Edvolution Podcast

Edvolution Services
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Education is evolving, and we’re here for it. Edvolution is a podcast for educators, school leaders, and changemakers passionate about service learning, sustainability, global citizenship, and edible education. Join hosts Sandra Carden, Laurence Myers, and Melisa Pubil as we share real stories, practical strategies, and expert insights to help you navigate challenges, and create meaningful, real-world learning experiences for students. Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your impact, we’re here to support, inspire, and empower you.

  1. Teaching for Humanity in Uncertain Times (featuring Cathryn Berger Kaye)

    2 DAYS AGO

    Teaching for Humanity in Uncertain Times (featuring Cathryn Berger Kaye)

    Today’s episode is a little different. As we sat down to record, our team here in the UAE had been navigating difficult days in the region. Like many people around the world, we found ourselves feeling reflective, grateful for our communities, and reminded of why the work we do in education matters so much. So it felt especially meaningful to welcome international education consultant, author, and service learning pioneer Cathryn Berger Kaye to the podcast. Cathy has been shaping the field of service learning for decades, working with educators around the world to connect classroom learning with real-world purpose. She shares how her journey in education led her to champion service learning as a powerful way to connect classrooms with real community needs. We discuss why purpose, listening, and civic engagement matter more than ever, and how meaningful learning happens when students apply their knowledge to the world around them. In this episode, we reference the poem To Be of Use, which reflects on the value of meaningful work and contributing to something larger than ourselves. The poem resonates deeply with the purpose behind service learning and community engagement. Cathy consults in person and virtually with schools around the world. Mel highly recommends her Service Learning Specialist Course! Learn more about Cathy and her work on her website or reach out to her directly at cathy@cbkassociates.com. Connect with us! We’d love to hear your thoughts on this conversation. Reach out anytime at edvolution.services@gmail.com.

    36 min
  2. Making Field Trips Meaningful: Curriculum, Connection and Student Voice

    2 MAR

    Making Field Trips Meaningful: Curriculum, Connection and Student Voice

    This episode was supposed to be short… but once we started talking about field trips, we couldn’t stop. After Mel returned from a field trip, we decided to pivot and unpack a big question: What makes a field trip truly meaningful? We explore the spectrum of real-world learning experiences from schools that rarely leave campus to fully student-directed trips. Along the way, we talk honestly about the very real points of resistance: Cost, logistics, and time Safety, supervision, and behavior concerns Administrative pressure about “instructional time” The overwhelm teachers feel when planning But instead of stopping there, we reframe those challenges as opportunities. We also share examples of interdisciplinary field trips that blend social studies, science, math, language, and sustainability, discussing how the best trips are never built in isolation. And maybe most importantly, we remind ourselves: If we want real-world learning… we actually have to go into the real world. Or at the very least, intentionally bring it in! We want to hear from you: What are your field trip hacks? How are you navigating resistance? How are you making experiences meaningful and curriculum-connected? Our Edvolution newsletter comes out every other Monday (on non-podcast weeks), and we have a submission section just for educators like you. Use this form to send us: 250 words A photo of yourself Your field trip insight, strategy, or story We’d love to feature you. Connect with us any time on LinkedIn or email us at edvolution.services@gmail.com.

    33 min
  3. From Passion to Practice: Building Systems for Sustainability in Schools (Featuring Clare Garey)

    16 FEB

    From Passion to Practice: Building Systems for Sustainability in Schools (Featuring Clare Garey)

    In this episode, we’re joined by Claire Gary, founder of Sustainability at School, for a timely and grounded conversation about what it truly means for schools to “get serious” about sustainability. Claire shares her non-traditional journey from the nonprofit sector into education and explains why sustainability can’t live in one-off eco days or isolated initiatives. Instead, it needs to be woven into a school’s culture, operations, curriculum, and decision-making.   To learn more about how Sustainability at School can help your school reduce its footprint and develop sustainability leadership, visit https://www.sustainabilityatschool.org/ or directly download an action plan and get started today! You can contact Clare directly at clare@sustainabilityatschool.org or www.linkedin.com/in/clare-garey As always, we’d love to hear from educators doing this work on the ground. If you’re involved in sustainability, service learning, or systems change at your school, reach out and share your story with us!

    31 min
  4. Teaching Global Citizenship: What does it mean to be a good person? (featuring D'Arcy Lunn)

    2 FEB

    Teaching Global Citizenship: What does it mean to be a good person? (featuring D'Arcy Lunn)

    In this episode, we’re joined by D'Arcy Lunn, founder of Teaspoons of Change and Group Head of Sustainability and Global Citizenship at Education in Motion. D'Arcy shares his journey from teaching in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia to leading global citizenship work across an international network of schools. Together, we explore what global citizenship really means (beyond travel, language learning, and buzzwords) and how it shows up in everyday school culture, classrooms, and personal choices. We talk about: Why global citizenship starts with belonging and being a good person The power of small, intentional actions (“teaspoons of change”) How sustainability, wellbeing, and learning are deeply connected Moving from sustainability toward regenerative thinking What schools can look for when global citizenship is truly alive, not just written in a mission statement This conversation is grounding, hopeful, and full of practical wisdom for educators who want to help students (and themselves) feel connected to something bigger...without burning out or trying to be perfect. Learn about D'Arcy's work here: Teaspoons of Change. As always, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out at edvolution.services@gmail.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and let us know your definition of global citizenship or regeneration.

