If you are listening to this episode on the day of its release, it is Christmas Day, 2024, listeners, and you are welcome! My Christmas gift to you is Sean Duffie, who, frankly, is a crazy awesome and amazing educator in the great state of Michigan. Sean is a Project Next PBL, and Spanish-Immersion teacher at Forest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along the way he has served as Adjunct Professor of Spanish at Grand Valley State University and before that, he was a Fulbright English Teacher at Villablanca High School in Madrid, Spain, where he taught 7th and 8th grade learners while building a bilingual program and developing literature workshops. As a Project Next PBL teacher, department and program chair he has played many roles, including helping learners experience 21st-century learning essentials through authentic project experiences. He co-taught projects and inquiries with world history, biology, geometry, English, environmental science, and art. Sean coaches a 25-member high-school writing club and slam team that meets weekly and publishes a literary/arts magazine every school year. His experience training as a Louder than a Bomb! national organizer cemented his passion for injecting intersectionality and youth voices into his teaching and writing. Working side-by-side with students, he helps them become adults who will work to bring the marginalized to the center in whatever realm they work and live in. Sean holds an Education Specialist pre-doctoral degree in Education Leadership, as well as a Master's in Spanish Curriculum and Instruction from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, where he was fortunate enough to emphasize 20th century and contemporary Caribbean poetry. Wendy Zdeb, the Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals had this to say about Project Next: “While observing the Project Next student presentations, I was struck by their professionalism, confidence, and impressive depth of knowledge. These students demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect literature to history, geography, and culture, showcasing an understanding far beyond the book's storyline. Equally impressive were the employability skills on display—articulate communication, collaboration, organization, and creativity—skills that are essential for success in any career. It was clear they had engaged deeply with their learning, both as individuals and as teams.” Lynn Cvengros, our What School Could Be Global Innovation Synergist and the person responsible for bringing Sean to my attention shared this comment she heard from one of Sean’s students: “"Project Next has helped me in ways that I couldn't even imagine. Going into high school I was a very poor public speaker. Project Next taught me how to speak with confidence in front of large crowds and how to develop social skills." As this year comes to a close I want to express my gratitude to my team - Evan Kurohara (audio engineer) and Michael Sloan (theme music) - for their tireless support of this show.

My guest for this episode is LeeAnn Kittle, the director of sustainability programs for the Denver Public Schools. 

LeeAnn showed up on my radar screen because of a headline in EdWeek’s weekly newsletter. The headline read, "This Leader Partners With Students to Build a More Sustainable Future for Her District." At EdWeek’s website I discovered two more articles about LeeAnn, and vowed then and there to track down her contact and invite her to be my guest on the show. 

For the past several weeks I have been doing a deep dive into LeeAnn’s life, and work. She is an extraordinary human with a mile wide, and mile deep resume, all of which indicates she is a warrior for Planet Earth, and a powerful advocate for student voice. 

Describing her more formally, she is a strategic professional who has built sustainability programs in higher education and K-12 for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Business Administration and a B.S. in Environmental Science. She is passionate about educating and inspiring her community on sustainability initiatives to address pressing climate issues. 

She works hard to change the narrative from climate crisis to one of bold action, innovation, and accountability. LeeAnn has implemented green roofs, rooftop solar, community solar, building and fleet electrification, natural resource management, and student engagement. 

She has served on several boards across the front range including organizations such as US Green Building Council, Recycle Colorado, and the Colorado Association for School District Energy Managers. She also took part in NREL’s Energy Executive Leadership Program and was recently named Energy Manager of the Year for the Central and South US through the Association of Energy Engineers. Most of all, LeeAnn is a strong advocate for the power and the promise of public education. 

I spent some time researching the team LeeAnn built for the Denver Public Schools Sustainability program. Wow, their collective commitment to Planet Earth and opportunity-based learning for young learners put a charge in my battery that will last for months, I am sure. 

