EduCurious Pods

Kaylee Morgan, an educator lauded for her unique ability to blend structure with warmth, shared her inspiring journey into teaching and her profound impact on students and the broader educational community. Initially hesitant about following in the footsteps of family members in education, Morgan's path was decisively shaped during high school. A supportive strings teacher, Meg Smith, recognized her distress with changes in the...

Jeffery Herman, an enthusiastic educator and AI aficionado, returned to EduCurious to share exciting and positive updates on the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. Herman painted a vibrant picture of AI's exponential growth, detailing how systems are now training themselves and evolving beyond basic programming into sophisticated agents capable of complex tasks, from managing personal appointments to offering pe...

Leanne Thrift, a dedicated freshman high school counselor with 28 years of experience in education, shared her inspiring journey and profound insights on the Educurious show. Initially aspiring to be a veterinarian, Thrift found her true calling in teaching after realizing her love for science and connecting with students. She began her career in 1997 as a science teacher, a role she cherished for a decade.

A pivotal moment in Thrif...

Jessica Strom, a dynamic and dedicated high school agriculture teacher, is making a remarkable impact by revitalizing the Ag program at her local charter high school. With a fresh vision Strom has taken the program and expanded it into a thriving hub of student engagement and opportunity with projections for a substantial increase in animal projects like sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle, demonstrating the program's rapid and posi...

Deanna Joyner, an experienced ELA teacher with a rich background in both education and business, shared her journey and insights into creating impactful learning environments. Originally from a small town in the heart of Florida, Joyner’s career has taken her from Florida to Arizona and back, providing her with a deep understanding of diverse student populations and the importance of cultural competency in teaching.Joyner emphasize...

Dr. Andy Oguntola, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment at Florida Polytechnic University, radiated positivity and passion throughout his interview, sharing his inspiring journey and deep commitment to expanding educational opportunities. He enthusiastically described his leadership role at Florida Poly, proudly highlighting its unique position as Florida's only public STEM university, celebrated for its affordability, innova...

Jennifer Halloran Simpson, a dedicated educator with deep community roots, shares her journey and insights on the EduCurious podcast. From her early inspiration from a beloved teacher to her current role as a mentor and leader, Jennifer's passion for education shines through.

Her journey began at Hillcrest Elementary, where she was mentored by Miss Anna Powell, igniting her love for teaching, particularly in math and science. This e...

What truly makes a difference in education and in a child's life? Join us on EduCurious for an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation with Dr. Jesse Jackson, a veteran educator whose career has spanned roles from classroom teacher and middle school principal to superintendent and now, educational expert witness.Dr. Jackson shares his powerful belief, honed over decades of experience, that the magic of education lies not in pr...

Angela Kelly, founder of the Empowered Principal brand and a certified life and leadership coach, joined the EduCurious podcast to discuss her work supporting school leaders. With a background spanning early childhood education, 15+ years as an elementary teacher (primarily kindergarten), reading specialist, instructional coach, site principal, and district administrator, Kelly brings deep, authentic experience to her coaching. Her...

This week, EduCurious had the distinct pleasure of diving deep with a truly dynamic guest: Ebo Entsuah. Many might know him from his days on the football field at Florida State University, but his journey extends far beyond athletics into the realms of politics, education advocacy, and community leadership. His insights offer powerful lessons for anyone curious about making a difference, especially within our education systems.From...

In a recent insightful conversation on EduCurious, local educator and boys' soccer coach Kyle Kirkner shared his unique path into the teaching profession and his philosophies on connecting with middle school students. Far from a traditional route, Kirkner’s journey highlights the diverse experiences that can enrich the classroom.

Initially graduating with a business degree and working in sales—first selling building inspections and ...

What does a 47-year career in education, spanning roles from PE teacher to librarian and impacting students from preschool through college, look like? For Karen Kirkner, it looks like a journey fueled by acceptance, innovation, and a profound belief in the power of kindness. Though she initially never imagined herself as a teacher, a combination of interest in physical education and psychology led her down a path she embraced whole...

Emilyn Sharpless’s agriculture classroom at a local Polk County middle school is anything but typical. It’s rarely quiet, bustling with activity that spills far beyond four walls. Sharpless, an agriculture teacher celebrating a decade in the field, has cultivated a program where learning is tangible, impactful, and deeply rooted in real-world application.Initially aspiring to be a museum curator with a history degree, Sharpless fou...

Bridging the gap between home and school can feel daunting, but for parent volunteer Denielle Fields, taking that first step unlocked a powerful understanding of her child's education and the vital role parents can play. Initially motivated simply to understand the curriculum and where her kindergartener stood amongst his peers, Denielle discovered that getting involved offered far more than just insight.Starting with the standard ...

With over two decades spent serving students and educators in public education, Daniele Shick witnessed firsthand the evolution of teaching and learning. From the classroom to school leadership, including navigating the unprecedented growth of virtual education during the pandemic as a principal and director at Florida Virtual School, her journey provided a unique vantage point. This deep experience, coupled with a curiosity sparke...

Officer David Hernandez embodies the multifaceted role of a modern School Resource Officer (SRO) with a deep-seated passion for supporting students. His journey into this line of work wasn't accidental; it was sparked by early positive experiences with law enforcement through an Explorer program in his native New York City and further cemented by leadership roles in JROTC after moving to Florida. With decades of experience, includi...

Caroline Acevedo, Gifted and Talented Coordinator for our charter system, brings a unique passion and perspective to nurturing some of our brightest minds. With a background in drama teaching from the University of Puerto Rico and a deep-seated love for helping children thrive, Caroline channels her energy into identifying and enriching the educational journeys of gifted students across elementary and high school levels.

What does i...

Kyra Love, a dedicated Career and Technical Education (CTE) expert, brings a wealth of real-world experience and passion to her role teaching Digital Design and Journalism at a local charter high school. With a background in journalism from the University of Florida and experience in marketing and editing, Love transitioned into education, finding her niche in preparing students with tangible, future-ready skills.Her innovative Dig...

In a candid and encouraging interview, homeschool mother Audra Correa shared valuable insights into her family's educational journey. With warmth and realism, Correa described the daily rhythm of their homeschool life, highlighting flexibility and adaptation as key components. She aims to start her day early, balancing personal time with preparing for her children's needs and lessons. For managing schoolwork, Correa utilizes practi...