Shows / Learning Can’t Wait
Learning Can’t Wait
The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast is your view into how changemakers are driving innovation in the field of education. Each week we interview leaders who are challenging the status quo at a time when it is absolutely necessary to rebuild the system for our students. Podcast Powered by Fullmind
Episodes
Learning Can’t WaitTeacher Retention, Educational Innovation and EdTech & AI | Vinay Ganti
In this special crossover episode of Learning Can't Wait and ETS's Praxis Journeys, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Vinay Ganti, Head of Partnerships and…
Learning Can’t WaitScience of Reading, Implementation Science & Literacy Instruction | Rose Else-Mitchell
In this episode of Learning Can't Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Rose Else-Mitchell, Executive Director of the Science of Reading Center at SUNY, to…
Learning Can’t WaitLeadership, Resilience & Empathy | Wendell Sumter
In this episode of Learning Can't Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with retired education leader and author Wendell Sumter to discuss his new book, Dirt Road…
Learning Can’t WaitChronic Absenteeism, Family Engagement & Relationships | Alex Meis & Dr. Anny Iacono
In this episode of Learning Can't Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Alex Meis, Vice President of Attendance Strategy at ParentSquare, and Dr. Anny Iacono…
Learning Can’t WaitEducational Justice, Holistic Education & Humanitarian Impact | Sri Madhusudan Sai
In this episode of the Learning Can't Wait Podcast, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Sri Madhusudan Sai, founder of a global movement dedicated to providing…
Learning Can’t WaitStudent Safety, Community Trust & Resilient Leadership
In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, Dr. Brenda Lewis, Superintendent of Fridley Public Schools, shares her leadership journey from paraeducator to…
Learning Can’t WaitFuture Readiness, Community Engagement & Student Opportunity | Rachael Tutwiler Fortune
In Season 12 Episode 2, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, for an inspiring…
Learning Can’t WaitWorkforce Alignment, Rural Education Equity & Opportunity Access | Dr. Denise Reading
In Season 12 Episode 1, Hayley Spira-Bauer kicks off the new season with Dr. Denise Reading, CEO and Founder of Future Plans, in a powerful conversation on…
Learning Can’t WaitSeason 11 Wrap Up Episode
And that’s a wrap on Season 11 of the Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, a season filled with bold ideas, inspiring leaders, and meaningful conversations shaping the…
Learning Can’t WaitAI Leadership, Student Agency & Human-Centered Learning | Dr. Kim Glazer
In Season 11 Episode 18, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Kip Glazer, Silicon Valley principal and author of Ready to Lead with AI, to explore how school…
Learning Can’t WaitLeadership Visibility, Student Engagement & Systems Innovation | Dr. David Lawrence
In Season 11 Episode 17, Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Dr. David Lawrence, Superintendent of Dayton Public Schools, about leading with visibility, urgency…
Learning Can’t WaitAI in Education, Writing Proficiency & Student Engagement | Perry Rosenstein
In Season 11 Episode 16, Hayley Spira‑Bauer speaks with Perry Rosenstein, Co‑founder and CEO of WriteOn, about the intersection of AI, writing instruction, and…
Learning Can’t WaitStudent Agency, Intrinsic Motivation & Ethical Purpose | Deborah Kenny
In Season 11 Episode 14, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Deborah Kenny, CEO and Founder of Harlem Village Academies, to explore what it truly means to…
Learning Can’t WaitHigh-Quality Curriculum, Leadership and Systems Change & Productive Friction | John White
In Season 11 Episode 13, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with John White, CEO of Great Minds and former Louisiana State Superintendent, for a candid conversation…
Learning Can’t WaitNervous System Regulation, Behavior as Communication & Trauma Informed Practice | Dana Ainsworth
In Season 11 Episode 12, Hayley Spira‑Bauer speaks with Dana Ainsworth, founder of Tomorrow House, about reframing student behavior through the lens of nervous…
Learning Can’t WaitSystems‑Level Change, Instructional Coherence & Leadership with Trust | Dr. Elizabeth Chu, Jason Kamras & Celeste Terry
In Season 11 Episode 11, Hayley Spira‑Bauer brings together Dr. Elizabeth Chu (Executive Director, CPRL), Jason Kamras (Superintendent, Richmond Public…
Learning Can’t WaitNeurodiversity & Representation, Early Literacy Balance & Teacher Author Voice | Alicia Meyers
In Season 11 Episode 10 of Learning Can’t Wait, Hayley Spira‑Bauer is joined by Alicia Meyers, an early childhood educator and children’s book author, for a…
Learning Can’t WaitChoice & Opportunity, Impact Driven Innovation & Teaching Reimagined | Frances Messano
In Season 11 Episode 9, Hayley Spira‑Bauer welcomes Frances Messano, CEO of New Schools Venture Fund, for a wide‑ranging and deeply personal conversation about…
Learning Can’t WaitLongitudinal Student Data, Teacher Time & Efficiency & Intrinsic Motivation & Engagement | Christopher Hull
In Season 11 Episode 8, Hayley Spira‑Bauer sits down with Christopher Hull, Co-founder & President at Otus, to explore how meaningful data use can restore…
