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Better Learning Podcast

Better Learning Podcast

De : Kay-Twelve
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 The Better Learning Podcast is about improving education at all levels - Schools (public, charter, private, independent), Higher Education, & Corporate/Adult Learning. The major theme is to break down the silos and learn from others doing innovative things in education. We highlight innovative programs & initiatives, lessons learned, improvements to educational space, and real-world tactics while getting a deeper understanding of the people behind the innovation. Our guests include Heads of Schools, Superintendents, Principals, Entrepreneurs, Non-profit leaders and other innovators. Kevin Stoller, CEO of Kay-Twelve & author of Creating Better Learning Environments, is the host.©Copyright 2026
Épisodes
  • Educating Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day with Chris Mason

    Educating Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day with Chris Mason
    Apr 29 2026
    What if the way you lead a school could speak to every student, teacher, and family who walks through the door? In this episode, Carla Cummins sits down with Superintendent Chris Mason of Quitman ISD in East Texas to explore what happens when a leader brings 22 years of diverse education experience — from coaching junior high kids to navigating federal programs — to the challenge of reimagining what a small rural school district can become. From his unexpected pivot out of criminal justice to championing mental health access and radical transparency, Chris shares how great school leadership isn't about having all the answers on day one — it's about listening, showing up, and building a culture flexible enough to become whatever students and teachers need it to be. Takeaways: Leadership starts with presence, not a plan: Great leaders don't arrive with the answer on day one — they show up, build relationships, and earn the trust that makes real change possible. Being present and being available are two very different things, and both matter.Transparency isn't a strategy — it's a standard: When you say you're going to be open, you have to actually be open. Sharing the why behind decisions, inviting input at every level, and making sure your actions match your words is the only way to build a culture people believe in.Student-centered means all students, always: It can't be student-centered when it's convenient. From food service workers to bus drivers, every adult in a building has the opportunity — and the responsibility — to be a champion for a kid. That's not a talking point; it's a non-negotiable.Change takes slower than you think — and that's okay: For a leader who loves rearranging the desks, the hardest lesson is that going fast means going slow first. Front-loading information, finding early adopters, and giving people time to sit with new ideas is the only way change actually sticks.Student voice is the next frontier: Listening tours and staff surveys are a start — but the most underutilized asset in any school district is the students themselves. Building formal structures for student feedback isn't a nice-to-have; it's how you close the gap between what adults assume and what kids actually need.Community investment follows community trust: A $30 million bond doesn't pass because the superintendent asked nicely. It passes because 45 community members spent three months understanding exactly where the district stood and where it could go — and then became its biggest advocates. About Chris Mason: Christopher "Chris" Mason serves as Superintendent of Quitman ISD, where he leads with a steady focus on student outcomes, fiscal stewardship, and community trust. With 22 years in public education—10 years as a teacher and coach and 12 years in campus and district administration—Chris brings a practitioner's mindset to executive leadership. His experience in the classroom and on the field continues to shape his belief in visible leadership, strong culture, and high expectations for both students and staff. In May 2025, Chris led the successful passage of a $30 million bond, reflecting the community's confidence in the district's direction and its long-term facilities vision. The bond initiative focused on strengthening infrastructure, enhancing student learning environments, and positioning Quitman ISD for sustainable growth while maintaining responsible financial oversight. Throughout his career, Chris has been known for clear communication, data-informed decision-making, and a commitment to developing leaders at every level of the organization. He prioritizes relationships with teachers, families, and community stakeholders, understanding that strong schools are built through shared ownership and trust. Under his leadership, Quitman ISD remains committed to its vision: educating every child, every chance, every day." LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mason-8b0815230/ Learn More About Kay-Twelve: Website: https://kay-twelve.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kay-twelve-com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kay_twelve/ Episode 312 of the Better Learning Podcast 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
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    40 min
  • How School Architecture Can Drive Equity and Connection with Patricia Culley

    How School Architecture Can Drive Equity and Connection with Patricia Culley
    Apr 22 2026

    What if the spaces we design for learning could speak to every student who walks through the door?

    In this episode, Mark Barga sits down with Patricia Culley, Principal at Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, to explore what happens when an architect brings nearly two decades of diverse design experience to the challenge of reimagining K–12 learning environments. From her circuitous path through higher education and cultural institutions to championing outdoor classrooms and biophilic design, Patricia shares how great school architecture isn't about imposing a vision—it's about listening, iterating, and creating spaces flexible enough to become whatever students and teachers need them to be.

