Best High Tech High Unboxed Podcasts (2025)

1
S6E21 - The Student Voice Revolution: How Teach Plus is Transforming Math Instruction 27:00

1d ago27:00

27:00

Episode Notes Alec talks to Cary Sabados (national director of teacher leadership development at Teach Plus) and Morgan Hython (fourth grade math and science teacher at Piccolo School of Excellence, a public preK-to-8 school in Chicago) about their work in the Teach Plus Network for School Improvement. Learn more about Teach Plus Learn more about t…

1
S6E19 - Liberating Learning One District at a Time 1:20:36

9d ago1:20:36

1:20:36

Episode Notes Stacey Caillier talks to Michelle Pledger and David Montes de Oca about the ways that school districts are using Michelle's book, "Liberate: Pocket-Sized Paradigms for Liberatory Learning" You can find Michelle's book, and Montes's study guide, here You can find Michelle's podcast, Unapologetic and Uninterrupted, here…

1
S6E17 - Dr. Heather Michel on How to Take Care of Yourself as a Teacher, Even When It Seems Impossible 42:36

16d ago42:36

42:36

Episode Notes If you want to try a body scan, try this 11-minute guided body scan by meditation teacher Tara Brach. You can find journal prompts and affirmations on the Teachers of Color Matter website, here. Learn more about the Deeper Learning Conference.

1
S6E16 - Molodi's Jason Nious on Stepping, Body Percussion, and Connecting with Students 28:44

24d ago28:44

28:44

Episode Notes Learn more about Molodi Learn more about the Deeper Learning Conference

1
S6E15 - Schools Can Get Better At Unleashing Student Potential (with Ron Berger and friends) 1:06:40

1M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Episode Notes In this special live episode from the 2025 Deeper Learning Conference, educator Ron Berger talks to two Japanese educators and their two brilliant children, who have experienced education across cultures in Japan, the United States, and Europe.

1
S6E14 - Improvement in Action: Leveraging Data Routines for 9th Grade On-Track Results 48:32

1M ago48:32

48:32

Episode Notes The RISE Network Website The RISE Data Hub Nichelle’s other appearance on the High Tech High Unboxed podcast is here Nichelle and Eileen’s favorite data protocols: KidStat Data Protocol Attendance 3Rs Data Dive Protocol Student-Centered Data

1
S6E13 - Building dog houses (and cat condos!) for adopted pets with fifth graders

1M ago

—

Episode Notes Read Jeff Govoni's article for Unboxed, about this (and other) projects, "Deconstructing Construction Projects" For more ideas about assessing projects, check out our episode with physics teacher Ted Cuevas, "How to Assess Students like Scouts" Read Ron Berger's thoughts on Models of Excellence…

1
S6E12 - How One District Improved On-track by Shifting Their System Towards More Student-centered Practices 30:00

2M ago30:00

30:00

Episode Notes Check out the Institute For Learning’s Vision of Collaborative Work! Here’s what Sara DeMartino says about it: “While the driver diagram was helpful in thinking through the theory of change, we found teachers and leaders, more than anything, wanted to know the role that they played in that theory and the role other members of the syst…

1
S6E11 - A Story of Butterflies, Regeneration, and Hope 39:51

2M ago39:51

39:51

Episode Notes Check out this video about the sIlvery blue/Xerces blue surrogacy project! The Silvery Blue/Xerces surrogacy project began with the ideas of Robert Michael Pyle, and have since included many partners. These include Robert Michael Pyle's Xerces Society, Creekside Science, and Revive and Restore. Durrell Kapan wanted to take the op…

1
S6E10 - Tackling Chronic Absenteeism by Asking Students What They Need 42:08

3M ago42:08

42:08

Episode Notes Community Design Partners’ library of Student-Powered Improvement resources In his work, Casey drew particularly on this guide: Building Student-Powered Classrooms Brandi Hinnant-Crawford, “What Improvers Can Learn from Civil Rights Organizers”

1
S6E9 - How to collaborate on a mural with 200 elementary-schoolers, with Scarlett Baily 48:59

3M ago48:59

48:59

Episode Notes Check out a photo gallery of Scarlett's murals here Scarlett Baily's website Kumeyaay Community College Website

1
S6E8 - Improving Literacy in a Large Urban District, with Amiee Winchester and Zack Jaffe 46:33

4M ago46:33

46:33

Episode Notes Alec talks to Amiee Winchester and Zack Jaffe about their continuous improvement work on improving literacy at Baltimore City Public Schools.

1
S6E7 - Simon Breakspear: using "the pruning principle" to achieve better outcomes through strategic subtraction 52:09

5M ago52:09

52:09

Episode Notes Our other episode with Simon Breakspear, “If It Doesn’t Work for Teachers, It Doesn’t Work” You can find great free tools (and order The Pruning Principle) at pruningprinciple.com Simon mentions Cal Newport. You can find out more about his “20% over capacity” principle in this blog post: What Would Happen If We Slowed Down? Come join …

1
S6E6 - Sean Mortimer (Tony Hawk’s co-author) on how to help people tell their stories 36:59

5M ago36:59

36:59

Episode Notes Hawk: Occupation Skateboarder The Mutt: How to Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself All the Way: My Life in Four Quarters