Learning Can’t WaitScaffolding & Language Supports, Belonging & Equity & Rigor & Achievement Gaps | Brandon Cardet-Hernandez
In Season 11 Episode 7 of Learning Can’t Wait, Brandon Cardet-Hernandez, CEO and founder of Medley Learning, shares his journey from multilingual learner to…
Learning Can’t WaitRural Innovation, Belonging & Relationships & Creative Staffing / Virtual Instruction | Shane Purdy
In Season 11, Episode 6 of Learning Can’t Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Shane Purdy, an Assistant Superintendent in rural Georgia, about leadership…
Learning Can’t WaitAll Education is Career Education, Student Agency & Authentic Learning & CTE Pathways / College AND Career | Dr. Mark Covelle
In this Learning Can’t Wait episode, Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Dr. Mark Covelle, Administrative Director of Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, about…
Learning Can’t WaitMotivation Continuum, Durable Skills & AI-Proofing Education | Chris Bennett
In Season 11, Episode 4 of Learning Can’t Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Chris Bennett, an “engagement architect” whose career began in video games…
Learning Can’t WaitTeacher Retention, Belonging & Onboarding & Brave, People-First Leadership | Julia Bialeski
In Season 11, Episode 3 of Learning Can’t Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Julia Bialeski—educator, author, speaker, former principal, and current district…
Learning Can’t WaitWorkforce Analytics, Retention & Wellbeing & Strategic Workforce Planning | Fleur Johnston
Fleur Johnston—Founder and CEO of PeopleBench—opens by sharing her personal and professional journey, rooted in Australia and shaped by early exposure to…
Learning Can’t WaitImpact at Scale, Student-Centered Leadership & Choice-Filled Lives | Steve Colón & John Branam
In this New Season 11, first Episode of Learning Can’t Wait, John Branam and Steve Colón share the story behind the merger of Bottom Line and Get Schooled, two…
Learning Can’t WaitSeason 10 Wrap‑Up
In the wrap‑up of Season 10 of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira‑Bauer reflects on a powerful season featuring 23 conversations with education…
Learning Can’t WaitLiteracy Justice, Storytelling for Impact & Community-Based Solutions | Lucy Martin
In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Lucy Martin of the Children’s Literacy Project about the power of storytelling to…
Learning Can’t WaitHuman-Centered Leadership, Equity & Belonging & Imperfect Leadership | Dr. Peter Stiepelman
In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Dr. Peter Stiepelman—former superintendent, author, and host of An Imperfect…
Learning Can’t WaitHands-on Learning, Student Engagement & AI Literacy | Dr. Jenny Nash
In this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Jenny Nash, Head of Education Impact at LEGO Education (U.S.), to explore…
Learning Can’t WaitRural education, Asset-based lens & Teacher retention | Dr. Melissa Sadorf
In this "Learning Can't Wait" podcast episode, host Hayley Spira-Bauer interviews Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the National Rural Education…
Learning Can’t WaitLifelong learning and “lead learner” mindset, Psychological safety for leaders and staff & Global perspectives on schooling and context | Dr. Kalpana Rao, Kyle Conley, and Jennifer Dubey
The episode explores how three co-founders of Building Leaders—Dr. Kalpana Rao, Kyle Conley, and Jennifer Dubey—are reimagining school leadership by centering…
Learning Can’t WaitMaster scheduling, AI optimization & District efficiency | Paymon Rouhanifard
The episode follows Paymon Rouhanifard’s journey from an expected career in finance into teaching in West Harlem, where seeing “the Matrix” of classroom…
Learning Can’t WaitEmpathy, Belonging, and Student Voice | Dieumerci Christel
This episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast features entrepreneur and EnlightApp founder Dieumerci Christel, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree whose journey…
Learning Can’t WaitYouth mental health, AI companions & Ethical AI practice | Dr. Marina A. Badillo-Diaz
This episode explores how AI is reshaping school-based social work and youth mental health, through the lens of Dr. Marina Badillo-Diaz’s work as a professor…
Learning Can’t WaitAI parenting, Agentic AI & Present ready | Kunal Dalal
This episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast features Kunal Dalal, Chief Parentologist at AI Parentology, exploring how generative AI can support parents…
Learning Can’t WaitGame-based learning, Purposeful integration & Student agency | Arana Shapiro
The episode explores how games can transform learning when they are used intentionally, highlighting Games for Change’s work to help students and educators…
Learning Can’t WaitFounder empathy, Global EdTech & Long-term vision | Alberto Arena and Michael Narea
This episode of Learning Can't Wait features Transcend Network co-founders Alberto Arena and Michael Narea in a deep, human-centered conversation about what it…
Learning Can’t WaitAI learner profiles, Student data privacy & Human-centered technology | Roberto Vargas
This episode explores how Roberto Vargas, Managing Director of IT and Data Systems at Distinctive Schools, uses technology, data, and AI to better serve…
