Best Evolve Edtech Podcasts (2025)

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#60 Live Gaming for Growth: Social‑Emotional Learning Through Play with CoLab's Alan Tang 38:31

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1d ago38:31

38:31

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, Seth Fleischauer, Tami Moehring, and Allyson Mitchell welcome Alan Tang, founder of Collaboration Laboratory, to explore the power of play as a core instructional strategy in live virtual learning. They dig into what happens when games aren’t the reward—but the curriculum itself. Alan shares how CoLab uses …

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How Instructure Grew into a Leading EdTech for K-12, Higher Ed, and Professionals 52:20

6d ago52:20

52:20

Instructure’s Canvas, the learning management system used by over 4,000 school districts and 2,500 higher education institutions, became a lifeline during the pandemic. On this episode of Behind the Deal, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Holden Spaht and Partner Brian Jaffee sit down with Instructure CEO Steve Daly to discuss how they worked together t…

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274: The Cable Cowboy Who Went from Broke to Broadband 🤠 | Terry Koosed of Bel Air Internet 2:16:14

7d ago2:16:14

2:16:14

Terry Koosed is the Founder of Bel Air Internet, a Los Angeles based Internet Service Provider, and a leading authority on successful entrepreneurship. He has founded and successfully run seven companies in the high-tech industry during the past 40 years, sometimes concurrently, and is what some would call, a serial entrepreneur. Listen to Part II,…

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Beyond Performance: Building a “10-10” Company Culture with Andre Durand 14:16

12d ago14:16

14:16

Ping Identity Founder & CEO, Andre Durand, explains that in a 10-10 culture, “the how matters as much as the what.” Over time, through his experience as a multi-time founder, he has come to resonate with one simple cultural north star that he refers to as “10-10” to strike a balance between performance and attitude. In this Beyond the Deal minisode…

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#59 What Florida Gets Right About Virtual Schools with Desiré Mosser 39:11

15d ago39:11

39:11

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, your hosts sit down with Desiré Mosser, a veteran instructional coach supporting over 125 virtual educators at Pasco eSchool and Vice President of BOLD (Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida). A former brick-and-mortar science teacher turned online education leader, Desiré brings over two decades of …

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How Ping Identity Mastered Identity Security for Global Enterprises 57:12

19d ago57:12

57:12

Ping Identity helps some of the largest enterprises in the world secure the logins of their employees and customers, helping to keep systems secure, prevent fraud, and decrease friction as companies undergo their digital transformation. In this episode of Behind the Deal, Thoma Bravo Founder and Managing Partner, Orlando Bravo, and Partner, Chip Vi…

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How Applitools is Using AI to Improve Speed, Scalability, and Accuracy with Adam Carmi and Alex Berry 20:32

26d ago20:32

20:32

In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Applitools Co-Founder and CTO, Adam Carmi, and CEO, Alex Berry, speak with Thoma Bravo Partner, Carl Press, about the evolution of Applitools from its early days to a leader in AI-enabled test automation. Adam discusses the initial problem he and co-founder Moshe Milman sought to solve and Alex shares his perspect…

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#58 Tiered Support in Virtual and Hybrid Learning with Dr. Lori Wiggins 31:32

29d ago31:32

31:32

How can distance learning meet the vastly different needs of students who are disengaged, displaced, or underserved—and still deliver equity, engagement, and academic excellence? In this episode of Why Distance Learning, Dr. Lori Wiggins, principal of Pasco eSchool, shares how her team runs 12 distinct programs under one virtual roof using a tiered…

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From the Archives: Let's Talk About Grading Practices - E130 26:13

1M ago26:13

26:13

This week, we are starting our book study with chapter 1 of Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms by Joe Feldman. Specifically, we will dive into what makes grading so difficult to talk about and even harder to change. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episo…

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How Applitools Uses AI to Revolutionize Test Automation 41:30

1M ago41:30

41:30

Hear the story behind Thoma Bravo’s investment in Applitools with Partner Carl Press in conversation with Alex Berry, CEO of Applitools, and Adam Carmi, Co-Founder and CTO of Applitools. The company’s all-in-one, AI-powered testing platform revolutionizes the way businesses approach quality assurance and test automation. Carl, Alex and Adam discuss…

