In this episode of The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer engages in an important conversation with Richard Carranza, a seasoned education leader with a passion for leveraging technology to create more equitable learning experiences. Richard shares his journey from working in the New York City school system to joining IXL Learning…

How can we better prepare and sustain school leaders, especially those from the communities they serve? In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Rob Schwartz, an experienced education leader, to discuss the evolving landscape of school leadership and the crucial role of equity in education. Rob shares insights …

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, we sit down with Bridget Johnson, founder of the Dean’s Roundtable, to discuss the evolving role of school deans in student life and support. Often seen as the disciplinarians of a school, deans actually play a critical role in fostering student growth, decision-making skills, and overall well-being. Bridget …

How can technology drive systemic change in education? In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, we sit down with Julia Fallon, Executive Director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), to explore the evolving role of technology in modernizing schools. Julia shares insights on how policy, infrastructure, and leadership pla…

How is technology shaping the way we learn and connect? In this thought-provoking episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with renowned education innovator and author Isabelle Hau to explore the evolving role of AI, relationships, and play in education. Isabelle shares groundbreaking research on AI companions and their imp…

Esports isn’t just about playing video games—it’s about teamwork, leadership, resilience, and real-world skills that can shape a student’s future. In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with esports expert Chris Aviles, founder of Garden State Esports, and Andrew Abramson, a passionate young esports competitor, to…

In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Haley sits down with Gail daMota, the president of the Education Finance Council (EFC), to discuss the complexities of higher education financing and the importance of accessible, affordable education. Gail shares her journey into the education finance sector, where she has worked for over 30 years advoc…

What’s the key to innovation in education? Our guest Evan Abramson says it’s trust, relationships, and a willingness to listen. In this episode, he shares his framework for evaluating ed tech tools and partnerships, focusing on what really matters: solving real problems for students, teachers, and schools. Evan highlights the role of trust—not just…

On our newest episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with educator and author Dan Fitzpatrick about how competition and AI are driving innovation in education. They explore the potential of technologies like AI tutors to reshape learning models, referencing groundbreaking examples like Synthesis, an online sc…

On our newest episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Christina Dukes Brown, a passionate advocate for educational equity and community engagement. Dr. Brown shares her candid perspective on the challenges educators face, emphasizing the critical need for better preparation and trauma-informed prac…

In this thought-provoking episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Michael Horn, acclaimed author of Job Moves and a visionary in education innovation. Together, they dive into the transformative power of technology in education, from personalized learning tools to the growing micro school movement that’s reshaping how…

To wrap up Season 6 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer takes a moment to reflect on the incredible insights, stories, and innovations shared by our remarkable guests. This season was nothing short of groundbreaking, with thought leaders diving into topics like AI in education, equity for multilingual learners, rural sch…

How can we spark a love for math and challenge the myth of the “math person”? In this episode, Hayley Spira-Bauer interviews Co-Founder and CEO of Zearn, Shalinee Sharma to discuss how mindset, persistence, and fun can transform math learning. Shalinee shares research on how American and Japanese students approach problem-solving and explains why e…

On our latest episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Patrick Fredriks, Deputy director of Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, to discuss how rural education can thrive through innovation, community, and collaboration. By partnering with local industries, the Collaborative fosters hands-on lear…

On this episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Vriti Saraf, CEO and Co-founder of Ed3 DAO, to discuss how emerging technologies like AI and blockchain can transform education when anchored in strong pedagogical practices. Vriti shares her journey from Teach for America to leading global education initiative…

In this podcast episode, Hayley engages Nicole and Izzy Galante from Mosaic Instructional Planning about their perspectives on what makes teaching excellent and how their tool, Mosaic, supports that vision. They describe excellent teaching as a vulnerable, empathetic, and collaborative experience where teachers learn with and in front of their stud…

On this inspiring episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Vallerie Cave, Superintendent of Allendale County Schools, and renowned educator and speaker Shawn Blanchard to explore the unique challenges and triumphs of rural education. Dr. Cave shares her innovative strategies for providing Allendale …

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer takes a dive deep into the evolving landscape of education with Heather Rubin, the administrative coordinator for ENL and bilingual programs with Eastern Suffolk BOCES in New York State. Heather shares her insights on cultural responsiveness, project-based learning, and…

