Podcast
Education Talk Radio
Hosted by EDUCATION TALK RADIO PRE K -20 · EN
The voice of the American Consortium for Equity in Education at ace-ed.org | Host Larry Jacobs facilitates rich discussions with innovative educators, thought leaders, authors and the leaders within the education industry to promote equity, access and opportunity for every student in every school.
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
De Facto Leaders: Using Recess to Build Social Skills and Help Students Discover their Leadership Potential with Elizabeth Cushing of Playworks
3w ago00:54:49Tap to summarizeRecess is often thought of as an “extra” activity in the school day. Sometimes it’s even taken away from students as a punishment. In this episode recorded for De Facto Leaders, host Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan talks to Elizabeth Cushing, CEO of Playworks, to understand why recess is actually an integral part of the school day. In fact, it can help students feel connected and reduce chronic absenteeism. The conversation covers:Simple ways educators can set expectations and rules to create structure and a sense of safety around recessHow to use play as a reset and a preventative measure, instead of something that’s taken away from kids as a punishmentHow training kids as peer coaches can help decrease disruptive behaviors and help kids discover their own leadership potentialLearn more about Playworks on their website at: https://www.playworks.org/Resources mentioned in this interview include:Comprehensive Game Guide that Outlines Games Across Grade Levels: https://www.playworks.org/indiana/game-guide/The sister website for Playworks with tools for assessing the health of your school’s recess: https://www.recesslab.org/ We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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Inside OpenAI’s Codex Party with Aaron Makelky
3w ago00:57:35Tap to summarizeThis week, we're sharing a timely conversation from Artificial Intelligence: Real Talk, part of the BE Podcast Network. Host Jethro Jones talks with Aaron Makelky, a former Wyoming educator who now works in the AI and media technology space, about what he learned after attending OpenAI’s Codex event in San Francisco. The conversation gives educators and school leaders a look inside the world of AI power users—and, more importantly, what that world means for classrooms, students, and the future of learning. Aaron and Jethro discuss how tools like Codex, Claude, and other AI agents are changing the way people build, write, design, automate, and learn. They also explore one of the biggest challenges facing schools right now: the gap between students and educators who are experimenting deeply with AI and those who are still unsure where to begin. This episode is especially relevant for educators, administrators, ed tech leaders, and anyone thinking about AI literacy, responsible use, access, opportunity, and how schools can prepare students for a world where these tools are becoming part of everyday work. Topics include: What happened at OpenAI’s Codex event and why it matters for education How AI power users are combining multiple tools to solve real problems Why AI is still too often framed only as cheating in schools What educators need to understand about AI agents and workflow automation The growing gap between early adopters and everyday users How schools can help students use AI for learning, not shortcuts Why the most valuable role may be translating AI advances into practical classroom and organizational use Guest: Aaron Makelky Learn more at aaronmakelky.com. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
Transcribe →The Authority: The Schools Our Students Deserve with Mario Acosta
Apr 1500:55:39Tap to summarizeDr. Mario Acosta spent 20 years of his educational career as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, academic director, and principal leading schools with diverse profiles. He was named the 2022 Principal of the Year in the state of Texas while he was the principal at Westwood High School, a U.S. News & World Report top-50 campus and member of the High Reliability Schools (HRS) Network.His latest book is The Schools Our Students Deserve: A Comprehensive Framework for Shaping Exceptional School Culture.In this episode, recorded for The Authority Podcast, Mario and host Ross Romano discuss:What are the schools our students deserve? Are we asking this question enough?The current state of schools and identifying the gapsOutcomes students deserve…The values to center in a school’s cultureMany schools saw temporary bursts of innovation after the pandemic, but struggled to sustain them. How can leaders build on the urgency of that moment and create lasting change?How does a leader take charge of the culture? Building support from the communityAttracting high-quality educators and retaining them long-termAbout the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt
Transcribe →Transformative Principal: Building Accountability Through Key Responsibility Areas with Will Parker
Apr 1100:31:57Tap to summarizeIn this vault episode of Transformative Principal, recorded during the Transformative Leadership Summit, host Jethro Jones interviews Will Parker, a high school principal from northeastern Oklahoma, about implementing KRAs (Key Responsibility Areas) in schools. Will shares how he adapted Dave Ramsey's organizational management concept to create clarity and accountability for all staff members—from secretaries and counselors to administrators. The conversation explores how defining specific responsibility areas upfront prevents confusion, enables cross-training, improves hiring processes, and creates a supportive environment where everyone understands their role. Will emphasizes that KRAs are living documents revisited annually, helping schools manage organizational structure effectively, especially during transitions like budget cuts or staff changes. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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The Learning Experience: What Utah is Building with AI & Why it Matters
Mar 2400:40:09Tap to summarizeThis week, we're sharing a special episode from The Learning Experience powered by CAST, part of the Be Podcast Network. You'll hear from Matt Winters, a leader from the Utah State Board of Education, discussing how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of teaching and learning. The conversation explores Utah’s statewide approach to AI, what it means for educators and students, and how schools can balance innovation with responsibility. The episode offers practical insights and big-picture thinking for anyone curious about the role of AI in education. This episode is brought to you by ReadSpeaker. Learn more about how ReadSpeaker aligns with UDL.TranscriptResources:USBE Artificial Intelligence ReadSpeaker and UDL Listen and subscribe to The Learning Experience powered by CAST: https://www.cast.org/connect/learning-experience-podcast