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Beyond the Friend Zone: Building Mailgun into a Leading Technology Company with Will Conway and Josh Odom 22:42

1M ago22:42

22:42

In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, former Mailgun CEO and CTO, Will Conway and Josh Odom, join Thoma Bravo Partner Hudson Smith to share their experiences of leading a growing technology company starting as college friends turned business partners. They highlight the critical role of a strong, supportive team culture, how their friendship strategic…

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Building Community Through Movement: A Conversation With Amber Reynolds 18:34

1M ago18:34

18:34

Welcome to another episode of the Active Listener Podcast, where today we dive into a conversation with Amber Reynolds, a dedicated physical education teacher from Summit View Elementary. Learn about her transition from classroom teaching to her passion for PE, and how she nurtures an inclusive environment for all students, especially those with sp…

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#57 Digital PE for the Real World: Physical Wellness Meets Edtech with Joe Titus 43:11

1M ago43:11

43:11

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Joe Titus, founder and CEO of Hiveclass, to reimagine what physical education can look like in the digital age. They explore how Hiveclass brings inclusive, skill-based movement instruction to students who are often left out of traditional PE—whe…

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How Mailgun Quickly Evolved into a Leading Email API Provider 53:26

2M ago53:26

53:26

Mailgun enables over 150,000 companies to send, track, test, and optimize more than 250 billion emails per year effortlessly for marketing and business communication to their customers. Thoma Bravo Partner Hudson Smith sits down on Behind the Deal with former Mailgun CEO Will Conway and CTO Josh Odom as they dive into Mailgun’s journey from a spin …

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273: Publishing to EdTech: The Unlikely Road to Evolution Labs with Founder Peter Kraft 1:26:53

2M ago1:26:53

1:26:53

Peter Kraft is the Founder and President of Evolution Labs. Prior to founding Evolution Labs, Kraft was instrumental in forming and re-envisioning two educational software companies that led the industry in recruitment, enrollment and retention of college students. He co-founded GoalQuest in 2000 and served as its CEO until 2007 when he spearheaded…

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How Innovation is Driving the Future of Cybersecurity 38:25

2M ago38:25

38:25

In a special episode of Behind the Deal live from Miami at Thoma Bravo’s Annual Meeting in March 2025, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro welcomes two prominent leaders in the cybersecurity industry: Jill Popelka, CEO of Darktrace, and Joe Levy, CEO of Sophos. Cybersecurity has been a focus of Thoma Bravo's investment strategy since 2008, drive…

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#56 How We Got Here: Three Stories That Fuel This Podcast 48:43

2M ago48:43

48:43

In this special episode of Why Distance Learning, the hosts become the guests. Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring step out from behind the mic to share their personal journeys into distance learning, their current work in the field, and why this podcast exists. From museum basements to prairie dresses to viral Mets fandom, this e…

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Beyond Leadership: Career Lessons from Chess with Todd Dauchy and Adam Solomon 14:13

2M ago14:13

14:13

In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Todd Dauchy, CEO of SMA Technologies, speaks with Thoma Bravo Partner, Adam Solomon, about how he’s navigated his career with the lessons he learned from chess. He also details his focus on strategic thinking, anticipating future trends in the market, and building strong interpersonal relationships within the comp…

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Bringing Both Sides of the Table Together: A Conversation With Leo Brehm 47:43

2M ago47:43

47:43

Welcome back to Season Two of the Active Listener Podcast! Host Dominique Johnson-Lindsay, welcomes Leo Brehm, an experienced leader from the Massachusetts educational landscape. With over two decades in technology, Leo shares insights into his role as a district business administrator and his journey in balancing IT innovation with savvy investmen…

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How SMA Technologies Uses Automation to Accelerate Digital Transformation at Financial Institutions 30:01

2M ago30:01

30:01

Hear the story behind Thoma Bravo’s acquisition of SMA Technologies with Thoma Bravo Partner Adam Solomon and CEO of SMA Technologies, Todd Dauchy. SMA Technologies provides workload automation and orchestration software solutions for banks, credit unions, and other financial services businesses. Adam and Todd discuss how they transformed a “sleepy…

