Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS Jamie Saponaro is the Senior Director of Community and Professional Learning at ClassLink. She leads thought leader initiatives that bring educational communities together through summits, webinars, and professional learning events. Jamie is the host of LinkedUp: Breaking Boundaries in Education, a podcast dedicated to spotlighting boundary-breaking educators. She just launched her new book: Transforming Classrooms: Building a Culture of Collaboration. I just had to share a picture of Jamie and me at one of the high teas I mentioned in the podcast. I always as
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS Olivia Odileke is the founder of Kampus Insights Inc. and the creator of Lead Spark Team, a platform designed to help schools move professional development beyond inspiration and into measurable instructional change. Olivia also created the Spark Curiosity AI Coach, which helps educators spark student curiosity through short, inquiry-based learning experiences at the beginning of a unit. Your WHY My why is simple, but it runs deep: I want every student, teacher, and leader to love to wonder again. I want them to fall in love with growing their mind, discoverin
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS Kat Crawford, an Instructional Designer and Justice and Accessibility Advocate, specializes in designing innovative digital solutions, facilitating professional learning, and supporting the transformation of school systems to enhance student engagement. Kat never really left the stage—she traded the bright lights of theatre class for designing learning experiences that students actually want to eat up as the Lunch Lady. She spent over a decade disrupting the technology divide inside secure schools, fueled by her core belief: every student deserves a seat at th
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS Hanna Kemble-Mick, school counselor, dean of elementary school counseling, Indian Hills Elementary School, Topeka, Kansas. Hanna is a 2025 School Counselor of the Year® finalist, Therapy Dog mom, and Tech/AI enthusiast. I met Hanna through her mom, Jerri Kemble, when they were presenting with firefly wings. Then I had a one-to-one conversation with Hanna, and that was it… she had to be a guest on my show. Your WHY and What Brings You Joy My “why” is building schools where students are truly seen, where creativity is valued, and where opportunity is not reserve
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS Dr. Martha Umana, Founder of AIA (AI4Educator), author, and bilingual educator, is known as The Bridge. She helps parents and teachers thrive in the AI era by prioritizing human skills for future-ready kids. For over two decades, Dr. Umama has worked at the intersection of school and home, guiding families and educators in raising children who are emotionally intelligent, cognitively strong, and future-ready. Your Why My WHY is the child and the adults around the child. I kept seeing students who could produce impressive work, but they could not explain it, ve
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS Dr. Aditya Nagrath helps students overcome mathematics anxiety. He is the creator and founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy. With a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Sciences, he has spent over 30 years in industry as a software engineer, author, leader, speaker, and serial entrepreneur working on projects ranging from atomic clocks to iOS and Android apps to Amazon’s Kindle Fire. Dr. Nagrath shares how confidence and belief are essential in overcoming math anxiety and shaping a child’s success in mathematics. Your WHY I help children and the adults who
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS With over 20 years as a listening expert and researcher, Dr. Laura Janusik empowers caregivers, leaders, and growth seekers to build stronger, more compassionate relationships. Transforming workplace communication through training and workshops, Laura guides caregivers navigating cognitive decline. Laura’s work is rooted in the science and practice of listening, helping people connect with clarity, patience, and understanding in every part of life. Your WHY about Listening I took my first listening course in my master’s level program because my mentor, Dr. And
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS Michael Hernandez is changing the narrative as an award-winning educator, best-selling author, education consultant, and international speaker. He helps individuals and organizations adapt and thrive in a changing world. Michael is an Apple Distinguished Educator, PBS Digital Innovator, and National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow. Michael’s work focuses on authentic learning in the age of AI, digital and civic literacy, creativity, and innovation. Your WHY about Changing the Narrative This is a challenging moment in education. I’m doing my best to help te
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS Saadia Qureshi is Community Engagement Officer, Senior Officer for Training and Community Engagement at Common Ground USA/Search for Common Ground. Her work as a Gathering Coordinator for Preemptive Love led her to Common Ground USA, transforming how we deal with conflicts. When I met Saadia at the International Listening Association Convention, I knew that her story needed to be heard. Your WHY Through authentic connections, hearts can soften and hatred can subside. My religious tradition teaches us that we were created to know and understand one another. Thi
