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in Piazza

in Piazza

By Jeanne Allen

The Piazza was traditionally the center of commerce, the marketplace, and where people simply came to converse and share ideas.

That’s why we are here: to gather people to a new center where, when you’ve had enough of the typical issues and conflict, you take part in a conversation that means something to your life.

So join us 'in Piazza' throughout each month for great conversations about issues and ideas most important to advancing human potential - how we educate our kids, acquire knowledge ourselves, get better at work and build strong communities that make a great nation. Ci vediamo!
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InPiazza, with Netflix Founder Reed Hastings

in PiazzaFeb 03, 2021

00:00
38:38
Schools with Purpose

Schools with Purpose

Join this week’s discussion with Kelby Woodard, President and CEO of the national, independent schools of the Cristo Rey Network, and Elias Pappas, Head of School for Odyssey Charter School in Wilmington, DE, who lead school networks with impact and purpose.

Mar 15, 202425:15
We’re Back! Moms on a Mission

We’re Back! Moms on a Mission

Jeanne returns, discussing how strong entrepreneurial thinking is helping create more effective education for children in more ways than one, joined by Yass Prize 2023 Semifinalists Brenaea Fairchild, Founder & Executive Director of the Melanin Village, a national model of support for a growing population of non-traditional parents who want to customize what their child’s academic experience looks like; and Heidi Treu, Executive Director of West Virginia Academy, a charter school in Morgantown, WV who are the first to give students in the state's third largest district an education that caters to student needs and not top down mandates.

Mar 09, 202422:37
#40: On Using Your Voice for Education, with U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy and educator, Dr. Laura Cassidy

#40: On Using Your Voice for Education, with U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy and educator, Dr. Laura Cassidy

On this week’s in Piazza, US Senator Bill Cassidy and Dr. Laura Cassidy, share their work in education and how their medical training informs it all. Listen to these champions for education opportunity and especially students with special needs. 


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Have ideas for improving our podcast? Send them to Nathaniel Grossman at nathaniel@edreform.com


Jun 07, 202326:58
An Interview with Chris 'Citizen' Stewart

An Interview with Chris 'Citizen' Stewart

Education activist and widely recognized speaker and writer Chris 'Citizen' Stewart, Chief Influencer at brightbeam, and often one of the most outspoken education voices around, joins Jeanne in Piazza for an unfiltered and challenging conversation on education in America. Taped in early April, it's a riveting discussion about school choice, race and political divisions along with Chris' renewed focus on the importance of fathers in Black families across the country.  Listen on for more about where this guests think education is headed in the US.

Apr 28, 202333:32
'Force of Nature' - with guest Gisèle Huff

'Force of Nature' - with guest Gisèle Huff

Gisèle Huff, education transformation advocate and founder and President of the Gerald Huff Fund for Humanity arrived in America at 11 from France and the horrors of the Holocaust - and has since dedicated her life to education and improving conditions in life for people in need - a journey she describes in her memoir, Force of Nature: The Remarkable True Story of One Holocaust Survivor’s Resilience, Tenacity, and Purpose. Gisele joins In Piazza to talk through her journey and more on the Future of Learning, from the classroom to the frontier of machine learning in AI. Don't miss it!

Apr 12, 202338:39
Why Aren’t All Schools Healing Environments?

Why Aren’t All Schools Healing Environments?

This episode of in Piazza brings together education leaders and Yass Prize Awardees David Wofford of Chickasaw Public Schools and Amparo Suarez of Hope Youth Ranch with leading authority on the impact of external forces on student’s mental health Erica Komisar, to talk about what’s causing the stressors on our kids, and what we can do to mitigate the impact of an unhealthy climate on our children.

Mar 30, 202336:05
Talking in Piazza with the 2022 Yass Prize Awardees: Part 2 - The Phoenix Effect

Talking in Piazza with the 2022 Yass Prize Awardees: Part 2 - The Phoenix Effect

The second in two parts of the 2022 Yass Prize Awardees’ visit on in PIazza. The Phoenix Effect: Four individuals whose own life circumstances and challenges they overcame led them to create pathways to opportunity for others share their experiences.  Learn more about the Yass Prize and the 2022 awardee educators at yassprize.org.

