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EDU Café, where education meets inspiration! Hosted by Consult4Ed Group, this podcast is your go-to space for the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in education. Join us as we explore one episode and post at a time!
43 Episodes
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Curious about the future of the schools, especially micro schools and other innovative models?.In this episode, Thomas Arnett and Meris Stansbury of the Clayton Christensen Institute dive into what really drives families to seek out new learning environments, drawing from the “Jobs to Be Done” research and real stories from parents navigating school decisions. They explore why understanding these motivations matters so deeply, not just for designing a program but for ensuring it truly meets the needs of the families it serves.They also talk about: ✨ How micro schools can clarify the specific “job” they’re best equipped to fulfill ✨ Why trying to serve everyone can dilute impact ✨ What makes alternative models appealing, and what still holds families back ✨ The innovations that could make micro-schooling more accessible and sustainable in the long runIf you care about family experience, educational design, or the rapidly evolving landscape of learner-centered models, this conversation is worth tuning into.
🎙️ New Episode Alert!In the latest episode of EDU Café Podcast, Guest host Ji-Soo Song of SETDA sat down with Michael Ham of Full Scale and Elizabeth Foster of Learning Forward to unpack new national research and four major findings that shape how educators experience professional learning in EdTech and AI. They dive into the digital design divide highlighted in the 2024 National EdTech Plan and what states and districts can do to close it.You’ll hear: ✔ Why Title IIA remains a critical funding stream ✔ Why tool training still dominates professional learning ✔ Where current professional learning systems fall short ✔ What leaders should prioritize heading into 2026Read the guide → https://www.setda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Improving-Professional-Learning-Systems-to-Better-Support-Todays-Educators-2.pdf
🍎 What happens when AI enters the classroom for teachers?In this EDU Café episode, the last of three in his series on AI’s impact, Ryan Gravette of Idaho Digital Learning explores how educators are adopting AI at different levels:Informing – drafting emails, translating parent communications.Augmenting – co-creating rubrics, quizzes, and lesson content.Replacing – grading assignments with AI tools.But Ryan offers a caution: replacing too much risks losing the heart of teaching; the relationship between teacher and student. 💡 He emphasizes that feedback, care, and connection are irreplaceable.So the challenge becomes: 👉 How do we empower teachers to use AI for efficiency while protecting the human connections that drive motivation and learning?This conversation is a timely reminder: AI can support, but it should never replace, the power of a caring educator.
📚 Today’s kindergartners will never know a world without AI.In our EDU Café conversation, the second of three in his series on AI’s impact, Ryan Gravette of Idaho Digital Learning Alliance shares how students are becoming “AI natives” and what that means for learning. He notes that students often skip straight to replacement (using AI to do the work for them) rather than using it to inform or augment their learning.This poses a critical challenge for educators:How do we design assignments that prevent replacement and instead encourage deeper learning?Can AI become a tutor that asks questions, offers hints, and supports students as they learn rather than just giving them the answer?What opportunities exist for AI to open doors to experiences (like interviewing professionals) that students might not otherwise have access to?Ryan challenges us to rethink assessments and instruction so AI strengthens rather than shortcutting student learning.
🚀 The workforce is changing—fast.In this EDU Café episode, the first of three in his series on AI’s impact, Ryan Gravette of Idaho Digital Learning Alliance breaks down how AI is transforming jobs across industries. He describes three stages we’re seeing:1️⃣ Informing – AI helps us make decisions and work faster. 2️⃣ Augmenting – AI co-creates with us, boosting efficiency and reshaping job roles. 3️⃣ Replacing – Some tasks (and even entire roles) are being fully automated.These shifts raise big questions for leaders and organizations:How do we leverage AI to enhance productivity without eroding jobs?What new skills, such as collaboration and managerial expertise, will become most valuable in this new environment?How do we prepare today’s students for a future where AI is their teammate, not just a tool?🎧 Listen in to hear Ryan’s insights on navigating these shifts
What happens when a district creates a clear, human-centered framework to guide teaching and learning?In this conversation, Dr. Brian Troop, Superintendent of Ephrata Area School District (PA), and Dan Mahlandt dive into the district’s Tools, Targets, and Techniques instructional model, and how it’s helping educators prepare students not just for graduation, but for life.💡 They explore:How Ephrata’s Life Ready Graduate framework reframes success around essential skills and dispositionsThe balance between technology and human connection in modern classroomsLessons for leaders who want to spark meaningful, sustainable change in their districts#EDUCafé #FutureReady #EducationInnovation #LifeReadyGraduate #InstructionalDesign #EdLeadership #Learning2025 #DigitalPromise #CTE #K12Education
In this conversation, we explore the powerful intersection of AI, equity, and the instructional core with Dr. Ed Dieterle, Founder of Education Research Partners.Ed breaks down the five interconnected divides that shape how AI impacts education - from algorithms and data to agency and interpretation. More importantly, he challenges us to ask:👉 Are we just using AI to do things better (automation, efficiency)? 👉 Or are we leveraging it to do better things, such as strengthening relationships between students, teachers, and curriculum?This episode is a call to educators, leaders, and innovators to center human agency in the algorithmic age.
