Christian Martinez knows firsthand what it’s like to be a young immigrant in America: The language barrier, financial stress, feeling alone and hopeless. That’s why he does what he does today. Christian is the founder and community innovator for The Camino Program and he’s our guest on the show today. Christian tells us  about the Camino program, not just what it does, but how it makes its participants feel. The program offers support in professional development, mental health, peer support,...

In 2015, Norris School District came to Johnna Noll with a learner-centered educational consultant’s dream request. The tiny school district’s residential population consisted of a treatment center for kids, and it asked Johnna to help it transform into a learner-centered, trauma-invested, constantly evolving program. Of course, she said yes.   Johnna joins the show today to tell us about what the school district has built. It uses a very clear learning design process: Profile, Plan, Pathway,...

How do you even begin to create systems change in education? Our guest today is Rob Collins. He manages the Innovative Learning Network in the Kentucky Department of Education. Rob gives us a peek into what systems change looks like right now for the state of Kentucky.   We dive into the teaching initiatives that the Kentucky Department of Education is undertaking in this area. Rob tells us about how the Innovative Learning Network provides institutional support and learning opportunities for...

It’s time to get free from oppression, both inside the classroom and out: internalized oppression, interpersonal oppression, ideological oppression, institutional oppression. That’s what Dr. Michelle Sadrena Pledger is here to talk with us about today. Michelle is the Founder of Living for Liberation and is also the Director of Liberation at the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. Her specialty is liberatory project-based learning. That’s when young people experience a learning...

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City is the nation's first and the city's largest youth mentoring organization. Chief Program and Innovation Officer Michael Coughlin joins us today to tell us about their newest iteration of mentoring: their workplace mentorship program. Starting sophomore year, students are paired with corporate professionals who act as their career mentors through high school graduation, and sometimes all the way through college. These one-on-one mentorships are closely...

Steve Heath calls himself a “professional confuser.” In a world where kids are defined by grades, test scores, attendance, and behavior, Steve’s organization asks them what they want to do and then helps them do it. Steve is executive director and co-founder of FabNewport. FabNewport provides underserved youth with the opportunity to learn how to code, sew, design, prototype, run CNC machines, and imagine new possibilities. In the 10 years, he’s served more than 20,000 middle and high school...

Students often face the double burden of experiencing trauma then feeling isolated and powerless. Educators don’t always know when to step in and what tools to offer. Jenna Edwards’ new book, “Aggressive Optimism,” seeks to fix that. “Aggressive Optimism” is a novel based on Jenna’s own experience with a devastating accident and resulting PTSD. The coming-of-age book is written for high school students. Jenna describes it as an “emotional resonance of Girl Interrupted with the empowering...

Fred Rogers was an incredible learning scientist before the term even existed. That’s the basis of Ryan Rydzewski’s and Gregg Behr’s new book, “When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids.” Today they join the show to share what they learned while writing the book. Fred engineered every aspect of Mr. Rogers' neighborhood to help kids develop tools for learning. He combined familiarity with mystery to create a magical learning...

Today we’re joined by Quamid Francis, the former Executive Director of City Year New York. His program places and supports Student Success Coaches in 17 New York City public schools. The Student Success Coaches’ number one priority is to build trusting relationships with students. Based on these trusting relationships, student attendance increases, behavioral incidences decrease, and entire families get connected to services they need. Chances are you’ve heard of City Year and the way they...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we are thrilled to welcome Ellen Erlanger and Kathy Meyer, co-directors of professional learning at the Partnerships for Authentic Learning and Leadership. They bring a wealth of experience and insights into the transformative power of authentic learning—a pedagogical approach that bridges academic content with real-world applications, preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Ellen and Kathy delve into the essentials of authentic learning,...

The most important thing adults can provide young people in their learning journey is a caring relationship. That is the fundamental belief that drives Jim Bailey in his work as co-founder and executive director at Rock Tree Sky, a self-directed learning community. In this episode, Jim and Annalies discuss adults’ roles in making space for young people to tap their innate curiosity and problem-solving skills. At Rock Tree Sky, adults roll up their sleeves and get inspired along with students....

