Rebel Educator‪®‬ Tanya Sheckley

Michael Strong is the most experienced developer of innovative educational programs in the US and the Founder of The Socratic Experience, an online school based on Socratic dialogue that emphasizes personalized and purpose-driven education for students in grades 3-12.
 
His remarkable career in education spans over three decades, and includes creating many high-performance school programs that promote critical thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurship in students across the country.
 
Some of Michael's notable projects include a public school program in which minority female students gained four years' worth of critical thinking gains in four months (on the Watson-Glaser) and Moreno Valley High School, a Paideia charter high school, which was ranked the 36th-best US public high school by Newsweek.
 
He also created The Winston Academy, where middle school students passed Advanced Placement (AP) exams, making it the most academically advanced school in the US at the time. Thousands of his students have been admitted to top universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Georgetown, and many other post-secondary institutions.
 
Michael's impact on education extends beyond the classroom, as he is also the author of The Habit of Thought: From Socratic Seminars to Socratic Practice and Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the World's Problems, which includes a foreword by John Mackey, the Co-Founder and former CEO of Whole Foods Market, with whom he has collaborated on initiatives related to conscious capitalism and entrepreneurship.
 
He has spoken at Harvard, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, the University of Chicago, and dozens of other universities, and his work has been featured in academic journals (The Journal of Business Ethics, Economic Affairs, Critical Review, etc.), specialty publications (Microfinance Insights, Policy Innovations, Carnegie Ethics, etc.), and popular media (The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Huffington Post, RealClearPolitics, Barron's, etc.).

Tune in to learn more about the Michael’s approach to education including personalized learning paths, entrepreneurial projects, and how it caters to students' diverse needs and interests.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:
Michael’s  journey from traditional brick-and-mortar schools to founding a virtual school during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the effectiveness of Socratic dialogue online.An in-depth look at the school's daily schedule, including two-hour blocks dedicated to humanities and STEM, self-paced math, and elective courses in digital and soft skills.The importance of tailoring education to each student’s strengths, interests, and abilities, with examples of how the school supports diverse learners, including those with learning differences.The school's pragmatic approach to assessments, including options for accredited and non-accredited programs, narrative evaluations, and strategies for college admissions.Insights into how educational innovators worldwide are moving away from traditional models to foster creativity, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven learning in students.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Connect with Michael and The Socratic Experience on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and YouTubeSend Michael an email at michael@socraticexperience.comVisit www.socraticexperience.com to learn more about The Socratic ExperienceCheck out Michael’s book The Habit of Thought: From Socratic Seminars to Socratic PracticeGet your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here.
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Andrew Ravin is the Founder and Head of School at Workshop Middle School. For nearly 25 years, he’s worked as a social worker, classroom teacher, instructional coach, and school leader. Andrew is an award-winning educator, mentor, and researcher. Most recently, he was named one of the Top 100 Innovators in American Education. 
Andrew founded Workshop Middle School to be the change he believes in. A movement of small, innovative, and progressive schools that can change the world. What else does he believe in? His family. Hard work. Bicycles. Poetry. And honest conversations about things that matter. 
Denise Daniels is Co-Founder and Director of Learning at Workshop Middle School. She has more than 22 years of experience in education as a teacher, staff developer, curriculum designer, instructional coach, and school leader. She received a BA from The City College of New York and a Masters of Science in Teaching from Fordham University. 
Denise is an award-winning educator, speaker, and international trainer that is continuously inspired by the wonder of learning. Denise is an avid reader, an aspiring martial artist and a huge game night fan. 
Join us for this insightful conversation about the history of middle school, why middle school matters, and what changes we can make to help students move from surviving to thriving during these crucial years. 
In this episode, we cover: 
Why only investing in early childhood education is building a bridge to nowhere Shifting from surviving to thriving in the middle school years The history of middle schools and what doesn’t work Creating diverse classrooms Education being more than what exists right now Making small changes to support adolescent learning needsHelping parents understand the benefits of alternative learning options Resources and links mentioned in this episode: 
Visit Workshop Middle School to learn more about the work they are doingGet your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project libraryVisit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here Follow Rebel Educator on FacebookEnjoying the show? Leave us a review and help more people find us! https://bit.ly/ RebelEducatorApplePodcasts 
More about the Rebel Educator podcast: 
In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education. 
This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be. It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students. It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

Original Air Date: January 7th, 2022


We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of

Former chef, hotel manager and history teacher, Josh Reppun is the founder of Plexus Education, LLC, dba as Most Likely to Succeed in Hawai’i, a “movement” founded by extraordinary people dedicated to developing global public, private and charter school conversations around Ted Dintersmith’s film, "Most Likely to Succeed" and his book, "What School Could Be." Josh is also the founder of Josh Reppun Productions. 

He is the host of the What School Could Be Podcast and the producer of two films: "Ka Helena Aʻo: The Learning Walk" and "The Innovation Playlist," both about creative, imaginative and innovative educators and education leaders. Josh’s podcast, edited by the talented Evan Kurohara, with music by Michael Sloan, has now reached nearly 80,000 downloads in over 100 countries.

Join us as we chat about how our podcasts came to be, some of our favorite moments and guests, and how we’re working to take these important conversations even further!

