The Education Innovators Podcast
The Education Innovators Podcast is hosted by Eric Byron. Our purpose is to provide a platform for folks to share their stories of innovation in education. Practical, inspirational tales of things they have tried or are doing that others may be able to learn from. We will not dwell on what is wrong but focus on what is good and improving.
Listen on:
Episodes
4 hours ago
4 hours ago
Beyond AI: Student Centric Education
This episode is a follow up to my solo episode about the Alpha School, “A School with no Teachers”. My guest is here to cut through the hype and tell us the real story.
Jon Stewart is a creative strategist and leader in the education technology space, currently serving as Head of Engagement at Alpha School in Austin, TX. In this role, he crafts compelling educational narratives that reshape how families engage with Alpha’s innovative K–12 model. He leads cross-functional teams to design authentic communication touchpoints, optimize enrolment strategies, and translate complex educational concepts into emotionally resonant messages.
His expertise in storytelling and AI-assisted learning models bridges traditional education with future-focused approaches, driving academic excellence and personalized student experiences. Jon is also the founder of NarrativeDrive.org, a platform dedicated to mentoring diverse, emerging screenwriting talent and offering educational workshops globally. A passionate speaker and thought leader, Jon frequently addresses the intersection of AI, education, and storytelling, and is organizing the TEDxAlpha Austin School Youth event in May 2025.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
Jonathon Stewart:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstew3/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1139293/
The Alpha School:
https://alpha.school/
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Lead with Purpose
Dr. Roger A. Gerard is the owner of Sloan & Gerard Consulting, a private consulting practice serving executives and boards in strategic planning, operational planning, executive coaching, and management development. He also specializes in process improvement, and the use of lean methodologies in bringing about significant and measurable organizational
improvement.
He is the former Chief Learning Officer for ThedaCare, an integrated healthcare delivery system, retiring from that position in 2014 after 23 years in that role. Dr. Gerard has a 52-year career history leading executive and management development initiatives, in both large
and small organizational environments. His work has been primarily within the healthcare industry, but he has also spent a quarter of his career consulting in manufacturing and service industries nationwide. In addition, he is a creative photographer and provides help to his wife Debra in her fine art business.
Previously, Dr. Gerard served as Vice President of Northern Michigan Hospitals and as the
Director of Organizational Development. Before joining NMH, he was Creative Manager for
Quality Systems for Sandy Corporation where he consulted with major clients (Burroughs, IBM, General Motors, Hyatt, etc.) on systemic leadership development and quality improvement projects.
Dr. Gerard is the author of Owning the Room: Leading with Mind, Heart and Spirit to Make
Extraordinary Choices in a Demanding World and the forthcoming title, Lead With Purpose:
Reignite Passion and Engagement For Professionals in Crisis. He also co-authored On the
Mend: Revolutionizing Healthcare to Save Lives and Transform the Industry.
