Today on This Educational Life, we're heading to St. Louis, Missouri. Known as the Gateway to the West, St. Louis is a city marked by both a spirit of progress and a history of overcoming significant challenges. However, as today’s episode will show you, with the right collaboration and vision, challenges can also be opportunities to bring about positive lasting change.

Host Mariah Presley is joined by Tracy Hykes, a proud graduate of the St. Louis Public Schools district, former union sheet metal worker, and current St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) board member, and Jennifer Geen, Senior Account Manager at Trane, who’s worked closely with Tracy and the St Louis Public Schools team on a huge education transformation project.

Together, Tracy and Jennifer discuss how St. Louis Public Schools and Trane are redefining what's possible for nearly 20,000 students, and saving $2.6 million in the process. By introducing industry certifications in skilled trades like HVAC, and leveraging major infrastructure investments to improve learning environments, they're creating pathways for students to secure not just jobs, but “life-sustaining careers”.

Listen to discover:

• How Tracy’s journey - from a student unsure of his future to a confident tradesman - reflects the life-changing power of access and mentorship.
• Why school districts must innovate to give students not just jobs, but meaningful, prosperous careers.
• How strategic collaborations between education and industry can significantly transform both student lives and entire communities.

This is the last episode in season 1! Thank you so much for listening and coming along this journey with us! If you've got an idea for a topic or know an educational leader who exemplifies the resourceful innovation we have featured all season long, let us know. You can drop us an email at [email protected], leave us a review on Apple, or a comment on Spotify or Youtube.

 Let's continue to challenge what's possible for education, industry, and most importantly, for our students.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Trane Technologies. Due to the changing nature of this market and our reliance on information provided by outside sources, Trane Technologies makes no warranty or guarantee concerning accuracy or completeness of the content. Trane Technologies has a policy of continuous product and product data improvement and reserves the right to change design and specifications without notice.

Artificial Intelligence isn’t just changing education, it’s reshaping the future of work. But how can schools embrace AI to empower students and educators alike? And what role does industry play in preparing students for a rapidly evolving workforce?

Today, host Mariah Presley, Education and Industry Partnerships Leader at Trane, talks with two education experts: GA Buie, Executive Director at United School Administrators of Kansas, and Mike Hines, National Education Sales Leader for Energy Services at Trane. Together, they explore how AI is transforming education, why collaboration between schools and industry is essential, and what practical solutions look like in classrooms today.

We also discuss:

• How educators can integrate AI without losing the human touch.
• Why schools and businesses must collaborate closely to address rapid technological changes.
• Real-life examples, like AI-driven chatbots and tailored professional development tools, that support teachers and administrators.
• Why equipping students with both technical AI literacy and critical “human enduring skills” is essential for success.
• How industry certifications and workplace skills training by companies like Trane can complement traditional education, ensuring students thrive in any career they choose.

What do you think? How is your school or community working with AI? Let us know in the comments on Spotify, leave a review on Apple or add to the conversation on YouTube! You can also reach out at [email protected].

Make sure to follow This Educational Life for more insights into education’s most pressing challenges and innovative solutions.

Together, let's build schools ready for tomorrow, today.

What's it really like teaching science in a rapidly changing world? What happens when technology evolves faster than the curriculum? And how can teachers bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world STEM careers?

In today’s episode of This Educational Life, host Mariah Presley, Industry and Programs Lead at Trane, sits down with Adam Krug, a high school chemistry teacher in Kansas who swapped the lab coat for the classroom almost two decades ago. Today, Adam’s challenge is about preparing students for careers many haven't even imagined yet, and how industry collaborations can help reconnect students with practical, hands-on experiences.

In this episode we discuss: 

• How teachers stay ahead when technology evolves faster than textbooks.
• Why Adam believes curiosity, creativity, and comfort with complexity are essential skills for today's students.
• How industry collaboration can help in showcasing real-world STEM careers
• Practical ideas for STEM teachers looking to innovate without breaking their budgets.