From LeeAnn's online biography I noted that she grew up in Cleveland catching frogs, kicking a soccer ball, and holding her own among her three brothers. When she’s not feeling the constant shame of failing to get through her inbox, she can be found spending time with her family, watching The Wizard of Oz, or letting her creative juices flow through art or fashion.

These episodes are edited by the talented Evan Kurohara. Our music comes from the vast catalog of my college roommate and master pianist, Michael Sloan.

Mitch Weathers is a brilliant educator, author of the book, Executive Functions for Every Classroom and the founder of Organized Binder. Organized Binder is an evidence-based MTSS Tier 1 universal solution. It provides a structured environment with clear expectations and routines, exposing students to goal setting, reflective learning, time management, study strategies, and organizational skills. It aligns with Universal Design for Learning and supports Least Restrictive Environments, or LREs. You know listeners, I graduated from high school in 1976 with a 2.6 GPA and awful SAT scores. My first year of college was a massive success if you consider drinking and playing rugby the object. After dropping out of college I became, for the next 15 years, a chef and then a hotel manager. Eventually I finished my undergraduate degree and earned a, yes, 4.25 GPA. Why? Because what I gained over those years as a chef and hotel manager was an elevated set of executive functions never taught to me when I was in this thing we call “school.” Evan Beachy, a senior strategist at one of the largest independent schools in the country, is the reason I have Mitch on the show today, and he had this to say for this episode: “I first met Mitch a couple of years ago, through a mutual friend. Though we’ve been meeting monthly ever since to dive into our work, ideas, personal and professional struggles, and engage in general intellectual discourse on education, we have never met in person. But our connection runs deep. Mitch is a snowboarder, a runner, a father, an entrepreneur, an author, and a connector. In a world where we must embrace technology, analog interaction and the hands-on practice of building resiliency is more important than ever. Thus, Mitch’s work with executive functioning is vitally important; far more important than mere content or scope and sequence. Studentship, the habits and practices of being a student - executive functioning in neuro-scientific parlance - are more vital than ever in today’s educational landscape and Mitch is among those leading the charge". A principal at Sequoia High School in CA wrote the following about Mitch: “My first interactions with Mitch were when he was a new teacher in our district and I was his BTSA support provider. I remember being struck from the start by what an incredibly gifted educator he already was. Mitch not only put much time into planning his classroom instruction so that he maximized learning and minimized distractions, but he was also able to successfully convey these goals to kids. Every lesson began with the end in mind and students were given clear steps as to how to fulfill the day’s objectives. Every lesson closed with students writing about what they had learned that day and Mitch would use these writings to inform the next day’s instruction. Equal only to Mitch’s sound pedagogy is his ability to work with students. In short, he is a kid whisperer. Mitch consistently treats his students with the respect due to scholars and they respond in turn. From kids who end up at Stanford, to those who will be the first in their family to graduate from high school, all students love Mitch and strive to do well in his care.” Editing for this episode is provided by the amazing and talented Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from the vast catalog of pianist, Michael Sloan.