    23 min
  5. More Than Winning: How PE & Athletics Can Shape Changemakers (featuring Dr. Gesa Beecken)

    20 JAN

    More Than Winning: How PE & Athletics Can Shape Changemakers (featuring Dr. Gesa Beecken)

    In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast, we explore a powerful and often overlooked connection: how athletics and physical education can be a catalyst for service learning, sustainability, global citizenship, and edible education. We’re joined by Dr. Gesa Beecken, Athletic Director and PE Lead at the International School of Ulm in Germany. Gesa brings a fresh and thoughtful perspective on how movement, play, and competition can support deeper learning and social impact. Together, we discuss: How athletics can move beyond winning and losing to build character, empathy, and agency The natural links between nutrition, edible education, and athletic performance Embedding service learning and inclusion directly into PE and sports programs Rethinking tournaments, gear, travel, and events through a sustainability lens Using play and game-based learning to engage students with the UN Sustainable Development Goals This episode invites educators and school leaders to rethink spaces we don’t always associate with service learning, and to see athletics as a powerful platform for connection, purpose, and real-world learning. Here are Gesa's resource recommendations: Transforming Basketball Soccer Drive & Ray Power Global Goals Festival Day 1 and Day 2 As always, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to edvolution.services@gmail.com to share what’s happening in your school community or to continue the conversation. Join us next time for more stories and strategies at the intersection of learning, sustainability, global citizenship, and edible education.

    33 min
  6. Systems not Superheroes: Making Service Learning Sustainable (featuring Crystal Pottebaum)

    5 JAN

    Systems not Superheroes: Making Service Learning Sustainable (featuring Crystal Pottebaum)

    We’re kicking off the new year with inspiration and practical ideas for building sustainable service learning systems in schools! In this episode, we’re joined by Crystal Pottebaum, Service Learning and Sustainability Coordinator at the International School of Debrecen, Hungary. Crystal shares her journey from classroom teacher to K–12 coordinator and reflects on what it really takes to design programs that last. Together, we explore: Why human connection is essential in education today How to move from mission statements to meaningful action Building service learning systems that don’t rely on one person Creating buy-in, celebrating small wins, and sustaining change over time The joy found in real-world learning from community partnerships to school gardens. This conversation is especially valuable for educators and leaders who are starting the year ready to rethink service learning, sustainability, and how schools can live their values through purposeful programming. Check out Crystal’s Padlet for building service learning programs here and her children's books below: Laney's Little Lamb - Amazon or USA-based distribution. Pass it to Rizwana (Amazon) As always, we’d love to hear from more educators doing meaningful work. If you have experiences to share, reach out and join the conversation!

    22 min
  7. How Growing & Cooking Cultivate Real World Skills Across Curriculum

    08/12/2025

    How Growing & Cooking Cultivate Real World Skills Across Curriculum

    In this episode, Laurence interviews Sandy and Mel about how edible education can transform learning. We unpack why it’s more powerful than food tech, how to build meaningful programs in real schools, and how food-based learning enhances rigor, even in AP and high school courses! Perfect for educators, school leaders, and anyone curious about sustainability, real-world learning, and reconnecting students with the natural world. Check out the Center for Ecoliteracy and their guide for getting started with a school garden!

    30 min
  8. The Ethics of Global Service (featuring Kimberly Haley Coleman)

    24/11/2025

    The Ethics of Global Service (featuring Kimberly Haley Coleman)

    In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast, we dive into the world of ethical global service learning with Kimberly Haley Coleman, Founder and Executive Director of Globe Aware. With more than 25 years in the field, Kimberly shares how community-driven partnerships, ethical frameworks, and deep cultural engagement create meaningful experiences for both volunteers and host communities. We unpack the myths of “voluntourism,” discuss the importance of community-led project design, and explore what schools must consider when sending students abroad. Kimberly also shares powerful examples from Globe Aware’s programs in places like Guatemala, Cambodia, Costa Rica, and Ghana — and reflects on the joy, learning, and transformation that come from serving alongside local partners. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, parent, or student travel coordinator, this episode offers a grounded, ethical perspective on what responsible global service should look like. Learn more about Globe Aware here!

    31 min
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About

Education is evolving, and we’re here for it. Edvolution is a podcast for educators, school leaders, and changemakers passionate about service learning, sustainability, global citizenship, and edible education. Join hosts Sandra Carden, Laurence Myers, and Melisa Pubil as we share real stories, practical strategies, and expert insights to help you navigate challenges, and create meaningful, real-world learning experiences for students. Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your impact, we’re here to support, inspire, and empower you.

Information

  • Creator
    Edvolution Services
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Edvolution Podcast