Free Range Humans

Ted Dintersmith is an education advocate, author, filmmaker, and former venture capitalist whose work focuses on preparing young people for a rapidly changing world. After a successful 25-year career as a partner at Charles River Ventures and service on the U.S. delegation to the United Nations focused on education and entrepreneurship, he turned his attention to reimagining schooling for the innovation era. Ted is the executive producer of the acclaimed documentary Most Likely to Succeed and the author of What School Could Be, drawing on visits to hundreds of schools across all fifty states. Through his writing, films, philanthropy, and public speaking, he has become a leading voice for educational experiences that cultivate creativity, purpose, agency, and real-world problem solving rather than standardized test performance alone. Highlights from the episode include: an opening plug for Rod and Jal's new "Deeper Learning Alliance," a growing community of school leaders learning together, experimenting together, and transforming education—guided by Harvard's Deeper Learning Institute; Ted's shift from the venture capital to the education space; an introduction to the "PEAK" framework for meaningful learning experiences; what we can learn from how Finland values and prepares their teachers; examining the skills schools reward versus the skills modern life demands; why schools seem to be overvaluing the wrong types of math; the connection between education, democracy, and civic life; and a lightning round that examines the world of gambling! Learn more about the Deeper Learning Alliance Questions? Thoughts? Feedback?  Email us at [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Zane Olina is passionate about creating meaningful learning opportunities for both young people and adults. She has an MEd and PhD in Learning and Instructional Technology from Arizona State University, and her career spans classroom teaching, curriculum reform, leadership development, international education initiatives, and deep involvement in OECD Learning 2030 work. Currently, Zane works as Head of Professional Support at the Ogre Municipality Education Authority serving about 10,000 kids in Latvia. Highlights from her conversation with Rod and Jal include: what it was like growing up in the Soviet Union, and the idea of "learning between the lines" in a somewhat restrictive environment; why meaningful learning requires more than memorization and tasks for the sake of doing tasks; how extracurricular activities model a better approach to true learning and growth – and what could possibly translate back to the classroom; how educators can help students develop expertise, perseverance, and the confidence to tackle problems whose solutions are not immediately obvious; the importance of showing progress and promoting students' self-efficacy; where AI may or may not fit in the classroom; a powerful example of adults shadowing students to better understand the day to day learning experience; and a lightning round that will leave you wanting to play some board games!  Questions? Thoughts? Feedback?  Email us at [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Dr. Tyler S. Thigpen has worked in innovative district, private, and charter schools in Georgia, as well as national and regional nonprofits. Tyler is co-founder of The Forest School: An Acton Academy in south metro Atlanta, founder and executive director of the Institute for Self-Directed Learning, and instructor at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. He also holds a doctoral degree in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a master’s in public administration from the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a master’s in theological studies from Regent College of the University of British Columbia. Highlights from the conversation include: why students need meaningful ownership over their learning; a deep dive on the pros and cons of traditional assessment mechanisms; exploring alternative forms of assessment including badges, public exhibitions, and student-led governing councils; the importance of celebrating growth beyond just grade advancement and test scores; why schools should use less "bubble wrap" and allow students to experience and learn from natural consequences; a plethora of sports metaphors; and a lightning round that covers motorcycle rides, beach volleyball, and a push for Free Range Humans swag!  Read Tyler's recent article on high school redesign efforts. Questions? Thoughts? Feedback?  Email us at [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Jason E. Glass. Ed.D., has more than 25 years of leadership experience in public education, spanning classroom teaching, district and state-level leadership, and executive roles in higher education, and currently holds the title of Superintendent of the Laguna Beach Unified School Distrirct. Prior to joining LBUSD, Dr. Glass served as Associate Vice President of Teaching and Learning at Western Michigan University, held the title of Commissioner of Education for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where he led statewide efforts centered on deeper learning, equity, and student well-being, and also served as Chief State School Officer for the State of Iowa, focusing on literacy and support for the teaching profession. Highlights from the conversation include: understanding the distinction between macro and micro level changes in school systems; why compliance-driven leadership has its limits; the importance of listening before leading; how schools shape students’ understanding of authority and democracy; why arts education may hold some of the deepest lessons about learning; the role of trust, voice, and shared decision-making in healthy systems; Jason's experience as a choir singer; and a lightning round that has producer Gino "thoughtfully" fired up!  Read Jason's Article: Teaching Power: What Schools Teach About Authority and Democracy Questions? Thoughts? Feedback?  Email us at [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Amelia Peterson is a social scientist with a background in policy and consulting. She is currently leading the development of an entirely new MBA program at the London Interdisciplinary School. In her previous role as Head of Learning and Teaching at LIS, she has led on developing many of the school's internal processes of curriculum and institutional design. Highlights from the conversation include: an opening segment reflecting on March Madness' beautiful combination of math and basketball; examining the difference between intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom; how pattern recognition plays a role in developing expertise; what today's MBA program's often miss and how the new LIS MBA plans to be different; a quick comparison of the DEI landscape in the United Kingdom and United States; why Amelia believes that AI is still in the "crappy intern" phase; and a lightning round that covers toys and namesakes!  Learn more about LIS Questions? Thoughts? Feedback?  Email us at [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

