In this episode, Kevin Stoller and Carla Cummins as co-host, welcome Dr. Michael Cardona, superintendent at San Marcos School District in Texas.

Today's movie is 'The Breakfast Club,' a classic movie from the 80s that dives into the cliques in high school. As always, they give out various awards, including a new category, "Where Are They Now?", which discusses where the characters would be in their lives. They also share personal anecdotes from their own educational experiences and discuss current challenges and innovations in their respective educational roles.

Takeaways:

• Parents have an impact on the classroom and student experiences
• You never truly know who someone is until you dive deeper
• Everyone makes mistakes, but everyone can learn from them

About Dr. Michael Cardona:

The San Marcos CISD School Board named Dr. Cardona as Superintendent of Schools in 2016. During his time in San Marcos CISD, Dr. Cardona has implemented a dual language program, expanded AVID districtwide, implemented GEAR Up grants affecting five cohorts of students, and created an Early College model within San Marcos High School. This past year SMHS graduated 39 students who earned their Associate’s Degree before high school graduation. During the 2024-2025 school year, San Marcos CISD and Texas State University signed a historic MOU that will place juniors and seniors who meet eligibility onto the university campus for concurrent enrollment with all expenses covered by the university and school district.

Dr. Cardona and team have extended the Career and Technical Education program to offer 21 career pathways of studies and added a state-of-the-art STEAM Center on the San Marcos HS campus as part of the 2017 Bond. Dr. Cardona is known as a leader who believes in whole child development. San Marcos provides whole family supports through SEL counselors on all secondary campuses along with Community Schools on every campus.

While leading SMCISD, Dr. Cardona also earned his PhD in Education at Texas A&M University College Station. Both Dr. Cardona and his wife, Laura, have taken in all of San Marcos over the last 8 years and Laura is a key member of the San Marcos Mermaid Society. Dr. Cardona’s oldest son, Mac, attends Texas State University while his youngest son attends Parents have an impact on the classroom and student experiences Colorado School of the Mines. Dr. Cardona and Laura’s daughter attends Texas State University. In their spare time, Dr. Cardona loves traveling and playing with his five Corgis.

Connect with Dr. Michael Cardona:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michael-cardona-21a51420/

X: https://x.com/mcardona1989

Connect with co-host, Carla Cummins:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-cummins-01449659/

Connect with host, Kevin Stoller:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

Connect with San Marcos Consolidated ISD

Website: https://www.smcisd.net/

Episode 216 of the Better Learning Podcast

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/

Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/

Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website

In this episode, Kevin Stoller chats with Dr. Aspasia Angelou, a superintendent in Arizona. She highlights her role as a superintendent and the various initiatives she is leading in her school district.

Dr. Angelou shares her background, growing up with Greek immigrant parents, and discusses how her early experiences shaped her drive to pursue education. She talks about her journey navigating educational challenges with limited family support.

She also elaborates on the unique challenges of leading a unified school district without a high school and the legislative and logistical hurdles she faced in Arizona. She explains how she tackled these issues, including passing bonds for school funding and creating new high school facilities.

Dr. Angelou discusses her approach to integrating innovative programs in her district, such as coding for young students, diverse extracurriculars like archery and agriculture, and designing a new high school from scratch with community input.

Takeaways:

• There is always a way if you are determined enough.
• It's important to find a balance between honoring tradition and looking for innovation.
• It is critical for kids to understand technology, but it is also important that they have social experiences and play-based learning early.

About Dr. Angelou:

Dr. Aspasia Angelou is the daughter of immigrant parents and a native of Seattle, Washington, where she graduated from the University of Washington. She moved to Texas as an educator and teacher trainer in advanced placement, and then to Oklahoma as a school administrator for 8 years.

Dr. Angelou served the students, teachers, and community of Tulsa Public Schools as director of high school design in 2019, leading 4 schools through a redesign project. She is passionate about creating equitable learning environments, opportunities, and outcomes for all students.

Her entire career has been committed to serving in Title I urban schools. She was named Oklahoma High School Principal of the Year in 2017 for the academic gains made by her students during her tenure in Oklahoma City. Despite challenges, they made great gains are recognized as a Model Professional Learning Community School by Solution Tree.

