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.

SEASON 5 EPISODE 6

The Forefront of Innovation - with Brett Roer, Jacob Kantor, and Candice Sears

Welcome back to the Learning Can't Wait Podcast! This week, we're excited to present a panel discussion on innovation in education featuring Brett Roer, Jacob Kantor, and Candice Sears.

Tune in as host Hayley Spira-Bauer talks to our respected guests about what makes them hopeful about education today. They'll explore how we can make technology work with, not against, traditional teaching methods. The discussion also covers strategies for encouraging schools to adopt new approaches and why it's important to prioritize student input in innovation decisions.


Previous Episodes

SEASON 5 EPISODE 5

The Totality of Science Teachers: Solar Eclipse Special Episode - with John Dedeaux Davis Jr. and Talia Milgrom-Elcott

Join us today for a special solar eclipse episode of the Learning Can't Wait Podcast! Host Hayley Spira-Bauer dives into the universe of STEM with John Dedeaux Davis Jr., an Education Specialist at NASA's Office of STEM Engagement, and Talia Milgrom-Elcott, the Founder and Executive Director of Beyond100K.

In this captivating discussion, they explore how NASA shares scientific concepts with the public why the solar eclipse is an amazing opportunity to tap into the sense of mystery and wonder all around us. John shares a fascinating project involving tree seeds that traveled to the moon and back, while Talia emphasizes that just as reaching the moon is achievable, so is overcoming the shortage of STEM educators.

Helpful Links:

NASA Universe of Learning Eclipse Resources
Total Solar Eclipse Safety
Find Your Place in Space Week – April 6-13, 2024
Eclipse cloud map

Also mentioned:

PROOF POINTS: How Covid narrowed the STEM pipeline

Join us every Tuesday at fullmindlearning.com/podcast. Next week, we explore the Forefront of Innovation with Brett Roer, Jacob Kantor, and Candice Sears.

From the Classroom to the Workforce - with Chrissybil Boulin
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

From the Classroom to the Workforce - with Chrissybil Boulin

In this week's installment of the Learning Can't Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer engages in a captivating dialogue with Chrissybil Boulin, the visionary force behind Jump Start Tutoring and the CEO of Vero Learning.

Tune in to this enlightening exchange as Chrissybil shares her journey, revealing how a setback—failure to gain admission into her desired college—propelled her into the realm of entrepreneurship, ultimately impacting the lives of countless students. Chrissybil delves into her transformative initiatives, which empower young minds with invaluable career guidance and facilitate seamless job placements. She also explains why a focus on self discovery is essential for kids to understand what they’re good at and what they need to improve.

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Unconventional Teacher Roles - with Dr. Steven Weiner
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Unconventional Teacher Roles - with Dr. Steven Weiner

On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait Podcast Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Senior Research Analyst at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, Dr. Steven Weiner.

Listen to this delightfully nerdy discussion where Steven shares his research on unconventional learning environments and what insights we can gain from them. Hayley and Steven also discuss why they both believe that being a teacher right now means you better be ready for change.

Join us every Tuesday at fullmindlearning.com/podcast. Next week, we talk to Chrissybil Boulin, Founder at Jump Start Tutoring and CEO at Vero Learning.

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Access is Not Optional - with Dr. Asya Johnson
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Access is Not Optional - with Dr. Asya Johnson

Welcome back to Season 5 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! Today, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts an inspiring conversation with Dr. Asya Johnson, Master Principal of Longwood Preparatory Academy.

Listen as Asya describes the profound impact of education on her trajectory and how her past experiences continue to shape her work today. Asya explains her efforts to implement culturally responsive practices and integrate them seamlessly into the school's culture. She also discusses her strategies for boosting enrollment and transforming her school into a college preparatory institution where every student takes AP courses.

Join us every Tuesday at fullmindlearning.com/podcast. Next week we talk to Dr. Steven Weiner, Senior Research Analyst at the Center on Reinventing Public Education.

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Rowing in the Same Boat - with Erin Mote
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Rowing in the Same Boat - with Erin Mote

Season 5 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast has arrived! To kick off our new season, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Erin Mote, Executive Director of Innovate Edu. Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation where Erin describes why she believes that the state of education is our biggest national security crisis.