LaShawn Routé Chatmon is the founding CEO and President of the National Equity Project, leading the organization’s transition from the Bay Area Coalition for Equitable Schools (BayCES).  Under her leadership, the National Equity Project has catalyzed a movement to revitalize our country’s approach to equity in education. Tom Malarkey is the director of strategic consulting at the National Equity Project. He works with leaders within school systems on equity-centered instructional change, collaborative learning and teams, and organizational and systems change. Highlights from their conversation include: hearing about Jal's recent red eye flight that resulted in little sleep but a lot of reading; why equity work must begin with self-reflection and move outward; what it means to lead for equity in today’s political climate; how, despite our differences, we all tend to want the same thing for our children and their future; understanding that listening—real, intentional listening—is one of the most powerful tools leaders have; how public education remains one of the last truly shared civic spaces where solidarity can still be built; and a lightning round that deviates from the "short snapper" format to remind us that we can all play a role in shaping the future.  Learn more about the National Equity Project Questions? Thoughts? Feedback?  Email us at [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Dov Stucker is a co-founder and Lead Teacher of Burlington City & Lake Semester (BCL) – a partnership between the Burlington School District and Shelburne Farms. He taught Social Studies at Burlington High School from 2011-2021, including School Innovation Seminar, a course that engaged students in the complex work of school redesign. Before returning to the classroom, Dov worked for nine years coordinating community-based learning and service-learning projects in Burlington and the French West Indies. Highlights from the episode include: an opening reflection on the prowess of Norwegian cross-country skiers; the origin story of BCL and the team-based design that brought it to life; how schools can rethink partnerships, expand who counts as a teacher, and build learning ecosystems beyond the classroom; what rigor looks like when it’s rooted in trust, risk, and relevance; how student-led portfolios can reveal learning more honestly than traditional assessment; the importance of the question, "What can we do here that we can’t do anywhere else?" when designing a meaningful learning experience; and a lightning round that somehow combines stalking and ice cream!   Learn more about BCL BCL Blog – Student Reflections Free Range Humans Podcast featured in a Shelburne Farms Blog Post Questions? Thoughts? Feedback?  Email us at [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Anthony Mackay is the immediate past CEO and current Co-Chair of the Washington DC-based National Center on Education and the Economy, while also serving as Deputy Chancellor, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia; Honorary Senior Fellow of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne; and Visiting Professor to the International Centre for Educational Enhancement, University of Bolton, UK. He has held multiple positions within education and continues to consult in parts of the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia – it's safe to say that Tony has been leading or part of every important global conversation around education in the last 20 years. Highlights from this season premiere episode include: an opening dialogue that reminds everyone of how old they are; artificial intelligence's disruptive nature and whether it can be viewed as a mirror showcasing what tasks no longer make sense in education systems; comparing AI to a "crappy intern;" how we can identify localized innovation and build it into larger scale transformation; the redefining of education to be focused on human flourishing – moving towards the portrait of a learner that is caring for self, others and the planet; and of course producer Gino's lightning round with an AI twist!  Check out the OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026 Questions? Thoughts? Feedback?  Email us at [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Alisa Berger is now a Free Range Humans regular, making her fourth appearance on the podcast. She was the founding co-principal of the New York City iSchool and is the author of How To Innovate: The Essential Guide for Fearless School Leaders, among many other accomplishments. Jal was very interested in bringing this topic to the table in an effort to better balance perspectives on progressive education, many examples of which appear throughout season four of the podcast. Highlights from the episode include: defining progressive education and examining some of the misconceptions; illustrating pitfalls and challenges while also giving advice on how to avoid them; distinguishing between classroom level and system level approaches; what it takes to really build student-centered experiences that work; the importance of balancing student and teacher agency; an opening conversation on summer fun that sheds light on the sensitive side of our producer; and a lightning round that combines insurance commercials, snacks, and a personal revelation from each participant. Thanks again to all of our listeners for staying engaged and supporting our work. Season four is officially in the books, but we already have interviews lined up for the fall, with the start of season five scheduled for September! Cheers!Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Kyle Peruniak is a former wildland firefighter and current land-based educator in British Columbia. He is focused on creating inclusive experiences that promote empathy for the land, respect and appreciation for indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing, and provide youth with healthy, rich, learning opportunities. Lori Hryniuk is an experienced public school secondary Principal and educator who has a keen interest in redesigning how we organize schools. She is motivated to empower educators to think differently about their teaching practice and to help create authentic, engaging, inclusive learning environments with a focus on CORE and curricular competencies. Both are now working to support land-based learning initiatives in K-12 schools across British Columbia. Highlights from their conversation with Rod and Jal include: what prompted Lori to step away from the traditional education system; a brief history of Kyle's career as a wildland firefighter and how it shaped his leadership development; defining land-based learning and what distinguishes it from "outdoor education/recreation"; the importance of reciprocity with the land and developing respect and agency across every level of the education community; how land-based learning can transform student identity and engagement—even in urban settings; and a lightning round that will make you want to do some karaoke! Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Paige Fisher is an associate professor at Vancouver Island University with 18 years of experience in teacher education and leadership development. Her work has included embedded teacher ed programs, Indigenous teacher education initiatives, and explorations of non-traditional grading and assessment. Highlights from her conversation with Rod and Jal include: reflections on her own experiences as a student and teacher; a powerful story that illustrates the disconnect between traditional grading and student potential; how working at a community-driven homeschool program reshaped her approach to education; how Indigenous teachings have guided her leadership development; an emphasis on teaching with kindness and building community both in and out of the classroom; why you sometimes have to be more interesting than a goat to get students to pay attention; and a light-hearted lightning round that covers swimming and screen time habits!  Read Dr. Fisher's Dissertation: The Stories We Planted: A Narrative Exploration of Evaluative School ExperienceQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

