What does it look like to build a truly learner-centered school from the ground up—and do it by activating the full power of the surrounding community?

In this episode, we welcome Coi Marie Morefield, founder of the Lab School of Memphis, a PK–8 learner-centered environment blending Waldorf, Montessori, unschooling, and constructivist approaches. Coi shares how her journey began with her own children and grew into a thriving school grounded in exploration, agency, and real-world learning.

We explore how the Lab School’s ecosystem model emerged out of necessity and evolved into a powerful framework for engaging local partners—from art museums and farms to restaurants, tennis programs, and even the Chamber of Commerce. Coi also reflects on growth, transitions, and what a flexible, a la carte future for high school could look like. This is an inspiring conversation about community-driven learning, bold leadership, and creating spaces where every learner is truly seen.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• The origins of the Lab School of Memphis and its learner-centered philosophy
• How community partnerships fuel real-world learning experiences
• Building an ecosystem that supports both learners and educators
• Navigating school growth, transitions, and evolving student needs
• Rethinking high school through flexible, a la carte learning pathways

Resources:

• Lab School of Memphis
• Coi Marie Morefield on LinkedIn
• Follow Coi Marie Morefield on Instagram: @poimorefield
• PAST Foundation
• Education Reimagined

Produced by NOVA

transforms fluency and confidence. Inspired by the Vermont Mathematics Initiative, Mike reframed "flashcards" into visual, model-rich experiences that help students construct new facts from previously mastered ones.

We dive into how MathFactLab shifts classroom culture—helping students rediscover joy, confidence, and agency in math through reasoning rather than rote recall. Mike also shares how teachers can use progress tracking and conceptual tools to build genuine understanding and long-term success. This is a conversation about turning math from memorization into meaning.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Strategy-based fluency vs. rote memorization
• Using visual models to reduce cognitive load
• Constructing new fact knowledge from mastered facts
• Progress monitoring and impartial data collection
• Building student agency, confidence, and joy in math

Resources:

• MathFactLab
• "Fluency Without Fear" by Jo Boaler (YouCubed)

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, I’m joined by Jefferson Pestronk, Executive Director at Modern States, to discuss how their free online courses and College Board’s CLEP exams make college credit accessible to everyone. Learners can take self-paced courses, earn vouchers, and bring passing CLEP scores to nearly 3,000 colleges—no tuition required on the Modern States side.

Jefferson shares how this model supports high schoolers, college students, and adult learners alike through flexible, scalable pathways. We also talk about AI tutoring, virtual cohorts, and statewide programs like Ohio’s new policy recognizing CLEP in diploma metrics.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How Modern States + CLEP unlocks free, transcripted college credit for learners anywhere.
• Who it serves—from teens to comebackers—and flexible ways schools embed it.
• Funding the path: philanthropic support, employer benefits, and state policies.
• New supports for self-paced success: AI tutoring and virtual cohorts.
• Ohio’s policy shift elevating CLEP in accountability and diploma seals.

Resources:

• Modern States — Create a free account and browse the full course library; look for the green “Sign Up” buttons.
• College Board CLEP — Check which colleges accept which exams and the score needed to earn credit.
• Connect with Jefferson Pestronk on LinkedIn

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Danny Bauer, host of the Better Leaders, Better Schools podcast and a champion for reimagining education through leadership. Danny shares how his journey from assistant principal to leading a global community of “ruckus makers” has been fueled by a belief that leadership is service and schools must evolve beyond the status quo. His perspective challenges us to think differently about what school is for and how leaders can inspire students and educators alike.

We explore the importance of creating schools that kids actually want to show up for, the role of curiosity in shaping the future of learning, and why agency and authenticity are essential in leadership. From transforming abandoned spaces into learning labs to helping principals embrace bold, creative choices, Danny illustrates how disruption can open doors to new possibilities.

This conversation dives into leadership, agency, AI in education, and reimagining what makes school meaningful for both learners and leaders. Join us as we unpack how to build communities of growth, create irresistible learning environments, and embrace the power of disruption in education.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Leadership as service in transforming education
• Creating schools that inspire students to “opt in”
• How curiosity and agency drive meaningful learning

Resources:

• Better Leaders, Better Schools
• Learning Unboxed Podcast
• Follow Danny Bauer on Instagram: @betterleadersbetterschools

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, I’m joined by Craig Randall, author of Trust-Based Observations, to explore how great teaching thrives when educators feel psychologically safe. We look at why traditional evaluation systems—rubrics, ratings, and high-stakes observations—stifle innovation, and how Craig’s trust-first model creates space for teachers to take risks and grow.