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Fostering Constructive Chaos: A Conversation With Lisa DeLapo 32:25

2M ago32:25

32:25

Welcome to Season 2 of the Active Listener Podcast, hosted by Dominique Johnson-Lindsay. In this enlightening session, Dominique welcomes Lisa DeLapo, the Information and Instructional Technology Director at Union School District, San Jose, California. Join us as Lisa shares her journey from the medical field to education, detailing her path to bec…

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#55 Distance Learning as a Lifeline for Ukrainian Students with Yuliya Kosko 37:03

2M ago37:03

37:03

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Yuliya Kosko, founder of Svitlo Education, to explore how live virtual learning becomes a lifeline in the darkest of times. They discuss the founding of Svitlo School during the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how distance learning has supported …

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How Bluesight and Thoma Bravo Turned Vision Into Value - Featured from Best But Never Final 51:00

3M ago51:00

51:00

In this featured episode, we’re excited to share a conversation from Best But Never Final, featuring Thoma Bravo Partner Carl Press and Kevin MacDonald, CEO of Thoma Bravo portfolio company Bluesight. Listen to them share a behind-the-scenes look at scaling a software company from a bootstrap startup to a private equity-backed category leader. They…

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Beyond Trust: Building the Cultural Fabric at EQS Group with Achim Weick and Irina Hemmers 20:37

3M ago20:37

20:37

In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Partner Irina Hemmers and EQS Group Founder and CEO Achim Weick discuss the crucial role of culture in EQS Group's journey. Achim shares his experience founding a company culture centered on trust. Hear how his focus has driven EQS Group's success as a leading European software company and some lessons…

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#54 Online Education That Outperforms Traditional Schools—Here’s How with Heather Rhodes 38:14

3M ago38:14

38:14

This is a special crosspost episode of host Seth Fleischauer's other podcast, Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning. In this episode of Why Distance Learning?, host Seth Fleischauer welcomes Heather Rhodes, founder of Highgrove Education and former leader of Harrow School Online. Together, they explore how international online schools can f…

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How EQS Group’s Digital Solutions Create Trusted Companies in Europe and Beyond 40:01

3M ago40:01

40:01

Hear Thoma Bravo Partner Irina Hemmers and Achim Weick, Founder and CEO of EQS Group, dive into the details behind the acquisition of EQS Group. In this episode, they discuss EQS Group's journey of becoming a leading GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) software provider. Achim Weick shares his story of founding the company, why EQS Group chose p…

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272: From Selling Phones Out of a Van to Leading a 9-Figure Empire | Brett Beveridge of T-ROC 1:13:10

3M ago1:13:10

1:13:10

Brett Beveridge is the President of The Revenue Optimization Companies. Brett is an entrepreneurial, results-driven executive with over 20 years of experience and success in the wireless and technology industries. He has hands-on success in start-ups, profit turnarounds, mergers and acquisitions, IPOs and fundraising and is the driving force behind…

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Beyond Hurdles: Navigating Career Challenges and Driving Growth with Fran Rosch and Scott Crabill 11:37

3M ago11:37

11:37

Fran Rosch, CEO of Imprivata, joins Managing Partner Scott Crabill on this Beyond the Deal mini-sode to discuss his career journey and leadership philosophy. Rosch shares his belief in open communication, setting ambitious goals, and the importance of continuous learning. He also provides advice on navigating career challenges and emphasizes the si…

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#53 Online School for Neurodivergent Kids: Insights from Gaia Learning with Kate Longworth 38:01

3M ago38:01

38:01

Traditional classrooms can be overwhelming for neurodivergent students. Rigid schedules, sensory overload, and one-size-fits-all approaches leave many feeling anxious, disconnected, and unable to thrive. Parents often ask: Is online education a viable alternative? In this episode, we sit down with Kate Longworth, CEO and founder of Gaia Learning, a…

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How Imprivata is Redefining Healthcare Security 40:10

