Best High Tech High Unboxed Podcasts (2025)

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S7E1 - Postcards, Home Visits, and Public Sliming: How Hamiltion Elementary Cut its Chronic Absenteeism Rate in Half in One Year 52:37

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2d ago52:37

52:37

Episode Notes In this episode, Alec Patton talks to Hamilton Elementary Dr. Brittany Daley and San Diego County Office of Education Executive Leadership Coach Julia Bridi about how Hamilton cut its chronic absenteeism rate from 24% to 10% in a single year, using creative parent communication, home visits, data checks, and public sliming See photos …

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281. Generational Learning Shifts with Jeff Utecht 34:02

3d ago34:02

34:02

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, I’m joined by Jeff Utecht, co-host of the Shifting Schools podcast and a consultant focused on generational change and AI in education. We explore how different generations—Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and even Gen Alpha—bring unique values and expectations to both learning and work, and why understa…

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BONUS. Changing the Education Ecosystem with Byron Sanders 41:32

10d ago41:32

41:32

Welcome to our special series where we’ll explore four learning sites that are part of the Education Reimagined Ecosystem Lab. Usually, we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine past episodes and big conversations. The traditional educational ecosystem is not built to reflect kids’ lived experiences and development. It …

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BONUS. Building Students and Staff Agency with Johnna Noll 33:48

17d ago33:48

33:48

Welcome to our special series where we’ll explore four learning sites that are part of the Education Reimagined Ecosystem Lab. Usually, we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine past episodes and big conversations. In 2015, Norris School District came to Johnna Noll with a learner-centered educational consultant’s dream…

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BONUS. Relationship as the Basis of Education with Jim Bailey of Rocky Tree Sky 38:15

24d ago38:15

38:15

Welcome to our special series where we’ll explore four learning sites that are part of the Education Reimagined Ecosystem Lab. Usually, we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine past episodes and big conversations. The most important thing adults can provide young people in their learning journey is a caring relationshi…

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BONUS. Supporting Individual Interests and Strengths with Steve Heath 34:11

1M ago34:11

34:11

Welcome to our special series where we’ll explore four learning sites that are part of the Education Reimagined Ecosystem Lab. Usually, we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine past episodes and big conversations. Steve Heath calls himself a “professional confuser.” In a world where kids are defined by grades, test sco…

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280. Internships & Student Agency with Aya Belouadah 28:06

1M ago28:06

28:06

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore the transformative power of internships with Aya Belouadah, a college student at The Ohio State University and PAST Foundation Intern. Aya shares her journey from early high school internships to her current college experiences, highlighting how hands-on opportunities have shaped her approach to learn…

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S6E28 - Partners in School Innovation CEO Derek Mitchell's Daily Reading Rituals 13:18

1M ago13:18

13:18

Episode Notes Alec Patton talks to Derek Mitchell, CEO of Partners in School Innovation, about his daily reading rituals.Mentioned in the episode: Arnold R. Hirsch, Making the Second Ghetto Martin Gilbert, Churchill and the Jews Jeanie Daniel Duck, The Change Monster Sheldon Eakins, Leading Equity Brian McClellan, The Powder Mage Trilogy (strictly …

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279. Science Storytelling for Kids with Marshall Escamilla 33:15

2M ago33:15

33:15

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we welcome Marshall Escamilla, co-host and music creator for the Tumble Podcast, a show that brings the wonders of science directly to kids and families. Marshall shares how Tumble was born out of a desire to make science accessible, fun, and genuinely engaging—not just for future scientists, but for every curio…

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278. Digital Citizenship & Leadership with Dr. Lisa Strohman 31:37

2M ago31:37

31:37

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Dr. Lisa Strohman, founder of Digital Citizen Academy and author of Unplugged: Raising Kids in a Technology Addicted World and Digital Distress: Growing Up Online. Dr. Strohman brings a wealth of expertise as a clinical psychologist, sharing her journey from hands-on clinical practice to building…

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S6E27 - Tiny Ornithologists: How a Bird Family Sparked a Year-Long Study 19:28

2M ago19:28

19:28

Episode Notes In this episode, Alec Patton talks to Maria Curtis, director of the Early Childhood Center at La Jolla Country Day School, in California, and Junior Kindergarten teacher Kristin Owen, about how they turned the discovery of a mud nest being built outside a classroom into a year-long project. You can see photos from the project, includi…

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277. Student-Centered High School Transformation with Steven Sell 33:42

2M ago33:42

33:42

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we sit down with Steven Sell, Assistant Director at MAP Academy, an alternative charter high school in Plymouth, Massachusetts. MAP Academy’s mission is to serve students who haven’t found success in traditional schools by offering a personalized, student-centered approach with strong academic, social, and emoti…

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S6E26 - How to Package a Process, with Bedtime in a Box 36:35