I am totally stoked to welcome to the show Mahealani Jackson, a remarkable 17-year-old senior at Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu. Joining as my color commentator is Hannah Grady Williams, Chief Rebel at d'Skills, who alerted me to this extraordinary young person who was part of her first all-virtual IMPACT10 cohort powering up kids on AI. Mahealani's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite her young age, she has already lived experiences equivalent to multiple lifetimes. From her early years as a skilled planner of Disneyland trips with her parents to her current pursuit of graduating from high school and college simultaneously, Mahealani's story is one of determination, resilience and incredible self awareness. In Hawaiʻi where this show originates, we have a saying: Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike: in doing one learns. Mahealani lives and breathes and walks in the light of this proverb. In today’s conversation we delve into Mahealani's philosophy of life, shaped significantly by Joseph Murphy's book, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind. Murphy’s book has influenced Mahealani’s approach to success and her refusal to be limited by others' achievements. Mahealani also shares insights into her educational experiences, highlighting two influential Kamehameha Schools teachers who fostered her growth mindset and created memorable learning environments. As a participant in the first all-virtual d'Skills IMPACT10 program, which took place in early 2024 when she was only 16, Mahealani has subsequently developed core skills that make her an instant asset to any company. Her drive for efficiency and unique approach to tasks, even those unfamiliar to her, set her apart. However, Mahealani also candidly discusses the challenges she faces, expressing that school has become "a burden to my dreams, not a supporter." Ouch, these words hurt my heart. Today’s conversation also explores Mahealani's thoughts on college preparation, her vision for a Student Bill of Rights, and her perspective on the role of AI in education, among other topics. She shares her experience helping her boyfriend build a ChatGPT bot for his nursing studies, demonstrating her forward-thinking approach to technology in learning, and her deeply layered humanist tendencies. Throughout this conversation, listeners, Mahealani's self-awareness, critical thinking, and passion for learning will knock you out. Her story offers an open window into what school could be, and what could be school as seen through the eyes of an exceptional learner who is actively shaping her own educational journey and breaking out of the box that is traditional education, which we know tends to crush creativity and imagination. And as frosting on the cake, you will hear previous guest, Hannah Grady Williams chime in with her insights on Mahealani, much like a one-person Greek chorus. Frankly, Mahealani, Hannah and I had way too much fun doing this live to tape interview at the the Mike and Sandy Hartley Math, Science & Technology Complex, podcast studio at Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. As always, this episode was engineered by Evan Kurohara. My thanks to Jon Pennington at MPI for helping to arrange for studio time. 

Listeners, I could not be more excited to share with you that my guest for this episode is Dr. Kyra Monèt Caldwell Templeton. Currently, she is Program Director of Student Engagement, an inaugural position with the Atlanta Public Schools, which serves over 50,000 students in 195 schools with nearly 4000 teachers. Remarkably, the student-teacher ratio in the Atlantic public schools is a very low 12.6. An important caveat here: for this episode Dr. Caldwell Templeton is not speaking on behalf of the Atlanta public school system. Dr. Caldwell Templeton's journey in education includes degrees from Spelman College, Capella University, Georgia State University and Mercer University. Any walk through her resume will result in you knowing, listeners, for sure, that she is a passionate lifelong learner. Her teaching journey includes positions at Cobb County’s Sprayberry High school, the KIPP Atlanta Collegiate High School, McEachern High School, also in Cobb County, and Marietta City Schools. Along the way she co-founded Radiant Educational Services, LLC, a national educational empowerment consulting group that provides customized professional development, coaching, strategic planning, curriculum design and evaluation for academic and non-profit institutions. She has also been an advocate for professional development. She was awarded the National Council for Teachers of English, Teacher of Color Award and has presented at several county, regional, and statewide professional development initiatives in which she discussed Performance Assessment, Writing Across the Curriculum, Grammar Integration in the Literature Classroom, Multi-Modal Instruction, as well as other relevant educational topics. Editing for this podcast is provided by the talented Evan Kurohara. Our theme music is from the catalog of master pianist, Michael Sloan. Please leave us a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts!