Feb 16, 202337:27
Education 10.0: Talking in Piazza with the 2022 Yass Prize Awardees

Education 10.0: Talking in Piazza with the 2022 Yass Prize Awardees

Leaders from across the country representing the brightest ideas in education innovation and entrepreneurship join Jeanne Allen ‘in Piazza,’ tackling how hi-tech solutions are driving students’ new, stronger financial literacy, who’s doing microschooling right, and how districts in the traditional system are innovating to lead in an unprecedented educational environment. 


Learn more about the 2022 Yass Prize and the awardee schools and leaders at yassprize.org. 

Feb 14, 202326:38
Passion & Politics: Guest Former GA House Rep. Alisha Thomas Searcy

Passion & Politics: Guest Former GA House Rep. Alisha Thomas Searcy

A talented thought leader, and former six term state legislator in the Georgia House of Representatives who made history at 23 in being the youngest to serve Cobb county, Alisha Thomas Searcy talks about her experience running for the state’s top education post, the challenge of being a Democrat who holds positions not embraced by the establishment and how the arts influenced her life, then and now.

Jan 26, 202335:02
How to Raise Successful People
Nov 29, 202233:38
Guests Michael Horn and Phyllis Lockett join the 2022 Yass Prize Educator Cohort: Impact and Innovation

Guests Michael Horn and Phyllis Lockett join the 2022 Yass Prize Educator Cohort: Impact and Innovation

Guests Michael Horn and Phyllis Lockett join the 2022 Yass Prize Educator Cohort to talk about Impact and Innovation as part of the participants' accelerator programming. Learn more at yassprize.org

Nov 10, 202254:38
The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away: A Conversation with Author and Poker Champion, Decision Strategist Annie Duke

The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away: A Conversation with Author and Poker Champion, Decision Strategist Annie Duke

Annie Duke, author of Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, and a world famous poker player is the co-founder of the Alliance for Decision Education. She joins in Piazza to discuss her book and the experiences and decisions that have shaped her, including her time as a games champion, and how it might be time to turn convention on its head when it comes to how we make decisions.

Oct 25, 202233:22
Part 2: The Lawsuit Against the New Biden Charter Regulations

Part 2: The Lawsuit Against the New Biden Charter Regulations

Welcome back to in Piazza after a summer long break! In this engaging conversation, Michigan charter school leader Dan Quisenberry and the attorney suing the Biden Administration talk about their efforts to protect parents’ rights to choose a charter school for their child.

Sep 14, 202228:30
Part 1: A Short Primer on the New Biden Charter School Regulations

Part 1: A Short Primer on the New Biden Charter School Regulations

We’re back in Piazza this September 2022 with an intensive look at the challenges charter schools have been facing since the spring when opponents of charter schools were able to get the White House on board in their efforts to put charter schools out of business. Tune in now!

Sep 14, 202227:10
Former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan
Jul 14, 202233:54
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush

In this episode of our "Best Of" series, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush joins InPiazza as he shares his thoughts on a wide range of topics with Jeanne and Michael — from COVID-19’s impact on schools and getting America back to work, to how he got started, his journey and the state of free speech today. 

Jun 30, 202236:34
InPiazza, with Netflix Founder Reed Hastings

InPiazza, with Netflix Founder Reed Hastings

In the first of our "Best Of" series, we're taking it back to our conversation InPiazza with Reed Hastings, co-founder, chairman and co-CEO of Netflix. He discusses his work and education opportunity for all with Jeanne and Michael. 

Jun 16, 202238:38
Special Conversation with Arizona Governor Doug Ducey

Special Conversation with Arizona Governor Doug Ducey

From how the state is helping schools personalize learning to giving students and families a better pathway to the future, the vision of this dynamic Arizona governor is featured in Piazza this week.

May 13, 202217:47
Women Leading Best-in-Class Innovations To Personalize Learning

Women Leading Best-in-Class Innovations To Personalize Learning

In this lively final episode of the STOP for Education series, two rock-star women ed tech innovators share with Jeanne how their programs infusing real-world applications into online learning are making a difference for students in the U.S. – and around the world.

Host:
Jeanne Allen, Center for Education Reform

Guests:
Sung Ae Yang, Rock by Rock, New York, NY
Rebecca Singer, Full STEAM Forward, National

May 11, 202233:52
Getting Parents’ Attention During the Pandemic

Getting Parents’ Attention During the Pandemic

What was it like for educators to get parent support for reopening schools in 2020? And why is the concept of school choice so controversial?