3M ago40:10

40:10

In this episode of Behind the Deal, Imprivata CEO Fran Rosch shares how the company is revolutionizing access to critical healthcare systems with its cutting-edge security solutions. As a leader in cybersecurity for hospitals and health systems, Imprivata specializes in Access Management for shared device ecosystems, as well as streamlining and sec…

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How CEO Leagh Turner Fostered Trust and Teamwork to Drive Coupa’s Growth 16:28

4M ago16:28

16:28

In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Holden Spaht sits down with Coupa CEO Leagh Turner to discuss her career journey and the significance of mentorship. They also delve into the future of AI and its implications for businesses. Learn about Coupa’s approach to AI governance, aiming to ensure it is utilized safely and resp…

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#52 Can You Really Learn Music Online? Debunking the Myths of Virtual Music Education with Caleb Smith 31:45

4M ago31:45

31:45

🎵 Can Music Be Taught Effectively Online? Exploring Distance Learning in the Arts Pain Point: Many believe that subjects like music require in-person instruction to be truly effective. Can students really learn to play an instrument, develop musicality, and experience meaningful arts education online? Solution: In this episode, Why Distance Learnin…

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How Coupa is Utilizing AI to Revolutionize Business Spend Management 34:57

4M ago34:57

34:57

Coupa has helped businesses better manage direct and indirect spend through its community-generated AI and industry-leading total spend management platform for almost 20 years. Coupa AI is informed by over $7 trillion of spend data across a global network of 10 million+ suppliers and buyers. Coupa aims to empower its customers with the ability to p…

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Beyond Transformation: Growth, Leadership and Innovation at HCSS with A.J. Rohde, George Jaber, and Steve McGough 19:28

4M ago19:28

19:28

In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Senior Partner A.J. Rohde and Principal George Jaber discuss with HCSS President and CEO Steve McGough the company’s strong employee relationships, the true essence of leadership, the core values he took with him from his time at Texas A&M, and how the impact of treating every customer with care and re…

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#51 From Stopgap to Standard: The Rise of Virtual Learning with DLAC's John Watson 46:05

4M ago46:05

46:05

Is distance learning just a pandemic-era stopgap, or does it have lasting potential in education? Virtual learning skeptics often assume that online education was a temporary fix—an emergency response rather than a viable long-term model. Many educators and policymakers still equate today’s online learning with the chaotic transition of 2020, faili…

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How HCSS is a Leader in the Construction Industry's Digital Transformation 41:03

4M ago41:03

41:03

For nearly 40 years, HCSS has been a driving force in construction software, helping companies streamline operations and achieve success. In this episode of Behind the Deal, Thoma Bravo’s A.J. Rohde and George Jaber sit down with HCSS President and CEO Steve McGough to explore the company’s journey—from its beginnings in the late ‘80s to creating H…

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271: How to Breathe Life into a Business... Dr. Dan Cohen of Breathe Right Strips 55:39

4M ago55:39

55:39

Dr. Dan Cohen is the former Chairman of CNS, Incorporated. Dr. Cohen was the driving force behind the meteoric rise of Breathe Right nasal strips, acquiring the rights to manufacture and sell the product for the medical equipment company he founded in 1982. In 2006, GlaxoSmithKline acquired CNS, including its Breathe Right nasal strips and FiberCho…

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Beyond Qlik’s AI Revolution: A Conversation with Seth Boro and Mike Capone 18:37

5M ago18:37

18:37

In this Beyond the Deal mini-sode, Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro and Qlik CEO Mike Capone discuss Qlik’s growth since its 2018 acquisition by Thoma Bravo, including its global expansion from Sweden, how the company stays ahead of AI’s rapid evolution to drive ongoing business transformation and how Mike’s leadership style of “leading from …

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#50 Virtual Students Feel Disconnected? Fix It with These Strategies from Dr. Breauna Wall 37:56

5M ago37:56

37:56

🚨 “Distance learning isn’t the problem—bad implementation is.” 🚨 Too many virtual students feel disconnected and unseen, struggling in a system that wasn’t designed with them in mind. Educators want to create engaging, inclusive online spaces—but without the right tools, distance learning can feel like a barrier rather than a bridge. 🎧 In this epis…

