Make It Mindful: An Education Podcast Seth Fleischauer, Komal Shah, and Lauren Pinto

In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer is joined by Danelle Almaraz, Chief Impact Officer for Innovate Ed, who brings over a decade of experience in the field of continuous improvement in education. Together, they explore the universal challenges faced by educators, including the leadership pipeline shortage and the necessity of fostering student empowerment and future readiness amidst rapidly evolving educational demands.
Danelle discusses the importance of defining what "future ready" actually means and insists on a clear focus to help schools adapt and thrive. She emphasizes the role of continuous improvement processes and shared leadership in achieving substantive, sustainable changes in schools. The conversation also covers the strategies for building trust and buy-in among educators, which are critical for implementing successful changes.
Key insights include the need for clarity in goals, the empowerment of teachers through shared decision-making, and the creation of supportive environments that encourage innovative practices and continuous learning. Danelle and Seth discuss practical steps for schools to become future-ready—emphasizing student-centered learning, flexibility in approaches, and the importance of community and collaboration among educators.
Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on making meaningful and lasting impacts in educational settings, understanding the complexities of system-wide changes, and the importance of aligning with core values and clear objectives to effectively prepare students for the future.


Guest Links:
1. Innovate Ed - https://innovateed.com/
2. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danelle-almaraz/

Co-Host Links:
Seth Fleischauer
Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/
Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/

Lauren Pinto
Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/
Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/

On this week's Make It Mindful, hosts Seth Fleischauer and Lauren Pinto welcome guest Forest Bronzan, co-founder and CEO of Digital Detox. The episode delves into the complex relationship between technology use and our lives. Bronzan shares insights from his work, particularly focusing on achieving a mindful balance between our digital interactions and core values, what it is to be present, and strategies for overcoming technology addiction. The dialogue is enriched by findings from Student Dora, a survey aimed at gauging the digital wellness of students, revealing how schools grapple with digital wellness and the imperative of fostering mindful technology use to positively augment our lives.
The episode navigates the polarized perspectives surrounding technology, underscoring the scarcity of a balanced stance, and categorizing parents based on their approach to technology and its regulation. It probes the expectations placed on educational institutions to develop digital citizenship, emphasizing the collective responsibility of schools and parents.  Additionally, the conversation acknowledges the importance of self-awareness of digital habits and the ramifications of ignoring the reality of technological impact. Bronzan and the hosts also contemplate the positive facets of technology and social media, advocating for afacilitated approach to children's engagement with digital platforms. Concluding on a lighter note, the dialogue veers into personal preferences in emojis and how Bronzan maintains a minimal digital presence, primarily through LinkedIn, underscoring the overarching theme of mindful and intentional technology use.


Guest Links:
1. Digital Detox: https://www.digitaldetox.com/
2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/forestbronzan/


Co-Host Links:
Seth Fleischauer
Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/
Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/

Lauren Pinto
Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/
Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/

Liz Gallo, the founder and CEO of Why Maker, joins host Seth Fleischauer to discuss the potential to revolutionize education through the lens of design thinking. Liz outlines her vision of making education more relevant and impactful by teaching students critical problem-solving skills and fostering empathy, all while preparing them for the complexities of the modern world (including navigating the implications of AI). She details Why Maker's ambitious goal to train one million educators over the next decade, emphasizing the potential to transform classroom environments into hubs of innovation and real-world relevance. Liz's insights on integrating design thinking into various content areas beyond STEM, and the balance between direct instruction and project-based learning, highlight the adaptability and breadth of this approach.
The episode delves deeper into the practical application of design thinking in education, underscoring the significance of process over product and the importance of nurturing empathetic thinkers. Liz shares how Why Maker's professional development initiatives aim to empower teachers by making them feel supported, valued, and equipped to bring about change in their teaching methodologies. This approach not only enriches the curriculum but also enhances students' readiness to tackle real-life challenges with creativity and empathy. Seth and Liz provide educators with a compelling blueprint for embedding design thinking in their classrooms, thereby paving the way for a future where education is closely aligned with the evolving demands of society and the workforce.
Guest links:
Liz Gallo
Why Maker - http://www.whymaker.co/

