Legend Makers

Scott Buell

Welcome to Legend Makers! The podcast where education's true heroes take center stage. Hosted by Scott Buell, founder and CEO of Drone Legends, this interview-style podcast dives deep into the world of teaching, where the real magic happens. Each episode, Scott speaks with exceptional teachers, the true Legend Makers, who are shaping the minds and futures of the next generation. In every classroom, there's a legend in the making, and behind every legend is a passionate educator committed to unlocking their students' full potential. Legend Makers Podcast is dedicated to shining a spotlight on these educators, providing a platform for them to share their innovative methods, heartfelt stories, and the challenges they face in today's rapidly evolving educational landscape. Whether you're an experienced teacher, a new educator, or someone with a passion for the future of education, Legend Makers Podcast offers insights, inspiration, and practical advice straight from those on the front lines. Each episode is a candid conversation, filled with personal anecdotes, effective strategies, and the philosophies that drive these educators to go above and beyond in their mission to inspire the next generation of legends. Join us on this journey as we explore what it takes to be a Legend Maker. From integrating cutting-edge technology in the classroom to fostering emotional resilience and creativity in students, our guests share the tools and techniques that help them turn ordinary moments into extraordinary learning experiences.

  1. He Escaped the Odds. Now He Teaches Kids How to Build a Future.

    Jun 2

    He Escaped the Odds. Now He Teaches Kids How to Build a Future.

    In this episode of the Legend Makers Podcast, Scott sits down with Leonard “Lenny The Boss” Nesmith, founder and CEO of the Kids Real Estate & Financial Literacy Academy. Lenny grew up in North Philadelphia as the youngest of 10 children in a crowded row home. His neighborhood was surrounded by violence, drugs, and pressure. But at 14 years old, he made a decision that changed his life. Instead of following his friends to the same high school, Lenny chose a school outside his neighborhood. Not because it was academically better, but because it put him around different people and a different environment. That one choice helped him go from sitting in the back of the class to making the honor roll, working two jobs as a teenager, learning a trade, and buying his first house at 19. Today, Lenny teaches students the lessons he wishes someone had taught him earlier: mindset, confidence, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, real estate, and how to design a life instead of drifting through one. This conversation is about mentorship, environment, money, choices, and helping kids see what is possible. Connect with Lenny: Website: kidsrealestateacademy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonard-nesmith-369b57128/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenny_the_boss723/ Subscribe to Legend Makers for more conversations with educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders helping kids build brighter futures.

    44 min
  2. Dr. Jeffrey Zwiebel: Preparing Students for Life Beyond the Test

    May 12

    Dr. Jeffrey Zwiebel: Preparing Students for Life Beyond the Test

    In this episode of the Legend Makers Podcast, Scott Buell sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Zwiebel, a longtime K-12 education leader, former superintendent, and current EdTech strategist, to talk about leadership, technology, student wellness, and the future of education. Dr. Zwiebel brings more than three decades of experience in public education, including nine years as a superintendent in Pennsylvania. His perspective is grounded in real district leadership, including budget pressure, board dynamics, student safety, staff support, and the difficult decisions that come with leading schools through crisis. The conversation begins with Dr. Zwiebel’s unexpected path into education. Before becoming a superintendent, he started as a musician and band director. A summer teaching high school drumline helped him see the impact educators can have on students, and that experience shaped the rest of his career. Scott and Dr. Zwiebel also discuss the pressure school leaders face, especially during moments of financial strain and public scrutiny. Dr. Zwiebel shares openly about the personal toll of leadership, the impact on family, and how that experience eventually led him into the EdTech space. A major focus of the episode is the role of AI in schools. Dr. Zwiebel argues that blocking AI is the wrong response. Instead, educators must help students learn how to use AI responsibly, safely, and productively. He compares the current moment to the early days of the internet in schools, but makes clear that AI is moving much faster and requires a more intentional approach. Scott and Dr. Zwiebel also explore how teachers can use AI as a creative and practical tool, not just as a shortcut for writing assignments. They discuss student data privacy, responsible prompting, teacher training, district policy, and the need for schools to prepare students for a world where technology is already embedded in nearly every career path. The episode closes with a broader reflection on the future of education. Dr. Zwiebel challenges schools to think beyond test scores and focus on preparing students with the skills they need for college, military service, careers, and life. Key Topics Dr. Zwiebel’s path from musician to educator to superintendentThe real pressure of district leadershipWhy student safety and wellness are operational issues, not buzzwordsHow the pandemic exposed opportunities for change in educationWhy schools should teach responsible AI use instead of blocking itThe importance of student data privacyHow teachers can help students use AI constructivelyWhy training must support both teachers and administratorsThe future of education beyond test scoresPreparing students for real-world successAbout Dr. Jeffrey Zwiebel Dr. Jeffrey Zwiebel is a K-12 education leader, former superintendent, and EdTech strategist. After more than 30 years in public education, he now works in the student digital wellness space, helping schools think through technology, safety, AI, and student support from both an educator and district leadership perspective. Connect Follow Dr. Jeffrey Zwiebel on LinkedIn. Learn more about the Legend Makers Podcast and Drone Legends at DroneLegends.com.