2M ago36:35

36:35

Episode Notes Sofía Tannenhaus talks to Jarrod Bolte, CEO of both Improving Education and Bedtime in a Box, a nonprofit that provides families with boxes containing everything you need for a positive bedtime routine. Each Box contains four age-appropriate books; bath wash, a towel, and bath toys; a toothbrush and toothpaste; pajamas; a stuffed anim…

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276. Transforming Lives Through Education with David Harris 30:41

2M ago30:41

30:41

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by David Harris, President and CEO of Christel House International, a global nonprofit breaking the cycle of poverty through an 18-year, full-circle education model. Christel House operates nine tuition-free schools across five countries and supports students from early childhood through age 23. Wit…

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S6E25 - Solar for All Schools [guest episode from the Climify podcast] 51:06

2M ago51:06

51:06

Episode Notes This episode comes from the Climify podcast, which is hosted by Eric Benson, and produced by the Climate Designers Network. Benson interviews Tish Tablan, senior program director at Generation 180, about how going solar can benefit schools' budgets and provide opportunities for PBL, as well as helping us all thrive as we face an unpre…

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BONUS. Learner-Centered Schools in Every State with Sonn Sam 33:52

2M ago33:52

33:52

Welcome to a bonus edition of Learning Unboxed, where we will spend two weeks revisiting innovative case studies of student-centered learning. We know that the one-size-fits-all sit-and-get strategy is not the most effective for students. Join us in moving to a system that deeply values the individual. Tune in to get inspired and walk away with too…

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S6E24 - Improving College Transfer Enrollment with NASH's Juliette Price 46:59

3M ago46:59

46:59

Episode Notes Alec Patton talks to Juliette Price, the senior Improvement Science coach at the National Association of Higher Education Systems, about how their Network Improvement Community has achieved its remarkable results on transfer enrollments from two-year to four-year colleges. You know you want to try it: David Williams’s Mr. Potato Head …

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BONUS. Institute for Self Directed Learning with Tyler Thigpen 34:16

3M ago34:16

34:16

Welcome to a bonus edition of Learning Unboxed, where we will spend two weeks revisiting innovative case studies of student-centered learning. We know that the one-size-fits-all sit-and-get strategy is not the most effective for students. Join us in moving to a system that deeply values the individual. Tune in to get inspired and walk away with too…

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S6E23 - Okorie Johnson (OkCello): music and education are all about conversation 47:02

3M ago47:02

47:02

Episode Notes Ben Krueger talks to cellist, composer, and teacher Okorie Johnson, who performs as OkCello, about music, teaching, and community. And, appropriately, they talk about how all three of those are, themselves, a form of conversation. OkCello Website Learn more about the PBL Leadership Academy…

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S6E20 - Anthropology for Kids, with Nika Dubrovsky 25:14

3M ago25:14

25:14

Episode Notes Alec talks to Nika Dubrovsky about Anthropology for Kids, a project she started with her husband, anthropologist David Graeber. Referenced in this Episode: Anthopology for Kids Cities Made Differently by David Graeber and Nika Dubrovsky The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow David Graeber on the Charlie Rose Show De…

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275. Playful Learning with Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor 34:49

3M ago34:49

34:49

We’re diving into the joy and purpose of play in this episode of Learning Unboxed with Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor, director of Dr. Diane’s Adventures of Learning. Diane brings a powerful message about the deep connections between literacy, creativity, and hands-on exploration—reminding us that learning through play isn’t just for preschoolers, it’s …

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S6E22 - The Big Power of Small Changes, with RISE 25:12

3M ago25:12

25:12

Episode Notes Alec talks to Linzi Golding, Erin Asselin, and Melanie Gonzalez about keeping things simple, celebrating small changes, smart ways to share data with schools, and how to recognize and celebrate effort, even when it doesn’t lead to the outcomes we were hoping for. To see an example of a driver diagram (and get a transcript for this epi…

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274. Innovative Urban Learning with Kalimah Fergus Ayele 34:11

3M ago34:11

34:11

What if your city was your classroom? In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we meet Kalimah Fergus Ayele, Head of the New York City campus of The Winchendon School, a high school program that reimagines education through experiential learning and citywide engagement. Kalimah shares the origins of this innovative school model and the intentional desi…

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S6E21 - The Student Voice Revolution: How Teach Plus is Transforming Math Instruction 27:00

3M ago27:00

27:00

Episode Notes Alec talks to Cary Sabados (national director of teacher leadership development at Teach Plus) and Morgan Hython (fourth grade math and science teacher at Piccolo School of Excellence, a public preK-to-8 school in Chicago) about their work in the Teach Plus Network for School Improvement. Learn more about Teach Plus Learn more about t…

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273. Summer Learning Through Outdoor Joy with Lisa Gitelson 29:57