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're thrilled to welcome Stephanie Lewis, the Director of Relationships at Remake Learning, a network that's spearheading the transformation of education in the Pittsburgh region. Remake Learning is not just about innovative education; it's about building a community that fosters engaging, relevant, and equitable learning experiences for all. Stephanie shares the journey of Remake Learning since its inception in 2007, highlighting how it has grown into a...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we have the pleasure of hosting Tiffany Nelson, the Director of Programs and Evaluation at Wings of Hope. Wings of Hope, a global humanitarian organization, has been utilizing aviation to impact vulnerable communities since 1962. Our main topic of discussion is their innovative SOAR into STEM program, which integrates aviation and STEM education to redefine educational and career pathways for students. Tiffany shares the intriguing journey of Wings of Hope...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're exploring the inspiring world of educational innovation with Ian Shimizu, the navigator at Inspire High, a pioneering edtech program based in Japan. Inspire High is revolutionizing the way teenagers connect with the world, offering interactive sessions with creative minds from diverse fields. It's about bringing real-life stories and experiences into the classroom, and Ian is at the forefront of this educational transformation. Ian shares his journey...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we have the pleasure of hosting Meagan Naraine, the co-founder of Culturally Relevant Science (CRS). CRS is an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to making STEM education more inclusive and engaging for underrepresented groups. Founded as a YouTube channel during the pandemic, CRS has grown significantly, offering a range of educational resources that combine rigorous learning with elements of pop culture and entertainment. Meagan shares the...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we have the pleasure of speaking with Abdul Matheen, the visionary CEO of Project You. Abdul's journey from aeronautical engineering to education has led to the creation of an innovative approach to learning, focusing on the real-world application of academic knowledge. Abdul discusses Project You's unique 'Build and Guild' program, designed to bridge the gap between conventional schooling and practical industry experience. The program, impacting over 7000...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore the transformative power of workforce development in education with Kelly Cassaro, Chief of Learning at Generation. Generation is a remarkable nonprofit that trains adults for careers that were previously out of reach, helping to foster economic mobility on a global scale. Kelly shares the groundbreaking methodologies of Generation, which aligns job readiness training with employer needs, ensuring that graduates are not just educated but truly...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're venturing into the transformative world of education with Mariam Bernard, Deputy Principal of Secondary School at Unity Grammar in Australia. Unity Grammar, a co-educational Islamic school, is on an exciting journey of integrating Islamic values into its curriculum while focusing on future readiness and community integration. Mariam, who has a unique background in science and industry, shares the school's ambitious mission to nurture future leaders...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're exploring the revolutionary realm of virtual learning and the metaverse with Catherine Fraise, the founder of 100 Roads Design. Catherine brings a fresh perspective to education, aiming to transform it through alternative pathways that cater to diverse learning styles and maximize potential. Throughout our conversation, Catherine shares her journey from a traditional educator to an innovator, driven by the desire to create more personalized and...

In today's episode of Learning Unboxed, we're honored to have Katey Ahmann and Carolyn Noe join us to discuss the transformative role of youth in shaping their communities through civic engagement. Our guests shed light on a unique program called Teen Science Cafe that hosts 'cafes'—dynamic spaces where young people lead the way in selecting local topics and steering community conversations. Through this exploratory dialogue, Katey and Carolyn illustrate how these cafes operate, the...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're venturing into the inspiring world of maker spaces with Noelle Conover, co-founder of Matt's Maker Space. Founded in memory of her son, Matt's Maker Space is a beacon for STEAM learning, proving to be a game-changer for students and communities alike. Maker spaces are more than just rooms filled with tools; they are hives of creativity where the process is king. Noelle shares how these spaces have flourished post-pandemic, becoming sanctuaries where...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we journey into the transformative world of middle school education with Chris Balme, a seasoned educator, founder of multiple schools, and author of "Finding the Magic in Middle School". Middle school is a time of rapid change, and Chris shares his insights on the importance of recognizing and valuing the complexities of these young learners. Together, we discuss the significance of giving middle school students a voice, the lasting impact of their...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore the transformative power of Project Leo, a groundbreaking project-based learning platform crafted by the Da Vinci School. Joining us is Steven Eno, the director of Project Leo, who takes us on a journey through the platform's inspirations, capabilities, and the challenges faced during its development. Together, we dive into the world of personalized learning, discussing the importance of aligning student interests with academic requirements....

Today we talk about threshold anxiety and teaching design thinking. Our guest is Laura Flusche, the executive Director of the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA). An art historian by training, Laura has a deep love for traditional museums, but recognizes the problem of “threshold anxiety.” Many people are scared to go to museums because they feel like they won’t fit in. At MODA, Laura focuses on making design accessible to everyone. MODA exhibits on video games and hip hop help teach the concept...