In the third part of a series recognizing award winners in education innovation, school leaders share their experiences about the support – and resistance – they’ve received from their students’ parents and communities and how it’s shaped their schools.

Host:
Jeanne Allen, Center for Education Reform

Guests:
Jill Kafka, Partnership Schools, New York, NY
Emily Kim, Zeta Schools, New York, NY
Rob Blevins, Discovery Science Center, Springfield, MO

Apr 27, 202232:42
Using Unconventional Education Methods to Challenge the Status Quo

Using Unconventional Education Methods to Challenge the Status Quo

Should schools be run as businesses? How would more competition impact the education sector’s status quo? Three award-winning education leaders answer these questions and more in the second of a four-part series honoring innovation in education throughout the pandemic.

Host: Jeanne Allen, Center for Education Reform

Guests:
Gavin Schiffres, CEO & Co-founder, Kairos Academies, St. Louis, MO
Dana Lambert, Director, GlobalEd Solutions, Pueblo West, CO
Allan Sherer, Founder, New Way Global, Greenville, SC

Apr 13, 202234:45
How Three Schools Pivoted at the Height of the Pandemic

How Three Schools Pivoted at the Height of the Pandemic

Three award-winning school principals take us back to March 2020 and how they pivoted as educators to continue serving their vulnerable student populations as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on American education. In this new series from In Piazza, find out how they navigated state rules, rallied community support and met students’ physical and academic needs — and why their efforts are being honored.

Mar 30, 202243:57
KaiPod CEO & Founder Amar Kumar

KaiPod CEO & Founder Amar Kumar

KaiPod Founder Amar Kumar joins in Piazza to talk about how his organization is helping students learn, not only through their innovative online learning tools and platform, but by helping parents and families find an alternative option for their children in KaiPod learning centers. Listen on to hear more on why this work is so important now more than ever.

Feb 25, 202227:54
Khan Academy Founder Sal Khan

Khan Academy Founder Sal Khan

Entrepreneur Sal Khan, Founder of the breakthrough learning resource Khan Academy, which offers personalized learning instruction on everything from math to history, and everything in between, joins Michael and Jeanne in Piazza to talk about his journey in education, why the necessity for innovation in learning cannot be ignored, and what exciting developments he’s looking forward to in the future.

Nov 12, 202143:00
Rick Hess and Pedro Noguera: A Search for Common Ground

Rick Hess and Pedro Noguera: A Search for Common Ground

In Piazza this week tackles the thorny issue of finding common ground on some of the most relevant and often divisive education issues of our day. Join Jeanne as she talks to Rick Hess, (@rickhess99) resident scholar and director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, and Pedro Noguera, (@PedroANoguera) Dean of the Rossier School of Education and a Distinguished Professor of Education at USC, about their new collaborative effort, A Search for Common Ground: Conversations About the Toughest Questions in K–12 Education, and much more.

Oct 20, 202134:28
Populace Co-founder + Bestselling Author Todd Rose

Populace Co-founder + Bestselling Author Todd Rose

Todd Rose, Co-founder of Populace, professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and author of Dark Horse with Ogi Ogas and The End of Average joins in Piazza to talk about why we’re not doing research right, how personalization can change the future of work and education for the better, and just how much what bring us together matters more than what sets us apart. 





Oct 06, 202142:39
Achieve Partners Managing Director Daniel Pianko

Achieve Partners Managing Director Daniel Pianko

Daniel Pianko (@danielpianko), Managing Director at Achieve Partners and University Ventures, joins in Piazza to talk with Jeanne and Michael about how we can boost the value and success pathways to college, and work, have for the most in need students of today and tomorrow.

Sep 22, 202131:34
Former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan
Aug 02, 202133:54
Scholar & Entrepreneur Ian Rowe
Jul 14, 202133:48
National Review Institute Senior Fellow Kathryn Jean Lopez

National Review Institute Senior Fellow Kathryn Jean Lopez

Kathryn Jean Lopez, senior fellow at National Review Institute, where she directs the Center for Religion, Culture, and Civil Society, joins Jeanne in Piazza to talk about the hottest-button topic: religion in America, today. Don’t miss this commentary on why it’s more important than ever that we have mutual respect for one another, stand up for what we believe in, challenge our peers and not give up in the face of adversity.