SMASH isn’t new — it’s been doing things differently for over 50 years, emphasizing multi-age classrooms, social-emotional learning, looping, and strong adult-child relationships. Jessica Rishe (principal) and Malika Boyer (6th grade teacher) share how the school cultivates trust, responsibility, and belonging across all grade levels — and why it still stands out even as others catch on to ideas like project-based learning and social-emotional learning. Highlights from the conversation include: how multi-age groupings shape student growth and leadership; the importance of a fully informed and integrated parent population; why respect goes much further than titles and first names; how SMASH builds a culture that encourages staff to stay; whether students feel prepared and are able to excel as they move on to more traditional high school environments; can the model scale as the school continues to grow; what influence SMASH has had on the greater community; and a lightning round that will have you feeling lucky! Learn more about SMASH: www.smmusd.org/smashQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Libby Woodfin is a writer and educator from western Massachusetts. She has authored or co-authored nine books for teachers and published numerous articles and blogs for educational outlets such as EdWeek, Middleweb and Educational Leadership. Libby began her career as a fifth and sixth-grade teacher at the original lab school for the Responsive Classroom in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and went on to become a counselor at a large comprehensive high school. Highlights from the conversation include: a little background on Libby's "hockey" playing career; the definition of a "human school" and why it matters now more than ever; tackling the question of what kind of human beings our world needs, and what role can schools play in creating those human beings; real world examples from various sites both Libby and Jal have visited; reflections on the future of learning; how schools are grappling with AI and how it fits within the human school model; and a lightning round that has everyone facing their fears! Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Crosstown High is a learner-centered public charter school that engages students in meaningful, project-based work and authentic relationships that will prepare them to be self-directed, lifelong learners. Erin Johnson is the Head of School and an an art teacher, while Ginger Spickler carries the title of Director of Sustainability while also serving on the leadership team. Highlights from their conversation with Rod and Jal include: how a billboard sparked the idea for starting the school; how design thinking shaped the model, and how project-based learning, and diversity by design came to define the school’s DNA; the importance of creating a space for students to actually make decisions, fail often and safely, and grow from those failures; why relationships between staff, students, parents and the larger community are a key growth driver; Jal sharing an experience from his visit that illustrates the power of blue sky thinking and of course, snacks; and a lightning round that also manages to bring food into the conversation. Learn more about the school: www.crosstownhigh.orgQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Peter M. Senge is the founding chair of SoL (Society of Organizational Learning), a global network of organizations, researchers, and consultants dedicated to the “interdependent development of people and their institutions”, a Senior Lecturer at MIT's Sloan School of Management, and cofounder of the Academy for Systemic Change, which seeks to accelerate the growth of the field of systemic change worldwide. Jill Jensen is currently serving as Superintendent of Schools for the Gulf Islands District in British Columbia, and is working to implement both compassionate systems and deeper learning into her education communities. Their conversation with Rod and Jal covers many topics including: opening banter on the state of things at Harvard University amidst the political turmoil; a brief look at the history of our "factory model" of schooling and why it might be time to reexamine the purpose of education; how compassionate systems leadership and deeper learning models are aligned; real world examples from Jill's on-the-ground experiences; the importance of student voices when evaluating existing systems; how brain science is laying the foundation for more mindfulness and reflective practices in schools; and a lightning round that gets dark in a hurry! Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Rod and Jal make a plug for their upcoming "Deeper Learning Ed Camp," an off-the-grid summer camp for school-based educators seeking inspiration, rejuvenation, and connection with like-minded colleagues from around the country who believe in the power of deeper learning for students. The camp program features several leaders in the field, including past podcast guests such as Ron Berger, Michele Shannon, Aliza Berger, and of course, Rod and Jal themselves! If you are interested in learning more, check out the link below, and stay tuned as the second half of season four kicks off in a few days!www.deeperlearningdozen.org/edcampQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Jessica Nordell holds degrees in physics from Harvard and poetry from the University of Wisconsin, where she was the Martha Meier Renk Distinguished Graduate Fellow in Poetry. Her unique blend of experience allows for a writing style that combines rigorous science with a poetic compassion for humanity. Highlights from her conversation with Rod and Jal include: an opening anecdote that shows how a gender transition exposed biases in the scientific community; a changed first name that forever changed Jessica's career; background and history on unconscious bias, and why we all carry it; anti-bias training exemplars that provide hope for meaningful change; why bias work is ethical, and when done well, incredibly rewarding; a powerful story of transformative empathy in law enforcement; and a lightning round that explores everyones' reading style. Check out Jessica's book: "The End of Bias: A Beginning–How We Eliminate Unconscious Bias and Create a More Just World"And newsletter: "Who We Are To Each Other"Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

David Krulwich is principal and T’Keyah Robinson is vice principal of South Bronx Early College Academy. They both previously worked at the Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science in the Bronx, and together with Kenneth Baum, have developed the Artisan Teacher Model. This new model merges the idea of teamwork with the concept of an artisan-apprentice relationship - a more intense teacher feedback system designed to promote growth and build stronger classrooms for students. Highlights from their conversation with Rod and Jal include: an opening conversation on the unique election cycle in Canada; how politics affect teacher and student dialogue; a vision for where South Bronx Early College Academy fits within the larger education ecosystem; an attempt to answer the really big question of "What's great teaching?"; the value of bringing real world content into traditional lessons and treating kids like adults; how the artisan model works, including concrete examples from lived experiences; why teachers need to be more involved in discipline cases; and a lightning round overflowing with good advice. Check out their book: "The Artisan Teaching Model for Instructional Leadership: Working Together to Transform Your School"Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Scott Seider is a professor at Boston College, Aaliyah El-Amin is a faculty colleague of Jal's at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Julia Bott is a longtime principal and now coaches principals on leading for equity. Highlights from their conversation include: an opening dialogue about the dismantling of the United States Department of Education, covering the organization's role and how it compares to Canada's system; how each of our guests became interested in social justice education; the role of schools when it comes to fostering critical thinking and civil responsibility; the importance of weaving a social justice framework throughout an entire curriculum as opposed to implementing smaller, one-time lessons; why teachers now face an even more difficult balancing act when it comes to addressing sensitive or polarizing issues in the classroom, especially related to inequities; the importance of giving tools to students that allow them to better participate in our democracy; how social and economic disparities affect access to quality education; concrete strategies and examples showing how education can improve civic engagement; and a lightning round that brings back the old Mac vs. PC debate! Check out their book: "Educating for Justice: Schoolwide Strategies to Prepare Students to Recognize, Analyze, and Challenge Inequity."Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Sarah Fine and Victoria (Tori) Theisen-Homer both got their doctorates from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Tori is the Founding Director of the Arizona Teacher Residency, and Sarah ran the San Diego Teacher Residency program before becoming an assistant professor at the University of California San Diego. Tori is the author of Learning to Connect: Relationships, Race and Teacher Education, and Sarah, in addition to co-authoring In Search of Deeper Learning with Jal, has recently published a powerful piece offering a critique of the relationship between project-based learning (PBL) and capitalism. Highlights from their conversation include: how PBL can sometimes unintentionally reinforce capitalist structures; suggestions for alternative, more human-centered ways of implementing PBL in the classroom; the importance of teachers building meaningful relationships with their students; how residency and mentorship programs can help prepare teachers to navigate complex school environments; comparing teacher preparation to other industries like medical residency; and a lightning round that sparks quite the culinary debate! Additional Resources:“But Money Makes It Real!”: Problematizing Capitalist Logic in Project-Based Learning by Sarah FineLearning to Connect Relationships, Race, and Teacher Education by Victoria Theisen-HomerIn Search of Deeper Learning by Sarah Fine and Jal MehtaQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Before the amazing guests join season four, our hosts reflect on all that has happened since we signed off on season three this past spring. They dive into personal updates, changing perspectives on education, and the challenges teachers and students face in a suddenly unstable and unpredictable landscape. Highlights from the conversation include: life updates that cover kids, grandkids, and a perfect bowling game; initial responses to the administration change in the United States, and what it has meant to our "friends to the north;" how attacks on the U.S. Department of Education will affect teaching and learning across the country; admiring how teachers continue to be heroes and our glimmers of hope despite being clouded with uncertainty; how we can work to spread amazing examples of teachers, schools, and districts to better our education systems; and the debut of a new lightning round segment called "Free Range Questions."Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219 

Dr. Ben Jensen is the CEO of Melbourne-based consultancy Learning First. Ben has advised governments in Australia, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia on education strategy and reform. Before founding Learning First in 2014, he was director of the Grattan Institute’s School Education Program. He also worked with numerous education systems across the world during five years at the OECD, where he conducted research on education policy and school and teacher effectiveness, and has a PhD in Economics from the University of Melbourne. Highlights from his conversation with Rod and Jal include: an amazing Australian accent; opening banter that covers the Celtics 18th championship; brief thoughts on an announcement that the U.S. surgeon general is recommending warning labels for social media platforms as it relates to youth mental health; the difficulties of managing screen time for children, both at home and in the classroom; an emphasis on the importance of a systematic, evidence-based approach to curriculum development; how to better align education goals with practical classroom implementation; why less content doesn't always mean better outcomes; and a lightning round that will make you thirsty for either a coffee or a beer! Learning FirstQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Michele Shannon is the Executive Director of the Deeper Learning Districts. Previously, she was a National Designer and Facilitator for the Leadership Academy, where she built the capacity of educational leaders through leadership training to confront inequities & create conditions for students to thrive. She also served as Chief of Schools for Boston Public Schools, where she led a team of eight Instructional Superintendents focused on eliminating the opportunity and achievement gaps in the system. A product of New York City public schools, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Baruch College, a Master of Social Work from Hunter College, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Highlights from her conversation with Rod and Jal include: opening banter on the recent success of the Boston Celtics; Michele attempting to cover her entire biography in Jal's "3-minute" challenge; how her background as a student, teacher and now administrator shaped her view of what education should be; comparing characteristics of traditional education to what Michele describes as "deeper learning;" why it is so important for students to build relationships with adults in their school setting; how to integrate social-emotional learning in a way that works; how to better build K-12 systems so no student leaves feeling unprepared for whatever comes next; the importance of strong leadership and modeling - highlighting both the successes and failures of the system for everyone to see; how equity can be better built into all aspects of education including teacher preparation and training; and a wonderful example of a district that has applied elements of equity and deeper learning that gives us all hope for the future!Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Chris Kennedy is the Superintendent of Schools/CEO at West Vancouver Schools. He has taught secondary English and Social Studies, and been both an elementary and secondary school principal. One of the most progressive voices in BC education, Chris has been featured by Macleans Magazine as one of the 100 Young Canadians to Watch and his work has been featured in various local and national publications. He was recently named one of the Top 10 Canadian Newsmakers in Educational Technology. He is joined by Eric Xie, a 12th grade student in the West Vancouver School district. Eric is incredibly passionate about AI,  acting as both a consumer and creator. He also participates in robotics competitions as part of the school's "TenTon Robotics" team. Highlights from the episode include: why it is important for schools, especially teachers and students,  to lead the conversation on AI - not technology companies; the challenge of building a balance between exploration/experimentation and safety guardrails; positive and negative use cases for generative AI technologies in the classroom; the value of developing the "right" prompts when interacting with AI tools; a debate over whether these new technologies will really transform education; and a lightning round that features an unpopular opinion directly from ChatGPT!Check out Chris' Blog: The Culture of YesQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Neil Gross, a sociologist best known for his work on policing, higher education, politics, and pragmatism, is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Sociology at Colby College in Maine. A frequent contributor to the New York Times, Gross holds a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from UC Berkeley and received his PhD in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before joining the Colby faculty in 2015, Gross taught at the University of Southern California, Harvard, the University of British Columbia, and Princeton.  