In this episode of The Learning Can't Wait podcast, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, Superintendent of Dallas Independent School District (ISD), to explore the innovative strategies that have made Dallas ISD a national leader in teacher retention and student achievement. Dr. Elizalde shares insights into the district's uniq…

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer welcomes back Dr. Kelsey Young, Associate Director of Research Insights and Analytics at Curriculum Associates. Together, they dive into the latest research reports released by Curriculum Associates, including data from i-Ready that reveals significant insights into student…

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, we dive into the vital role of civic education in shaping engaged, responsible citizens. Host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Beverly Leon, Founder and CEO of Local Civics, and Dr. Peter Tragos, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at New Trier High School District, to explore how ed…

In this special episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer talks with Lisa Tarshis, Executive Director of the Primer Foundation, about the innovative world of micro schools and the impact of personalized learning. Tarsus introduces the Primer Fellowship, a program empowering educators to create community-driven micro schools tailored t…

In this episode of Learning Can't Wait, we dive deep into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education with Dr. Vicki Phelps and Marisa Janicek. Our guests explore how AI can enhance personalized learning, streamline teacher tasks, and foster more engaging classroom experiences. They address critical ethical considerations s…

Continuing our AI Mini Series, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Muhsinah Morris, the visionary behind Morehouse College’s Metaversity program, to discuss the transformative role of technology in creating equitable, accessible learning environments for all students. Dr. Morris shares her unique perspective on access, going beyond socioecon…

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer chats with Alex Kotran, co-founder of aiEDU, about the current AI hype cycle in education. Alex discusses why we may be both overhyping and underhyping AI, the expected slow progress in the next three years, and the potential breakthroughs over the next eight. He highli…

To kick off our AI in Education Mini Series, we dive deep into the future of education with Mike Yates from the Reinvention Lab at Teach for America. Yates shares his journey of working with tech giants like Google and AWS to empower students to transition from passive consumers of technology to active creators. He discusses the opportunities and c…

In our latest episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Chad Aldeman, founder of Read Not Guess, as they unpack two massive topics; the national teacher shortage crisis and preparing educators in an effective way. Chad shares his perspective on training, recruitment, and retention and potential ways to tak…

On our latest Learning Can't Wait episode, out host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Amanda Bickerstaff, Founder and CEO of AI for Education as they dive into how AI can be effectively used in today's classroom. This incredibly insightful conversation covers Amanda's personal and professional path, the quick trajectory of AI for Educaiton, and what …

🌟 WELCOME TO SEASON 6 🌟 To kick off this season of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Siya Raj Purohit, from the Education Go-to-Market Team at OpenAI and general partner at Pathway Ventures, for an inspiring and insightful conversation. Siya shares her remarkable journey from being an ESL student to becoming a leadi…

On this SPECIAL EPISODE of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer chats with chats with 8th graders from Montgomery County ESC during their lifestyle fair. From interests to student support to advice for incoming middle schoolers, these students use their real life experiences to inform thoughtful conversation. Tune in to gain…

🌟 SEASON 5 IS A WRAP! 🌟 From NYC to rural America, this incredibly powerful season covered it all. In today's episode, our host, Hayley Spria-Bauer recaps all that season 5 held. Thank you to our wonderful, inspiring guests this season. Your work in the education space is critical to our youth's and our nation's futures! And, thank you to YOU, our …

In this episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, our host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Emmanuel George, New York Regional Superintendent at Democracy Prep Public Schools. At the top of the episode, Emmanuel thanks his mother and other family members who helped form his values of humility, respect, and civic-mindedness. Democracy Prep has a …

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer continues her miniseries on rural education with Dr. Amy Azano, a professor at the School of Education at Virginia Tech and the founding director of Virginia Tech's Center for Rural Education. Dr. Azano shares her journey from a small town in the Shenandoah Valley to becomi…

Join host Hayley Spira-Bauer in this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast as she continues the Rural Education mini-series with insightful guests Heather Bookstaver, Ann Lewis, and Taylor Gump. Featuring perspectives from two seasoned educators and a passionate student teacher, this episode explores both the unique charms and challenges of te…