[During this episode reference is made to the work of mural artist, Dave Loewenstein. Here is his work.] At the Global Nomads Group website their vision, mission and about begins with this paragraph: “In 1998, four college friends had an idea to connect young people across the globe to foster dialogue and forge meaningful connections. They had heard about the emergence of video conferencing technology and thought maybe they could use it to link classrooms.” What happened over the next decades, listeners, is the subject of this episode. My guest today is Sandra Stein, Chief of Programs and Learning at the Global Nomads Group. Sandra is a passionate educator, writer, scholar, and justice advocate who leads staff and youth in the design, delivery, and assessment of Global Nomads Group’s unique programs. She is the author of two books on education policy and practice, and her writing has appeared in leading periodicals. She has a doctorate in Education from Stanford University and a long and deep teaching resume. The best way to introduce Sandra to you, listeners, is to use the words of individuals who have written about her. A program coordinator in Korea wrote, “One of her exceptional skills is her ability to tackle heavy topics such as bias and women's rights in such an effortless manner, sustaining everyone’s engagement and nurturing discussions. Her extensive knowledge and experience in curriculum development and instructional material design ignited a passion in me to dig deeper in this path. Dr. Sandra is one of those once in a lifetime individuals who come into your life and help you reach a reckoning by dissecting your life, your biases, and infusing you with energy to reach for your potential.” A former programs coordinator at Global Nomads had this to say about Sandra: “Beyond her technical and leadership skills, Sandra has a unique talent for fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment. She introduced me to the world of accessibility, teaching me how to ensure that all the content I create, the language I use, and the way I live are as accommodating and inclusive as possible. I learned about the impact of ableism and how it can affect the lives of those around me, and I carry this knowledge with me wherever I go.” And finally, a student who first met Sandra at Grinnell College said this: “What stands out most about Sandra is her unique approach to feedback. She has a way of making every conversation feel like a two-way dialogue, where both parties are learning and growing. Sandra is direct and honest, but her feedback never feels harsh or discouraging. Instead, she has a remarkable ability to frame constructive criticism as part of a broader, thoughtful discussion. She always takes the time to understand the effort and thought behind the work, valuing the person just as much as the final product. Her feedback isn’t just about what needs improvement—it’s about recognizing potential and encouraging growth, which made every interaction with her feel empowering and insightful." Our show's audio engineer is the talented Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from the vast catalog of master pianist, Michael Sloan.

Hey listeners. I have never done this before, so I hope you enjoy. This is a short, four-minute preview of upcoming episodes, the shows that will close out 2024. Fasten your seatbelts!

Today my guest is Theresa Tate, who currently teaches, guides, coaches and advises kids at the Orchard View Innovative Learning Center in Michigan. Theresa is a guest on this podcast because of a recommendation made to me by Chris McNutt, one of the founders of The Human Restoration Project, which just held its annual, virtual, Conference to Restore Humanity. Chris wrote the following for this episode: “Theresa Tate is an incredible educator with an unwavering support of students who have nowhere else to turn. In our focus groups at the Orchard View ILC, students consistently described Theresa's classroom as a "family," expressing reluctance to leave the nurturing space she has created upon graduation. And she is a fierce advocate for disabled and neurodivergent students, dedicated to building a more inclusive and supportive future.” Nick Kunnen, Theresa’s Director at the Innovative Learning Center wrote the following for this episode: “As her co-worker, friend, and supervisor, I can not say enough about Theresa Tate. She continues to amaze me with her passion and drive to connect with her students and to provide them with not only a quality learning experience but also a space that is safe and welcoming. Theresa's ability to openly share her own story helps everyone around her feel comfortable and connected.” Theresa noted to me that she decided at a young age (once she got past the combination firefighter-ballerina-marine biologist phase) that she wanted to be a teacher. There were a few factors that influenced her decision, one being her mother, who, though started as a teacher but became a mail carrier, encouraged Theresa to follow the teaching path. The other factor had to do with getting a ticket to college - becoming a teacher was that ticket and the start of a process of becoming the remarkable educator she is today. At Spring Arbor University Theresa earned her BA in English with a minor in Spanish while being named, in her secondary education concentration, as the E.P. Hart Honors Scholar. Among the many accomplishments listed in her resume related to the Orchard View Innovative Learning Center, these several jump out as wonderful gemstones. Theresa founded a Creative Writing Club during her last semester that had regular after-school attendance of 5-7 students who enjoyed exploring and experimenting with new forms and genres. She served as Vice President of Orchard View Education Association, which gave her the opportunity to learn a great deal about the relationship between the District and the Association and how both work to improve the field for teachers and students. By the way, listeners, What School Could Be is doing some major work in the great state of Michigan. This is why I am so pleased to bring you this episode. As always, this show's audio engineer is the talented Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from the master pianist, Michael Sloan.