Highlights from the episode include: a history of Neil's journey from cop to college professor to author; samples from his book that show how former police chiefs worked to improve the culture of policing; why trust is the most important factor in a community and how to begin building or repairing it; comparing the challenges in policing to the challenges facing those in education; difficulties both police chiefs and school principals face as they work to manage their departments while also being ambassadors in the broader community; and a closing lightning round that compares Vancouver to Maine! Check out Neil's Book: https://neilgross.com/walk-the-walk-1Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Shanna Peeples is the Dr. John G. O’Brien distinguished chair in education at West Texas A&M university. In 2015 she was awarded USA National Teacher of the Year for her work at Palo Duro High School, which earned her an opportunity to meet and be personally lauded by President Obama. She now has her own wikipedia page, much to the chagrin of our co-host, Jal Mehta! Highlights from the conversation include: Shanna reflecting on meeting President Obama, and how her time as a DJ sparked a candid conversation with the commander in chief; a short anecdote where Shanna got to meet First Lady, Jill Biden; why ideas once thought to be settled in education are suddenly up for debate - most glaringly, the purpose of school; the political divide driving conflict in schools; how a trip to Lebanon has left Shanna "condemned to hope;" why bringing K-12 administrators to congress will result in more political theater instead of an opportunity to actually engage in productive dialogue around real issues affecting schools; the importance of storytelling when defining your own purpose and values; a few fun football metaphors; and a Texas-themed lightning round.Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Justin is an associate professor of digital media in the department of Comparative Media Studies/Writing at MIT and the director of the Teaching Systems Lab. He is the author of Iterate: The Secret to Innovation in Schools and Failure to Disrupt: Why Technology Alone Can’t Transform Education, and he is the host of the TeachLab Podcast. He earned his doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is a past Fellow at the Berkman-Klein Center for Internet and Society.Highlights from the conversation include: an opening segment reacting to the wave of student protests on college campuses across the United States and Canada; how generative AI skipped the adoption phase and arrived in classrooms with little to no preparation; a technical overview on what generative AI is and how it works; why AI is sometimes just a label to make things seem more "magical than they are;" how experts and novices can have very different experiences with Chat GPT; where the technology as a co-pilot may or may not fit within various industries;  the importance of implementing guardrails as AI becomes more prevalent in the education space; why students should be central to conversations about how to navigate the changing technology landscape; and a lighting round offering a science fiction summer reading list (see recommendations below).Science Fiction Reads:  Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. The Diamond Age by Neal StephensonAnything written by N.K. JemisinQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Ron Berger is Chief Academic Officer for EL Education, an organization that partners with districts and charter boards to found public schools in low-income communities. EL Education’s core work is building teacher capacity in schools and districts through professional coaching, resources and open-source curriculum. He is an Annenberg Foundation Teacher Scholar, received the Autodesk Foundation National Teacher of the Year award, and is the author of six books.Highlights from this unique exploration of craftsmanship include: remembering a time when we aspired to make quality, tangible things instead of living in a rushed, transactional and mostly disposable society; a beautiful carpentry analogy that challenges the way we prepare teachers; the importance of a "crew" for learning in all aspects of life; how a calligraphy lesson from Ron turned into a transformational experience; why models and critique can be powerful tools in the classroom; tying the theme of craftsmanship back to improving educational systems; and the long-awaited return of the lightning round! Learn more about Ed CampQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Alisa Berger was the founding principal at both the NYC iSchool, a New York City public high school, and the Mott Hall II school, a NYC public middle school. She currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the Professional Education Program, and is Co-Director of The Deeper Learning Dozen. In this unique format, Alisa, Rod and Jal will build a roster of "bad educational innovations," and then both defend their choices and challenge each others. Some of the selections include: high stakes testing and assessment, computers in the classroom, mastery-based learning, recess, start time and scheduling, and even school itself. But don't worry, it isn't all negative. Everyone will share a positive innovation to close out the episode along with a plug to join Rod, Jal and Alisa at this summer's Deeper Learning Ed Camp.Learn more about Ed CampQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Diana Hess has been dean of University of Wisconsin–Madison’s School of Education since Aug. 1, 2015. She is only the ninth dean of the School of Education since its founding in 1930. Since 1997, Hess has been researching how teachers engage their students in discussions of highly controversial political and constitutional issues, and what impact this approach to civic education has on what young people learn. Her most recent book, “The Political Classroom: Evidence and Ethics in Democratic Education,” co-authored with Paula McAvoy, won the American Educational Research Association’s Outstanding Book Award in 2016 and the prestigious Grawemeyer Award in 2017. Highlights from her interview include: an amazing opening biography challenge; how student and teacher preparation is key to meaningful conversations in the classroom; the difference between a discussion and a debate - removing the element of a winner and a loser; why we need to teach "inauthentic" political discourse that goes against what we often see portrayed in the media; how to manage conversations when you don't know how they may affect students personally; the evolution of issues being "settled"; the importance of learning from history; and a powerful example of real-time discussion related to the September 11th tragedy. Check out Diana's Book: The Political ClassroomQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Jo Chrona is an education consultant, speaker, and author, supporting professional learning opportunities in the areas of Indigenous education and anti-racism. She