The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast is your view into how changemakers are driving innovation in the field of education. Each week we interview leaders who are challenging the status quo at a time when it is absolutely necessary to rebuild the system for our students. Podcast Powered by Fullmind
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Equity, Differentiation, & Generative AI | Dr. Andy Shean
28:10
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28:10In 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
28:37
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28:37In 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
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27:04In 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
28:32
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28:32In 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
28:43
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28:43In 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
28:53
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28:53Dr. 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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Merissa Salder-Holder | EdTech Teacher Voice. AI in Education
30:27
30:27
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30:27AI 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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Chéla Wallace | STEM Equity, Girls’ Education, Innovation
27:39
27:39
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27:39Chéla 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
32:12
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32:12This 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 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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AI, Leadership, & Tech | Dr. Kusum Sinha, Matt Gaven, Dr. Jared Bloom
41:01
41:01
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41:01In 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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Sheridan Hotung | Dyslexia, Intervention Equity
26:19
26:19
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26:19In 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
28:26
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28:26In 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
24:03
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24:03In 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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Eddie Blass | Personalization, Systemic Change, & Agency
31:05
31:05
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31:05In 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
26:25
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26:25In 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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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
38:55
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38:55This 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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Tony Hemingway | Lessons in Leadership: Make something out of yourself
24:44
24:44
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24:44In 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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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
27:57
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27:57Nick 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
28:52
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28:52Dan 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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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
39:23
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39:23Diego 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
36:25
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36:25In 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
36:27
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36:27From 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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Nancy Livingston | Summer Learning, Teacher Development, & Equity
26:09
26:09
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26:09The 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
26:12
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26:12Dr. 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
28:08
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28:08This 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
34:30
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34:30Michelle 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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Season 7 Wrap Up | Education, Funding, & Learning
9:15
9:15
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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
34:40
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34:40This 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
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25:05Superintendent 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
31:09
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31:09In 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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Scott Anderberg | Moodle, AI in Education, Learning Management Systems
27:41
27:41
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27:41Join 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
25:07
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25:07In 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
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40:10In 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
22:48
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22:48What 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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PJ Caposey | School Funding, Rural Education, ESSER Funding, Superintendent Shortage
27:08
27:08
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27:08Superintendent 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
34:07
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34:07In 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…
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Peter Relan | MathGPT, AI in Education, Equity in Math Education
34:47
34:47
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34:47In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Peter Relan, chairman of MathGPT, to explore how AI-powered tools are transforming math education. Peter discusses how AI can alleviate the burden on educators by automating course management, generating assignments and quizzes, and providing Socratic-style tutoring that…
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Louise Baigelman | Storyshares, Literacy Engagement, Struggling Readers, High-Interest Books
22:39
22:39
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22:39In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Louise Baigelman, Founder and CEO of Storyshares, to explore how educators can engage struggling readers through high-interest, age-appropriate content. Louise shares how Story Shares collaborates with teachers at every stage of content development, using direct classroo…
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Malvika Bhagwat | Owl Ventures, EdTech Outcomes, Education Efficacy
32:55
32:55
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32:55In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, we sit down with Malvika Bhagwat, Partner and Head of Outcomes at Owl Ventures, to dive deep into the evolving landscape of EdTech efficacy and research. Malvika challenges the traditional "gold standard" of randomized controlled trials, explaining why more dynamic, iterative approaches are essential for meas…
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Kate Eberle Walker | Presence, Teletherapy for Students, Remote Evaluations
28:27
28:27
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28:27In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Kate Eberle Walker, CEO of Presence, to explore how teletherapy is transforming education. Kate dives into the power of remote evaluations, the importance of early intervention, and how Presence is tackling the nationwide backlog of assessments. We also discuss a game-changin…
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Richard Carranza | IXL Learning, IEPs, Social-Emotional Learning
34:07
34:07
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34:07In this episode of The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer engages in an important conversation with Richard Carranza, a seasoned education leader with a passion for leveraging technology to create more equitable learning experiences. Richard shares his journey from working in the New York City school system to joining IXL Learning…
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Rob Schwartz | AI in Education, Equity in Education, School Leadership Development
30:35
30:35
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30:35How can we better prepare and sustain school leaders, especially those from the communities they serve? In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Rob Schwartz, an experienced education leader, to discuss the evolving landscape of school leadership and the crucial role of equity in education. Rob shares insights …
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Bridget Johnson | Dean's Roundtable, Student Life, School Deans
27:47
27:47
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27:47In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, we sit down with Bridget Johnson, founder of the Dean’s Roundtable, to discuss the evolving role of school deans in student life and support. Often seen as the disciplinarians of a school, deans actually play a critical role in fostering student growth, decision-making skills, and overall well-being. Bridget …
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Julia Fallon | SETDA, EdTech, Education Policy
33:14
33:14
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33:14How can technology drive systemic change in education? In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, we sit down with Julia Fallon, Executive Director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), to explore the evolving role of technology in modernizing schools. Julia shares insights on how policy, infrastructure, and leadership pla…
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Isabelle Hau | Love to Learn, AI in Education, Play in Education
38:04
38:04
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38:04How is technology shaping the way we learn and connect? In this thought-provoking episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with renowned education innovator and author Isabelle Hau to explore the evolving role of AI, relationships, and play in education. Isabelle shares groundbreaking research on AI companions and their imp…
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Chris Aviles + Andrew Abramson | Esports, Gamification in Education, Teamwork, After School Activities
44:46
44:46
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44:46Esports isn’t just about playing video games—it’s about teamwork, leadership, resilience, and real-world skills that can shape a student’s future. In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with esports expert Chris Aviles, founder of Garden State Esports, and Andrew Abramson, a passionate young esports competitor, to…
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