Inspired by the Liger Leadership Academy, which, by the way, I featured in a previous episode, Cambodia’s Future Foundation, known as the CFF was created with the ultimate goal of "nurturing leaders and changing lives." In 2014, CFF identified and selected a cohort of ten, 16-year-old students with two years of high school before graduation. CFF recognized that, due to financial limitations, these students did not and would not have the funds to attend university after high school. This stark reality affects thousands of young Cambodians destined to drop out of school to work in factories or farms, marry at a young age, or move to a bigger city to find work. CFF students successfully realized their potential and made decisions that positively impacted their lives, the lives of others, their community, and their country. After screening hundreds of candidates, a young woman named Sokvy Vin stood out with her bright smile and the grit and perseverance to succeed. I am thrilled that Sokvy is my guest on today’s episode. She was selected and would become the first in her family to graduate high school and attend university. Her ambitious CFF service project aimed to provide sanitation facilities to four economically disadvantaged families, including a single mother with AIDS and two young children. Happily, every CFF student has graduated from a Cambodian university and is gainfully employed. One CFF student is now a high school chemistry teacher. Due to her ambition and motivation, CFF collaborated with the foundation SHE-CAN, from whom Sokvy Vin received a full scholarship to the University of Portland, where she is now in her senior year. Robert Landau, one of the founders of Cambodia’s Future Foundation wrote the following for today’s episode. “Sokvy Vin’s journey from rural Cambodia to the University of Portland exemplifies the transformative power of investing in human capital, education, and perseverance. I first met Sokvy in 2013 when she was a 16-year-old high school student in Kampong Speu Province. Her excellent English and confidence stood out as we launched Cambodia's Future Foundation. Despite challenges, Sokvy exceeded expectations, earning scholarships to a Cambodian university and later to the University of Portland. I've watched her embrace new experiences, from her first international service trip to initiating a basketball project, which included building a basketball court along with uniforms and equipment in her hometown. Sokvy's story of grit and paying it forward makes her an inspiring role model, showing that with determination and support, one can overcome challenging circumstances to achieve their dreams.” Editing for this episode is provided by the talented, Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from the catalog of master pianist, Michael Sloan.

Months ago a colleague of mine alerted me to an EdWeek article titled “An Unorthodox Plan to Pay Students to Write Curriculum Is Raising Achievement,” which described some very unusual work being done by Dr. Kate Maxlow, an educator on the East Coast. The article opens with this: “Kate Maxlow admits to being the ‘first person in the room to get bored.’ As a teacher, she worked overtime to keep her elementary students engaged but privately wondered if some content is just destined to be dry. She changed her mind the day her daughter—sick with a 100-degree fever—pleaded to be allowed to go to the last day of summer math camp. The 10-year-old had spent a week learning about patterns and writing code, and the work was set to culminate in a big escape-room challenge. Maxlow, the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the Hampton City schools on Virginia’s eastern coast, wished all students would be so excited by their classwork that a sick day would come as a bitter disappointment. ‘I’ve always thought that schools need to do a better job of being innovative and engaging students, but I figured there were just some subjects you can’t make fun,’ Maxlow said. ‘I realized then that it’s possible to do, even if it’s not easy or obvious.’” So, awesome listeners, what you will hear over the next 70 minutes is a deep dive into Dr. Maxlow’s life, her work, the way she thinks and her hopes and dreams for education. And, I am excited to share, back in 2020, Dr. Maxlow received the Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Leadership Award for her work coordinating efforts to innovate the Hampton City Schools curriculum. As always, our episodes are edited by the talented audio engineer, Evan Kurohara. Our theme music is provided by pianist, Michael Sloan. Please leave us a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts.

Article Links:

Hollywood to Hampton

Student Evaluations of Curriclum

The FLEx Program

Kate Maxwell Consulting