How are states navigating the evolving digital learning landscape in 2025, and what does it mean for school and district leaders on the ground?In this conversation, Julia Fallon, Executive Director of SETDA, and Dorann Avey, Digital Learning Director at the Nebraska Department of Education, join us to explore insights from SETDA’s newly released 2025 State EdTech Trends Report.🎙️ They dive into: ✨ The biggest challenges and opportunities in advancing digital access ✨ Emerging technologies, especially AI, and their impact on teaching and learning ✨ The shifting policy and funding landscape for edtech ✨ Building educator capacity and professional development ✨ Addressing cybersecurity and data privacy concerns ✨ Opportunities for collaboration across national, state, and local levelsFor the first time, AI has risen to the top as a state edtech priority. But what does “taking action on AI” actually look like in education? Julia and Dorann share what’s happening in states like Nebraska and what’s next for education leaders preparing for the future.
🌍♻️ New EDU Café Episode 🎙️What if every technology purchase your district made could tell a story about sustainability, stewardship, and smarter investments for students?In this episode of EDU Café, we sit down with Louis McDonald, Project Manager for CoSN and retired CTO from Fauquier County Public Schools in Virginia, to discuss the recently released Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, developed by CoSN in partnership with SETDA and UDT.Louis shares why sustainability isn’t just about being “green”; it’s about being smart with resources, extending device lifespans, reducing e-waste, and saving districts millions of dollars. He talks about practical strategies, vendor partnerships, and how district leaders can take small, meaningful steps toward big impact.💡 Key topics:Balancing financial, device, and environmental sustainabilitySix focus areas for measurable changeHow procurement language shapes vendor accountabilityBuilding collaboration across IT, finance, procurement, and facilitiesEvery purchase tells a story. What story is your district writing?#Sustainability #EdTech #Procurement #K12 #EDUCafé #CoSN #SETDA #UDT #CTO
We’re diving into “The Future Is Female: How Women Are Shaping Unconventional Education - and Why” with three powerful voices in education innovation: ✨ Mickey Revenaugh – Co-founder of Connections Academy, author of School’s Out ✨ Manisha Snoyer – CEO and Co-Founder of Modulo ✨ Shiren Rattigan – Founder of Colossal Academy & Colossal Academy OnlineTogether, they share how women are reimagining learning through micro-schools, homeschooling platforms, and new models that prioritize connection, relevance, and purpose. 🌱This episode is a celebration of women leading the charge in education as well as an invitation to rethink what’s possible for learners everywhere.
🌿 Wrapping up a powerful series on the EDU Café Podcast 🌿We’ve reached the final episode of our Promising Practices for Teachers three-part series with Kelly Murphy, exploring the transformative impact of art therapy and active meditation in classrooms.In this episode, Kelly shares examples, impact, resources, and challenges that come with integrating these practices into real learning environments. It’s an honest and inspiring look at how creativity and mindfulness can support both students and teachers.If you’ve been following along, this conversation ties it all together. And if you’re just joining, now’s the perfect time to catch the full series.#EDUCafé #PromisingPractices #TeacherSupport #ArtTherapy #ActiveMeditation #EducationInnovation #TeacherWellbeing
🎙️ New EDU Café Episode Alert!This week, we’re joined by Dr. Mary Rice and Joaquín Argüello De Jesús, who bring their unique journeys as educator and social worker into a powerful conversation about what sustains teachers and students.They share stories of growing up and working in schools that often overlooked well-being—and how those experiences now shape the way they prepare future teachers. From honoring Indigenous and local literacies in New Mexico to practicing possiblementando (turning possibilities into action), Mary and Joaquín remind us that education at its best is rooted in relationships, care, and community.💡 If you care about teacher well-being, relational classrooms, and reimagining what literacy means, you’ll want to tune in.