3M ago29:57

29:57

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore the powerful intersection of summer camp and education with Lisa Gitelson, CEO of the Fresh Air Fund. With over 148 years of impact, the Fresh Air Fund offers low-income youth from New York City transformative summer experiences—think swimming, hiking, stargazing, and leadership training—all designed …

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S6E19 - Liberating Learning One District at a Time 1:20:36

4M ago1:20:36

1:20:36

Episode Notes Stacey Caillier talks to Michelle Pledger and David Montes de Oca about the ways that school districts are using Michelle's book, "Liberate: Pocket-Sized Paradigms for Liberatory Learning" You can find Michelle's book, and Montes's study guide, here You can find Michelle's podcast, Unapologetic and Uninterrupted, here…

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272. Reimagining EdTech and Data with Chris Hull 31:26

4M ago31:26

31:26

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we dive into the transformative power of data in education with Chris Hull, former educator and co-founder of Otus. Otus is a K-12 assessment and data insights platform designed to centralize the many fragmented tools educators use and provide actionable data to drive student success. Chris brings a deep underst…

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S6E17 - Dr. Heather Michel on How to Take Care of Yourself as a Teacher, Even When It Seems Impossible 42:36

4M ago42:36

42:36

Episode Notes If you want to try a body scan, try this 11-minute guided body scan by meditation teacher Tara Brach. You can find journal prompts and affirmations on the Teachers of Color Matter website, here. Learn more about the Deeper Learning Conference.

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271. Transforming Education Through Teaming with Nick Salmon, Mar Cano Mesa, and Erin O’Reilly 33:04

4M ago33:04

33:04

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're joined by Nick Salmon, Mar Cano Mesa, and Erin O’Reilly, co-authors of TeamEd, a transformative guide to collaboration in education. Together, they share the story behind their international partnership and their deeply rooted belief that teaming—at every level of the education ecosystem—is essential to bu…

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S6E16 - Molodi's Jason Nious on Stepping, Body Percussion, and Connecting with Students 28:44

4M ago28:44

28:44

Episode Notes Learn more about Molodi Learn more about the Deeper Learning Conference

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270. Revolutionizing Math Education with Dr. Aditya Nagrath 30:13

4M ago30:13

30:13

Math anxiety holds many students back, but what if we could change the way they experience mathematics? In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we sit down with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy, to explore how his innovative approach helps students master years of math in just a few months—using only 10 minutes a da…

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S6E15 - Schools Can Get Better At Unleashing Student Potential (with Ron Berger and friends) 1:06:40

4M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Episode Notes In this special live episode from the 2025 Deeper Learning Conference, educator Ron Berger talks to two Japanese educators and their two brilliant children, who have experienced education across cultures in Japan, the United States, and Europe.

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269. AI as a Positive Disruptor in Education with Jose Moreno 33:12

4M ago33:12

33:12

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing education with Jose Moreno, founder and CEO of Neulight. Jose's company is at the forefront of using AI to empower educators through their innovative product, IntelliTier, which helps schools implement personalized student support systems with data-driven…

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S6E14 - Improvement in Action: Leveraging Data Routines for 9th Grade On-Track Results 48:32

4M ago48:32

48:32

Episode Notes In this episode, Alec talks to Nichelle Woodson, the Chief of Network Success at RISE Eileen Mezzo, an Assistant Principal at Naugatuck High School in Connecticut. They talk about how the RISE Network has achieved remarkable gains in ninth-grade on track rates (for example, on-track for Black students has risen by 27 percentage points…

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268. Jazz Lab & STEM with Stephanie Matthews 29:46

5M ago29:46

29:46

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore the transformative power of jazz in education with Stephanie Matthews, Executive Director of A Tribe for Jazz. Stephanie has pioneered Jazz Lab, an innovative pilot program that integrates jazz with STEM education to foster creativity, collaboration, and emotional wellness in students. Backed by the B…

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S6E13 - Building dog houses (and cat condos!) for adopted pets with fifth graders

5M ago

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Episode Notes Read Jeff Govoni's article for Unboxed, about this (and other) projects, "Deconstructing Construction Projects" For more ideas about assessing projects, check out our episode with physics teacher Ted Cuevas, "How to Assess Students like Scouts" Read Ron Berger's thoughts on Models of Excellence…

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267. Empowering Kids: Rethinking Grades and Stress with Ned Johnson 33:57

5M ago33:57

33:57

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we sit down with Ned Johnson, co-author of “The Self-Driven Child” and “What Do You Say?”. Ned’s unique blend of experience as a successful academic tutor and a dedicated advocate for student autonomy helps us explore how control and agency shape a child’s mental health and intrinsic motivation. We discuss why a…

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266. Leading with Paws: Empowering Students Through Unconventional Support with Kim Wilson 31:51