Erin and Hayley explore how mistakes are part of constantly learning and why technology and AI doesn’t mean we need to lose our human connection. Additionally, Erin shares her work and thoughts about how to share the same infrastructure and standards throughout the education sector.

Join us every Tuesday at fullmindlearning.com/podcast. Next week, we talk to Asya Johnson, Master Principal of Longwood Preparatory Academy.

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Attendance is a Symptom - with Hedy Chang & Malika Elwin (Rebroadcast)
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Attendance is a Symptom - with Hedy Chang & Malika Elwin (Rebroadcast)

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes. 

Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Hedy Chang and Malika Elwin to discuss student attendance. Listen as Hedy and Malika explain why absenteeism is most often a symptom of a much larger picture, and how their work uses data to diagnose problems and take preventative steps.

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Thriving in Education - with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter (Rebroadcast)
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Thriving in Education - with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter (Rebroadcast)

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes.

On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, Founder of Thriving Students Collective. Listen as Rebecca describes how her background in school psychology has informed the work she does to beat burnout in schools. Sharing her 4 Pillars of Thriving, Rebecca also explains why rested, happy minds are more productive.

Rebecca has provided Learning Can’t Wait listeners a free toolkit of 6 simple ways to reduce your daily stress! Check it out at: https://thrivingstudents.com/learningcantwait

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Agitation in Innovation - with Jean-Claude Brizard (Rebroadcast)
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Agitation in Innovation - with Jean-Claude Brizard (Rebroadcast)

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes.

Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Jean-Claude Brizard, President & CEO of Digital Promise to explore innovation in education. Listen as Jean-Claude explains how “controlled meandering” has influenced his path in education, along with his ongoing drive to fight injustice.

Hayley and Jean-Claude explore the benefits of variability when it comes to learning approaches, and Jean-Claude illuminates how digital promise is working to build systems that can help leapfrog some of the challenges we have in front of us.

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Discipline and Balance in School Leadership - with Brett Roer, PJ Caposey & Dr. Dan Cox (Rebroadcast)
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Discipline and Balance in School Leadership - with Brett Roer, PJ Caposey & Dr. Dan Cox (Rebroadcast)

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes.

On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with school leaders Brett Roer, Dr. PJ Caposey, and Dr. Dan Cox to speak about discipline and balance in school leadership.

The group explores how the challenges they've faced in their individual lives have contributed to personal growth and development. They also share their strategies for coping with stress, discuss habits around fitness and wellness, and examine why discipline doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

Read More
Evidence Based Buying and Selling - with Karl Rectanus (Rebroadcast)
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Evidence Based Buying and Selling - with Karl Rectanus (Rebroadcast)

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes.

On today’s episode, host Hayley Spira-Bauer talks to Karl Rectanus, founder of LearnPlatform. Tune in as Karl and Hayley explore how a school’s purse strings affect the classroom, and how education leaders can lean into the realities around funding.

Karl also dives into his 4 successful education innovation programs and how to work through the system to make it more effective for everybody.

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Season 4 Wrap Up
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Season 4 Wrap Up

Season 4 is a wrap!  On this week's episode, we look back to the highlights of this insightful season of Learning Can’t Wait.  Huge thank you to all of our impressive guests for sharing your valuable time and knowledge with us. 

As we take a break, we'll be rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes. Stay tuned for Season 5 launching on March 5th!

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Opportunity Begets Opportunity - with Natalie Arias and Kevin Malonson
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Opportunity Begets Opportunity - with Natalie Arias and Kevin Malonson

Welcome back to the Learning Can't Wait podcast! In today's episode, host Hayley Spira-Bauer engages in a compelling conversation with educators Natalie Arias and Kevin Malonson. The duo takes us on a journey through their personal narratives, sharing the pivotal moments that led them to the field of education.

Delving into their advocacy work with Teach Plus, Natalie and Kevin shed light on the organization's commitment to addressing crucial issues affecting students, teachers, and equity in education.

As we wrap up Season 4, this insightful interview serves as a fitting conclusion to a season filled with thought-provoking discussions. Stay tuned for our upcoming episode, where we'll reflect on the highlights and key takeaways from this season.