Co-Host Links:
Seth Fleischauer
Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/
Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/


Lauren Pinto
Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/
Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/

In this episode, Seth and Lauren interview Jordan Lewis, a Partner Development Specialist at MyBlueprint, a student success and career education company. They discuss the concept of competency-based education and how it is changing the traditional education model. Jordan explains the importance of digital portfolios in showcasing student growth and reflection. They also explore the connection between career and technical education and digital portfolios, highlighting the role of communication in implementing these practices. The episode emphasizes the need for student-centered learning and preparing students for the future.
Takeaways
Competency-based education focuses on personalized learning and mastery of skills.Digital portfolios provide a platform for students to showcase their learning and reflect on their growth.Communication is key in implementing new practices and involving stakeholders in education.Career and technical education and character education are interconnected and essential for preparing students for the future.Guest Links:
1. myBlueprint - https://myblueprint.ca/
2. SpacesEDU - https://spacesedu.com/en/
3. Growth Over Grades Podcast - https://youtu.be/V0_VB54rnTg?si=VyFTwrV6Umkx_UxE
4. Jordan's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-lewis-spacesedu/

Co-Host Links:
Seth Fleischauer
Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/
Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/


Lauren Pinto
Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/
Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/

Link for creating student portfolios: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPp_pIbFsTU. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhTrcr3sk7k,
 

In this episode, Seth and Lauren interview Harben Porter and KK Neimann from World Savvy, an education nonprofit focused on embedding global competence into teaching and learning. They discuss the concept of global competence and the importance of mindset shift in education. The guests explain how global competence is not just about geographic knowledge, but also about the skills and dispositions needed to navigate a diverse and interconnected world. They emphasize the need for a shift in teaching  approach, moving away from a focus on content and compliance towards student-centered, project-based learning. The guests also address challenges and pushback in implementing this approach and provide advice for teachers in traditional systems. They highlight the importance of humility and curiosity in fostering a mindset for lifelong learning. Overall, the conversation explores the transformative potential of global competence in preparing students for a complex and ever-changing world.
Takeaways


Global competence is about the skills and dispositions needed to navigate a diverse and interconnected world.A shift in teaching approach is necessary, moving from content-focused education to student-centered, project-based learning.Implementing a mindset shift in the classroom requires teachers to decenter themselves and create relevant learning experiences.Maintaining a mindset shift in the face of turnover requires building a collaborative school community and supporting new teachers.Teachers can bring about change in traditional systems by advocating for professional learning opportunities and engaging in conversations with school leaders.Humility and curiosity are essential to fostering a mindset for lifelong learning and preparing students for a complex world.
Guest links:
https://worldsavvy.org/

Co-Host Links:
Seth Fleischauer
Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/
Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/


Lauren Pinto
Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/
Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/

In this insightful episode of Make It Mindful, Seth and Lauren delve into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the educational landscape with the expertise of Andrew Easton, a seasoned educator, speaker, author, and consultant. Andrew illuminates the importance of embracing a growth mindset and the necessity for continuous learning amidst the swift advances in technology. He explores the vast possibilities AI offers for personalized learning experiences, highlighting how AI tutors and chatbots can cater to individual student needs by providing a safe space for inquiry and enhanced search capabilities. Andrew also touches on the ethical dimensions of AI integration in education, stressing the enduring value of skills such as empathy, listening, and leadership despite the technological evolution.


The conversation further navigates the various proficiency levels in AI and its application in creating more tailored educational experiences. Andrew's insights on the role of AI in fostering personalized learning underscore the significance of adapting to technological shifts in education methodologies. The episode wraps up with a look at beloved obsolete technologies and directions in which Andrew's work is heading for those interested in further exploration. This episode not only sheds light on the immediate impacts of AI in education, but also prompts a thoughtful reflection on the skills and ethical considerations that will shape the future of learning.

Guest links:
Andrew's Website: andrewdeaston.com, The GoodLife Edu podcast

AI for Education Resources:
Diffit - https://web.diffit.me/
Curipod - https://curipod.com/
Magic School - https://www.magicschool.ai/

Co-Host Links:
Seth Fleischauer
Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/
Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/

Lauren Pinto
Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/
Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/