shifted perceptions about the importance of CTE.

Tune in to hear how Mac's forward-thinking approach has led to award-winning projects and initiatives that are reshaping the future of workforce development. Learn about the impact of these programs and how they can be replicated in other communities to provide meaningful experiences for students.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Join us for an inspiring conversation about innovation in education and the power of hands-on learning experiences!

In this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Zach Kinzler, a master's student at the University of San Diego and head of growth at Uflow.io, an AI education startup. Zach shares his journey from industrial and systems engineering to AI education, the potential and challenges of AI in education, the importance of ethical considerations, and the need for collaboration between educators and tech professionals to create meaningful AI tools. Zach emphasizes the transformative role of AI in making education accessible and personalized, aiming to bridge the gap between curiosity and confidence in students. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the future of AI in education and how it can empower students to achieve their full potential.

00:00 Welcome to the NCLA Podcast with Zach Kinzler

00:13 Zach Kinzler: From Industrial Engineering to AI in Education

01:05 The Journey to AI Adoption and Its Impact on Education

03:54 Student Perspectives on AI and the Future of Work

07:09 Overcoming Educational Roadblocks with AI

10:03 Educate Education: A New Approach to Learning Differences

18:37 The Ethical Considerations of AI in Education

24:17 Bridging the Gap Between Educators and AI Professionals

29:46 Closing Thoughts: AI as a Tool for Empowerment

Bio: Zach Kinzler is currently pursuing a Master's degree at the University of San Diego, having recently earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the same institution. He is the Head of Growth at Uflo.io, an innovative AI education startup dedicated to dismantling barriers in learning one student at a time. Starting his career as an AI/ML Engineer, Zach has a deep passion for leveraging artificial intelligence to expand educational opportunities. He is committed to revolutionizing education by demonstrating how AI can empower both learners and educators globally.

In this podcast, Rachael Mann is joined by Dr. Michael Conner to discuss a range of topics in CTE and how leaders can prepare for the next stage of education. Dr. Michael Conner is a trailblazer in the field of education, renowned as the CEO/Founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group and an international award recipient. His storied career spans from Superintendent of Schools to Teacher, with pivotal roles as Chief Academic Officer and Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Conner's expertise in educational transformation is encapsulated in his innovative Disruptive Effect Model, redefining traditional pedagogical approaches. The Disruptive Effect Model is a framework that drives education entities

to underpin science, analytics, and research to transform schools for innovation, excellence, and equity. Through the utility of the model, Dr. Conner's work has educators domestically and internationally redesigning traditional systems to be future-driven. The Disruptive Effect Model has been recognized both domestically and internationally with reaching a pinnacle by being awarded the renowned Global Excellence Award. With his advanced credentials in Business Analytics and Management, Innovation, and Technology, Dr. Conner brings a unique skill set to disrupt the education ecosystem in a meaningful manner. His multidisciplinary competencies challenge traditional theories of education, which guide transformation using

analytics, statistical models, and progressive practices that are outliers in the field of education. His latest book, "Intentional, Bold, and Unapologetic: A Guide to Transforming Schools in the AC-Stage of Education," released in December 2022, showcases his forward-thinking strategies in educational reform. A lifelong learner, Dr. Conner's educational odyssey commenced with a Bachelor of Arts from Lasell University and progressed through a Master of Science from the University of Bridgeport, a Sixth Year Diploma from

Southern Connecticut State University, and a Doctorate in Education from Cambridge College. Dr. Conner's pursuit of excellence is reflected in his completion of the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Connecticut, the Harvard Superintendents Institute, and the prestigious AASA/Howard University National Urban Superintendents Academy. His academic prowess is further highlighted by a Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics from Harvard University and an Advanced Certificate in Management, Innovation, and Technology from MIT, underscoring his unparalleled contribution to the evolution of modem education.

Schools of the Future: Creating the Entrepreneurial Education Model by Dr. Michael Conner and published by Getting Smart.