    47 min
  3. Second Graders Caught AI Making a Mistake, and Knew How to Fix It

    Apr 28

    Second Graders Caught AI Making a Mistake, and Knew How to Fix It

    What if the future of AI literacy begins in second grade? In this episode Drone Legends founder, Scott Buell is joined by Carrie Robledo and Kim Collazo, two longtime Legend Makers who were integrating drones, robotics, coding, and STEM challenges into classrooms before these tools became mainstream. Carrie and Kim look back at their early drone work, including classroom drone grants, robotics clubs, and GLIDE: Girls Leading Innovation with Drones and Engineering. But the conversation quickly moves from drones to the bigger question facing educators today: how do we prepare students for a world where AI is everywhere? Carrie shares the story of her second grade Insect Detectives project, where students used Google’s Teachable Machine to train an AI model to identify insects and non-insects. After the model incorrectly classified a cardinal as an insect, her students did something remarkable: they questioned the machine. They wondered whether the model had seen so many red ladybugs that it learned the wrong association. Then they suggested adding images of red non-insects to improve the training data. That moment captures the heart of this episode. The goal is not just to teach kids how to use technology. The goal is to help them become curious, skeptical, collaborative problem solvers who can ask, “Why did the machine get that wrong?” Scott, Carrie, and Kim also discuss attention spans, purposeful technology use, graphic novels, picture books, hands-on science, owl pellet dissections, read-alouds, and why curiosity remains one of the most important forces in learning. Guests Carrie Robledo is a second grade teacher and former instructional technology facilitator working on K–5 AI literacy through the Elementary AI project. Kim Collazo is a retired educator, former instructional technology facilitator, picture book author, and longtime collaborator in STEM, drones, and classroom innovation. Resources Mentioned Google Teachable MachineElementary AINC StatePresidential AI ChallengeGLIDE: Girls Leading Innovation with Drones and EngineeringWebtoon-style readingEpicThe Thinking GameLittle LegendsDrone LegendsCollazo Cove

    56 min
  4. The Guy Who Wrote a Story Where Kids Save the World

    Mar 31

    The Guy Who Wrote a Story Where Kids Save the World

    This episode is different. Scott sits down with longtime friend Jake Zortman—someone he’s known since childhood—to unpack the origin and deeper meaning behind The Rise of the Legends. What starts as a conversation about a book quickly becomes something bigger: a discussion about how kids learn, what’s missing in education today, and why story might be the most powerful teaching tool we’ve overlooked. Jake isn’t just an author. He’s a cinematographer, storyteller, and builder of worlds. And Rise of the Legends isn’t just a novel—it’s a framework for how kids can see themselves as capable, creative, and essential. At its core, this episode asks a simple but important question: What happens when kids stop consuming… and start building? What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why story is one of the most effective ways to teach STEM conceptsThe real inspiration behind The Rise of the LegendsHow hands-on learning shapes confidence, curiosity, and long-term successWhat today’s education system gets wrong about how kids learnThe moment Jake realized this book needed to existHow a mysterious message from the past became the foundation of the storyWhy kids need identity, purpose, and adventure—not just instructionAbout the Book: The Rise of the Legends When Mikaela Kadono moves into a strange new house, everything in her life changes. She meets new friends. Joins a club called Drone Legends. And on their very first mission, something unexpected happens—a mysterious AI drone enters their world. But this is just the beginning. What follows is a high-stakes adventure involving hidden messages from the past, secret tunnels, advanced technology, and a growing realization: This story might have been written for them. As Mikaela and her team race to solve the mystery, they begin to uncover something bigger than they ever imagined—one that ties directly to their future… and the fate of the world. Key Themes from the Conversation 1. Kids Learn by Doing, Not Just Listening Jake breaks down why traditional learning often misses the mark—and why hands-on exploration creates deeper understanding. 2. Story as a Learning Engine From ancient storytelling to modern education, narrative has always been the bridge between knowledge and meaning. 3. Identity Drives Behavior When kids begin to see themselves as builders, creators, and problem-solvers, everything changes. 4. The Power of Curiosity The best learning doesn’t come from instruction—it comes from questions. Resources & Links 📘 The Rise of the Legends by Jake Zortman🌐 Website: RiseOfTheLegends.com🧪 Free educational resources, lesson plans, and activities available on the site🚀 “Legends Unleashed” STEM camp program (via Stemfinity): https://stemfinity.com/products/legends-unleashed-literacy-infused-stem-camp?keyword=Legends%20UnSubscribe & Follow If you’re an educator, parent, or someone who believes in building the next generation of thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers—this podcast is for you. Follow Legend Makers for more conversations with the people shaping the future of learning.