has more than 25 years teaching in both K-12 (secondary) and post-secondary education, and played a vital role in developing First Peoples Principles of Learning in British Columbia. This powerful conversation covers several topics including: the story behind Wayi Wah! as a book title and how to properly say it; a thoughtful look at the journey of incorporating Indigenous knowledge into the education system; several anecdotes that illustrate the tension of the process and the resistance that continues to exist; the importance of balancing anger with a willingness to invite those that resist into the conversation; a new twist on the "I used to think, and now I think" exercise; why educators should never stop learning but occasionally may have to unlearn things as well; and one of the most efficient lightning rounds to date! Check out Jo's Book: Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies: An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist EducationQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Cresta Mcintosh is the Associate Superintendent for the Monterey Public Schools in California, and Jocelyn Fletcher Schuech  is the Associate Director of Teaching and Learning in Burlington Vermont. Alisa Burger currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the Professional Education Program, and is Co-Director of The Deeper Learning Dozen. This marks her third appearance on the podcast! The conversation features a very open and honest discussion on what it takes to lead systems change, and highlights include: the power of shadowing students and seeing the education experience through their eyes; a deep dive into Margaret Wheatley's idea of "hero to host;" the challenges of moving form co-construction to sustained action and change; how it is not only important to get the right people to the table, but to then make sure those voices are heard - the idea of excavating voices in different spaces; a moving commentary on what its like to be a female change agent in education, especially when leadership positions are still male-dominated; and a touching close that features each person's favorite end of school year tradition. Read more about "Hero to Host"Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

James Thompson is the designer behind Black Badger, a creative design agency that specializes in using advanced materials in new and exciting ways. He's previously done special edition pieces with luxury watch brands De Bethune and MB&F. He’s mucked about with everything from McLaren supercars to next-generation submarine design. Born in Vancouver, Canada, James relocated to Gothenburg, Sweden in 2002 and is now co-owner of the Copenhagen-based watch brand Arcanaut. This lively conversation features: an opening reflection on new legislation disrupting Florida's school systems; a look at the creative process using a Beatles analogy, Pixar examples, and several sports references; a raw and honest reflection on James' approach to creativity, along with the successes and failures of his journey; how collaboration fits with creativity; where creativity fits within the school system; and a lightning round that questions whether James is the most exciting toy in his home!Check out James' Site: Black BadgerQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Chris Kennedy is the Superintendent of Schools/CEO with the West Vancouver School District (West Vancouver, British Columbia). He has taught secondary English and Social Studies, and been both an elementary and secondary school principal.  In addition, he runs a blog entitled "The Culture of Yes" where you can find several articles on the most pressing and timely issues in education. Highlights from his conversation with Rod and Jal include: the origin of the "Culture of Yes" mentality; how Chris became known as an "elder statesmen" in the BC school system and what makes him a truly free range human; the importance of saying yes to new ideas and then allowing those innovations to grow and scale; how student leadership is more than just representation, it's about hearing as many voices as possible, especially those marginalized by past and current systems; an insightful conversation about the emergence of AI technology, specifically ChatGPT, and what it means for the future of education; what COVID taught us about the allocation of time in schools; a look at gender in sports, especially during the earliest years of playing; everyone answering the question about how their teaching and coaching has changed over time; and a lightning round featuring impromptu sound effects! Check out Chris' blog: The Culture of YesQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219 

Shawn Ginwright is a leading innovator and scholar of African American youth, youth activism, and youth development. He currently holds the title of Professor of Education in the Africana Studies Department at San Francisco State University, and starting this fall, will join Jal as a Professor of Practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Highlights from their conversation include: a little back story about the origin of the book that involves wine and a black table; the importance of looking inward and dealing with inner turmoil in order to work successfully on social problems; the value of balance and clarity and how Rod, Jal, and Shawn all found their own versions of it; why a lack of true equilibrium among activists can lead to strained relationships, burn out, and failure; why empathy and healing need to be core to any transformational movement; a powerful reaction to yet another wave of school shootings in the U.S.; and a lightning round that puts the quality of east coast Mexican food to the test! Check out Shawn's book: The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining OurselvesQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

This powerful conversation features four guests  from the Nisga’a Nation and the Nisga’a School District: Sayt Gibuu (Lydia Stephens) - Nisga’a Lisims Language and Culture Program Manager, Luu-MisMaakskw (Esther Adams) - Nisga’a Lisims Director of Language and Culture, Galksi-De'entkw (Peter McKay) - District Principal Indigenous Education, and Jill Jensen - Superintendent. Highlights from the episode include: an opening from Peter; examining the importance of the land and how it is incorporated into the student experience; how language and culture can become focal points of the education system; the delicate balance of indigenous education and ministry requirements; what other systems and districts can learn from Nisga'a; and a lightning round heavily focused on nature. Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Doannie Tran was a middle and high school teacher, and was assistant superintendent for academics and professional learning for Boston Public Schools, and currently is a partner at the Center for Innovation in Education. Landon Mascareñez describes himself as educator, writer, and democracy builder. He works at the Colorado Education Initiative (CEI) and is the vice chair of the Colorado State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education. Doannie and Landon have been close since their time together at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and have since co-founded the Open System Institute. Their conversation with Rod and Jal includes: a deep discussion on the attractiveness of closed systems; why open systems would be better, but are a challenge to implement - classic fear of change; what unlearning was needed in order to fully embrace the concept of open systems; the importance of having all of the stakeholders, including skeptics and political actors, in the room in order to build trust in a community; sound advice on how to move from the theory of an open system to concrete action; and a lightning round that assesses the change tolerance of our guests and hosts! Pre-Order Doannie and Landon's book: The Open System: Redesigning Education and Reigniting DemocracyLearn more about the Open System InstituteQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Dr. Pam Moran is a recently retired superintendent of thirteen years and has also worked as a teacher, staff developer, elementary principal, and assistant superintendent. She was the 2010 president of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents and the 2016 Virginia Superintendent of the Year, one of four finalists for the national superintendent of the year. Ira Socol is a Principal of Socol/Moran Partners and serves as Senior Provocateur, while leading work in the transformation of spaces, technologies, and library services. Highlights from their conversation include: opening mini-biographies based on a podcast homework assignment; an incredible story about Pam's first day as a teacher;  how being a police officer changed the way Ira viewed classroom observation; the importance of giving everyone in the school system room to make mistakes; a look at why we need transformational change, and then examining the what and how of actually making it work; amazing examples of what transformation looks like for students, teachers and administrators; why the definition of engagement is different for every student; and a vast list of book recommendations during the lightning round. Check out Ira and Pam's book: Timeless Learning: How Imagination, Observation, and Zero-Based Thinking Change SchoolsQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Jal Mehta is a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and also holds the title of faculty co-chair for the Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology program. His research explores the role of different forms of knowledge in tackling major social and political problems, particularly problems of human improvement. He has also written extensively on what it would take to improve American education, with a particular focus on the professionalization of teaching. Our guest co-host, Ron Berger appeared in season one, episode 13: "Our Kids are Not Broken" and returns as a self-described "super-fan" of the podcast. Highlights from a very dynamic conversation include: an opening story about optimism in the face of a suddenly politicized education world; a look back at where it all began for Jal as he grew up in suburban Baltimore; unpacking the complexity of identifying and scaling deeper learning in all education systems; balancing the colonial nature and history of Harvard University with promoting a progressive approach to education; how having kids changes your view on teaching; and a fast moving lightning round that features a "scary story." Listen to Ron's Season 01 EpisodeQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Amanda Datnow is Professor and Chancellor’s Associates Endowed Chair in the Department of Education Studies and Associate Dean of the Division of Social Sciences at the University of California, San Diego. Amelia Peterson is currently part of the founding faculty at the London Interdisciplinary School. Previously, she was a fellow in the Social Policy department at the London School of Economics. Both were recently involved in research that led to the latest Brookings Report: "Transforming Education for Holistic Student Development: Learning from Education System (Re)Building Around the World." Highlights from their conversation with Rod and Jal include: a quick history of their involvement with the Brookings Report project; whether taking on research during maternity leave is a good or bad idea; looking at how some leading systems and jurisdictions around the world are creating educational shifts in the direction of deeper, more equitable, more student-centered learning; defining infrastructure and the role it plays in systems change; the value of combining centralized and distributed forms of leadership; and a concise lightning round where we discover Jal's strange reading habits.Full Brookings Report and Case StudiesQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Dream a Dream empowers children and young people from vulnerable backgrounds to overcome adversity and thrive in a fast-changing world. Since 1999, they have helped over 3 million young people thrive in the 21st century through innovation labs and strategic partnerships with governments in five states across India. Vishal Talreja is the co-founder and Trustee of Dream a Dream, and Dr. Connie Chung is the former Associate Director of Harvard Graduate School of Education's Global Education Innovation Initiative, and recently has worked with the OECD Education 2030 project. Highlights from their conversation with Rod and Jal include: an introduction to the Dream a Dream organization and how their work is creating real change in India; the inspiration for Connie and Vishal's book collaboration; how they are trying to rewrite what success looks like in the classroom and what that shift might mean for society at large; the amazing power of storytelling; and a lightning round featuring lessons from COVID and some great reading recommendations (see links below).Trauma-Responsive Schooling: Centering Student Voice and HealingEquity-Centered Trauma-Informed EducationWhat Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and HealingDecade of Anxiety – Transformed by Faith, Courage and AuthenticityAZADIQuestions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Alisa Berger was the founding principal at both the NYC iSchool, a New York City public high school, and the Mott Hall II school, a NYC public middle school. She currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the Professional Education Program, and is Co-Director of The Deeper Learning Dozen. Throughout the conversation, Alisa will argue for schools, Rod will argue for districts, and Jal will serve as the moderator, while also reflecting on the overall debate. Highlights from the episode include: why context is so important to the change conversation; the various roles schools and districts play when trying to transform education systems; how size and scale can create both challenges and advantages; reasons for tension between schools and districts - sometimes a painting schedule becomes problematic; how the two entities can help each other; and an opening segment that ponders whether Producer Gino would make a good speaker of the house!Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Shanna Peeples is the Dr. John G. O’Brien distinguished chair in education at West Texas A&M university. In 2015 she was awarded USA National Teacher of the Year for her work at Palo Duro High School, and also found her way to Harvard where she attended classes taught by our co-host, Jal Mehta!Highlights from this episode include: why schools have become a target for whipping up moral panic in the political arena; the importance of tackling difficult issues, including race, head on and creating spaces where civil and constructive dialogue can take place across ideologies; results from a recent Ed Week poll capturing top concerns for teachers in the classroom; how building relationships with parents can help the community better understand what really goes on in schools; strategies for overcoming the noise created by extremes and elevating the voices of the "middle of the road folks;" and the elements of today's system that give us hope for the future.Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

