Best Merissa Podcasts (2025)

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Merissa Salder-Holder | EdTech Teacher Voice. AI in Education 30:27

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24d ago30:27

30:27

AI strategist and K-12 innovation consultant Merissa Sadler-Holder joins Hayley Spira-Bauer on "The Learning Can't Wait" podcast to share her journey from French teacher to tech advocate and founder. Merissa discusses how the pandemic and GameStop phenomenon sparked her move into edtech innovation, the empowering parallel between teaching students …

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Failing forward, Emerging technology & Reflective practice | Douglas Wilson 25:29

2h ago25:29

25:29

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, Douglas Wilson, principal of Avondale High School in Michigan, shares insights into his leadership philosophy focused on continuous improvement, collaboration, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity. He highlights the school's diversity and commitment to equitable education for all studen…

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Equity, Differentiation, & Generative AI | Dr. Andy Shean 28:10

2d ago28:10

28:10

In this episode of the Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, Andy Shean, Chief Learning Officer at Penn Foster Group, shares his personal journey from situational poverty to education leadership and underscores the transformative power of education. Shean describes his work at Penn Foster Group, a radically affordable, direct-to-career institution serving 3…

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Design Thinking, Independent Learning, Human‑Centered Education | Dr. Sabba Quidwai 28:37

7d ago28:37

28:37

In this episode of The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO and founder of Designing Schools, shares how her journey from graduating during a recession to becoming a leader in design thinking and educational innovation has shaped her belief in empowering students and educators with the mindsets and skills to adapt in a rapidly evolvi…

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Reflection, Student Voice, Transformational Leadership | Dr. Jeremy Owoh 27:04

9d ago27:04

27:04

In this episode of The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Dr. Jeremy Owoh, Superintendent of Jacksonville North Pulaski School District in Arkansas, about his journey as an educator, the district’s unique history, and his reflective leadership approach. Dr. Owoh shares how the community built a new district from the gr…

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Amy Dujon | Empowerment, Authenticity, Community 28:32

14d ago28:32

28:32

In this lively and candid episode, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Amy Dujon, VP of Education for Community Edu, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in educational leadership. Amy shares her personal journey—highlighting resilience formed from early adversity and her commitment to leading with empathy and radical honesty. Tog…

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Dr. Neil Gupta | Community Engagement, Leadership, Collaborative Vision 28:43

16d ago28:43

28:43

In her podcast interview with Dr. Neil Gupta, Superintendent of Oakwood City Schools, Hayley Spira-Bauer explores Dr. Gupta’s relationship-driven approach to leadership, highlighting his commitment to listening, community engagement, and collaborative vision-building. Together, they discuss how meaningful, lasting change—like developing coordinated…

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Dr. Baron Davis | Collaboration, Student Voice. Education Innovation 28:53

21d ago28:53

28:53

Dr. Barron Davis, Senior Advisor at Digital Promise, returns to "The Learning Can't Wait" podcast to share his work building the Collaborative Innovation Studio—a national initiative empowering communities to co-create solutions to persistent educational challenges. He and host Hayley Spira-Bauer discuss authentic partnership, the value of centerin…

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Chéla Wallace | STEM Equity, Girls’ Education, Innovation 27:39

28d ago27:39

27:39

Chéla Wallace’s journey from science teacher to school founder is shaped by family adversity, a passion for STEM equity, and a drive to revolutionize girls’ education. Through candid reflection on her career pivots and the mentors who helped along the way, Chéla shares her plans for a new K-8 STEAM school in Greensboro focused on social justice, in…

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Dr. Kiesha King | Digital Equity, Student Agency. EdTech Innovation 32:12

1M ago32:12

32:12

This podcast episode features Dr. Kiesha King discussing her innovative approach to education, from her early adoption of technology in the classroom to her current leadership at T-Mobile, where she champions digital equity through initiatives like Project 10 Million. The conversation covers the importance of creativity, student agency, and inclusi…

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Season 8 Wrap Episode 11:05

2M ago11:05

11:05

Season 8 ends with a bang. Check out this highlight episode covering the incredible guests and conversations that made this season our best one yet.By Fullmind

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What If School Made You Love Yourself? Sonn Sam Rethinks Learning from the Ground Up 1:12:37

2M ago1:12:37

1:12:37

This week on AmpED to 11, Brett shares the mic with Sonn Sam, keynote speaker, equity champion, and national director at Big Picture Learning—for a raw, reflective, and radically human conversation about what happens when we stop asking, “Are you smart?” and start asking, “What are you passionate about?” Sonn’s journey begins as a square peg in a r…

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AI, Leadership, & Tech | Dr. Kusum Sinha, Matt Gaven, Dr. Jared Bloom 41:01

