Voices of Readiness Podcast

Welcome to the new Voices of Readiness Podcast! We're so excited to expand our audience and discuss ways to help your students get career ready in whatever field they choose to pursue.

In this episode, we were privileged to sit down with Dan Limmer to discuss career readiness in the EMS field.

Daniel "Dan" Limmer, BS, NRP continues a career in EMS and Law enforcement that has spanned more than 40 years. He is a licensed paramedic in Texas and Maine and practices with the Bayou Vista FD in Texas. Dan is a passionate educator who speaks at EMS conferences around the world. He's co-authored several textbooks, including Emergency Care, EMR Complete, the education standards Transition Series for EMT, AEMT, Paramedic, and EMPACT. He teaches in the Central Washington University paramedic degree program and develops smartphone and web-based courses, continuing education, and review apps for the emergency service fields through his company, Limmer Education, LLC.

Dan shares valuable insights for EMS educators, and those preparing students to be successful in any career. Throughout the episode you'll hear:

1. How to prepare students for high-pressure, real-world decision-making

2. Why scenario-based learning and simulations are better than a "sage on the stage" traditional classroom

3. Which soft and technical skills matter most in the choreography of career readiness

4. How to build students from memorization to application and critical thinking

With his trademark candor and optimism, Dan shares valuable advice for EMS trainers and education professionals alike.

Pearson Career Ready - Help your learners explore careers, build in-demand skills, and prove they're ready for what's next.

Contact a Pearson Career Ready expert - Connect with our experts to discover the right career readiness solutions for your students and programs.

Brady EMS Courses | Pearson US - Prepare future EMS professionals with trusted, real-world training and learning resources from Brady and Pearson.

Pearson's Voices of Readiness Podcast is all about educators. This podcast will crack open the world of education and career readiness. At Pearson, we are dedicated to helping people build the life they imagine through learning, and we couldn't do what we do without powerful and dedicated educators, like YOU!

Whether you've been teaching for one month, one year, or decades, we have episodes for you. Join us as we interview other educators, students, and industry experts. Discover new ways to teach, connect with fellow educators, and get inspired. Teaching is a career that demands all that you have to give. So we're here to give back to you.

Listen. Learn. Grow. Become a part of our community.

Being an engineer means being a problem solver. But that's not the only skill your students need for successful careers as engineers. We sat down with Steve O'Neil to find out how you can build bridges for your students, from classroom to industry.

Steve is a mechanical engineering graduate of Wayne State University, where he began his career in the automotive industry working as both an application engineer and a machinist. Those early experiences laid the foundation for the next major chapter in his professional path: an extensive period in the biomedical field. There, he focused on studying, developing, and preparing for the manufacture of implant and instrument systems used in knee, hip, and spinal replacement procedures.

For the past ten years, Stephen has applied this industry background to the education sector, teaching both secondary and post-secondary students with a strong emphasis on mechanical and architectural software design. During this time, he has helped many students at Cape Fear Community College earn Autodesk certifications in Revit, Inventor, Fusion 360, and AutoCAD at both the user and professional levels.

In this episode, we talked with Steve about all things engineering. Listen to find out:

1. Key skills your students need as engineers

2. Projects you can use to help students build important capabilities

3. Tools your students need to master

4. The impact of AI on engineering

It doesn't matter what area of engineering you teach. Steve's advice will show you how to help your students bridge the gap between classroom and career.

Learn more about Autodesk certifications here: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Certifications/Autodesk/Certifications/Overview.

Connect with your fellow educators, like Steve, in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8958289/.

Don't miss your chance to learn about our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference at https://www.pearsonvue.com/certified.

Career readiness is all about preparing students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. But career readiness isn't one size fits all. What you focus on will vary from school to school. In this episode, Amy Waters tells us about how she gets her students career ready in industrial Louisiana.

Amy is a 37-year veteran teacher at Hahnville High School in Boutte, Louisiana, with no plans of retiring any time soon. She is a complete nerd who has taught everything from Latin to computer programming and still loves learning new things and sharing that knowledge with everyone. She is constantly trying to find new and creative ways to teach lessons that will reach all her students and works hard to make sure that every one of them walks away with a sense of accomplishment.

