Learning Can’t Wait

Danya Sundh, Coordinator of Coaching and SEL at Libertyville School District 70 in Illinois, shares her deep passion for education rooted in her upbringing and her community ties. Her district embraces innovation by integrating emerging technologies like AI into classrooms through an opt-in professional development program called SPARK, which fosters collaboration, experimentation, and continuous learning among educators. Danya hig...

Alana Winnick, Chief Technology Officer and multi-faceted education leader, shares her innovative approach to integrating technology in schools with a strong emphasis on student voice and empowerment. She highlights the importance of including students in technology adoption and leadership, breaking down barriers through student-led innovation clubs, and how AI is reshaping education by leveling the playing field for diverse learne...

AJ Crabill shares his journey from an accidental start in student leadership development to becoming a transformative education leader known for centering students and changing adult behaviors to improve student outcomes. He discusses the importance of empowering students to lead culture and climate in schools, highlights the need for adult behavior changes to support student success, and reflects on his district turnaround success...

Aruna Gilbert, Chief Program and Policy Officer at the Early Learning Coalition, shares her journey from economics and global environmental work to a deep lifelong commitment to early childhood education. She discusses the transformative power of early learning, the critical role of early educators—often underappreciated women—and innovative approaches using data-driven tools to support children’s development, educators, and famili...

Dr. Michael Stone, superintendent of Lee County School District in Arkansas, shares his journey from growing up in a large single-parent family in Lee County to becoming a passionate educator and community leader. He discusses the shift in community values, the challenges and benefits of technology in schools, especially the impact of cell phones, and the importance of fiscal responsibility in school administration. Dr. Stone empha...

This episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast brings together three thought leaders in education technology—John Gamba from Penn GSE, Jason Green of Your Way Learning, and Will Krasnow from SwiftScore—to discuss the evolving role of AI in education. They explore how AI is reshaping classrooms by enhancing teacher practice and student engagement when paired with the right mindset and research-backed methods. The conversation cover...

This podcast conversation between Nate McClennen and Hayley Spira-Bauer explores the transformative potential of AI in education, focusing on reducing teacher workload, reimagining the school day to enhance human connection, and integrating media literacy as a core skill for students. They discuss the challenges of scaling project-based learning within compliance-driven systems and envision a future where AI acts as a co-pilot for ...

Dr. Jeff Carlson shared insights from his diverse experiences in education, from rural Idaho schools to urban New York City classrooms, emphasizing the critical role of public education in community life and equity. He highlighted challenges rural schools face, such as limited access to advanced coursework and technology, and expressed concern about policymakers burdening schools with societal issues instead of addressing them dire...

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, Dr. Kaycee Brock, a candidate for the Atlanta Public School Board, shares her journey from educator to education consultant and now to political candidate. She discusses her motivations for running, emphasizing her passion for equity in education, her extensive background in various education roles, and her commitment to being actively involved in the community. Dr. Brock highligh...

The episode features Dr. Malcolm Jones II, Assistant Superintendent of Forest City School District, discussing his journey from a young athlete to an educational leader who values academic and personal development. He emphasizes the importance of academic standards set by his parents, the lessons learned from sports, and the transformative leadership led by the district’s superintendent, which has uplifted a historically challenged...

Auditi Chakravarty shares her unique journey from growing up as a child of immigrants in rural America to becoming a passionate educator and the CEO of Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF), an organization pioneering advanced inclusive Research and Development (R&D) in education. She highlights the critical disconnect between learning Sciences, Education Ecosystems, and Practitioners, advocating for research...

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, Douglas Wilson, principal of Avondale High School in Michigan, shares insights into his leadership philosophy focused on continuous improvement, collaboration, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity. He highlights the school's diversity and commitment to equitable education for all students, emphasizing reflective practice and creativity among staff. Wilson also discusses...

 In this episode of the Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, Andy Shean, Chief Learning Officer at Penn Foster Group, shares his personal journey from situational poverty to education leadership and underscores the transformative power of education. Shean describes his work at Penn Foster Group, a radically affordable, direct-to-career institution serving 300,000+ students, and introduces the LADDS model—Learner-centered, Authentic, Differ...

In this episode of The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO and founder of Designing Schools, shares how her journey from graduating during a recession to becoming a leader in design thinking and educational innovation has shaped her belief in empowering students and educators with the mindsets and skills to adapt in a rapidly evolving, AI‑powered world. She discusses the importance of independent learning, critical ...

In this episode of The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Dr. Jeremy Owoh, Superintendent of Jacksonville North Pulaski School District in Arkansas, about his journey as an educator, the district’s unique history, and his reflective leadership approach. Dr. Owoh shares how the community built a new district...

In this lively and candid episode, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Amy Dujon, VP of Education for Community Edu, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in educational leadership. Amy shares her personal journey—highlighting resilience formed from early adversity and her commitment to leading with empathy and radical honesty. T...

In her podcast interview with Dr. Neil Gupta, Superintendent of Oakwood City Schools, Hayley Spira-Bauer explores Dr. Gupta’s relationship-driven approach to leadership, highlighting his commitment to listening, community engagement, and collaborative vision-building. Together, they discuss how meaningful, lasting change—like developing coordinat...

Dr. Barron Davis, Senior Advisor at Digital Promise, returns to "The Learning Can't Wait" podcast to share his work building the Collaborative Innovation Studio—a national initiative empowering communities to co-create solutions to persistent educational challenges. He and host Hayley Spira-Bauer discuss authentic partnership, the value of centering student voice, and the power of collaboration and feedback in drivi...

AI strategist and K-12 innovation consultant Merissa Sadler-Holder joins Hayley Spira-Bauer on "The Learning Can't Wait" podcast to share her journey from French teacher to tech advocate and founder. Merissa discusses how the pandemic and GameStop phenomenon sparked her move into edtech innovation, the empowering parallel between teaching students and guiding AI tools, and her call for educators to reject martyrdom and own their va...