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer returns to the Rural Education mini-series with guests Mike Barrera, Superintendent of Premont ISD, and Conrad Cantu, Superintendent of Freer ISD. Both guests bring valuable perspectives from their roles in the Rural School Innovation Zone (RSIZ), sharing their expertise on…

In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer returns to the Rural Education mini-series with a conversation featuring Richard Wright, superintendent of Agua Dulce ISD, and Michael Gonzalez, executive director of the Rural School Innovation Zone (RSIZ). They discuss the unique challenges and innovative solutions in rur…

On this special episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, we take a brief detour from our Rural Education Miniseries to sit down with Arne Duncan, former Secretary of Education and current Managing Partner of Emerson Collective. Arne brings a wealth of experience from his time at Chicago Public Schools and the Obama Administration, offering uniqu…

Welcome to Episode One of our Rural Education mini-series on the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! This week, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts a panel of three incredible education leaders to help us dispel myths about rural America: Melissa Harris - Senior Fellow at Transcend Allen Pratt - Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association Taylor M…

This week on the Learning Can’t Wait podcast host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Jessica Sie, Chief Academic Officer at Zeta Charter School. In this inspiring episode, Jessica describes her passion for breaking down systemic and structural barriers to education. We learn how Jessica defines innovative work and why she believes some of the most e…

Welcome back to the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! This week, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts a thought-provoking conversation with Juliana Finnegan, VP of Educator Experience at Vivi. Tune in as Juliana shares her thoughts about the role of technology in the classroom and how it can support effective instruction without replacing essential human connection…

This week on the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Brandon Cardet-Hernandez, Chief Strategy Officer at Mrs. Wordsmith. In this delightful conversation, Brandon describes how both rigor and play are central to his work helping kids to read and tackling the ‘30 million word gap’. Brandon also shares lessons from his …

Welcome back to Season 5 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! Today, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts a conversation with Doug McCurry, Former Co-CEO and Superintendent of Achievement First, now working as a consultant. Doug shares insights on the resilience learned from his father and son, the impact of smartphones on school and mental health, and why summ…

Welcome back to the Learning Can't Wait Podcast! This week, we're excited to present a panel discussion on innovation in education featuring Brett Roer, Jacob Kantor, and Candice Sears. Tune in as host Hayley Spira-Bauer talks to our respected guests about what makes them hopeful about education today. They'll explore how we can make technology wor…

Join us today for a special solar eclipse episode of the Learning Can't Wait Podcast! Host Hayley Spira-Bauer dives into the universe of STEM with John Dedeax Davis Jr., an Education Specialist at NASA's Office of STEM Engagement, and Talia Milgrom-Elcott, the Founder and Executive Director of Beyond100K. In this captivating discussion, they explor…

In this week's installment of the Learning Can't Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer engages in a captivating dialogue with Chrissybil Boulin, the visionary force behind Jump Start Tutoring and the CEO of Vero Learning. Tune in to this enlightening exchange as Chrissybil shares her journey, revealing how a setback—failure to gain admission into h…

On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait Podcast Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Senior Research Analyst at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, Dr. Steven Weiner. Listen to this delightfully nerdy discussion where Steven shares his research on unconventional learning environments and what insights we can gain from them. Hayley an…

Welcome back to Season 5 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast! Today, Hayley Spira-Bauer hosts an inspiring conversation with Dr. Asya Johnson, Master Principal of Longwood Preparatory Academy. Listen as Asya describes the profound impact of education on her trajectory and how her past experiences continue to shape her work today. Asya explains her e…

Season 5 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast has arrived! To kick off our new season, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Erin Mote, Executive Director of Innovate Edu. Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation where Erin describes why she believes that the state of education is our biggest national security crisis. Erin and Hayley explore h…

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes. Today, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Hedy Chang and Malika Elwin to discuss student attendance. Listen as Hedy and Malika explain why absenteeism is most often a symptom of a much larger picture, and how their work uses data to diagnose problems and tak…

As we take a break after Season 4, we are rebroadcasting some of our favorite episodes. On this week’s episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, Founder of Thriving Students Collective. Listen as Rebecca describes how her background in school psychology has informed the work she does…