Jean Ryoo is the Director of Research of the computer science equity project at UCLA. She is also the lead author of the graphic novel “Power On,” published by MIT Press, which was recently translated into Spanish under the title “Conectados.”

We have a fantastic conversation about Jean’s journey, and we get into her mission to create more equitable and humanizing educational experiences. We also get into the challenges of traditional learning methods and how she came to write a graphic novel. It’s a good one (but sorry for some of the noises in the background).

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode148.

Kimberly Gawne is the founder of Star Students, a personalized education service dedicated to empowering K-12 learners through tailored tutoring and homeschooling programs. Kimberly has always been passionate about people and learning, enjoying the challenge of exploring new methods to unlock potential in others. This passion evolved into a deep desire to impart her skills and enthusiasm, blending the art of learning with the essence of guiding others to achieve incredible success.

In this episode, Kimberly and I talk about her love of teaching and education, and why she started Star Students. She also gets into the importance of mindset shifts and drops some great tips for those starting their own business after teaching.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode147.

Christina "Pip" Pipkin is the founder of FAYE Learning Center, a microschool in Texas. Pip is a Texas native and dedicated DEI expert in K-12 education, passionately advocating for equitable and inclusive learning environments. With over 15 years of experience as a teacher and implementation specialist, Pip combines deep knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion with educational technology to craft culturally responsive classrooms.

Pip and I talked about the pros and cons of running a microschool, and what makes them successful. She also gets into her story, describing the risks she took to start her school. If you are considering opening a microschool, tune in.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode146.

Matt Bowman is the founder and CEO of OpenED, an educational platform which has served over 100,000 students nationwide. After teaching sixth grade and watching his own five children struggle with standardized education, Matt left a successful career as a tech executive to solve a problem close to his heart: “why does school force every unique child into the same mold for over 15 years?”

Open ED, formerly my Tech High, has partnered with public and charter schools to offer families unprecedented flexibility in choosing what, when and how their children learn. In our discussion, Matt and I talk about how he came to start OpenED, how it’s grown, and writing his new book, "Open Education: The Process.”

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode145.

Christine Miles is, an award winning author, a keynote speaker and founder of the Listening Path, a pioneering company in the of field listening intelligence. At the center of her company’s success is a revolutionary system used by Fortune 100 companies and in classrooms across three countries.

Christine and I have a wonderful talk about how her childhood motivated her to pursue work that helps people. She explains why she took on the mission to change how we communicate and provide the “gift of understanding.” Also, she provides lots of details on how her program works.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode144.

After spending 17 years in education, Meredith Cooley decided to try something new: copywriting. She started Page and Purpose after the pandemic and leveled her experience as a teacher into helping ed tech companies craft their marketing. Finding success quickly in her new business, she wants to help other educators try copywriting with her new an online course “Classroom to Copywriting.”

In this episode, Meredith and I discuss why she left teaching and jumped into marketing. She describes how she applied her teaching experience to copywriting, and the process of starting a business, Lots of helpful information in this one!

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode143.

Patrick Mongrain spent ten years teaching middle school history and leadership, and another ten working as as a district-level instructional coach and restorative justice specialist before moving on to professional development. Over the years he’s come to believe that teachers are incredible, but he also created a Moneyball-inspired data collection system to improve their outcomes. It’s worked so well he created the EdChanger Pro app and wrote a book about his findings called “Theory Can Only Take You So Far.”

In our discussion, we get into Patrick’s career and how he came to create EdChanger Pro. We also get into the importance of instructional practice and how effective teaching involves focusing on the “how.” If you love teachers as much as Patrick and I do, you’re gonna love this episode.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode142.

Dr. Rick Rodriguez is a first generation Mexican American who has lived through and acknowledges the challenges that individuals and communities of color face across our systems. Guided by these experiences, he co-founded the Rooted Life, a bilingual coaching and consulting business that incorporates research-based frameworks to trigger thinking, strategy, and collaboration.

Rick and I had a long conversation about his childhood and the inspiring women in his life — his mother and grandmother. We also get into the systemic barriers in education that were not designed to serve people like him and how that motivated him to work in education. Strap in — it’s a good one!

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode141.