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:
The reasons for starting our different podcasts and what the experience was likeOur most memorable episodes, so far.How we take our podcasts beyond the interviews and out into the real worldWhat we hope for the future of our podcasting journeys
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Connect with Josh of LinkedIn and XCheck out the What Schools Could be PodcastRead Josh’s article “The Future Teachers of Hawai'i Club”Most Likely to Succeed in Hawai’i Facebook pageGet your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here.
Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts
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Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7
Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator

MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:
In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.
This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth. 

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all studen

Today, we’re pleased to share an episode originally recorded for the EdTech Startup Showcase. It’s been my pleasure to host a series of episodes for this show, which spotlights some of the most innovative emerging companies in edtech.

In this episode, I’m joined by special guest Wayde Sick, State Director of the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education. Wayde was previously Director of Workforce Development for the ND Dept. of Commerce and also worked as a school director. 

Hear about:
Using innovative technology to enhance career explorationExploring in-demand occupations in rural areasVirtual reality to provide tangible experiencesHow North Dakota began using CareerView XR statewide. What happens when students are introduced to careers they didn’t know existedGetting employers involved
About the EdTech Startup Showcase
This BE Podcast Network original series shines a spotlight on the innovative edtech companies working to make a difference for students and educators. Through conversations with the founders and CEOs, partner organizations, and the educators who are using their products in schools today, listeners hear about solutions relevant to their chronic challenges and opportunity-expanding ideas to go into uncharted directions. To subscribe to the series, visit https://etss.bepodcast.network

About Be More Colorful
Be More Colorful, based in Fargo, North Dakota specializes in immersive technology solutions for solving workforce development problems. Co-founded by husband-and-wife team Matt and Katie Chaussee, the company has been at the forefront of creating immersive media solutions that help people make better decisions about where they choose to live, learn, work and play. Learn more:
https://www.bemorecolorful.com https://www.facebook.com/careerviewxr  https://www.facebook.com/bemorecolorful  https://www.linkedin.com/company/careerviewxr  https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-more-colorful  https://www.instagram.com/bemorecolorful https://twitter.com/bemorecolorful  https://www.tiktok.com/@bemorecolorful 
We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year. 

EdTech Startup Showcase: Aidan Kestigian, Harvard philosophy fellow and ThinkerAnalytix VP, on using AI to improve information literacy and argument formation

Today, we’re pleased to share an episode originally recorded for the EdTech Startup Showcase. It’s been my pleasure to host a series of episodes for this show, which spotlights some of the most innovative emerging companies in edtech.

In this episode, Aidan Kestigian, a visiting fellow in the Department of Philosophy at Harvard University and the Vice President of Operations and Curriculum for ThinkerAnalytix, shares her insights on using AI to help students critically evaluate information and form better arguments. 

Hear about:
Pedagog.ai’s connection to philosophyHow AI can have a role in moderating disagreements and creating productive discussionGiving students targeted practice in making an argumentUsing AI to make content and exercises grade- and skill-appropriateGiving students the tools to critically evaluate what they’re reading and hearingPersuasive arguments in a disagreement
About the EdTech Startup Showcase
This BE Podcast Network original series shines a spotlight on the innovative edtech companies working to make a difference for students and educators. Through conversations with the founders and CEOs, partner organizations, and the educators who are using their products in schools today, listeners hear about solutions relevant to their chronic challenges and opportunity-expanding ideas to go into uncharted directions. To subscribe to the series, visit https://etss.bepodcast.network

About Pedagog.ai
Pedagog.ai is focused on supporting educators in adapting to the age of artificial intelligence in education. The company offers a variety of professional development options, including books, online courses, webinars, and in-person workshops, to help teachers learn about the latest advancements in AI and education. Their suite of tools is designed with educators in mind, aiming to enhance curriculum development and workflow efficiency through AI technology. They also provide tools tailored for student use, enabling them to engage in assignments that leverage AI capabilities in a classroom setting. Learn more:
http://pedagog.ai  https://twitter.com/pedagogycloud  https://www.instagram.com/pedagogycloud  https://facebook.com/pedagogycloud 
We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year. 

Devin Vodicka has spent the past 20 years working towards high quality student  outcomes. He has earned multiple prestigious awards in the education field, including  2015 California Superintendent of the Year by both ASCA and Pepperdine University.  He is also a nine-time White House honoree in recognition for his achievements and to  partner with the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Educational Technology and  Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools. 
Devin's years of experience in the education system have made one thing clear, school  must have purpose and relevance. Listen as we discuss how schools can create  connectedness with the outside world and why it is imperative to listen to students. He  challenges us to review our definition of success and escape the perceived security of  our current educational model. 
In this episode, we discuss:  
- Why we need an asset-based perspective in schools 
⁃ How a different definition of success can change education 
⁃ Making progress within a rigid and resistant system 
⁃ What can happen when we listen to learner’s on-going input  
⁃ Devin’s experience establishing multi-aged, competency-based micro schools  ⁃ Some practical advice for parents to help energize their children 
Resources and links mentioned in this episode:  
⁃ Connect with Devin on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
⁃ Learner-Centered Leadership: A Blueprint for Transformational Change in  Learning Communities  
- Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination Meet
- Learn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.
- Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.
- Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here.

More about the Rebel Educator podcast:  
In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth. 
Originally Aired: August 2, 2021

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.