✨ Episode 2 in our Promising Practices for Teachers series is here! ✨We continue the three-part conversation with Kelly Murphy on bringing art therapy and active meditation into classrooms.This episode "Art Therapy and Active Meditation in Action" dives deeper into how these practices look when they come alive with students and teachers. From creative expression to mindful movement, Kelly shares real-world ways educators can foster calm, focus, and resilience in their learning spaces.Stay with us for the final episode in this inspiring series!#EDUCafé #PromisingPractices #TeacherSupport #ArtTherapy #ActiveMeditation #EducationInnovation
Leadership in education can be deeply rewarding, but also isolating, exhausting, and overwhelming. In this new episode of the EDU Café Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Simmons, Superintendent of IDLA, and Mike Caldwell, Founder of LinkedLeaders, to explore a challenge that too often goes unspoken: leadership wellness.Jeff and Mike talk about why wellness is not a “nice-to-have” for school leaders, but a critical part of sustaining strong, thriving schools. From building personal routines to fostering cultures of wellness in our organizations, this conversation is about leading with clarity, balance, and connection.If you’re a principal, superintendent, or anyone supporting leaders in education, this episode is for you.
🌟 New on the EDU Café Podcast! 🌟We’re kicking off our Promising Practices for Teachers series with the first of three conversations featuring Kelly Murphy.Across these conversations, Kelly shares how art therapy and active meditation can be powerful tools for both students and teachers to support wellbeing, foster creativity, and create space for resilience in the classroom.This first episode dives into defining art therapy and active meditation.Stay tuned for the next two episodes in this three-part journey with Kelly!#EDUCafé #PromisingPractices #TeacherSupport #ArtTherapy #ActiveMeditation #EducationInnovation
🎧 New Hot Off the Blog episode 🎶This episode of EDU Café features Dr. Rebecca Itow's blog post called “Keep a Swing in Your Step and a Song in Your Heart: Music as Self-Care for Educators” which was originally posted on our partner NGLC's blog. Rebecca dives into how music can support educator wellness in practical, joyful ways:Using music to transition between classes, tasks, or roles as a reset buttonSimple, doable ways to weave music into busy routinesThe community-building magic of shared playlists in schoolsWhy it matters 🧵:Educators give so much of themselves. Music can be more than background noise; it can be a tool for grounding, joy, and connection.👉 Tune in and let Dr. Itow guide you through practices that may inspire your own soundtrack for teaching and leading.📖 Read the full post: https://www.nextgenlearning.org/articles/music-as-self-care-for-educators
☕️ New EDU Café episode is live!🎙️ Women in LeadHERship: The Bold Moves We MakeIn this conversation, Jodie Buenning of Buenning Strategies talks with Amy Dujon of Community EDU about what it really means for women to lead boldly, and the risks, the resilience, and the relationships that carry us forward.Grab your favorite cup of coffee or tea and tune in!#EDUCafé #Podcast #WomenInLeadership #LeadHERship #Education
Grab your earbuds — the next episode in our HOT OFF THE BLOG series is ready to listen to on the EDU Café Podcast!This episode features a post published on our partner -- Next Generation Learning Challenges -- blog by Dr. Carey Borkoski, Dr. Brianne Roos, Dr. Kenita Williams, MPP, EdD, and Taylor Ann Gonzalez, M.Ed, TI-RYT, CTIWL called "Learning from Discomfort in Education: Balancing Safety and Growth." For the blog post version, visit https://www.nextgenlearning.org/articles/intersection-of-discomfort-safety-peace
Via our HOT OFF THE BLOG series, we’re bringing our blog posts to your favorite podcast app. 🎧“Are You an Educator on Fire? AI Can Help You Chill Out” by Vickie Echols, originally published with NGLC at https://www.nextgenlearning.org/articles/are-you-an-educator-on-fire-ai-can-help-you-chill-out
Today, we’re diving into Policy & Pedagogy: The Educator’s Dilemma, exploring the tension between rules on paper and the real lives of students and educators.In our latest episode, Dr. Katie Colina, Dr. Dominique Smith, and Sarika Simpson discuss how policy often lags behind what students actually need — and what it takes for educators and leaders to bridge that gap with compassion, creativity, and courage.From wraparound supports that don’t end at graduation to pathways beyond college, this conversation asks:➡️ How do we ensure policy truly serves students, not the other way around?👉 Tune in here: #EDUCafé #PolicyAndPedagogy #StudentWellbeing #EducationPolicy #Podcast
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