We talked with Amy about all areas of career readiness, including:

1. What skills she focuses on

2. How to decipher and adjust curriculum based on industry demands and local labor market needs

3. Connecting with local advisory boards

4. Creating valuable work-based learning experiences

5. The power of certifications

An expert in workforce readiness, Amy's advice will empower you to be a better educator whether you teach in an industrial, urban, suburban, or rural setting.

Connect with your fellow educators, like Amy, in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8958289/.

Don't miss your chance to learn about our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference at https://www.pearsonvue.com/certified.

Each year, we are so excited to recognize exceptional contributions in education with our CERTIFIED Educator of the Year award. Given during our annual CERTIFIED Educator Conference, this award is given to dedicated, talented, and powerful educators from across the United States. And this year, we couldn't give the award to just one teacher. We're pleased to announce that Fran Clark and Ashley Faulkner are our 2026 CERTIFIED Educators of the Year!

Fran is an accounting and business educator at West Johnston High School. Ashley is a CTE educator at Triton High School. Both women have been instrumental in developing and implementing the accounting curriculum for the state of North Carolina. Their impact is felt across the state, and each day in their classrooms.

In this episode, we talk with Fran and Ashley about becoming the 2026 Educators of the Year, their teaching journeys, and their approaches to creating lasting relationships with their students. Inspiring and energizing, this is one episode you won't want to miss.

Learn more about Fran and Ashley on our blog here.

You can also watch Fran and Ashley in action (and hear from their students) in our CERTIFIED Educator of the Year video here.

Connect with educators like Fran and Ashley in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.

Learn more about our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.

Your students are going to enter an automated workforce. Teaching and empowering them with AI skills has never been more crucial. If you and your colleagues are interested in launching an AI program at your school, we're here to help.

We were lucky to learn from Cyndi Krebs in this week's episode. Professor Krebs is the Program Director of Business Technologies and Education and a professor in the Information Systems and Technology Department at Utah Valley University. Since joining UVU in 1988, she has held multiple roles including Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Department Chair of the Digital Media Department and the Office Technology/Administration Department.

Cyndi shares how Utah Valley University is paving the way in AI education in Utah. They've structured a program that incorporates certification, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. Learn about how they've built their curriculum, where they go for expertise, and how they're giving students hands-on experience with AI.

AI isn't going anywhere. Find out how you can create a program at your school that will empower students with these key skills.

Learn more about AI certification: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Certifications/CCS/Certification/Certify/Generative-AI-Foundations.

Connect with your fellow educators, like Cyndi, in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8958289/.

Don't miss your chance to learn about our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference at https://www.pearsonvue.com/certified.

Students want more than lectures. They want engaging, hands-on curriculum and coursework. Modifying your class to fit the needs of Gen Z students can feel overwhelming. Luckily Vladimir Noda is here to help.

Vladimir is an enthusiastic educator, instructional coach, and advocate for business education with over a decade of experience enhancing student success. Throughout his career, he has assisted countless students in obtaining industry-recognized certifications in Microsoft Office, Adobe, and the Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) exam. As an instructional coach, he is dedicated to building a top-tier business program and enhancing his school's presence through strategic marketing efforts. With a dynamic approach to curriculum development and certification preparation, Vladimir aims to empower educators with the tools and strategies necessary to boost student achievement, expand their programs, and cultivate future business leaders.

In this episode, Vladimir shares what career readiness means to him and how it starts with teachers focusing more on the students they serve. Discover how to make measured, school‑wide adjustments—and quick, tactical tweaks—that fit your school and classroom. Get ideas for how to engage with your students while also ensuring that the changes you're making are having a positive impact.

Your students deserve your best. Get ideas for ways to meet their needs.

Get other ideas for your classroom on our blog: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/blog.

Connect with your fellow educators, like Vlad, in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8958289/.

Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference at https://www.pearsonvue.com/certified/conference.html.

You work hard to identify and close gaps in learning and readiness. In this episode, Career and Technical Education (CTE) specialist Laura Green explores how certification and classroom data can tell the story behind those gaps—and how to act on it.