    52 min
  5. Nobody Wants to do This. Yenesis Alvarez on Getting Uncommon Results.

    Mar 17

    Nobody Wants to do This. Yenesis Alvarez on Getting Uncommon Results.

    What happens when students learn entrepreneurship by actually building a business? In this episode of the Legend Makers Podcast, Scott Buell speaks with Yenesis Alvarez, founder of the Business Food Lab, an innovative program where students gain real-world experience by developing and operating food-based businesses. Rather than focusing on theory alone, Yenesis challenges students to take ownership, solve real problems, and push beyond their comfort zones. The result is a learning environment where students discover what they are capable of when expectations are high and the work is real. Yenesis shares the philosophy that guides her work: if you want results that nobody else is getting, you must be willing to do what others will not. This episode explores experiential education, the power of responsibility, and how educators can help students develop resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking. Topics Covered Experiential learning and student ownershipEntrepreneurship education in schoolsWhy real responsibility changes how students learnTeaching resilience through real-world challengesPreparing students for life beyond the classroomAbout the Guest Yenesis Alvarez is an entrepreneur and educator who founded the Business Food Lab, a program designed to teach students entrepreneurship through hands-on business creation. Her work focuses on experiential learning, empowering students to develop real skills by building, testing, and operating their own ventures. About the Legend Makers Podcast The Legend Makers Podcast features conversations with educators, innovators, and leaders who are transforming how young people learn, grow, and discover their potential. Inside every child lives a legend.

    53 min
  6. Why Smart Kids Struggle, with Jason Kantor, Executive Function Coach

    Mar 3

    Why Smart Kids Struggle, with Jason Kantor, Executive Function Coach

    Jason Kantor is the Director of Executive Functions at InPractice Psychology in New York, a state-certified high school teacher, and a reading specialist with nearly a decade of experience supporting students with learning differences. In this episode, Jason shares his personal journey from struggling student to executive function expert, and explains why many students labeled as underperforming are not lacking intelligence but foundational skills. We discuss: What executive function skills are and why they matterThe connection between procrastination and emotional dysregulationHow perfectionism can derail academic performancePractical organization systems that actually workThe role of routine in building time management and task completionThe boundaries between executive function coaching and therapyWhy increased education choice and accessible ed-tech tools are reshaping learningThis conversation is especially relevant for educators, parents, and school leaders looking to better understand the invisible skills that drive academic and life success. Jason also reflects on the deeper motivation behind teaching — helping students overcome the struggles he once faced himself. For more insights from Jason, follow him on X: @thejasonkantor Subscribe to the Legend Makers Podcast for more conversations on education, leadership, and building future-ready learners. Visit Drone Legends online at www.dronelegends.com

