Being a classroom teacher in Alabama showed Mike McShane, of EdChoice, just how much children around the country were being denied the opportunity of a quality education. He didn’t like it. So, he did something about it. More in this Episode 31 of Reality Check.

Having a vision of what education could look like and offer is what led J.C. Huizenga to open National Heritage Academies. It’s also what drives Brian Britton every day as the President and CEO to oversee 87 charter schools around the country. Episode 30 of Reality Check

Imagine, if you will, a time when educational choice was something only very few people were bold enough to speak about. It wasn’t that long ago. Lawmaker, state superintendent for public schools, national advocate, and now Chief Executive at the Arizona Chamber Foundation, Lisa Graham Keegan talks about the last 25 years in education reform on Episode 29 of Reality Check.

Steve Klinsky, head of New Mountain Capital, conceived of the “Freshman Year for Free” which is the focus of the Modern States Education Alliance. Students can earn a year of college – or more -- without tuition or textbook expense. This podcast is a must listen for anyone concerned about the cost of higher ed. Episode 28 of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen

Phoenix Charter Academy Network’s three schools that are focused on challenging resilient, disconnected students with rigorous academics and supports so they take ownership of their futures. CEO, Beth Anderson, talks about why this model is critical to their futures and success as self-sufficient adults. Episode 27 of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen

Janus v. AFSCME is the case that is disrupting the work of organized unions everywhere. Jacob Huebert is an attorney who represented Mark Janus, the plaintiff in the case, before the US Supreme Court. Jacob talks about the impact of the then-not announced decision on teachers and unionized workers. Episode 26 of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen

The age-old question from parents is “How do I ensure my children grow into stable, successful adults?” Erica Komisar, a clinical social worker and parent guidance expert offers tips on this topic in her new book Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters and more in this Episode 25 of Reality Check.

The need for a seamless intersection between higher education and workforce development has led Carol D’Amico, Executive Vice President of Strada Education Network to lead a major national effort to drive change in these sectors. Her focus? “Completion with a Purpose.” Learn how on this Episode 24 of Reality Check.

Fueled by his interested in “the barriers to change,” Bill Walton has built a lifetime of experiences and diverse avenues of success. He’s an entrepreneur, producer, supporter of the arts, and investor in ways to foster a free market in education. Join Jeanne & Bill this Episode 23 of Reality Check.

Big changes are likely on the way for teachers, teachers’ unions and potentially for no less than the entire model of US education. “We really need to rethink the framing of the profession,” says Jeanne Allen. The impending Supreme Court ruling on the AFSCME v. Janus case and the growing demand for professional autonomy among teachers nationwide are just a few of the topics in this episode with guest Colin Sharkey. As Executive Vice President of the Association of American Educators (AAE), Colin is uniquely qualified to discuss the challenges facing today’s teachers. AAE is the nation’s largest non-union professional educator association with members in all fifty states, serving public districts, public charter educators and any employee working in schools. The AAE mission is to foster the transformation of the teaching profession by empowering and supporting a community of professionals for the benefit of students and the nation. Episode 22 of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen