Rebel Educator®
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.
- Update frequency
- every 10 days
- Average duration
- 32 minutes
- Episodes
- 165
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
147: Building Software to Support Alternative Schools with Larissa Green and Joseph Jung
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 fo…
146: AI, Equity, and the Next Generation with Mike Yates and Delali Ekpeh
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-centere…
145: Outdoor Experiential Learning with Greg Morrissey
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 Moveme…
144: Anti-Boring Learning with Gretchen Wegner
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…
143: Creating Alternative Education Spaces with Jacqui O'Connell
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 appro…
142: Overcoming the Barriers of Opening a Microschool with Jon England
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…
141: Anti-Bias Education with Sahba Rohani
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 …
140: The Key to Overcoming Math Anxiety with Aditya Nagrath
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…
139: Transforming Education Through Community-Based Design and Centering Young Voices with Jenee Henry
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-…
138: Designing Meaningful Project-Based Learning Experiences
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 m…
137: Tracking Student Progress Effectively and Efficiently with Chris Hull
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 innov…
136: Practical Tools to Create Opportunities for Agency and Independence
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.
RESOURCE…
135: Student-Led Restorative Practices with AJ Crabill
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, sha…
134: How to Tackle the Biggest Challenges in Starting a School
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’r…
133: Building Executive Functioning Skills in Any Classroom with Mitch Weathers
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 f…
132: Microschools and the Future of Accountability
In this episode, we dive into the evolving world of microschools and a recent article published by the Center for American Progress, "The Importance of Holding Microschools Accountable".
As the founde…
131: Embracing Non-Traditional Education with Jennifer D. Klein
How do you create meaningful change in education without losing your job?
My guest this week, Jennifer D. Klein, explores the delicate balance of innovation and resistance through the lens of her expe…
130: Creating the Schools We Need with Kapono Ciotti
How do we create schools where students actually want to learn? Meet Kapono Ciotti, an educator working to transform schools from teacher-centered stages to student-led learning environments. Drawing…
129: A Sneak Peek at My Upcoming TED Talk!
I'm so excited to share my recent TED Talk with you all!
In this episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes of how this opportunity came to life and share my full talk, where I explore the power of brav…
128: A Stoic Approach to School Leadership with Daniel Bauer and Glenn Robbins
Daniel Bauer and Glenn Robbins chat with us about Stoic principles like wisdom, courage, and temperance and how they can help guide leaders in education to act with integrity, even in challenging tim…