Send us a Text Message. Dr. Nicole Wahab is a lifelong educator and serial entrepreneur. Nicole's story is a symphony of resilience, echoing Tom Petty's "Won't Back Down," and serves as a testament to never yielding in the face of adversity, whether leading from the front of a classroom or the helm of a business venture. She illustrates her drive and entrepreneurial spirit, from founding a charter school to being the corporate executive of a sports company and starting her own technology...

Tracy Thompson is the San Diego County of Education (SDCOE) Executive Director of Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS). This episode charts Tracy's harrowing escape from the clutches of gang life and his current role as a beacon of hope for at-risk youth. Tracy opens up about the mentors who redirected his path and his selfless commitment to those he now serves. Learn more about Tracy Thompson and the JCCS.

Jack Wong is the CEO of Kamehameha Schools. Jack joined Kamehameha Schools in 1997, first serving as senior counsel from 1997-2000, then as director of the Endowment Legal Division from 2000-2013. Drawing from his unique journey from the legal realm to the helm of one of Hawaii's most influential educational institutions, Jack imparts wisdom on cultivating a shared vision while managing a diverse workforce. His insights offer a roadmap to any leader striving to navigate the complexities of...

Jasmine LeFlore is a Senior Aerospace Engineer, Social Entrepreneur, and Co-founder of Greater Than Tech. Throughout the conversation, Jasmine shares her relentless journey, from defying doubters to channeling her grief into a catalyst for change, all while celebrating the mentors and role models who ignited her trailblazing spirit. This led to her co-founding Greater Than Tech where she is not just breaking barriers; she's building bridges for underrepresented voices in STEM fields. Jasmine...

Glenn E. Singleton is the Founder and CEO of Courageous Conversation, an agency that guides leadership development in education, government, corporation, law enforcement, and community organizing. Glenn unveils the personal encounters and revelations that have shaped his life's work in the form of his pivotal Courageous Conversation protocol. He outlines the four foundational agreements vital for maintaining engagement and managing discomfort as we confront the complex realities of race in...

Richard Barrera is the elected representative for District D on the San Diego Unified School District's (SDUSD) Board of Trustees and returns as the first guest to record a second episode on the podcast. A true advocate for educational equity and a seasoned trustee, Richard discusses the intricacies of leading a major urban school district into the future. Richard reveals the strides made within San Diego schools, delving into the transformative journeys of students and the narrowing of the...

Peter and Chris Sciarretta join their brother, Dr. David Sciarretta, on this special episode to discuss their family's journey through education, from childhood to careers. They reflect on attending a Waldorf school that prioritizes capacity over content, but isn't without its challenges in staying relevant amidst today's educational landscape. The brothers cap off the episode by discussing the joy of learning and being a lifelong learner as a tool for personal growth.

Bill Melton is a retired lifelong educator, world traveler, and deep thinker. Bill shares his tale of choosing the path less traveled, leading him to the world of education. He reflects on his career that includes tenures as a high school principal and a member of the Albert Einstein Academies Board of Trustees. The conversation then shifts to the present and future of teaching, examining the role of technology and how the pandemic has reshaped classroom dynamics. His passion for education,...

Mary Shannon Heinzelmann is a long-time Arts Teacher at Albert Einstein Academies (AEA) in San Diego, CA. From her roots in a musically and artistically inclined family to her transformative teaching methods, Mary Shannon's story illustrates the serendipitous magic of pursuing a passion. This discussion includes the positive and negative impacts of the digital age on the many forms of art, how California is breathing new life into arts education, and the impact art has on all subjects in a...

Scott Mitchell is the Dean of Students and Faculty Affairs at the Institute of Buddhist Studies. Scott discusses how Buddhist modernism and American culture intersect in surprising ways and the significance of Buddhism in a society that often values individual over collective experiences. He shares his personal journey and reflects on the profound impact of his brother Eric's legacy. Learn about and donate to the Eric C Mitchell Scholarship fund. Purchase Scott's book The Making of American...

Jon Detra's life reads like an adventure novel, from martial arts and dance, to the cutting-edge world of mobile technology. Growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, Jon experienced many twists and turns in a journey that led him to San Diego, CA as a young engineer at Qualcomm. After decades of growth being a creative problem solver and executive leader, Jon shares how his diverse passions have shaped his outlook on life, work, and the importance of staying agile in the face of change.

Kay Hoffman is a retired teacher, school administrator, out-of-the-box thinker who also happens to be Dr. Sciarretta's mom.  This conversation, which kicks off season 2 of the podcast, touches on topics including education, medicine, school leadership, aging, and much more.