Connect with Dr. Angelou:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-aspasia-angelou-25667099/

X: https://x.com/aspasiaangelou

Nadaburg USD #81:

Website: https://www.nadaburgsd.org/leadership

Episode 215 of the Better Learning Podcast

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/

Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/

Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website

In this episode, Kevin is joined by Dr. Parul Minhas. They discuss the movie "Freedom Writers", and dive into many facets of the movie, and discuss some award categories such as "Modern Remake" and "Class Clown".

They discuss the significance of teacher-student connection, classroom environment, and transformative educational practices. Drawing parallels from Dr. Minhas' experiences, they highlight the importance of empathy, breaking down racial barriers, and innovative teaching approaches that resonate with every child's unique background.

About Dr. Parul Minhas:
Parul Minhas, Ph.D. Director of Research and Digital Innovation, Education Design International (EDI) Dr. Parul Minhas is a leading expert in educational design, co-authoring influential books like A New Language of School Design and Building Minds: Designing Learning Spaces for Connection and Coherence. As the Director of Research and Digital Innovation at Education Design International, she is passionate about creating nurturing learning environments that support children's well-being. Her work in salutogenic design, neuroarchitecture, and biophilic spaces has significantly shaped the industry. With years of experience as an educator and researcher, Dr. Minhas is a sought-after speaker, sharing her insights on the global stage.

Connect:

Email: parul@educationdesign.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-parul-minhas/

Episode 214 of the Better Learning Podcast

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

For more information on our partners:
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/
EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/
Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/
Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website_

As we close out 2024, it’s time to reflect on an incredible year of growth, innovation, and connection for the Better Learning Podcast. This year, we’ve continued to explore new ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and amplify voices that are driving meaningful change in education.

As we gear up for the new year, our commitment to pushing boundaries and creating impactful content remains stronger than ever. Stay tuned for exciting series, collaborations, and events designed to inspire and empower our community of listeners.

Thank you for being a part of our journey this year. Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and transforming education—together.

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/.

Episode 213 of the Better Learning Podcast

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a
national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning
environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/
EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/
Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/

Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website

What makes Friday Night Lights more than just a football movie?

In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, we explore how this iconic film captures the heart and soul of high school football in West Texas, delving into the emotional struggles, community pressures, and personal triumphs of the Permian Panthers.

They discuss the reality of the high school sports culture portrayed in the movie and how it compares to today's context in Odessa, Texas. They discuss various categories for the movie, such as "Modern Remake", "Realistic and Unrealistic", and "The John Keating Character".

From lessons in resilience and teamwork to the cultural impact of the game, we uncover why this story continues to inspire and resonate far beyond the field. Whether you’re a sports fan, an educator, or simply love a powerful narrative, this episode is one you won’t want to miss!

Takeaways:

• The essence of a quality coach or teacher is the ability to motivate and encourage your students or athletes
• Having a common passion as a community is unifying
• It's up to adults to help create engaging opportunities for students

About Dr. Scott Muri:

Dr. Muri joined the Ector County ISD family as Superintendent of Schools on July 1, 2019. Prior to that, he spent four years as the Superintendent of Schools for Spring Branch Independent School District in Houston, TX. During that time achievement gaps narrowed in all academic areas while overall student achievement rose. He fostered innovation in the system by incorporating the redesign process to transform the student learning experience.

Prior to taking over at Spring Branch ISD, Dr. Muri served as the Deputy Superintendent of Academics in Fulton County Schools in Atlanta, Georgia, a large school district with 96,000 students and 100 campuses.

Before joining FCS in Atlanta, Dr. Muri spent five years with Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, North Carolina. His roles included Area Superintendent, Zone Superintendent, and Chief Information Officer overseeing research and evaluation, along with technology infrastructure and instructional technology innovation.

Dr. Muri’s educational experiences include serving as one of the first National Board Certified Teachers in the United States, high school principal, and administrator at Disney’s Celebration School in Celebration, FL.

Throughout his career, Dr. Muri has demonstrated a passion and ability for leading change, driving organizational effectiveness, and significantly improving student achievement while closing achievement gaps. With a focus on collaboration and excellence, Dr. Muri creates a positive and effective teaching and learning environment.

Education & Certifications:

• Educational Doctorate, Educational Leadership, Wingate University, Matthews, North Caro lina2011
• Master’s Degree, Public School Administration, Stetson University, Deland, Florida, 2001 National Board Certified Teacher, Early Adolescence/Generalist, The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 1994
• Master’s Level Work in Public School Administration, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
• Bachelor of Arts in Intermediate Education and Middle School Education, Wake Forest University, Winston‐Salem, NC, 1988

Episode 211 of the Better Learning Podcast

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a
national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning
environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/
EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/
Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/

Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website

What is your favorite school related tv show or movie?

