Transformation Journey: Lake City Area Schools with Tim Hejnal and Meghan Utech

In this episode of The Getting Smart Podcast with Liberty Public Schools, Rebecca Midles introduces how Liberty Public Schools, located just north of Kansas City and serving about 12,000 students, is reimagining learning through real-world experiences and personalized pathways. The conversation features Julie Moore, Assistant Superintendent for Innovation and Learning, and Sarah Wickham, Director of Real-World Learning, who share the story behind Edge, a microschool embedded within Liberty High School. What began as a vision inspired by the success of EPiC Elementary and shaped by site visits, collaborative design, and even notes scribbled on a napkin became a districtwide learning journey. Rather than centering only on one innovative program, this episode explores how starting small, learning through iteration, and staying grounded in authentic, student-centered experiences can help an entire district transform. Outline (00:00) Introduction (11:14) Building the Space and Team (17:46) Scaling the Model (21:15) Impact on Students and Educators (25:11) Looking Ahead Links Read the full blog here Liberty Public Schools Julie Moore Sarah Wickham EPIC Elementary School What School Could Be Episode with Liberty EDGE Students

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers sits down with Dr. Whitney Oakley, superintendent of Guilford County Schools, to explore the Guilford Guarantee—a bold district commitment that every graduate leaves high school with college credit, an industry-recognized credential, or a meaningful work-based learning experience. The conversation highlights what it takes to build real-world learning at scale, from family and student listening to employer partnerships, advising systems, and cross-sector alignment. Dr. Oakley shares how Guilford County is turning a promise into a sustainable strategy for equity, access, and future-ready pathways for all learners. Outline (00:00) Introduction (04:45) The Guilford Guarantee (12:29) Aligning the System (19:05) Community Listening & Industry Partners (22:53) Sustaining the Promise Links Read the full blog here Watch the full video here LinkedIn Guilford County Schools Whitney Oakley - Chiefs for Change GCS Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley talks vision  

Outline (0:00) Introduction & Ancient Grains (6:45) Teaching Across Contexts (11:39) The Stimulation Gap (17:36) The Hook, Pitch, Awakening & Strengthening Framework (28:14) Civics, Democracy & the Classroom (37:19) Civic Virtues & the Role of Schools Links Read the full blog here Watch the full video here Dr. Douglas Yacek LinkedIn

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia sits down with Keri Rodrigues, founder and president of the National Parents Union, to explore the power of parent voice in education. From school safety and special education to report cards, trust, AI readiness, and student data privacy, Keri shares why families must be treated as true partners in shaping better learning experiences. This conversation is a powerful reminder that meaningful school change starts by listening to the people closest to students. Outline (00:00) Introduction (01:32) Keri's Origin Story (07:26) What Parents Are Frustrated About (12:20) School-Parent Communication & Engagement (24:03) Report Cards, Outcomes & Transparency (31:26) Technology, Data Privacy & Duty of Care Links Watch the full video here Read the full blog here LinkedIn National Parents Union  

In this episode of Catching Up, Nate McClennen and Mason Pashia explore the ideas shaping the future of learning and work—from the link between school innovation and enrollment demand to the rise of student influencers as a new form of district storytelling. They also dig into AI's growing role in education, including bias in feedback systems, the homogenizing effect of generative tools, and how AI may free teachers to spend more time on uniquely human work. The conversation also highlights the importance of agency, internships, and real-world learning, while ending with reflections on poetry, humility, and the power of noticing the world around us. Outline (0:00) Intro & Episode Preview (10:14) Student Influencers (12:51) AI Bias & Homogenization (27:01) Deep Dive: Agency & AI's Role in Education (50:17) What's That Song? Links Watch the full video here Read the full blog here Can Student Influencers Help This District Rebuild Enrollment? Personalized Bias in AI Writing Feedback Percentage of High School and College Students Ages 16 Through 24 Who Were Employed Shut Out: High School Students Learn About Careers but Can't Try One That Pays Student Agency Boosts Engagement and Readiness Agency in America We're About to Get Agency Wrong  