Dr. Gerard has presented at numerous national conferences and locally throughout Wisconsin and Michigan on leadership and lean in the healthcare industry. He earned his Ph.D. in Management and Applied Decision Sciences from Walden University in 2001.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
Dr Roger A Gerard:
https://www.rogergerard.com/
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
AI-Powered Pedagogy
Dr. Jennifer Chang-Wathall is an independent educational consultant, author, and part-time instructor at the University of Hong Kong. With a rich background spanning over 30 years in international education, she has worked at various international schools, such as South Island School and Island School in Hong Kong, and The United Nations International School in New York.In the international arena, she has presented numerous keynote addresses and workshops about concept-based mathematics, concept-based curriculum and instruction, and educational technology to Pre-K-12 educators. Based on her master’s and doctorate in educational technology, she regularly facilitates professional learning on the innovative use of digital instructional tools and, more recently, AI-powered pedagogy. She has created numerous online courses and remains at the forefront of incorporating educational technology, using effective pedagogical practices to improve learning outcomes.She co-authored student companions for IB Diploma Mathematics courses published by Oxford University Press. Her bestselling book, "Concept-Based Mathematics: Teaching for Deep Understanding in Secondary Schools," has profoundly influenced secondary mathematics education. Jennifer's latest release, "AI-Powered Pedagogy: Redefining Education," debuted in June 2024.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
Dr. Jennifer Chang Wathall
https://www.jenniferchangwathall.com/
AI Powered Pedagogy: Redefining Education
https://www.amazon.com/AI-Powered-Pedagogy-Jennifer-Chang-Wathall/dp/B0D6WTYCS6
What is Concept-Based Learning:
https://guide.fariaedu.com/concept-based-learning/part-1/what-is-concept-based-learning
Mastery Transcript Consortium:
https://mastery.org/
“Co-Intelligence: Living and Working With AI” by Ethan Mollick:
https://www.amazon.com/Co-Intelligence-Living-Working-Ethan-Mollick/dp/059371671X/ref=sr_1_1
How Will AI Answer Questions We Haven’t Thought to Ask? (Ted Talk with the founder of Perplexity):
https://youtu.be/MD4W_e3dJPs
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Tech-Intentional Education
A former middle school English teacher and parent of two, Emily Cherkin, MEd., Emily Cherkin, MEd., The Screentime Consultant, witnessed the simultaneous rise of technology use for school, and smartphone and social media use for kids. Today, Emily consults with parents, offers school presentations and professional development training, and writes about parenting, education, and screentime to bring her tech-intentional™ approach to as many people as possible. Emily’s work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, The Washington Post, Business Insider, The Wall Street Journal, The Today Show (twice), the BBC, Good Morning, America, and more. Chuck Norris has quoted her. She has also been a guest lecturer at the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Policy. Emily is also a co-founder of The Student Data Privacy Project, a group dedicated to protecting children’s data and privacy in schools. Emily's book "The Screentime Solution: A Judgment-Free Guide to Becoming a Tech-Intentional Family" is an Amazon bestseller and available everywhere books are sold.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
Emily Cherkin on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-cherkin/
The Screentime Consultant Website:
Http://www.thescreentimeconsultant.com
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Beyond Academics – Life Skills
Nitin Gour is the Founder and CEO of Bloomster. He is passionate about transforming education to focus on holistic student development. Bloomster is a dynamic platform that empowers students by teaching over 25 essential life skills, helping them thrive in five key areas critical to navigating today’s ever-changing world. With nearly two decades of experience in the corporate world, spanning technology and finance, Nitin came to recognize that academic success alone isn’t enough to prepare young individuals for real-life challenges.
He saw a pressing need for an education model that fosters self-awareness, confidence, and well-rounded growth. This realization inspired him to leave the corporate sector in 2022 to establish Bloomster, a mission-driven platform dedicated to closing the gap in traditional education by equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. At Bloomster, the mission is to support parents in nurturing confident, self-aware, and resilient individuals who can navigate a world of constant change with ease. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and Nitin is proud to contribute to the holistic growth and lifelong success of today’s adolescents.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
Nitin Gour
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-gour-b038b0/
Bloomster:
https://bloomster.com/
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Sharon Gal-Or: Regenaissance – The Call to Heal
Sharon Gal-Or is a regenerative consultant, public speaker, and author. He caught my attention with his latest book “Regenaissance: The Call to Heal”, and with his passion for innovation in education and his transformative works that explore the intersections of spirituality, ecology, future of humanity, and regenerative movements. In this episode he takes us on a philosophical, yet practical journey to evolve from caterpillars to butterflies.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
Sharon Gal-Or:
https://ief.wiki/index.php/Sharon_Gal-Or
Regenaissance: A Call to Heal:
https://ief.wiki/Regenaissance%20-%20The%20Call%20to%20Heal%20-%20v1.0.pdf
Litter Spero:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSP2DZK3
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Mila Devenport – A Vision for Digital Wellbeing
Mila is an AI ethicist and the Founder and Chief Education Officer of the Kigumi Group, a social enterprise here in Hong Kong doing digital well-being for digital natives, including teaching them about AI ethics, cybersafety, and metacognitive skills. She is a certified AI ethics assessor by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and a character educator who focuses on integrating ethical reasoning and social emotional learning (SEL) into all aspects of life in the digital age. Prior to founding Kigumi Group, Mila had a 10 year career in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors in South East Asia, including designing United Overseas Bank’s inclusive employment programme for people with disabilities; and starting her career as part of the founding team of the Asian Women's Leadership University College in Penang.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
Mila Devenport
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mila-devenport
Kigumi Group:
https://www.kigumigroup.com/
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
Laura Jacob is the Superintendent of the California Area School District and founder and CEO of California Academy of Learning Charter School.
