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Personalized learning deserves personalized tools. In this week’s episode, we sit down with Larissa Green and Joseph Jung, the duo behind Spark, a flexible EdTech platform built from the ground up for alternative schools. Tune in to hear how Spark is giving microschools and co-ops the software they need to organize, manage, and inspire student-centered education. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.sparkyourschool.comwww.facebook.com/YourSchoolSparkwww.instagram.com/spark.schoolsx.com/SparkYourSchoolwww.youtube.com/@SparkSchoolSoftwareWant to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Larissa Green is a homeschool mom of over 10 years, a homeschool co-op founder and leader, and a teacher with experience in many types of alternative classrooms—including an overseas English school, a microschool, and a foster care training center. She has a passion for helping alternative educators succeed. Her knack for planning and communication, eye for detail, and close relationship with others on the Spark team have enabled her to learn Product Management skills quickly. The Spark team has created a new and delightful learning management system that aspires to fill a niche in our market as an affordable, flexible, comprehensive, and user-friendly software for alternative educators. Her favorite part of the job is actually using the Spark platform for her homeschool, microschool, and co-op. She also loves to watch Spark empower dedicated teachers as they build their innovative school. Joseph Jung is the technical CEO of Spark, an all-in-one school operations platform. With over 10 years of experience in software development and a background in education, Joseph brings a rare blend of technical depth and domain expertise. He leads product and engineering at Spark, designing systems that help schools manage tuition, scholarships, enrollment, communication, and compliance — all in one place. Joseph’s work is grounded in a deep understanding of the everyday challenges educators face, and a belief that thoughtful software can help schools run more effectively without losing their human touch. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator: www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

Can AI be a tool for inclusion—or is it reinforcing the digital divide? Join us as we explore how young people are stepping into the future of tech and what it means to build equitable, human-centered innovation. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with Mike and Delali on LinkedInWant to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Mike Yates is a Senior Designer at the Reinvention Lab at Teach for America. He's figuring out where learning is going and pointing Teach for America in that direction. Right now that looks like leading AI for the organization. He runs hackathons, designs unique and engaging workshops and trains staff to use AI in novel ways to better their work. He's also using AI to reimagine what it means to teach and learn. Realizing a bright, innovative and equitable future of learning is why he gets up in the morning. Delali Ekpeh was born in the Bronx, New York, but grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He's currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science at the University of Central Florida. He's passionate about leveraging technology to create impactful solutions in education and community engagement. Professionally, he serves as a resilient and driven Junior Solutions Architect and Instructor at The Village Project (Scratchwerk Tech), where he brings experience in full-stack web and mobile development, game development, data analytics, and team leadership. He's adept at leading sprint teams, building scalable applications, and mentoring the next generation of developers. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator: www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

From the Adirondacks to Antarctica, our guest, Greg Morrissey, has led students on expeditions that combine outdoor adventure with meaningful academics. Tune in and learn how the Mountain Goat Movement is helping students develop skills and discover their own potential through outdoor challenges. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.mountaingoatmovement.com @mountaingoatmovementLinkedIn: @Greg MorrisseyWant to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Greg Morrissey is the founder of Mountain Goat Movement -- an organization that provides transformative adventures for students and educators while connecting them to leading explorers, scientists, and storytellers. Greg left a seasoned career as a literature teacher and head lacrosse coach to build Mountain Goat Movement. His work with students has been celebrated by various schools, organizations, and thought leaders.  Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator: www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

What if students understood the science behind effective learning strategies? In this episode, Gretchen Wegner shares with us how teaching brain science to students transforms their willingness to try new approaches and take ownership of their education. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.antiboringlearninglab.comwww.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-wegner/Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Gretchen Wegner is a lively speaker, master teacher, and creative strategist about how to rethink learning and teaching the anti-boring way. A former teacher turned academic coach, she is now the founder of the Anti-Boring Learning Lab, an online professional learning community where educators obsess over the science-backed study skills and executive function strategies every student needs to thrive.  She is best known for her Anti-Boring Approach to Powerful Studying, where she combines insights from brain science with practical strategies to help educators help students become more effective, engaged, and self-sufficient learners.  Teachers, tutors, and coaches around the world use the Anti-Boring learning tools to inspire a wide array of students including (but not limited to): those with ADHD and other diagnosed learning disabilities, first-generation, low-income college students, students suffering from anxiety, overwhelm, and perfectionism, the unmotivated as well as the high-achieving, and  those in the middle who have fallen through the cracks of our overworked school systems.  Her “super power” lies in consolidating the science of learning into fun, digestible, nuggets for educators and their students -- and teaching actionable and executive function friendly strategies for putting that science into practice. Anyone attending Gretchen’s presentations is inspired and ready to take action in small and large ways. Gretchen aims to make teaching and learning less of a chore and more engaging and productive for students and their educators.  A former Fulbright Fellow, Gretchen has a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction and was a credentialed middle and high school teacher. Always an advocate of playful rigor in school and life, she is also a public speaker, improvisational performer, lindy hop dancer, avid backpacker, and proud resident of Oakland, California.  Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator: www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

