Let's Get Personal : the Learning Lab Podcast

Kristin
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ARTS

Through our work at Learning Lab Wichita, we get a front-row seat to innovation in personalized, kindergarten-through-12th-grade learning. On this podcast, we share stories of how educators and parents are helping kids discover their passions—so you can do the same for a child you love.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    How Simulation is Changing the Way Students Learn CTE Skills

    This week we’re joined by Niti Singh from Skillveri to talk about how simulators are changing the way students learn skilled trades. From welding to painting, these tools help students build confidence and competence before they ever use real equipment—and they’re also helping attract young people into hands-on careers.

    39 min

  2. JAN 14

    Innovation, Implemented: A 2025 Learning Lab Recap

    Lydia and Kristin reflect on Learning Lab Wichita's biggest wins of 2025 – and get honest about what it really took to create a first-of-its-kind education innovation center. They reflect on what worked in their push for personalized learning and tease what's ahead in 2026.

    56 min

  3. JAN 7

    An Effort to Support All Students in the Largest School District in Kansas

    Wichita Public Schools Director of Partnerships and Belonging Corinthian Kelly started his new role in October 2025, and he has big goals. Kelly shares how he plans to help every student succeed by building community partnerships and communicating. Learn about Kelly's history bringing stakeholders together and working to better communities in this week's podcast.

    54 min

  4. 12/17/2025

    Taking Action: How One Woman is Impacting the Microschool Movement

    Dalena Wallace is a woman on a mission. Over the last five years, she founded Wichita Innovative Schools & Educators, a network of microschools and education businesses; started a consulting business, Autonomous, Innovative and Missional Educational Collaborative; and leads Heartland Education Reformation Organization, a group the connects Kansas churches with those who are interested in starting schools. Dalena's action-oriented approach to encouraging and supporting school founders has assisted dozens of school founders creating new pathways in education.

    48 min

  5. 12/10/2025

    Arts Organization Helps Kids Through Arts Integration and Exposure

    Ellamonique Baccus, executive director of non-profit Arts Partners, has spent her life exposing young people to the arts. The organization she runs today in Wichita, Kansas, brings professional artists to teach groups of children. Baccus shares her personal journey as an artist and why she believes in the work she is doing. Hint: Creative minds build stronger communities.

    50 min

  6. 12/03/2025

    Helping Young People Discover Strengths for Better Career Discernment

    True Compass is a business that helps young people discover their strengths to determine the best path forward after high school. Kristi Windish, founder and owner, shares about the True Compass process and how the assessment and consultation work together to help kids. Kristi's warmth and care for families is what makes the True Compass experience helpful. She shares why area high school juniors and seniors who are determining their career paths should consider going through this process.

    48 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    Learning Together: How Lily Lake Offers Flexibility for Homeschool Families

    When she could not find the type of facility for homeschool families she wanted to utilize, mom and local business owner Cassie Tinsmon and her husband Stewart Berger created Lily Lake Homeschool Collective. Located in a renovated old schoolhouse outside of Augusta, Kansas, Lily Lake features a homeschool play cafe and a learning center where families can explore learning together.

    44 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    How a Wrestling Academy Helps Kids Succeed: Setting Goals in Sports and School

    Noel Torres, founder of Wichita Training Center Academy, won a DII National Wrestling Championship while attending Newman University (Wichita, KS) as a student. He later established Wichita Training Center, a local wrestling club that has grown to serve more than 200 kids. This year, he added the academy at Learning Lab Wichita, so his wrestlers who homeschool can practice wrestling and learn together.  Because Noel has experienced a great deal of success himself, he has some golden nuggets of wisdom to share – both with his student wrestlers and on this podcast.

    51 min

  9. 11/05/2025

    From Academic Coach to School Director: Kim Hett’s Journey of Innovation

    Kim Hett started in fall 2025 as Khan Lab School Wichita's second director. This small school located inside Learning Lab Wichita focused on mastery-based, online and experiential learning. Prior to becoming director, Kim held a variety of roles within Andover Public Schools, including help to start the district's online school, Andover eCademy. Learn what Kim has learned through three decades in diverse K-12 education settings.

    54 min

  10. 10/29/2025

    Learning Happens Everywhere: A Homeschool Group Offers Enrichment and Community

    This homeschool group leaves the academics to individual families, but group members join together for experiential learning and social time. Kammi Altig and Jaime Snider, leaders of the Wichita Independent Secular Educators (WISE) homeschool group, share lesson learned running a thriving Wichita homeschool community while homeschooling their own children.

    55 min

  11. 10/22/2025

    Reimagining the School Day: A Project-Based Learning Microschool with Olivia Sumner

    At Creative Minds vertical classroom, a Wichita Public Schools microschool inside Learning Lab Wichita, students in grades K–6 learn through hands-on, project-based experiences. Founding teacher Olivia Sumner reflects on launching this model, lessons learned and what’s next for project-based learning in public education.

    45 min

  12. 10/15/2025

    What if School Looked Different? The Story of Learning Lab Wichita

    Get to know Lydia and Kristin as they dive into the importance of personalized learning. Learn more about how Learning Lab Wichita came to exist and how it helps families select the perfect version of K-12th grade school for their unique children.

    55 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Through our work at Learning Lab Wichita, we get a front-row seat to innovation in personalized, kindergarten-through-12th-grade learning. On this podcast, we share stories of how educators and parents are helping kids discover their passions—so you can do the same for a child you love.

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