In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Chris Brida, district administrator at Portland Public Schools, to explore how career and technical education (CTE) can transform K-12 learning. They discuss the urgent need for public-private partnerships and the role of cross-functional teams in driving educational systems change. The episode highlights how aligning education with workforce needs can empower students with durable, transferable skills—without sacrificing choice or creativity.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The evolution of CTE: from vocational stigma to future-ready pathways
• Why CTE must start before high school: awareness, exploration, and preparation
• Building public-private partnerships to align K-12 with workforce needs
• How to design systems that are nimble, sustainable, and equitable
• The power of cross-functional teams to solve educational problems
• Why K-12 must stop working in isolation—and what happens when it doesn't
• How bringing in outside expertise can solve internal challenges (like teacher burnout)

Guest Bio:
Chris Brida is a district administrator for Portland Public Schools, overseeing Career and Technical Education (CTE), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. He is also a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky, where his research focuses on the role of public-private partnerships in education systems change.

Host Bio:
Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and an advocate for global education. He leads conversations with forward-thinking educators who are shaping the future of learning by connecting people, cultures, and systems.

Episode Links:

• Connect with Chris Brida on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Portland Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education programs

Host Links:

Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.