    39 min
  7. Building a Better World Starts in Preschool | Paul Buckley

    Feb 17

    Building a Better World Starts in Preschool | Paul Buckley

    In this episode of the Legend Makers Podcast, Scott Buell sits down with Paul Buckley, founder of Ratio Staffing, for a powerful conversation about purpose, integrity, and why the future of our society begins in preschool classrooms. Paul shares how his background in process improvement led him into the world of early childhood education. What started as helping a single preschool fix a broken hiring process quickly revealed a larger issue. Traditional staffing models were not built for preschool. They created unnecessary friction, complexity, and stress for both schools and teachers. Instead of accepting the status quo, Paul built Ratio Staffing to remove barriers and allow direct connection between preschools and educators. His mission is simple: provide flexibility, restore agency, and respect the people doing some of the most important work in our communities. At the heart of this conversation is a profound belief. What happens inside preschool classrooms reflects the very values we claim we want in the world. Calm. Connection. Collaboration. Empathy. It is already happening in small rooms with young children every day. Scott challenges Paul on what truly drives him as a founder. His answer goes beyond profit. He speaks about feeling fortunate in life and wanting to give back. He speaks about his three sons and the importance of being able to look them in the eye and feel aligned with the work he does each day. For Paul, building something meaningful is about integrity as much as impact. The episode closes on optimism. In a time when it is easy to believe the world is divided, Paul sees hope in the number of people who care deeply about children, education, and connection. If we pay attention to what is working in preschool classrooms, we may find a blueprint for building a better world. This is a conversation about education, but it is also about character, responsibility, and the courage to fix broken systems. If you care about children, schools, or building something that truly matters, this episode is for you. https://empathyfirm.com/paul_buckley/ https://www.dronelegends.com/

    40 min
  8. The Skills Kids Need That Schools Are Missing with Julia Gabor

    Feb 4

    The Skills Kids Need That Schools Are Missing with Julia Gabor

    In this episode of the Legend Makers Podcast, Scott Buell sits down with Julia Gabor, founder of KidGrit and a longtime leader in youth development and educator support. Julia brings more than two decades of experience working with students, teachers, and school systems across the country, with a focus on helping young people develop the skills they need to thrive beyond the classroom. This conversation explores what it really means to prepare students for an uncertain and rapidly changing future. Julia shares her personal story, including how early life experiences shaped her belief in resilience, creativity, and self-awareness. Together, Scott and Julia examine why skills like adaptability, critical thinking, self-regulation, and perseverance cannot be taught through scripted programs, but must be developed through real challenge, reflection, and connection. Julia also discusses the evolution of social-emotional learning, the limitations of purely digital solutions, and why authentic human connection remains at the center of meaningful education. The episode offers thoughtful insights for educators who feel burned out, parents who want more for their children, and leaders who are rethinking what success in education should look like. Key Topics Covered Why grit is developed through experience, not instructionThe difference between teaching content and building life skillsHow challenge and failure help students develop confidence and resilienceThe role of educators in modeling emotional regulation and purposeWhy timeless skills matter more than ever in an AI-driven worldReconnecting education to relevance, meaning, and real lifeAs schools face increasing pressure to do more with less, this episode offers a grounded and hopeful perspective on what truly helps students succeed. Julia reminds us that while technology and trends will continue to evolve, the foundational skills that shape capable, confident adults remain the same. For anyone committed to developing well-rounded, resilient learners, this conversation provides clarity, inspiration, and practical insight. About the Guest Julia Gabor is the founder of KidGrit, an organization dedicated to helping young people and educators build essential life skills through intentional programming and professional development. Her work spans youth development, educator wellness, and leadership training, with a focus on connection, self-awareness, and long-term growth. Listen and Subscribe The Legend Makers Podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms. New episodes feature educators, innovators, and leaders who are shaping the future of learning by helping students unlock their full potential. Follow Drone Legends

    55 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Legend Makers! The podcast where education's true heroes take center stage. Hosted by Scott Buell, founder and CEO of Drone Legends, this interview-style podcast dives deep into the world of teaching, where the real magic happens. Each episode, Scott speaks with exceptional teachers, the true Legend Makers, who are shaping the minds and futures of the next generation. In every classroom, there's a legend in the making, and behind every legend is a passionate educator committed to unlocking their students' full potential. Legend Makers Podcast is dedicated to shining a spotlight on these educators, providing a platform for them to share their innovative methods, heartfelt stories, and the challenges they face in today's rapidly evolving educational landscape. Whether you're an experienced teacher, a new educator, or someone with a passion for the future of education, Legend Makers Podcast offers insights, inspiration, and practical advice straight from those on the front lines. Each episode is a candid conversation, filled with personal anecdotes, effective strategies, and the philosophies that drive these educators to go above and beyond in their mission to inspire the next generation of legends. Join us on this journey as we explore what it takes to be a Legend Maker. From integrating cutting-edge technology in the classroom to fostering emotional resilience and creativity in students, our guests share the tools and techniques that help them turn ordinary moments into extraordinary learning experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Buell
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dynamic Learning Experiences 2024
  • Show Website
    Legend Makers