In her current capacity as Superintendent of Schools, she maintains a focus on creating schools where all children love learning, with a focus on teaching environmental sustainability. The Moonshot Program eliminates grades, and grade levels and establishes an individualized learning plan for each learner. The Outdoor Science School program provides students their entire science curriculum outside over the summer in and off the grid learning environment. She leads Bee Club after school, where students maintain care of their four beehives on campus; 3D Violin Club, where students 3D print and learn how to play their own violin; and Girls’ Leadership Tea, where girls learn leadership strategies.
Under her leadership, California Area School District continues to receive local, state, and national recognition for the opportunities provided to children. California Area School District was inducted in the League of Innovative Schools in 2020, for championing innovative approaches to teaching and learning and connecting district personnel with like-minded educators from across the nation. California Area School District is honored to be recognized by the AASA as one of only six school districts across the country as a Learning 2025 Lighthouse Demonstration System. This Lighthouse Demonstration System Award recognizes districts that serve as role models for school systems across the country and for their service to all learners. The U.S. Department of Education awarded California Area with the 2022 District Sustainability Award, the only school district in the state of Pennsylvania.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-jacob-ab3314301/
EdWeek article – “Inside One District’s Experiment with Competency-based Education”:
https://www.edweek.org/technology/inside-one-districts-experiment-with-competency-based-education/2024/09
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Zone of Proximal Development – In this episode, Chris Hess, from Pearson, helps connect the dots between training for a triathlon and preparing to take an exam. By targeting the zone of proximal development, he is helping Pearson develop AI tools for education that optimize learning experiences to achieve this state of higher performance.
Chris Hess currently serves as the director of AI product management for higher education at Pearson, where he combines his rich experience as a former university professor with his passion for educational technology. With a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Washington, Chris has transitioned seamlessly into the edtech space, focusing on the development and strategic vision of AI products in higher education. He has been instrumental in launching innovative AI tools for both students and instructors, enhancing the learning and teaching experience. These tools not only personalize student learning but also empower instructors with the ability to create customized assignments, thereby bridging the gap in understanding how AI can support education. Chris’s dedication to improving education through technology reflects his commitment to making learning more efficient, impactful, and enjoyable.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
Chris Hess PhD:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchess/
Pearson:
https://www.pearson.com/
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
Colleen Kelley – Kids Chemical Solutions
https://youtu.be/30mpnm2QgaM
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
Bedales – Head Hand and Heart
This episode is about a school with over 130 years of history as a progressive and innovative educational institution. An exclusive school with old world charm and new world perspectives on teaching and learning.
I am joined by Will Goldsmith who is the Head of Bedales School in Petersfield England. Founded by John Badley in 1893, it is a private school offering an alternative to GCSE courses and assessments. The school has been described as “disciplined but not rule bound” where there are no uniforms and students and teachers call each other by first name. Will joined Bedales in April 2021 as deputy head of academics and was acting head by September of that year, so he has been the head of the school for about 4 years.
“An educator by conviction, with a firm belief in the power of literature and language to improve the lives of my students. Proud to be an openly gay teacher, supporting all my students and colleagues in the expression of their identity.”
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
Links:
Will Goldsmith:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-goldsmith-47200873/
Bedales School:
https://www.bedales.org.uk/
Bedales Video: Cultivating A Community of Learners:
https://vimeo.com/862425514
“AI Needs You: How We Can Change AI’s Future and Save Our Own” by Verity Harding:
https://www.amazon.com/AI-Needs-You-Change-Future/dp/0691244871/
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com