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen talks with Liza Garoznik, founder and CEO of Real Discussion, about one of the biggest questions in education today: how do we teach and assess durable skills like communication, listening, and collaboration? Framed by the rise of AI and growing concern about a "conversation crisis," the discussion explores why authentic interaction must be developed alongside artificial intelligence. Liza shares the origin story behind Real Discussion, explains the REAL framework—Relate, Excerpt, Ask, Listen—and offers practical insight into how schools can embed conversation skills into core academics while also measuring student growth, belonging, and engagement. Outline (0:00) Introduction & Durable Skills Framework (3:40) Liza's Story & Real Discussion Origins (11:23) The Conversation Crisis & Authentic Interaction (21:36) The REAL Framework & Teaching Discussion Skills (26:22) Assessment & Measuring Student Growth (34:19) Practical Tools & Future of Real Discussion Links Watch the full blog here Watch the full video here LinkedIn R.E.A.L. Discussion Liza Garonzik on Teaching Tomorrow's Human Skills Grade Discussion Skills, Not Discussions  

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia sits down with Joana Ponce and Catherine Alves, featured in Roadtrip Nation's Explore Your Interests, for a thoughtful conversation about passion, purpose, and the messy reality of career exploration. Together, they reflect on how exposure to new people and possibilities helped them rethink the idea of a single "right" path, and why learning to navigate uncertainty may be one of the most important skills young people can build. From journalism and activism to climate work and community-based learning, this episode is a powerful reminder that fulfilling futures are rarely linear—and that sometimes the most important step is simply staying open to what comes next. Outline (0:00) Introduction & Poetry (2:10) Non-Linear Career Paths (5:14) What Is Roadtrip Nation? (22:09) Passion, Purpose & Career Advice (29:11) What's Next Links Watch the full video here Read the full blog here Roadtrippers' Journeys Roadtrip Nation    

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen sits down with Dr. Adel DiOrio to explore how school leaders can move from fragmented initiatives to real coherence through knowledge management, transformational leadership, and coaching. Drawing on her research in rural school systems and insights from The Coach's Playbook, Adel shares why documenting what works, building strong relationships, and leading with intention are essential to sustaining improvement over time. From the power of "if you think it, ink it" to the life-changing influence of coaches and leaders, this conversation offers practical wisdom for principals, superintendents, teachers, and anyone working to build stronger, more human-centered schools. Outline (0:00) Introduction & Guest Welcome (5:56) Adel's Background & Career Path (12:05) Leadership & Building Cohesive Teams (19:07) Knowledge Management Research (24:08) Dissertation Findings & Practical Takeaways (37:51) The Coach's Playbook (47:06) Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways Links Watch the full video here Read the full blog here LinkedIn  

Why do so many promising ideas in education stay stuck in individual classrooms? In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen talks with Rebecca Wolfe about what it takes to turn innovation into lasting system change. From teacher agency and school leadership to accountability and knowledge-sharing, they explore how schools can create the conditions for ideas to spread, scale, and ultimately support learner thriving. Outline (00:00) Intro & The Problem (12:46) Learning From AVID (24:42) School Leadership & Culture (34:15) The Macro Challenge (41:40) Hope & A Bias Toward Action Links Read the full blog here Watch the full video here LinkedIn  

Every school that has tried to change and failed has done so for the same reason: the system kept producing exactly the results it was designed to produce, and nobody changed the system. What Lake City Area Schools discovered — through honest self-examination, disciplined sequencing, and a refusal to mistake movement for progress — is that real transformation requires a different kind of courage than most improvement efforts demand. Not the courage to launch something new, but the courage to admit that the old system was working perfectly: producing disengagement on schedule, graduating students unprepared on time, and generating just enough compliance to keep the lights on. This is the story of what happens when a district decides that is not enough. Join Rebecca Midles, Tim Hejnal and Meghan Utech to learn more.