In this episode, we chat with Jacqui O'Connell, founder of Spiritus, an alternative education community born from one mother's need to find better options for her child. Tune in to learn how her approach provides a different path forward for both children and parents. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.facebook.com/spiritusalternativeeducationInstagram: @spiritushomeeducationWant to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Jacqui O'Connell, founder of Spiritus, is a self starter who believes that if you want something that isn't available you need to create it. That is why Spiritus is alive. Jacqui has a vision for learning and is always feeling confused how our young people are taught the way they are and bound to exams to determine their next step. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator: www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

Microschools often face significant regulatory hurdles.  Our guest this week, Jon England, chats with us about some of the most common barriers and what we can do to overcome them. Tune in and discover practical strategies for navigating regulatory challenges in opening your microschool! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Twitter/X: @Principal_JonWebsite: EdInnovators.orgEmail: [email protected] to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Jon is a former teacher and principal with 14 years of experience in public schools. Now, he champions microschool founders in Utah and nationwide, working to remove regulatory barriers and expand opportunities for innovative education. As the founder of Ed Innovators, a chamber of commerce for microschool leaders, he helps founders connect, share best business practices, and advocate for policies that support their schools’ success. A firm believer in educational freedom, Jon proudly homeschools and microschools his five children. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator: www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

What does it take to implement anti-bias education that goes beyond the surface?  Our guest, Sahba Rohani, Executive Director of Roots ConnectED, discusses the"dual process for change”—a combining of personal mindset shifts with collective action in classrooms.  Sahba shares with us how her organization helps educators embed both reflective practices and inclusive approaches into daily routines, creating sustainable cultural shifts far more effective than isolated diversity initiatives.  Listen now to discover how intentional changes can transform your educational space! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: www.rootsconnected.org@rootsconnected-inc (instagram)@roots-connected (LinkedIn)@sahba-rohani (LinkedIn) Roots ConnectED Tree of Love: https://www.rootsconnected.org/resources-list/rootsconnected-tree-of-loveCommunity Building Resource: https://www.rootsconnected.org/resources-list/beyond-icebreakers-to-community-building or you can also direct people *all* our Community Building & Identity resources here.Sahba's TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9QGuJzOLMEWant to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Sahba Rohani serves as the Executive Director of Roots ConnectED (RC), an initiative she co-founded and launched in 2017 that is transforming schools and workplaces. Sahba's passion for her work stems from her foundational belief in the essential oneness of humanity. In her role, Sahba leads RC’s strategy while also supporting the organization in all areas of its programming, growth, and development.  Sahba is committed to collaborative decision making and feels grateful to work alongside a team of brilliant, dedicated, supportive, and collaborative humans.   Sahba’s vision for Roots ConnectED emerged organically after over a decade of experience and learning at Community Roots Charter School in Brooklyn, NY. The school is a pioneer in the intentionally diverse school movement. Sahba began as a founding teacher at Community Roots in 2006 and went on to serve as its Director of Community Development for nine years. Her work focused on engaging staff, students, and families in the community building processes necessary to create intentionally integrated anti-bias school communities through staff development, curriculum support, and innovative family and community programming. This work is featured in detail in the book, A Smarter Charter.  Sahba has worked with young people and in the field of community development for over 25 years.   Sahba holds a MA from Teachers College, Columbia University.  She speaks regularly about education and racial justice at national and local conferences across the United States and her work is further described in her TEDx UNYP talk: How I Came to Accept My Name. She serves on the Thirteen/WNET Educational Services Advisory Committee where she advises public television station Thirteen (PBS) on the educational interests and needs of its community. Sahba's deeply rooted belief in the nobility of each human being is grounded in her upbringing in a supportive Persian-American family and as a member of the Baha’i Faith. She works tirelessly to bring that belief to the forefront of her work each day. Her background and experiences play a large role in her commitment to the work that Roots ConnectED does to create community across lines of difference and ensure that each person sees the humanity in one another. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