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Math is for Everyone- with Dr. Adrian Mims
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Math is for Everyone- with Dr. Adrian Mims

Welcome back to the Learning Can’t Wait podcast!  Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Dr. Adrian Mim, Founder and CEO of The Calculus Project. Listen as Adrian explains how curricula is built around white middle class, and how we can work to close math achievement gaps by promoting and practicing inclusivity. Dr. Mim describes why it is important for students to learn about the mathematical contributions of people of color, and shares some of the philosophy behind The Calculus Project.

Finally, Adrian answers the age-old question of what parents can do when they don’t understand their kids’ math homework.

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Agitation in Innovation - with Jean-Claude Brizard
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Agitation in Innovation - with Jean-Claude Brizard

Welcome back to the Learning Can’t Wait podcast!  Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Jean-Claude Brizard, President & CEO of Digital Promise to explore innovation in education. Listen as Jean-Claude explains how “controlled meandering” has influenced his path in education, along with his ongoing drive to fight injustice.

Hayley and Jean-Claude explore the benefits of variability when it comes to learning approaches, and Jean-Claude illuminates how digital promise is working to build systems that can help leapfrog some of the challenges we have in front of us.

Read More
Thriving in Education - with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Thriving in Education - with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter

On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, Founder of Thriving Students Collective. Listen as Rebecca describes how her background in school psychology has informed the work she does to beat burnout in schools. Sharing her 4 Pillars of Thriving, Rebecca also explains why rested, happy minds are more productive.

Rebecca has provided Learning Can’t Wait listeners a free toolkit of 6 simple ways to reduce your daily stress! Check it out at: https://thrivingstudents.com/learningcantwait

Read More
Attendance is a Symptom - with Hedy Chang & Malika Elwin
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Attendance is a Symptom - with Hedy Chang & Malika Elwin

Welcome back to the Learning Can’t Wait podcast!  Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Hedy Chang and Malika Elwin to discuss student attendance. Listen as Hedy and Malika explain why absenteeism is most often a symptom of a much larger picture, and how their work uses data to diagnose problems and take preventative steps.

Read More
Grounded Optimism in Education - with Chelsea Waite
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Grounded Optimism in Education - with Chelsea Waite

On today’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer has a conversation with Chelsea Waite, Principal at the Center on Reinventing Public Education.  In this fascinating discussion, Chelsea explains how she’s recently realized that the three institutions with the biggest impact on her life—school, church, and community theatre—are all shrinking today.  Hayley and Chelsea explore what it means for institutions to change, and how they can best understand the needs of the communities they serve.

Chelsea also discusses her work researching the effects of the COVID pandemic on learning, and explains why she believes that the best innovations are often not the most flashy.

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Balancing School Leadership - with Brett Roer & PJ Caposey
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Balancing School Leadership - with Brett Roer & PJ Caposey

On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with school leaders Brett Roer, Dr. PJ Caposey, and Dr. Dan Cox to speak about discipline and balance in school leadership.

The group explores how the challenges they've faced in their individual lives have contributed to personal growth and development. They also share their strategies for coping with stress, discuss habits around fitness and wellness, and examine why discipline doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

Read More
Making Power Practical - with Charlene Mack
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Making Power Practical - with Charlene Mack

On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer talks to Charlene Mack, Founder of 2541.org. Listen as Charlene discusses her work to make power practical, equip leaders, and fight injustice.

Hayley and Charlene explore why listening and rest are two of the most important aspects of community organizing, and why dual curiosity is at the heart of this work.

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Evidence Based Buying and Selling - with Karl Rectanus
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Evidence Based Buying and Selling - with Karl Rectanus

On today’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer talks to Karl Rectanus, founder of LearnPlatform. Tune in as Karl and Hayley explore how a school’s purse strings affect the classroom, and how education leaders can lean into the realities around funding.

Karl also dives into his 4 successful education innovation programs and how to work through the system to make it more effective for everybody.

Read More
Going Pro in Teaching - with Dr. Mayme Hostetter
Cory Shaw Cory Shaw

Going Pro in Teaching - with Dr. Mayme Hostetter

On today’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, we hear an eye-opening conversation between host Hayley Spira-Bauer and Dr. Mayme Hostetter, President at Relay Graduate School of Education. Tune in as Mayme explores the topic of teacher preparation, and why practice is essential to learning at any age. Hayley and Mayme also discuss how technology like AI is providing simulations that allow teachers to practice their work and receive feedback.

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Season 3