Let us know your thoughts! How is your school preparing students for a changing world and career that might not exist yet? Email us at [email protected] and make sure to follow This Educational Life for new episodes every two weeks.

Let’s continue redefining what's possible in education, together.

Across America, rural and small-town communities are foundational to the national identity, rich in heritage and resilience. But as educational needs evolve, many of these communities grapple with unique challenges - from limited career visibility for students to maintaining school infrastructure. How can education play a transformative role in celebrating rural strengths and creating equal opportunities?

In this episode of This Educational Life, Mariah Presley, Education and Industry Programs Leader at Trane, speaks with rural education advocates David Ardrey, formerly the Director of the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools, now the Interim Executive Director for the National Rural Education Association, and John Glasgow, Program Director at the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools. Together, they explore how educational initiatives and strategic industry collaborations can ensure every student, no matter their zip code, feels equally equipped and inspired.

We discuss:

• The essential role rural communities play in America’s economic and cultural landscape.
• How collaboration with industry sectors like agriculture, technology, and HVAC is opening new doors for rural students.
• Real-world examples of schools innovating with industry experts to enhance STEM and career and technical education (CTE).
• Shifting narratives about rural success, highlighting diverse career pathways and redefining success beyond big cities.

Let us know what you think! Do you come from a community negotiating similar challenges? If so, how are you approaching solutions? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Let us know at [email protected] or head to our show page here for more info. You can also leave us a comment on Spotify or Youtube, or a review on Apple Podcasts. Make sure to follow the podcast for new episodes every two weeks.

Let's continue redefining what's possible in education, together.

Budgets are tight, costs are rising, and schools are expected to do more with less. But what if the challenge isn’t just about money, but how it’s used?

In this episode of This Educational Life, host Mariah Presley, Education and Industry Partnerships Leader at Trane, sits down with Dr. Curtis Chesick, Assistant Superintendent of Operations at Ozark Public Schools, to discuss how his district tackled funding challenges head-on. From leveraging federal incentives to creative budgeting strategies, Curtis shares how Ozark transformed aging buildings, optimized energy efficiency, and unlocked unexpected savings, all without breaking the bank.

In this episode, we explore:

🔹 How can schools make the most of limited funding?

🔹 What innovative solutions are helping districts cut costs?

🔹 How does energy efficiency impact both budgets and student learning?

Follow This Educational Life so you never miss an episode! New episodes are released every two weeks.

Got a topic or question? Email us at [email protected] and check out our show page here for more info.

Trane does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material is for informational purposes only and it should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. Tax law is subject to continual change. All decisions are your responsibility and you should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors. Trane disclaims any responsibility for actions taken on the material presented

How do you prepare students for jobs that might not exist yet?

In our first episode of This Educational Life, host Mariah Presley, Education and Industry Partnerships Leader at Trane, sits down with Ben Sego, a former NASA engineer turned school board member. Ben brings a unique STEM-focused perspective to education - one shaped by a career spent working on cutting-edge technology for NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the Navy.

In this episode, we explore:
🔹 Why STEM education isn’t just for engineers, it’s for everyone
🔹 How Ben’s district is using resourceful innovation to make STEM accessible
🔹 The power of industry partnerships in shaping real-world learning experiences
🔹 How schools can give students a competitive edge with hands-on skills and certifications

Listen now to discover how STEM education can empower students, strengthen communities, and prepare the next generation for whatever comes next.

🎧 Follow This Educational Life for more insights on the future of education. Have thoughts or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

Welcome to This Educational Life, a podcast by Trane exploring the biggest challenges in education - and the bold solutions shaping the future.

Hosted by Mariah Presley, we sit down with school leaders, educators, and industry experts to talk funding, facilities, technology, and more. How are schools maximizing resources, improving learning spaces, and preparing students for what’s next? And how can collaborations with industry help?

If you’re a school leader, educator, or just passionate about the future of education, hit play and join us for the conversations shaping This Educational Life.

Brought to you by Trane Commercial, part of Trane Technologies, a leading provider of innovative climate control solutions and energy services tailored for commercial environments. 

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