During their trip to Kentucky, our hosts sat down with Lu Young, Jason Glass, Justin Bathon and Caleb Bates, of Kentucky's United We Learn Coalition. This group is building a vision for the future of public education in Kentucky, with the goal of everyone in the commonwealth – educators, families, students, community members and business leaders – working together to support public schools in bringing about deep and authentic learning experiences for all students. As Rod and Jal spoke with the team, the following themes emerged: the importance of who is at the table when building a coalition around education reform; connecting past and present policies through grassroots initiatives; building common ground among all stakeholders to overcome the political polarity; the incredible value of the student perspective being deeply involved in the process; how the expectations of colleges and universities have driven education design; and whether designing K-12 education to get students to elite universities is even the best approach. No lightning round, but a small tangent focused on the Kentucky delicacies of mac and cheese and bourbon is sure to entertain. Check out the full United We Learn report.Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Charles Leadbeater is a self-proclaimed “intellectual odd-job man,” with a background in journalism, entrepreneurship, and most recently, large-scale systems change. As the co-director of the System Innovation Initiative at the Rockwool Foundation in Copenhagen, he is helping to develop practical approaches to shifting big public systems. His conversation with Rod and Jal focuses on what is needed to make transformational change in the massive system we know as education. Highlights from the episode include: a reflection on recent test score releases in the U.S.; how being a mediocre student shaped Charles’ career path; defining student agency and why it is integral to learning transformation; how systems can support agency across all stakeholders instead of limiting it; why learning should be about acquiring a sense of purpose - focusing on possibilities not problems; a fun boat analogy that will test your movie knowledge; and a lightning round that sparked ideas for a spin-off “foodie” podcast!Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Timothy Knowles is the 10th president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Prior to joining Carnegie, he served as founder and managing partner of the Academy Group, an enterprise designed to prepare extraordinary young people from under-resourced communities to own and operate successful companies nationwide; reduce economic disparities and; serve as a human capital engine, built on a sustainable business model, to unlock human potential at scale. His conversation with Rod and Jal covered several areas including: how working as a history teacher in Botswana during Apartheid shaped his career; why he thinks the work of schools is one of the most important elements of societies; a deep analysis of the transformation of education systems in Chicago school districts; the definition of a "Carnegie Unit" and why it may be obsolete; how he plans to use his position within the Carnegie Foundation to better education; and a controversial take on deep dish pizza during the lighting round! Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219Check out the "Street Data: Imagining the Next Generation of Education" podcast: https://streetdata.podbean.com

As season two gets underway, Rod and Jal leverage their own knowledge and experience to debate the merits of bringing Canadian school reform to the United States. Highlights from their conversation include: a history of Canadian reform processes dating back to Rod's work with the Ministry of Education in British Columbia;  the influence of Michael Fullan; a controversial take on a new border design; the importance of building trust in all levels of the system; emphasizing the need for patience when attempting to make large scale changes;  including all stakeholders in the co-creation process; and a surprising take on fast food favorites during the lighting round. Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219

Gino Beniamino returns as guest host to navigate us through a reflective journey that covers a wide range of topics. Rod and Jal go back and listen to past sound bites and remember some of their favorite moments from season one. Highlights from this episode include: reflecting on the significance of finishing an entire season; recapping the major themes that were present across many of our interviews; listening to past quotes from our esteemed guests, and a final lighting round to wrap things up. Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219Also, if you are interested in revisiting any of the episodes mentioned in our finale, links are included below:Episode 02: Conversation with Lillian Hsu and Chris LehmannEpisode 06: Changing the Grammar of Schooling - A Conversation with Jeff HopkinsEpisode 11: Free Range Classrooms - A Conversation with Tyler ThigpenEpisode 12: Behind the Curtain – Sarah Fine and Jal Mehta Take Us Inside the Making of “In Search of Deeper Learning”Episode 13: Our Kids are Not Broken - A Conversation with Ron BergerEpisode 22: "Just tell the damn truth!" - A Conversation with Jeff Duncan-AndradeEpisode 25: Heart, Head, Hands - A Conversation with Marshall GanzEpisode 30: Speaking Truth to Power - A Conversation with Prince George's District Student Advisory Council

Dr. Kaleb Rashad is the Interim Chief Executive Officer of High Tech High. Kaleb is also the Co-Founder & Creative Director at the Center for Love & Justice located within the High Tech High Graduate School of Education (HTH GSE). In this role, he works with community leaders in the US, Canada, Spain, and Hong Kong to create new schools and redesign existing schools focused on advancing equity through Liberatory Project-based learning. This week's conversation covers: the people who have influenced Kaleb's work, including a new record of references to past guests; the importance of mixing good education design with justice and equity, and why the transfer of power, history, identity, and partnerships are key components to the process; the need to move from an improvement space to a transformational space; teaching people how to think, not what to think; asking about, and then focusing on what is meaningful learning for the students; why we need to make sure students and teachers are comfortable bringing their whole self to the classroom; and why historical context is important for understanding today's challenges especially through the lens of race.Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219Fugitive Pedagogy - Jarvis Givens

Shanna Peeples is the Dr. John G. O’Brien distinguished chair in education at West Texas A&M university. In 2015 she was awarded USA National Teacher of the Year for her work at Palo Duro High School, and also found her way to Harvard where she attended classes taught by our co-host, Jal Mehta!Highlights from this episode include: an opening dialogue on the recent school shooting in Evalde, Texas; Shanna's long journey to teaching and how money played a role in her transition from journalism to the classroom; a powerful reflection on her first teaching job and what kept her from walking away; what it means to get students to ask real questions; the role technology should play in education - more to serve than drive design; the importance of getting both students and teachers to bring their whole selves to school; factors and politics that sometimes prevent teachers from being their authentic selves; why we should encourage more teachers to experiment and bring students in as co-creators; how to expand authenticity beyond teachers and into the systems level; and a great analogy of "Marie Kondo-ing" our curriculums. Questions? Thoughts? Feedback? Email us at  [email protected] or Tweet us at @jal_mehta and @Rodroad219