Learning Can’t WaitProduct‑market fit, Educator feedback marketplace & Edtech empathy | Hallie Smith
The episode follows Hallie Smith’s journey from two decades in reading intervention and speech pathology to becoming a fractional marketing leader and founder…
Learning Can’t WaitScience of reading, Three Sciences Framework & Explicit, systematic instruction | Paige Pullen
This episode centers on how the “science of reading” must expand beyond phonics to a broader “literacy science” that spans birth through adolescence, and how…
Learning Can’t WaitBehavior support capacity-building, Relationships and positive reinforcement & Data-driven, trauma-aware practice | Allie Nudelman, Vicki Trujillo & Allan Smith
This episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast features special education leaders Allie Nudelman and Vicki Trujillo, along with BCBA Allan Smith, sharing how…
Learning Can’t WaitCollaboration, Small group learning & EdTech innovation | Matt Miller
The episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast features Matt Miller, CEO and Co-founder of OKO Labs, discussing how his team is innovating in education…
Learning Can’t WaitAuthentic leadership , Team culture & Feedback | Michael Lombardo
The episode features Michael Lombardo as he explores the core principles of authentic leadership, emphasizing trust, empathy, and open communication as…
Learning Can’t WaitDigital Transformation, Leadership & Organizational Change | Matt Giovanniello
The episode features an insightful discussion with guest Matt Giovanniello, focusing on the evolving landscape of digital transformation, the power of…
Learning Can’t WaitEducator Burnout, Workplace Well-being & Mental Health Crisis | Lindsay Fuller
Lindsay Fuller, Executive Director of The Teaching Well and a legacy educator, shares her deep commitment to addressing educator burnout and mental health…
Learning Can’t WaitRural education, Student engagement & Leadership visibility | Dr. Bill Chapman
In this episode of Learning Can't Wait, Dr. Bill Chapman, Superintendent of London ISD in Texas and president-elect of NREA, shares his journey from initially…
Learning Can’t WaitWomen Leadership, Education Equity & Leadership Sustainability | Emily Hartnett
Emily Hartnett, Executive Director of Women Leading Ed, shares her journey from being a first-generation college student and teacher in post-Katrina New…
Learning Can’t WaitAI Education, Pro-human AI Leadership & Utah AI Infrastructure | Matthew Winters
Matt Winters, an AI Education Specialist, shares his unique journey from a radio DJ to a key player in Utah’s AI education landscape. He discusses Utah’s…
Learning Can’t WaitAI ethics, AI in education & Deepfakes | Rebecca Bultsma
Rebecca Boltsma, an AI ethics researcher and K-12 strategist, shares her journey from a communications background to becoming deeply immersed in AI ethics…
Learning Can’t WaitSeason 9 Wrap Episode
Season 9 ends with a bang. Check out this highlight episode covering the incredible guests and conversations that made this season our best one yet.
Learning Can’t WaitEdTech Marketing, Storytelling & Multilingual Learners | JW Marshall
This episode of "Learning Can't Wait" features JW Marshall, Vice President of Marketing at Summit K-12 and a seasoned podcaster, who shares his journey from…
Learning Can’t WaitCybersecurity Pathways, Education Access & Regional Talent Development | Kimberly Smith and Seth Walker
Kimberly Smith and Seth Walker discuss the transformative power of education and innovative cybersecurity pathways for students, especially in rural…
Learning Can’t WaitDigital Learning Innovation, AI Literacy and Governance & Equity in Education | Tara Carrozza
Tara Carrozza, Director of Digital Learning and Innovation at New York Public Schools, shares her unique journey from college basketball and acting to teaching…
Learning Can’t WaitLearning Disabilities, Universal Screeners & Teacher Preparation | Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez
Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), shares her journey through education and leadership, emphasizing the…
Learning Can’t WaitInnovation in Education, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & SPARK Professional Development | Danya Sundh
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…
Learning Can’t WaitStudent Empowerment, Technology Integration & Artificial Intelligence | Alana Winnick
Alana Winnick, Chief Technology Officer and multi-faceted education leader, shares her innovative approach to integrating technology in schools with a strong…
Learning Can’t WaitStudent Leadership, Adult Behavior Change & Instructional Leadership | AJ Crabill
AJ Crabill shares his journey from an accidental start in student leadership development to becoming a transformative education leader known for centering…
Learning Can’t WaitEarly childhood education, Educational equity & Workforce development | Aruna Gilbert
Aruna Gilbert, Chief Program and Policy Officer at the Early Learning Coalition, shares her journey from economics and global environmental work to a deep…
Learning Can’t WaitCommunity Engagement, Fiscal Responsibility & Technology in Education | Dr. Michael Stone
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…