5M ago31:51

31:51

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore how Ferris, a facility dog at Upper Arlington High School, is transforming inclusion and leadership for students with disabilities. Kim Wilson, an Intervention Specialist, shares how Ferris fosters connections, encourages student leadership, and enhances the school community in ways beyond traditional…

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S6E12 - How One District Improved On-track by Shifting Their System Towards More Student-centered Practices 30:00

5M ago30:00

30:00

Episode Notes Check out the Institute For Learning’s Vision of Collaborative Work! Here’s what Sara DeMartino says about it: “While the driver diagram was helpful in thinking through the theory of change, we found teachers and leaders, more than anything, wanted to know the role that they played in that theory and the role other members of the syst…

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265. Redefining Student Success: The Portrait of a Graduate Movement with Shannon King 31:19

5M ago31:19

31:19

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we dive into the transformative power of the Portrait of a Graduate with Shannon King, Chief Learning Officer at Battelle for Kids. This initiative is reshaping how schools define student success, moving beyond grades and test scores to include durable skills like communication, collaboration, and critical think…

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264. Building a Better School System: The Vision for a Common Global Diploma with Carmela Fleury 34:38

5M ago34:38

34:38

What if education worked for every child, no matter where they lived or how they learned? In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we welcome Carmela Fleury, the creator of the Global Education Meetup Retreat and host of the Global Nomad Parent Podcast. Carmela is on a mission to reimagine education on a global scale with the launch of the Common Globa…

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S6E11 - A Story of Butterflies, Regeneration, and Hope 39:51

6M ago39:51

39:51

Episode Notes Check out this video about the sIlvery blue/Xerces blue surrogacy project! The Silvery Blue/Xerces surrogacy project began with the ideas of Robert Michael Pyle, and have since included many partners. These include Robert Michael Pyle's Xerces Society, Creekside Science, and Revive and Restore. Durrell Kapan wanted to take the op…

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263. Designing with Kids, Not for Kids with Dave Hersh 32:54

6M ago32:54

32:54

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Dave Hersh, the CEO of InTandem, a groundbreaking organization connecting youth voices with industries to improve products, programs, and services. Dave’s work centers on reducing the barriers that prevent young people from participating in the design of the very systems and tools that impact the…

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262. Reimagining Education: Purpose, Agency, and the PEAK Model with Kapono Ciotti 32:27

6M ago32:27

32:27

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we have the privilege of delving into the personal journey of Kapono Ciotti, CEO of the Pacific American Foundation and co-author of the Landscape Model of Learning. His story, inspired by his parents and his own empowering school experiences, resonates with our shared commitment to reimagining education as a sp…

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S6E10 - Tackling Chronic Absenteeism by Asking Students What They Need 42:08

6M ago42:08

42:08

Episode Notes Community Design Partners’ library of Student-Powered Improvement resources In his work, Casey drew particularly on this guide: Building Student-Powered Classrooms Brandi Hinnant-Crawford, “What Improvers Can Learn from Civil Rights Organizers”

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261. Gamifying Life Skills: How CoLab is Transforming Education with Play with Alan Tang 32:33

6M ago32:33

32:33

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Alan Tang, co-founder of Collaboration Laboratory (CoLab), an award-winning online program that teaches kids life skills through immersive, game-based learning. CoLab combines elements of Pokemon and Sherlock Holmes, using interactive challenges to help kids develop confidence, leadership, and cr…

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S6E9 - How to collaborate on a mural with 200 elementary-schoolers, with Scarlett Baily 48:59

6M ago48:59

48:59

Episode Notes Check out a photo gallery of Scarlett's murals here Scarlett Baily's website Kumeyaay Community College Website

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260. Latest Trends in Education Doctoral Research with Maggie Broderick 31:43

6M ago31:43

31:43

Dr. Maggie Broderick is the Dissertation Chair in the Department of Teacher Education at National University. National University has doctoral students all over the world and credentials the most PK-12 teachers in the state of California. Because of her position, Maggie has an incredible view of the latest research in teacher education. Today, she …

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259. Root Causes of Chronic Absenteeism with Amber Humm Patnode 33:09

7M ago33:09

33:09

Amber Humm Patnode has spent over a decade researching the root causes of chronic absenteeism and how to address them effectively. She joins us today to explain what the data shows. Amber is the Acting Director of the Proving Ground program, part of Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research. She helps school districts assess the dat…

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258. Math Class as Computer Science Class with Chris Orban 28:54

7M ago28:54

28:54

What if instead of pushing every high schooler into Algebra 2, we let them choose a math route that focused more on data science and computers? That’s what Chris Orban and the Math Pathways project are working to make happen in the state of Ohio. On the show today, Chris describes how he’s helping increase access to computer science education for k…