Leading Learning: Rethinking Education with Michael Hernandez

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry is joined by educator, author, and storyteller Michael Hernandez to explore what learning can, and should, look like in an AI-driven world. Drawing on his background in film, journalism, and media arts, Michael challenges traditional systems built on control, standardization, and "right answers," and offers a more human-centered vision of teaching and assessment. Together, they explore how storytelling and creativity can turn classrooms into workshops for leadership, how rethinking rubrics and embracing self, peer, and audience evaluation builds agency and ethical decision-making, and why curiosity, risk-taking, and joy are not "soft skills," but essential leadership capabilities. This conversation invites educators, parents, and leaders to reconsider not just how we learn, but what kind of leaders we're preparing people to become. Learn more about and connect with Michael: Website: https://www.michael-hernandez.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hernandez-21a8195/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changing.the.narrative/   You can also check out his book, course and podcast: Book: Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity https://tinyurl.com/4p3vyuj9 Course: Uncheatable Assessments https://storytelling-with-purpose-learning.thinkific.com/   Podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-the-narrative/id1455984465 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5PYWfxPEyE3msMEMXwXOMY?si=dc80c7007bb1449d Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsRxdUIrHR_QXTL7tVw1-rcyhjP4jX8Nu&si=YJQupnWfH6XZEpRk Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project's expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.