Craig shares his three-part approach: short, unannounced, strengths-based classroom visits; reflective conversations that begin with questions rather than judgments; and concrete, teacher-chosen support. From asking permission before offering suggestions to co-teaching or modeling strategies, each step builds trust so educators feel safe to experiment.

We also talk about scaling impact—aligning professional learning to core pedagogy, tapping in-house expertise, and working within mandated systems without losing sight of trust. The result is what John Hattie calls “collective teacher efficacy in action”—a culture where teachers share wins, iterate openly, and drive stronger student learning.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Why ratings of pedagogy erode trust—and how mindset-focused feedback changes the game.
• The mechanics of a strengths-based observation cycle (short, unannounced, reflective, supportive).
• “Marbles in the jar”: lowering vulnerability to unlock risk-taking and innovation.
• Turning observations into ongoing PD and collective teacher efficacy.
• Practical ways to work within evaluation mandates while centering trust.

Resources:

• Learn more at TrustBased.com
• Read Trust-Based Observations by Craig Randall
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we dive into reading skills development with Tim Waldron, CEO of Readable English. We explore why so many students—especially in upper elementary, middle, and high school—are still reading below grade level and what it takes to close that gap quickly. The stakes are high: student confidence, classroom participation, and long-term success in college, career, and beyond.

Tim explains how English’s irregular spelling makes decoding harder than in phonetic languages. Readable English offers a research-backed approach—adding syllable breaks, grayed-out silent letters, and 21 glyphs tied to English phonemes—to reduce cognitive load and speed fluency and comprehension. This method supports the science of reading and Scarborough’s Rope by freeing up brainpower for meaning-making.

We also look at implementation: browser-based tools that mark up any digital text, short daily “reading power-ups” aligned to CTE pathways, and a light lift for teachers through two virtual trainings. Tim shows how schools can help students make up to two years of growth in a semester. Getting kids reading at grade level opens doors to deeper learning, authentic participation, and real opportunity.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• The decoding problem: why English spelling slows fluency—and how glyphs reduce cognitive load.
• A multi-sensory, research-backed approach that accelerates accuracy, rate, and comprehension.
• Practical school rollout: minimal PD, browser tools, and daily practice that scales.
• Supporting multilingual learners and older struggling readers without derailing core instruction.
• Career-connected literacy: CTE-aligned reading “power-ups” to build relevance and motivation.

Resources:

• Readable English — Explore the methodology, research, and request a demo
• Classroom Browser Extension — Let students double-click any word for markup, pronunciation, definitions, and L1 translation; pilot it with a small group to see immediate impact

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In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we welcome David Solomon, CEO of Lightspeed Technologies, to unpack “instructional audio”—low-volume, high-clarity sound that makes the teacher’s voice equally intelligible in every seat. We explore why clarity beats volume for attention, language development, and early learners, and how speaking in a natural tone calms the room and boosts comprehension.

We also dig into real-world use: integrating classroom audio with displays, computers, PA, and security so pages and emergencies cut through, and teachers can route any audio evenly across the room. David shares quick-win adoption tips—from simple in-class demos to funding paths like bond measures, Title I, and local foundations—and how Lightspeed’s Activate tool supports small-group instruction by letting teachers listen in and jump in at the right moment.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• What “instructional audio” is and why clarity beats volume for K–12 learning.
• How to integrate classroom audio with displays, computers, PA, security, and phones.
• Funding routes: bond measures, Title I, and school foundations.
• Avoiding sound bleed and creating an even sound field in every seat.
• Small‑group instruction with Activate and boosting student agency.

Resources:

• Learn more: Lightspeed Technologies
• Connect with David on LinkedIn

Produced by NOVA

When it comes to student behavior, punishment often gets mistaken for progress. In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we sit down with Nicholas Bradford, founder of the National Center for Restorative Justice, to explore a better path: restorative practices that build relationships, invite accountability, and strengthen school communities. Nicholas shares why “punishing our way to good behavior” doesn’t work—and how restorative approaches help students understand impact, repair harm, and reintegrate with dignity.

We unpack what real implementation looks like, from relationship-building circles to conferences scaled to the level of harm. Nicholas also highlights how schools can transform detention into a space for reflection and repair, and why accountability must go beyond a private apology to include the larger community.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Why punitive systems fail—and what it means to center relationships and repair
• How to design restorative responses that scale from low-level conflicts to serious harm
• The power of peer voice and student social capital in changing behavior
• Turning detention into development: reflection, mentoring, and accountable next steps
• True accountability vs. coercion, and making repair visible so communities learn

Resources:

• National Center for Restorative Justice
• Connect with Nicholas Bradford on LinkedIn

Produced by NOVA