Laura is an accomplished Career and Technical Education (CTE) specialist with over 20 years of experience bridging the gap between industry and the classroom. Currently serving as a CTE Specialist at Round Rock ISD, she leverages a deep background in live media production, having worked on high-profile events such as Super Bowl LVI, the NCAA Final Four, and with professional teams like the Houston Texans. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for excellence in teaching and leadership, notably being named the 2024 Teacher of the Year and the 2023 CTE Teacher of the Year.

Beyond her technical instruction, Laura is a dedicated leader in curriculum design and educator mentorship who holds a master's in educational leadership. She maintains multiple industry certifications and is deeply committed to supporting students in earning their own credentials. Her work extends to developing CTE programs and leading professional development to ensure students are prepared for the evolving demands of the modern workforce.

In this episode, you'll hear how to turn program results into targeted supports, measure what's working, and build student confidence on the path from classroom to career.

What you'll learn

• How to use certification program data to spot trends, target instruction, and track impact over time.

• Practical ways to align classroom tasks with the skills industry credentials validate.

• A simple approach to evaluating your own practice—and knowing when to ask for admin support.

• Strategies to create growth opportunities for learners at every level.

Get a sneak peek of what Laura will be sharing at the CERTIFIED Educator Conference next month in Nashville.

Get other ideas for your classroom on our blog: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/blog.

Connect with your fellow educators, like Laura, in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8958289/.

Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference at https://www.pearsonvue.com/certified/conference.html.

Your students excel in the classroom—but will they thrive as interns? Work-based learning experiences offer powerful real-world application, yet succeeding in a workplace requires a distinct set of skills. Discover practical strategies to bridge that gap.

Meet Professor Matt Dombrowski, an innovator bridging art, technology, and social impact. As a Professor and Art Director for Limbitless Solutions, Matt leads students in designing 3D-printed bionic arms for children with limb differences—work that's earned recognition from Adobe, TEDx, Fast Company, and the Smithsonian. His real-world expertise in mentoring interdisciplinary teams makes him the perfect guide for preparing interns.

Learn Matt's actionable strategies for every stage: acing the interview, navigating virtual collaboration, thriving in team environments, and mastering workplace professionalism—so your students walk in confident and prepared.

Matt shares more advice for interns here.

Connect with educators like Matt in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.

Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.

Recent research from Pearson shows that nearly $165B is lost each year when students can't find work after graduation. The transition from education to the workforce can be challenging to navigate. How can you help close the gap?

We sat down with three powerhouse educators to get their thoughts.

First, Matt Dombrowski. Matt is a Professor, Assistant Director, and Art Director for the nonprofit Limbitless Solutions, whose mission is providing cost free, accessible solutions to underserved communities. He leads an interdisciplinary student team in the creation of 3D printed, visually expressive bionic arms and video game training for children with limb difference. His work has been featured by Adobe, TEDx Youth, Huffington Post, Gamasutra, Fast Company, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, GDC, SXSWEDU, and the Gates Foundation. Matt is an Adobe Education Leader and an Adobe Partner By Design.

Second, Dr. Kimberly Forbes. Dr. Forbes is the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and a first-generation high school and college graduate. After a successful tenure in the banking industry managing startup operations, she transitioned to education, eventually earning her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in 2024. A recognized leader in workforce readiness, Dr. Forbes has served on the national "Launch" committee and was named the NCDPI Piedmont Triad Region's Administrator of the Year. She is deeply committed to administrative innovation and expanding industry credentialing to ensure all students, including special populations, are prepared for the modern economy.

Third, Cynthia Krebs. Cynthia is the Program Director of Business Technologies and Education and a professor in the Information Systems and Technology Department at Utah Valley University. Since joining UVU in 1988, she has held multiple roles including Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Department Chair of the Digital Media Department and the Office Technology/Administration Department.

In this episode, these three experts discuss strategies that prepare your students for real-world success. We hit a little bit of everything:

1. Challenges students currently face

2. Key skills your students need to prepare them for the workforce

3. How to teach and empower students with AI expertise

4. The role of certification and work-based learning experiences

5. Creating a feedback loop between K12, higher education, and industry

Ready to help your students confidently bridge the gap between education and the workforce? This episode is for you.

Connect with educators like Matt, Kim, and Cynthia in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.

Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.