Math anxiety starts early, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode Aditya Nagrath, co-founder of Elephant Learning, shares why confidence and belief are critical for math success—and the tools we can use to change a child’s trajectory. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with Aditya on LinkedInVisit elephantlearning.com to learn more about how the program works to reduce math anxiety and teach math!Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Dr. Nagrath helps students overcome mathematics anxiety.  Aditya is the creator and founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy which helps students learn years of mathematics over the course of a few months using their system just 10 minutes per day, 3 days per week. With a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Sciences, Dr. Nagrath has spent over 30 years in industry as a software engineer, author, leader, speaker, and serial entrepreneur working on everything from atomic clocks to iOS and Android apps to Amazon’s Kindle Fire. As the Founder of Elephant Head Software, which won the prestigious JD Edwards Innovation Award in 2015, he has also done software projects for Pearson, Verizon, Telefonica, JD Edwards (Oracle), and other billion dollar companies. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

What makes extraordinary schools?  In this enlightening conversation, Jenee Henry, Chief Learning Officer at Transcend, explores how community-based design is helping schools evolve beyond industrial-era models to create learning environments where everyone thrives.  From competency-based approaches to student-driven projects, discover how education is being reimagined across America. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Get your copy of Extraordinary Learning for All: How Communities Design Schools Where Everyone ThrivesWant to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Jenee Henry is Chief Learning Officer at Transcend. Jenee started her career as an educator in Atlanta and has been nationally recognized for outstanding teaching. Jenee studied Economics and Russian at Sarah Lawrence and at Oxford. While living in the United Kingdom, she also served as a cellist in the Oxford University Orchestra and is a life member of the Oxford Union debating society. She lives in New Haven, Connecticut. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

Project-based learning isn’t just about doing projects—it’s about designing deep, concept-driven experiences. In this episode, I'm breaking down what makes a project meaningful, highlighting common mistakes to avoid, and sharing real-world examples of successful interdisciplinary project-based learning. Tune in and start transforming your classroom today! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Join our community on SkoolWant to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

This week we’re joined by Chris Hull, founder of Otus, an edTech tool designed by educators to simplify the way schools manage data, assessments, and instruction. Join us as we dive deep into an innovative approach that reimagines education as a personalized journey of discovery. Learn how Otus is using AI and data to empower teachers to do what matters most: connecting, inspiring, and truly seeing each student's unique potential.   From transforming traditional grading to creating comprehensive student profiles, this conversation explores how technology can become a powerful ally in education—creating more efficient tools that give teachers back their most valuable resource: time with students. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: The evolution of educational technology and its impact on teachingCreating efficient systems that support teacher-student interactionsThe importance of understanding individual student journeysBalancing technological tools with human empathy and connectionDeveloping skills for continuous learning and adaptation RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with Chris on LinkedInVisit www.otus.com to learn more about how Otus combines data, assessment, progress monitoring, and grading to maximize student performance and save educators time.Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Chris Hull is the founder and President of Otus, an education technology company that provides schools across the U.S. with comprehensive solutions for assessments, data management, and insights into student performance. As a former educator, Chris has firsthand knowledge of the challenges and rewards of the classroom, an experience that has fueled his commitment to developing innovative solutions that empower educators and enhance student outcomes.  His journey from teaching to founding Otus was driven by a passion for education and a desire to make a meaningful impact. He believes that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, which begins by equipping educators and school communities with the right tools and data to make a difference in students’ lives. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

Kids need the chance to make decisions.  But how do we create the right balance between structure and independence?  Tune in for strategies that empower kids to take ownership of their choices. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator: www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