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How Qlik is Transforming Companies with AI-Powered Solutions 33:21

5M ago33:21

33:21

Season three of Thoma Bravo's award-winning podcast kicks off with a conversation between Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro & Mike Capone, CEO of Qlik. Together, they explore Qlik's growth from a visual analytics company to an industry leader in data integration, analytics, and AI solutions for businesses. Listen as they explore Qlik’s differe…

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Behind the Deal Returns for Season 3 2:19

5M ago2:19

2:19

We’re back with season 3 of Thoma Bravo’s Behind the Deal! Our chart-topping and award-winning podcast offers a glimpse into the world of the largest tech-focused buyout firm. This season, hear CEOs from Qlik, HCSS, Coupa, and more share untold stories of some of Thoma Bravo's biggest and most dynamic acquisitions. New episodes drop every Thursday!…

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#49 From Isolation to Connection: The Key to Virtual School Success with Alicia Hughes 36:52

5M ago36:52

36:52

🚨 “We don’t care about grades or completion right now. We want every student to feel a connection.” 🚨 Too many virtual schools struggle with student disengagement, teacher burnout, and the overwhelming challenge of building culture in an online environment. Leaders and educators are left wondering—Can we really create a strong, connected school com…

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#48 Why Distance Learning Works for Environmental Education with Kasey Galylord-Opalewski 42:13

6M ago42:13

42:13

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome environmental science educator and distance learning pioneer, Kasey Gaylord-Opalewski, to explore the intersection of marine science, education, and the transformative potential of live virtual learning. Kasey shares her journey from North …

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270: Once Again, the Return of the Non-Food Franchise King: Jon Ostenson of Franbridge Consulting 59:52

6M ago59:52

59:52

Jon Ostenson is the Founder of FranBridge Consulting. Jon is a top 1% Franchise Consultant in the US, and frequent contributor on franchising across a variety of outlets and publications. Jon is a multi-brand franchisee himself, and along with his business partners, he has great operators leading these ventures. As a result, he is able to commit ov…

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#47 Virtual School for Gen Alpha Digital Nomads with Noam Gerstein 40:38

6M ago40:38

40:38

In this episode of Why Distance Learning?, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Noam Gerstein, CEO of the Bina School and a leading expert in precision education. Noam shares her journey of creating a global, digitally native school that reimagines how education serves young learners, blending emotional connection, cu…

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#46 Making Music Education Fun, Accessible, and Personalized with Patrick Boylan 39:26

7M ago39:26

39:26

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Patrick Boylan, co-founder of Museflow, a groundbreaking music education platform described as the "Duolingo of music education." Patrick shares his journey of rethinking traditional music lessons, combining gamification, flow state learnin…

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269: Blowing Minds with Carey Smith: The Big Ass Fans Story! 🫏... 1:12:04

7M ago1:12:04

1:12:04

Carey Smith founded Big Ass Fans in 1999 and served as its Chief Big Ass until the company's sale in 2017. Under his guidance, Big Ass Fans grew an average of 30% a year, with offices across the globe. It made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies 11 consecutive years — a feat achieved by only 34 others — and expanded from industr…

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#45 Student Engagement and Other Best Practices with DL Veteran Liz Huson of Erie 2 BOCES 42:10

7M ago42:10

42:10

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Liz Huson, Distance Learning Specialist at Erie 2 BOCES, for a dynamic discussion on the transformative power of virtual education. Liz shares how her passion for student engagement, differentiated instruction, and equity informs her role i…

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Educing Excellence In K-12 Education: A Conversation With Pat O'Connor 30:55

7M ago30:55

30:55

By 🎥Lightspeed

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#44 The Science of Learning: How Fit Learning Drives Student Success with Kimberly Berens 55:50

8M ago55:50

55:50

In this episode of Why Distance Learning?, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring are joined by Dr. Kimberly Berens, founder of Fit Learning and CEO of Fit Learning Online, to discuss the critical role of behavior science in education. Dr. Berens shares her journey from establishing Fit Learning in a small closet to growing it …