2M ago41:01

41:01

In this special episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, three visionary Long Island superintendents—Dr. Kusum Sinha, Matt Gaven, and Dr. Jared Bloom—reveal how they’re leading the charge to integrate artificial intelligence in their schools. Through candid conversation, they share practical strategies, ethical considerations, and the power of c…

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From Free Lessons to Strategic AI: Matthew Kennard on BetterLesson’s Evolution 10:07

2M ago10:07

10:07

What happens when you mix AI’s cutting-edge potential with a human-centered mission to radically improve teaching and learning? You get BetterLesson—and you get this conversation. In this special episode of AmpED to 11, Brett Roer sits down with Matthew Kennard, CEO of BetterLesson, to unpack how his team is transforming professional learning and i…

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Sheridan Hotung | Dyslexia, Intervention Equity 26:19

2M ago26:19

26:19

In this powerful episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, certified academic language therapist Sheridan Hotung shares her deeply personal journey from luxury branding to literacy advocacy, revealing how her struggle to help her own children learn to read led her to develop accessible, research-based tools that are transforming lives in classroo…

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Jennifer Schwab | Workforce Development, Mentoring, Upskill 28:26

2M ago28:26

28:26

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, Jennifer Schwab, CEO and founder of ENTITY Academy, shares her inspiring journey as a female entrepreneur determined to close the gender gap in business and tech. From her early career struggles without female mentors to building a social impact company that empowers women through mentorship, upsk…

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Adrienne Emerson | Technology, STEM, Robotics 24:03

2M ago24:03

24:03

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, Adrienne Emerson, a passionate STEM educator and implementation specialist at Sphero, shares her journey from a curious high school student to a leader in robotics education. Adrienne discusses how hands-on learning, accessible technology, and relationship-building can transform student engagement…

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Beyond Productivity: Matt Winters on Building Inclusive, Data-First AI Systems in Education 49:54

2M ago49:54

49:54

What if your state had one person responsible for AI in education—and that person asked more questions than they answered? Meet Matthew Winters, the Utah State Board of Education’s first (and only) AI Specialist. In this episode, Brett and Rebecca sit down with the Renaissance Man of AI to explore what it means to be a thoughtful, scrappy, system-l…

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Eddie Blass | Personalization, Systemic Change, & Agency 31:05

2M ago31:05

31:05

In this episode, Dr. Eddie Blass, founder and CEO of Inventorium, shares her personal and professional journey from a disengaged student in London to an educational innovator in Australia. She reflects on her experiences with privilege and the shortcomings of traditional education systems, particularly their inability to serve students who don’t fi…

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Kathryn Starke | Literacy, Engagement, & Teacher Autonomy 26:25

2M ago26:25

26:25

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, national literacy consultant Kathryn Starke shares her journey from a childhood surrounded by teachers to becoming a passionate advocate for literacy education. Starke discusses the importance of matching children with books that interest them, the ongoing debates around literacy instruction and t…

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Sunil Gunderia | Scaling EdTech 28:15

3M ago28:15

28:15

In this episode, Sunil Gunderia, Chief Innovation Officer at Age of Learning, shares his remarkable journey from first-generation immigrant and CPA to leading educational innovation at one of the most influential edtech companies. Sunil reveals how his finance and consulting background fueled his passion for problem-solving and systems change, ulti…

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Mike Gonzalez, Mike Marrone, & Mike Felton | Lessons in Leadership 38:55

3M ago38:55

38:55

This podcast episode features three educational leaders—Mike Felton, superintendent of St. George Municipal School Unit; Michael Marrone, president of Liguori Academy; and Mike Gonzalez, executive director of the Rural School Innovation Zone—who connected through the Yaas Prize, an education award recognizing innovative and community-rooted work. E…

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Let AI Do the Boring Stuff: Jeremy Shorr on Amplifying Humanity in Education 58:29

3M ago58:29

58:29

What if the problem with edtech isn’t the tech at all… but the way we use it? This week on AmpED to 11, we dive into the wild, weird, and wonderfully human world of AI in education with the irreverent and insightful Jeremy Shorr—a self-described “dancing monkey” who’s shaping the future of learning through innovation, STEM ecosystem building, and b…

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Tony Hemingway | Lessons in Leadership: Make something out of yourself 24:44

3M ago24:44

24:44

In this episode of the "Learning Can't Wait" podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer interviews Dr. Tony Hemingway, superintendent of Fairfield One, about his journey from a student who once failed 11th grade English to leading a school district and writing a book titled "Make Something Out of Yourself." Dr. Hemingway credits pivotal mentors, including a …

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Nic Starr | AI Bingo 25:15

3M ago25:15

25:15

In this episode of the "Learning Can't Wait" podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer reconnects with her former Teach for America colleague, Nick Starr, now an education customer success manager at Adobe. Starr shares her career journey, emphasizing the importance of risk-taking and adaptability as she moved from teaching and administration into education…