Dr. Sciarretta shares his review of Chris Joffe's new book, "All Clear: Lessons from a Decade Managing School Crisis." The book ventures beyond typical safety protocols, uncovering the layers of complexity in crisis management and the power of community unity in fortifying our educational institutions. This includes multifaceted strategies that Chris illustrates through his Swiss cheese model of school safety, emphasizing the need for comprehensive methods that connect security technology,...

Corie Julius, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator and Teacher Librarian at Albert Einstein Academies (AEA), shines a light on IB educators' mission to cultivate informed, compassionate global citizens. She shares her life's journey and how these experiences have forged her educational philosophy centered on peace, humanity, and acceptance. We discuss the merits of innovative teaching methods like looping and multi-age classrooms, and how the evolving role of libraries impacts...

Join us as we welcome our guest, middle school PE teacher and lacrosse coach, Matt Vozzolo, for a spirited chat about his unique journey from humble beginnings in a Connecticut wood cabin to his current life in sunny San Diego, revealing how his past has shaped his approach to physical education, nutrition, and leadership in schools. Matt shares his passion for lacrosse, discusses the changing trends in physical fitness, and the critical role of nutrition and sleep in connection to physical...

Dr. Moisés Aguirre is the Superintendent of Sweetwater Union High School District, the largest secondary school district in California. In this episode we discuss AI's influence on education, the nuances of leading a diverse school district, partnerships, humility, and self-care. Dr. Aguirre shares not only his insights but also his personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded and humble no matter the height of success. We glance into the future, discussing the...

Beau James is currently Meta's Director and Associate General Counsel for Mobile and Artificial Intelligence. Beau discusses his legal career, upbringing, passion for rare disease advocacy, and much more. Connect with Beau on LinkedIn Connect with Dr. Sciarretta on X

Jakob McWinney is the Education Reporter for the Voice of San Diego, whose mission is “investigative journalism for a better San Diego” and was founded in 2005 as the country's first digital non-profit news organization to serve a local community. Jakob talks about his unique route to becoming a journalist and some of the topics he’s reported on such as chronic absenteeism, homelessness, and the impact the pandemic has had on academic achievement. Read Jakob’s stories on the Voice of San...

Amanda Fox is a co-author of The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education, which is currently Amazon’s best-selling book on the topic. Amanda is a lifelong educator and is passionate about the use of technology to empower students in their learning journey. She also works with an educational AI platform, Curipod.com, and has a special limited-time offer for podcast listeners: Visit https://curipod.com/, sign up and enter CURICON for a free three-month...

Seth Hettena is a veteran journalist who has worked with the Associated Press and various newspapers throughout the United States. He is also an author who has a Substack newsletter called The Ice Man which is a serialized version of a book he has written about the Navy Seals. In this conversation, Seth discusses how journalism has changed throughout his career, including the future impact of Artificial Intelligence. Learn more about Seth: https://sethhettena.com/ Read Seth’s Substack...

Eric Cross is a long-time middle school science teacher at Albert Einstein Academies, innovator, and consultant. Eric shares his transformational and inspiring journey, his challenges, how that all informs his teaching practices, and much more. Learn more about Eric here. Connect with Eric on: Instagram Twitter Connect with Dr. Sciarretta on Twitter.

Eric Cross is a long-time middle school science teacher at Albert Einstein Academies, innovator, and consultant. Eric shares his transformational and inspiring journey, his challenges, how that all informs his teaching practices, and much more. Learn more about Eric here. Connect with Eric on: Instagram Twitter Connect with Dr. Sciarretta on Twitter.

Dr. Richard Vernon Moore is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Equity and Support Services at Sweetwater Union High School District, California's second-largest secondary school district located in San Diego County. Dr. Moore has a long history of administrative roles in K-12 education and discusses how this journey has informed his perspective on resolving conflict, his definition of equity, the role of student discipline measures including suspension and expulsion, and...

Patricia Barneond, aka Patty, is the Senior Director of Education and Director of the Hanley Denning Experimental School for Safe Passage. Safe Passage is a transformative nonprofit organization founded by the late Hanley Denning over 20 years ago. Its mission is to provide a space for safe passage between home, school, and back home for the children of the many Guatemalan families who make a living scavenging for items at the Guatemala garbage dump, the largest landfill in Central America....

Chris Joffe is the founder and CEO of Joffe Emergency Services. Chris started the company 15 years ago with a simple promise: to empower teams with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to keep people safe in an emergency. Joffe has become one of the nation's leading safety organizations for schools and events and has over 2,000 clients. Chris is also an author with a book coming out soon, a certified pilot, scuba diver, and endurance runner. Learn more about Chris:...