Jul 01, 202126:54
ENCORE: OZY CEO & co-founder Carlos Watson

ENCORE: OZY CEO & co-founder Carlos Watson

(Originally aired: February 12, 2021) OZY CEO & co-founder Carlos Watson joins in Piazza to talk about education, history and the importance of news, especially in today's international crisis environment, and much more! 


Jun 14, 202132:35
Opportunity & Entrepreneurship | Creating A More Equitable Future

Opportunity & Entrepreneurship | Creating A More Equitable Future

Join Jeanne and Michael in Piazza for an exclusive conversation on the role opportunity and entrepreneurship play in making the American Dream possible for people throughout the globe, as well as the importance of ideas like perseverance and progressive, innovative thinking, especially now, to Democracy and the future of our society.

May 27, 202133:48
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt

This week we are joined in Piazza by Catherine Truitt, who became North Carolina’s elected chief state school officer this January. Catherine’s career in education began as a high school English teacher, and she was appointed to the Governor’s team in 2015. Catherine was also Chancellor of Western Governors University of North Carolina (WGU NC), a role that has given her incredible perspective on how to connect education and the workforce.

May 14, 202128:29
Palantir Technologies Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale

Palantir Technologies Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale

Entrepreneur, investor and venture-capitalist Joe Lonsdale joins Jeanne and Michael in Piazza to discuss how growing up in Silicon Valley influenced his passion for technology, his thoughts on the business and innovation climate in California today, and the skill set he believes the next generation needs to develop the most creative and innovative solutions to the problems of the future.

Apr 28, 202126:39
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush

Join Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush this week “in Piazza” as he shares his thoughts on a wide range of topics with Jeanne and Michael. From Covid’s impact on schools and getting America back to work, to how he got started, his journey and the state of free speech today, you will want to listen, learn, and share!

Apr 24, 202136:34
GettingSmart CEO and Partner Tom Vander Ark

GettingSmart CEO and Partner Tom Vander Ark

Getting Smart CEO and Partner Tom Vander Ark joins Jeanne and Michael in Piazza to talk about his extensive work advising companies and schools on education and innovation, his work in philanthropy, the importance of opportunity in education and the workplace, his take on the newest forms of schools spurred into greater use by COVID and more. 

Apr 14, 202136:44
Singer, artist and author Lena Prima

Singer, artist and author Lena Prima

Singer Lena Prima joins Jeanne and Michael in Piazza. Based in New Orleans, Prima - who is is the daughter of famed singer and trumpeter Louis  Prima, shares her genre spanning work in music and love for the arts, as well as her Italian-American heritage, why arts education access is so important and more.

Apr 07, 202131:00
Biz Equity Founder Michael Carter on the Future of Entrepreneurship

Biz Equity Founder Michael Carter on the Future of Entrepreneurship

Biz Equity Founder Michael Carter joins InPiazza.

Mar 24, 202135:32
Dr. Steve Perry on Education Inequity, Opportunity

Dr. Steve Perry on Education Inequity, Opportunity

Listen to the incomparable Steve Perry, educator, author and the founder of highly successful charter schools, who serve predominantly young men of color, and what he thinks about race and education opportunity today.

Mar 19, 202132:38
Neville Taraporewalla, President, BCCL Worldwide Inc, USA

Neville Taraporewalla, President, BCCL Worldwide Inc, USA

Neville Taraporewalla (@nevilletarapore) joins Jeanne and Michael 'In Piazza' to discuss his career of taking risks, the entrepreneurial ecosystem emerging in India, and how investments in education have accelerated its success. Neville currently oversees The Times Group, India's largest media company, as President and has held several Senior Executive Leadership positions at Microsoft Corporation, Yahoo! Inc, Publicitas, and Mid-Day Multimedia Ltd.

Mar 10, 202132:02
Girls With Impact CEO Jennifer Openshaw

Girls With Impact CEO Jennifer Openshaw

From hotel maid to accomplished business woman, Jennifer Openshaw (@jopenshaw) is giving girls the power to make an impact and become entrepreneurs. Listen for more on her story and her work, and mark your calendar for International Women's Day on Monday, March 8th and Girls With Impact's International Women's Day Concert at 6pm ET/3pm PT. Tickets are available here, and more information can be found on GWI online.

Mar 03, 202134:51
InPiazza, with Netflix Founder Reed Hastings

InPiazza, with Netflix Founder Reed Hastings

Reed Hastings (Netflix) joins InPiazza with Jeanne and Michael, to talk about his work and education opportunity for all.

Feb 03, 202138:38