In this episode, we feature our annual compilation of interviews conducted at the EDSpaces conference in Houston. This year, with a twist of breaking down the best tv show and movies related to education! Our guests were asked two key questions:

1. What is your favorite school related tv show or movie?
2. What is unrealistic about that movie or tv show?

The guest list includes 3 people from Pennsylvania, 2 from Utah, 5 from Texas, 5 from Missouri, 2 from Montana, 3 from Arizona, 2 from Wisconsin, 3 from California, 2 from Florida, 1 from the states of Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, Kentucky, New York, Connecticut, Minnesota and Rhode Island.

Here are the tallies for each of the movies mentioned:

School of Rock - 6

Abbott Elementary - 4

Remember the Titans - 2

Grease - 2

The Sound of Music - 1

Dead Poets Society - 1

Home Alone - 1

Annie - 1

Welcome Back, Kotter - 1

Dangerous Minds - 1

Summer School - 1

Top Gun - 1

Stand and Deliver - 1

To Sir, With Love - 1

Ferris Bueller's Day Off - 1

Fast Times at Ridgemont High - 1

Most Likely to Suceed - 1

Gilmore Girls - 1

Glee - 1

The Long Game - 1

A Christmas Story - 1

Billy Madison - 1

The OC - 1

The Breakfast Club - 1

I Love Lucy - 1

Friday Lights - 1

Yesterday - 1

Old School - 1

Boston Public - 1

Freedom Writers - 1

Ted Lasso - 1

Back to School - 1

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/.

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Episode 210 of the Better Learning Podcast Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/

Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/

Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website

In this episode, host Kevin Stoller alongside guests Dr. Michael McDowell and Aaron Eisberg, discuss the movie 'Dead Poets Society'. They explore its themes of conformity, success, and educational transformation while drawing parallels to modern-day educational challenges and experiences.

They also give various awards to the movie, such as Most Realistic and Unrealistic aspects and who could replace Robin Williams in a modern remake. They also discuss the changes that could occur if it was remade today.

The episode wraps up with insights into Michael and Aaron's innovative visual book project aimed at transforming educational practices.

Takeaways:

• Being passionate about your work changes education for kids
• Being unorthodox can have a positive impact
• You can be successful and be yourself

About Dr. Michael McDowell:

Michael McDowell, EdD was a public school educator for eighteen years serving in the roles of classroom teacher, academic and athletic coach, school principal, assistant superintendent of personnel and instruction, and superintendent. During his tenure as a superintendent, his school district received state and national accolades including the National Blue Ribbon Award which recognized their work for student performance and mental health and well-being in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. McDowell serves on educational boards, served as a college professor, and has worked for non-profit organizations to enhance student learning around the world. Over the course of his career, Dr. McDowell has authored bestselling books, created professional learning programs and workbooks, provided keynotes and workshops, and provided practical tools and resources for thousands of teachers and leaders on almost every continent around the world. A prolific author and consultant, Dr. McDowell is recognized as one of the leading authorities on integrating innovative and impactful practices into schools. Dr. McDowell co-founded Hinge Education and offers keynotes and executive coaching to heads of school around the world, where he partners with educational leaders to implement high leverage strategies that will enhance teaching and learning in classrooms, schools, and systems.

Socials:

X: @mmcdowell13
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmcdowell13/

About Aaron Eisberg:

Aaron Eisberg is an international facilitator and an expert in project-based learning, instructional design, and professional development for K-12 educators. With a career that began as a teacher in K-5 classrooms, he has since advised schools and systems on creating rigorous instruction and empowering student voice. As the Director for the Center for Excellence at Napa New Tech High School, Aaron leads professional learning and fosters a student-centered culture focused on academic and 21st-century outcomes. He has a passion for project-based learning and partners with educators globally. Aaron holds degrees in Natural Science and Elementary Education and is a long-standing member of the PBLWorks National Faculty as well as consultant with The Core Collaborative. He is now sharing his experiences and insights as an author.

Socials:
X: @eisbergpbl
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aeisberg/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newtechhighcfe/

Episode 209 of the Better Learning Podcast

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a
national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning
environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

For more information on our partners:
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/
EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/
Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/

Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website!