Transcribe →The Learning Bridge: Insights on Supporting Gen Z and Gen A in Complex Times with Chloe Combi and Richard Gerver
Mar 1000:42:35Tap to summarizeIn this episode from the Be Podcast Network original series, The Learning Bridge with Richard Gerver, bestselling author, global speaker, futurist, researcher, and consultant Chloe Combi shares her expertise on Generation Z and Generation A. Combi has interviewed over 20,000 young people globally and utilizes that expertise to help schools, brands, companies, governments, and institutions understand and prepare for the present and future.Her expertise, research and data has her in huge demand with global companies, brands and governments and whether they want insight pieces, future-proofing, coaching, high level and entertaining talks, TV or radio work or transformational creative input. In light of the recent Netflix series, Adolescence, this is a timely conversation about supporting young people in incredibly complex times.Subscribe to The Learning Bridge wherever you get your podcasts: https://thelearningbridge.bepodcast.network/subscribe About the hostRichard Gerver is a sought-after speaker, world-renowned thinker, and bestselling author of books including Change and Simple Thinking. His career began in education, first as a teacher and then as a school principal, when he turned the fortunes of a failing school and its pupils around in just two years.Now regarded as one of the world's leading thinkers on human leadership and organizational transformation, Richard has worked with an extraordinary range of people, from elite athletes to former US President Barack Obama. Named UK Business Speaker of the Year three times, Richard has been invited to speak on the world’s most recognized stages, including TED, the RSA and the BBC. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
Transcribe →Transformative Principal: Building Accountability Through Key Responsibility Areas with Will Parker and Jethro Jones
Mar 200:31:57Tap to summarizeIn this Transformative Principal vault episode from the Transformative Leadership Summit, host Jethro Jones interviews Will Parker, a high school principal from northeastern Oklahoma, about implementing KRAs (Key Responsibility Areas) in schools. Will shares how he adapted Dave Ramsey's organizational management concept to create clarity and accountability for all staff members—from secretaries and counselors to administrators. The conversation explores how defining specific responsibility areas upfront prevents confusion, enables cross-training, improves hiring processes, and creates a supportive environment where everyone understands their role. Will emphasizes that KRAs are living documents revisited annually, helping schools manage organizational structure effectively, especially during transitions like budget cuts or staff changes. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
Transcribe →The EdTech Startup Showcase: Trading the Classroom for a Startup
Feb 2500:30:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the EdTech Startup Showcase, host Jeff Bradbury interviews Mike Cronley, co-founder and CEO of Class Composer and former third-grade teacher. Mike shares his journey from the classroom to entrepreneurship, sparked by a casual conversation with his school's music teacher about students being incorrectly placed together. This "aha moment" led him to develop Class Composer, a software solution that helps elementary schools create balanced, equitable classroom rosters. Over seven years, Mike transitioned from teaching while developing his idea as a side project to fully committing to his startup. The conversation explores the challenges of the traditional paper-based class placement process, the importance of listening to customers, and advice for educators considering entrepreneurship. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
Transcribe →The Craft of Clarity with Casey Watts and Ross Romano (from The Authority Podcast)
Feb 400:40:30Tap to summarizeToday we're pleased to share a recent episode from The Authority, with host Ross Romano and guest Casey Watt. They discuss Casey’s book, The Craft of Clarity: Six Steps to Bridge Gaps, Foster Commitment, and Create Sustainable Alignment.Topics include:Misaligned perspectives between teachers and leaders“Clarity precedes capacity.” What does that mean for leaders?Strategy is simple. Clarity is complex. Many teams think they’re collaborating, but really they’re just coordinating. What’s the difference, and how can leaders move their people from faux collaboration to true collaboration?Learn more about Caseywww.catchingupwithcasey.comwww.linkedin.com/in/catchupwithcaseywww.instagram.com/catchupwithcasey About today’s guestCasey Watts is a passionate speaker, author, and thought leader in team leadership with over 20 years in education and 10 years of experience coaching educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders. She is the creator of the Clarity Cycle Framework, helping leaders bridge gaps, foster commitment, and create sustainable alignment. Casey is also the founder and host of The Catching Up with Casey podcast, where she and her guests bring clarity to the seemingly small things in leadership that make a big difference.About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn
Transcribe →The Excitement Ahead at FETC 2026
Dec 800:24:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ellen Ullman sits down with Jennifer Womble, the driving force behind the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), to discuss what’s ahead for FETC 2026. They explore the latest trends in EdTech, the evolving needs of K-12 educators, and how FETC is shaping professional learning for the future.Key Topics:The mission and year-round planning behind FETC, including deep engagement with district leaders and educators.Major themes for FETC 2026: AI in education, eSports, inclusion, digital literacy, and more.The new six-hour AI Summit, led by Holly Clark, Ken Shelton, and Matt Miller, focusing on AI literacy and practical implementation for educators.Spotlight on innovative tools like Kai Beam for literacy, and how AI is being embedded in classroom solutions.The growth of eSports in schools, its impact on student engagement, CTE pathways, and the dedicated eSports Summit at FETC.Inclusion as a core track, not a side topic—how assistive technology and AI-powered translation tools are making classrooms more equitable.FETC’s commitment to community-building, networking, and supporting educators across all roles.Event logistics: FETC 2026 runs January 11–14 in Orlando, with “Sub-Free Sunday” to help districts save on costs, and a mix of summits, workshops, and expo days. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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