Welcome back to The Path Forward podcast with Dr. Rick Fernandez! In this episode, Dr. Fernandez is joined by Dr. Garth Larson, Co-Founder and CEO of FIRST Educational Resources, for a compelling conversation about transforming professional development and adult learning in education.

Dr. Larson shares his journey from educator to entrepreneur, what today’s schools need most, and why clarity, coherence, and coaching—not just compliance—are key to sustainable growth. From building trust with teams to designing learning that meets adults where they are, this episode is packed with actionable insights for education leaders looking to strengthen their systems, support their staff, and drive long-term impact.

Tune in to hear how mentorship, thoughtful leadership, and a focus on solving real problems can reframe how schools operate and thrive.

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez

Guest: Dr. Garth Larson, Co-Founder and CEO of FIRST Educational Resources

Time Stamps & Show Notes:

(00:00 - 01:17) Introduction

(01:18 - 05:03) Getting to Know Dr. Larson

(05:04 - 09:09) Leaping into Entrepreneurship

(09:10 - 13:17) What Schools in the Country Need

(13:18 - 16:17) Clarity and Coherence in Workflow

(16:18 - 20:20) Learning How Adults Learn

(20:21 - 27:01) Mistakes and Best Practices

(27:02 - 33:19) Knowing when Teams are All In

(33:20 - 35:34) The Need for Mentorship

(35:35 - 37:28) Get in Touch

(37:29 - 37:54) Closing