What happens when we give students the tools to restore relationships rather than simply punishing behavior?  In this week's episode, AJ Crabill, Senior Coach at Student Led Restorative Practices, shares with us how community circles build belonging, mediation circles resolve conflicts, and restorative circles address harm.  Tune in to learn why these approaches better serve student success and how you can implement them in your own spaces. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with AJ on LinkedInVisit www.StudentLedRP.org to learn more about student-led restorative practicesGet your copy of AJ’s latest book: Our Tools They Deserve: Why Adults Choose Retribution, How Students Can Practice RestorationWant to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need?Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Airick Journey "AJ" Crabill is the Senior Coach at Student Led Restorative Practices and serves as the Director of Governance for the Council of the Great City Schools where he leads school board supports for the nation’s largest urban school systems. Improving student outcomes is his relentless focus. His passion to improve student outcomes is rooted in his past: bounced in and out of foster care, he attended eleven different schools as a child. Guided by the idea that student outcomes don’t change until adult behaviors change and drawing on his intimate familiarity with the triumphs and terrors of America’s safety nets for children, he has devoted much of his adult life to advocating for the well-being of the United States' most vulnerable youth. He recently served as the Conservator at DeSoto (TX) Independent School District. During his guidance, DeSoto made double digit literacy gains and improved from having F ratings in areas of academics, finance, and governance to the district earning B ratings. He served as Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency and he spearheaded reforms as board chair of Kansas City (MO) Public Schools that doubled the percentage of students who are literate and numerate and, eventually, led KCPS to full accreditation for the first time in decades. He received the Education Commission of the State's James Bryant Conant Award, which recognizes extraordinary individual contributions to education and is the author of, "Great On Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Become Effective." His new book, "Our Tools They Deserve: Why Adults Choose Retribution, How Students Can Practice Restoration" is about a fresh approach to school behavior that focuses on equipping students with the tools they need to succeed—both in school and beyond. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

Starting a school isn't easy, but you don’t have to do it alone.  In this episode, we break down the biggest challenges to opening a school and share strategies to help you overcome them. Whether you’re considering starting a microschool, virtual school, or something entirely new, this episode will help you take the next step with confidence! RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Want to open your dream school with the freedom you deserve and the support you need? Visit https://openmyschool.my.canva.site/rebelkaipod to learn more about our partnership with KaiPod Learning and get help opening your dream school!Join our community on Skool Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth. Tired of playing it safe as a principal? The 90-Day Accelerator shows school leaders how to Do School Different and create campus experiences students actually get excited about. → https://accelerator.ruckusmakers.club/?rootabl=tanyasheckley

The secret to student success might not be what you think. Our guest reveals why executive functioning skills—the ability to organize, manage time, set goals, and complete tasks—form the foundation for all learning yet are rarely taught explicitly in schools. Through his personal story of classroom struggles, he shares how he developed an innovative approach to embedding these skills naturally into daily routines.  Tune in to learn why his book on executive functioning became an instant bestseller and how his "Organized Binder" approach is transforming classrooms across the country. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: Why some students naturally "get" school while others struggle despite their intelligence and effort The hidden skills that are rarely taught but essential for academic success A practical approach to embedding executive functioning skills into classroom routines without adding to a teacher's workload RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with Mitch:organizedbinder.com https://www.instagram.com/organizedbinder/https://x.com/organizedbinderhttps://www.facebook.com/organizedbinderhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchweathers/Email: [email protected]: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning EnvironmentsThe 90-Day Accelerator is opening soon, and waitlist members get two live coaching calls plus exclusive leadership courses ($750 value). Claim your spot → https://90-day-waitlist.carrd.co/?rootabl=tanyasheckley Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here. GUEST BIO: Mitch became a gifted teacher because he was a mediocre student. He rarely felt comfortable in the classroom. In fact, it took him 7 years for him to graduate from college. Choosing to become a teacher, Mitch was fortunate enough to experience school as if it was happening all around him. He was unsure how to jump into his learning with confidence. There is a loneliness to experiencing your education as a passive object as opposed to an active subject. From the moment he entered the classroom, Mitch relied on his personal experiences as a learner. He recognized that what we teach, the content or curriculum is secondary. We must first lay the foundation for learning before we can get to teach. In fact, unless students develop a solid foundation for learning it does not matter how great your teachers deliver content, or how emergent the technology, or even how engaging a lesson might be. Mitch designed Organized Binder to empower teachers with a simple but research-backed strategy to teach students executive functioning skills while protecting the time needed for content instruction. The secret is found in establishing a predictable learning routine that serves to foster safer learning spaces. When students get practice with executive functions by virtue we set them up for success. Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6  Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7 Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST: In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth. Ever wish you had a blueprint for transforming your school without drowning in administrative tasks? The 90-Day Accelerator is opening soon, and waitlist members get two live coaching calls plus exclusive leadership courses ($750 value). Claim your spot → https://90-day-waitlist.carrd.co/?rootabl=tanyasheckley