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Nick Gross | Career Pathways, Discovery, & Future-Ready Education 27:57

3M ago27:57

27:57

Nick Gross, originally a musician who signed his first record deal at 17, founded Find Your Grind after realizing the transformative power of self-discovery and pursuing passions. Inspired by a graffiti message and his experiences running a recording studio, Gross launched Find Your Grind to help young people explore diverse, nontraditional career …

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Dan Meyer | EdTech, Healthy Skepticism, & Technology 28:52

3M ago28:52

28:52

Dan Meyer, a math educator and EdTech leader, shares how his unconventional path—from being homeschooled to teaching reluctant algebra students—shaped his mission to make math classrooms more creative, social, and engaging for all students. He critiques the current use of technology and AI in education, arguing that most tools isolate students and …

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Rethinking AI’s Role in Teaching: Merissa Sadler-Holder on Time, Trust, and Transformation 41:31

3M ago41:31

41:31

What if the most powerful shift AI offers teachers isn’t complex tech—but a single clarifying question? This week on AmpED to 11, we sit down with Merissa Sadler-Holder, a nationally recognized educator turned AI trailblazer working with schools across the U.S. to not just integrate AI tools, but to redesign what’s possible in classrooms. Founder o…

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Dacia Toll | Ed Reform, Equity, & AI 35:53

3M ago35:53

35:53

Dacia Toll recounts her journey from aspiring civil rights lawyer to founding the Achievement First charter school network, driven by a passion for equity and impact in education. She explains how her experience scaling high-performing schools led to co-founding CourseMojo, an edtech company focused on embedding AI-powered, curriculum-aligned teach…

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Diego Arambula | Education, Transformation, & Design 39:23

3M ago39:23

39:23

Diego Arambula, Vice President for Educational Transformation at the Carnegie Foundation, shares how his upbringing in Fresno and his parents’ commitment to community improvement shaped his mission to transform education so that both students and teachers feel engaged, supported, and prepared for real-world challenges. He critiques the outdated arc…

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Jen Womble | Technology, Education, and Conferences 36:25

4M ago36:25

36:25

In the episode, Jen dives into the urgent challenges facing schools-like the national teacher and leadership shortage-and shares her vision for transforming education through community, storytelling, and actionable innovation. She emphasizes the need to change the narrative around teaching, celebrate its impact, and ensure that professional learnin…

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Curtis Valentine | Teacher Shortage, Leadership, and Passion 36:27

4M ago36:27

36:27

From a young man who grew up with a stutter to founding a movement that's empowered thousands of male educators, Curtis Valentine's story reveals how community can transform both individuals and education.By Fullmind

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The Teacher in a Suit Taking AI to the Streets: A Conversation with Winston Roberts 51:34

4M ago51:34

51:34

Winston Roberts is raising a toddler and watching ChatGPT grow up—literally at the same time. As “Teacher in a Suit,” he’s bringing AI into classrooms not as a gimmick, but as a real tool for student agency, equity, and future-readiness. In this episode, Brett and Rebecca dig into Winston’s origin story, his viral PD sessions that leave teachers sh…

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Nancy Livingston | Summer Learning, Teacher Development, & Equity 26:09

4M ago26:09

26:09

The interview with Nancy Livingston, CEO of the National Summer School Initiative (NSSI), explores how their 5-week summer programs prevent learning loss while simultaneously developing teachers' skills through high-quality curriculum and mentorship from exceptional educators. Livingston emphasizes that summer school programs are cost-effective, sc…

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Dr. Iheoma Iruka | Early Childhood, Curriculum, & Equity 26:12

4M ago26:12

26:12

Dr. Iheoma Iruka discusses her work with the National Academies developing a new vision for pre-K curriculum that better serves all children, especially those historically underserved, including Black and Latino children, multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and those living in poverty. The interview highlights the importance of rejec…

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Nicola Soares | Teacher Shortage, Staffing, & Talent Supply Chain 28:08

4M ago28:08

28:08

This podcast episode features a conversation between Hayley Spira-Bauer and Nicola "Nikki" Soares, president of Kelly Education. Nikki, who began her career as a social studies teacher before moving into academic publishing and eventually leading Kelly Education, discusses the challenges facing education staffing today. She highlights the teacher s…

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Michelle Culver | AI, Deep Learning, & Human Connection 34:30

4M ago34:30

34:30

Michelle Culver, founder of the Rhythm Project and former Teach for America leader, discussed how AI is transforming human relationships, particularly for young people. After noticing that conversations about AI focused on work and education but neglected interpersonal connections, Culver launched the Rhythm Project to bridge this gap. The organiza…

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Building Learner-Centered Futures: A Conversation with Marlon Styles 52:40