    Takeaways:

    • The design process is iterative, not prescriptive: Great architects don't arrive with the answer on day one—they guide clients through many rounds of exploration, often turning initial assumptions on their head before arriving at something that truly reflects the community's values
    • Stakeholder diversity is your greatest design asset: Surveys, workshops, and hands-on engagement tools serve different audiences differently—the key is building a process that captures meaningful input from faculty, administrators, students, and the broader community, not just the loudest voices in the room
    • K–12 owners often don't know how to use space as a tool—yet: Unlike higher ed clients who come in with clear needs, K–12 educators sometimes need help seeing how the built environment can actively support pedagogy; the architect's job is to create a shell flexible enough that teachers can make it their own once they're in it
    • Nature is the great equalizer: Outdoor learning environments aren't an amenity—they level the playing field across abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles, and biophilic design principles belong in every school conversation from day one
    • Variety sparks innovation—even for the firm itself: BCJ's intentional choice to stay a generalist practice means lessons from residential intimacy, healthcare, and cultural institutions all cross-pollinate into how they think about school design—because at the core, every typology is about how humans interact with the built environment
    • Flexibility is the ultimate future-proofing strategy: For projects that span fifteen-plus years from visioning to ribbon-cutting, opinions will change, leadership will turn over, and priorities will shift—building adaptability into both the physical design and the process itself is the only way to stay aligned with the community's evolving needs

    About Patricia Culley:

    Patricia Culley is a principal with Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, an award-winning national architecture firm that excels in celebrating the spirit of place. Her approach to architecture centers on the balance between thoughtful, community-driven design and environmental consciousness. Patricia is a sustainability leader within BCJ and an active voice within the industry.

    Learn More About Kay-Twelve:

    Website: https://kay-twelve.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kay-twelve-com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kay_twelve/

    Episode 311 of the Better Learning Podcast

    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
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    25 min
  • Shaping Lifelong Learning for Students with Dr. Greg Taranto

    Shaping Lifelong Learning for Students with Dr. Greg Taranto
    Apr 8 2026

    What if the spaces we design for children today could shape how they learn for a lifetime?

    In this episode, Mark Barga sits down with Dr. Greg Taranto, Superintendent of Canon-McMillan School District, to explore what happens when a growing district seizes the opportunity to reimagine elementary education. From an unexpected career pivot out of cardiac rehab to leading one of Pennsylvania's fastest-growing districts, Greg shares how Canon-McMillan is building more than a new school—they're building capacity for full-day kindergarten, balanced classrooms, and a future where every child feels like they belong.

    Takeaways:

    • Growth is an opportunity, not just a challenge: When your district is expanding rapidly, use construction projects to solve multiple problems at once—new capacity, balanced class sizes, and the launch of full-day kindergarten across the entire district

    • Full-day kindergarten must look different than first grade: The extra time isn't about adding more academics—it's about structured play, developmentally appropriate practice, and giving interventions a head start before gaps widen

    • Large buildings can still feel small: A "school within a school" neighborhood model ensures that even in a thousand-student facility, every child is known by name and every teacher is part of a tight-knit team

    • Invest in teachers because they're "in the game": Administrators support from the sidelines, but teachers are the ones with students every day—involve them from day one on design, furniture, and classroom layout decisions

    • Fiscal transparency builds community trust: When you show stakeholders exactly how much you've saved, how much you're borrowing, and what the long-term plan looks like, they see the value—especially once they can walk through the finished building

    • Get kids outside and off screens: The research is clear—sunshine, movement, and unstructured play stimulate learning neurons. Outdoor learning spaces aren't a luxury; they're essential to how Canon-McMillan thinks about child development

    About Dr. Greg Taranto:

    Dr. Greg Taranto is a visionary and results-driven educational leader with extensive experience in K–12 administration, currently serving as Superintendent of the Canon-McMillan School District since July 2024.

    His 27 year career in education includes roles as Assistant to the Superintendent, Middle School Principal, Assistant Principal, Teacher and Coach. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at Pennwest University, teaching in Superintendent & Principal Leadership Programs since January 2012.

    Dr. Taranto has received numerous accolades, including Pennsylvania Principal of the Year (2012), Outstanding Research Publication Award (2012), and the Frank S. Manchester Journalism Award (2013). He has an extensive list of publications and professional presentations covering topics such as structured literacy, social media, leadership, and educational initiatives.

    Learn More About Kay-Twelve:

    Website: https://kay-twelve.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kay-twelve-com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kay_twelve/

    Episode 310 of the Better Learning Podcast

    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
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    25 min
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