4M ago52:40

52:40

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma turn up the volume with Marlon Styles, nationally recognized education leader and founder of Styles Junior, LLC. Marlon shares how AI isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a tool to unlock creativity, center learning around students, and shape future-ready schools. From real-world storie…

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Season 7 Wrap Up | Education, Funding, & Learning 9:15

4M ago9:15

9:15

🔥 25 episodes. Countless takeaways. One unforgettable season. Season 7 of Learning Can’t Wait covered it all— 🎮 Esports 🏫 Absenteeism 💰 Federal funding 🎙️ And a lineup of guests who blew us away.By Fullmind

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Shannon Cox | Leadership, Innovation, & Inspiration 34:40

4M ago34:40

34:40

This is one of those episodes you feel as much as you hear. Shannon Cox’s dream of becoming a fighter pilot was derailed by a stroke in high school—but what followed is a remarkable story of purpose, resilience, and transformational leadership in education. From flying a Blue Angel jet to redesigning how we think about absenteeism, future self-visi…

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Dr. Jennifer Garrison | Career-connected Learning, Trade School, Work-life Balance 25:05

4M ago25:05

25:05

Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Garrison joins host Hayley Spira-Bauer to share how her rural Illinois district is transforming education through career-connected learning and athletics. From skilled trade pathways to building resilience through sports, Dr. Garrison highlights the power of community partnerships, student-centered opportunities, and mod…

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Bryan Hassel + Kendall King | Public Impact, Opportunity Culture, Multi-classroom Leadership 31:09

5M ago31:09

31:09

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Bryan Hassel and Kendall King of Public Impact to explore how innovative staffing models—like the Opportunity Culture initiative—are transforming schools across the country. They dive into the power of multi-classroom leadership, sustainable funding strategies for founda…

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If Education Stays the Same, We’ve Failed: A Conversation with Alana Winnick 54:12

5M ago54:12

54:12

AI isn’t just reshaping education—it’s calling the whole system into question. Are we using it to spark innovation and amplify student voices, or just speeding up the same tired assignments we've been recycling for decades? In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with Alana Winnick—EdTech Director, podcast host…

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Scott Anderberg | Moodle, AI in Education, Learning Management Systems 27:41

5M ago27:41

27:41

Join Hayley Spira-Bauer, host of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, as she sits down with Scott Anderberg, Chief Operating Officer at Moodle, to discuss the future of learning management systems. Scott shares how Moodle is integrating AI while staying true to its open-source philosophy and commitment to equity. From AI-powered tools to small but impa…

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Mary Jo Fairhead | Onward Learning, Rural Education, Student-Centered Learning 25:07

5M ago25:07

25:07

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, we sit down with Mary Jo Fairhead, Founder and Director of Onward Learning, to explore the unique strengths of rural education and the importance of redefining student success. Mary Jo shares how small, tight-knit communities foster deep collaboration and resourcefulness, creating learning environments where …

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Jeff Livingston | School Funding, Equity in Education, Rural Education, E-Rate Funding 40:10

5M ago40:10

40:10

In this impactful episode of The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with education thought leader Jeff Livingston about the urgent challenges shaping the future of learning. From the looming threat to the E-Rate program, which ensures broadband access for schools and libraries, to the broader funding uncertainties that coul…

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Jodie Buenning | E-Rate Program, Digital Equity, EdTech Advocacy 22:48

5M ago22:48

22:48

What happens if schools lose access to critical funding for internet and network infrastructure? In this timely episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Jodie Buenning, a communications and policy expert, to break down what the E-Rate program is, why it’s vital to public education, and what’s at stake as a Supreme Court …

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AI, Equity, and Why Ethics Matter More Than Ever with Ken Shelton 1:02:40

5M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

AI promises to revolutionize education—but are we ready to face the tough ethical questions it raises? In this unmissable episode of AmpED to 11, Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with international keynote speaker and education visionary Ken Shelton for a real, raw conversation about equity, ethics, and AI in education. Ken pulls back the cu…

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PJ Caposey | School Funding, Rural Education, ESSER Funding, Superintendent Shortage 27:08

5M ago27:08

27:08

Superintendent PJ Caposey returns to The Learning Can't Wait podcast for a fast-paced, eye-opening mini series episode about the complex—and often misunderstood—realities of school funding. In this episode, PJ and host Hayley Spira-Bauer dive into how districts are creatively generating revenue, the lasting impacts (and limitations) of ESSER spendi…

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Rita Ferrandino | Arc Capital Development, Federal Education Funding, EdTech Innovation 34:07

5M ago34:07

34:07

In this funding mini series episode of Learning Can’t Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Rita Ferrandino—founder of Arc Capital Development, education investor, and innovation consultant at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Rita shares her insights on how research, funding, and innovation intersect in today’s EdTec…