1
S6E5 - Ron Berger: Empower Students by Giving Them Learning Targets 51:08

6M ago51:08

51:08

Episode Notes Leaders of Their Own Learning by Ron Berger, Leah Woodfin, and Leah RugenOther podcast episodes featuring Ron Berger: Ron Berger on Presentations of Learning Ron Berger on Student-Led Conferences Ron Berger on Whole-Class Close Reading Ron Berger on Beautiful Lessons and “No Lesson at All”…

1
S6E4 - Ted Cuevas: How to Assess Students Like Scouts 38:57

7M ago38:57

38:57

Episode Notes Learn more about the “Light on Literacy” project Check out the platform that Ted uses for student portfolios, Inkwire We have another scouting-connected podcast episode! Eduard Vallory: What School Can Learn From Catalonian Scouting

1
S6E3 - Dr. Brandi Hinnant-Crawford: What improvers can learn from civil rights organizers 57:21

7M ago57:21

57:21

Episode Notes Learn more about Dr. Brandi Hinnant-Crawford’s work here Brandi’s other episodes on this podcast: Dr. Brandi Hinnant Crawford, Improvement as a Tool for Our Collective Liberation (High Tech High Unboxed podcast) Dr. Brandi Hinnant-Crawford & Dr. Luke Wood at Gates CoP NSI (High Tech High Unboxed podcast) Articles, books, and peopl…

1
S6E2 - AI for Technophobic Teachers, with John Santos 20:45

8M ago20:45

20:45

Episode Notes John Santos's other episodes on the podcast: Rigor shouldn't mean Some Kids Fail (a better grading strategy—easy to implement too!) How to Design a Great Project Launch The AI project-planning tool that John talks about is the AI Kaleidoscope by Inkwire and the High Tech High GSE

1
S6E1 - Kicking A** by Taking Names, with Ben Daley 13:29

8M ago13:29

13:29

Episode Notes We start the episode by talking about the book Upstream by Dan Heath. It's really good—you should read it. You can find more find more podcast episodes, articles, and videos about Continuous Improvement here! You can find a transcript of this episode here.

1
S5E28 - Green School Student Louis Lacour on PBL, renewable energy, and biodegradable zip ties 19:12

9M ago19:12

19:12

Episode Notes You should also listen to Kelly's interview with Benjamin Freud, head of Green School's Upper School You can see the 2023 Greenstone presentations here Green School website

1
S5E27 - Green School: Regenerative Education in the Balinese Jungle 41:23

10M ago41:23

41:23

Episode Notes Cofounder John Hardy’s Ted Talk about the Green School Green School website Coconut Thinking

1
S5E26 - Derek Mitchell and Scott Sampson Have a Vision for "Regenerative Education" 51:36

11M ago51:36

51:36

Episode Notes The Nature article about the dinosaur Masiakasaurus Knopfleri Smithsonian article about Majungasaurus To find out about Derek’s history with cockroaches listen to this episode The UK’s National Education Nature Park project Dacher Keltner, the researcher studying awe, on the On Being podcast Reimagining San Francisco Braiding Sweetgra…

1
S5E25 - Kofi B on the power of teachers, peers, and music 50:27

11M ago50:27

50:27

Episode Notes Kofi B’s opening performance at Deeper Learning 2024 Kofi B’s Closing Keynote at Deeper Learning 2024 Where to find Kofi B's music: Instagram TikTok Youtube Facebook Website Made in Akron documentary Do you want to come to a conference whose opening act is this good? Of course you do! Learn more about the Deeper Learning Conference!…

1
S5E24 - People you meet at Deeper Learning: Superintendent (and High School Dropout) Jessica Waters 12:19

11M ago12:19

12:19

Episode Notes Learn more about Nowell Academy Here Learn more about the Deeper Learning Conference here Find all the podcast episodes from Deeper Learning 2024 here

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S5E23 - The Wisdom of Rob Riordan, High Tech High Co-founder 52:19

12M ago52:19

52:19

Episode Notes More episodes with Rob Kaleb & Rob’s Fireside Chats: Where They’re Coming From—In this conversation between Rob and Kaleb Rashad you can hear about Rob's education journey—from Morocco, to Alabama, to Boston, to San Diego! Kaleb & Rob’s Fireside Chats: Adult Learning At High Tech High—In this conversation between Rob and Kaleb…

1
S5E22 - How to Bring Your Full Artistic Self to School, with Aysha Upchurch and Enrique "Chikle" Lugo 1:05:00

1y ago1:05:00

1:05:00

Episode Notes Aysha Upchurch's organization, HipHopEX The best place to see Enrique "Chikle" Lugo's art is his instagram account The custom Padres shoes that. Enrique was wearing at the Den Talk Did you like listening to this but wish you could have been there and seen those shoes (and the rest of it) in person? Come hang out with us at the Deeper …

1
S5E21 - A Kindergarten Geology Project You Should Know About 46:19

1y ago46:19

46:19

Episode Notes This video about the Everybody Needs a Rock project played at the end-of-project exhibition Learn more about the High Tech High Graduate School of Education's Professional Learning Team here Learn more about the New School Creation Fellowship and the Center for Love and Justice here Learn more about the San Diego Teacher Residency her…

1
S5E20 - Finding Your Leadership Soul, with Big Picture's Carlos Moreno and Elliot Washor 1:01:41

1y ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Episode Notes Get Carlos Moreno's book, Finding Your Leadership Soul Learn more about the Deeper Learning Conference

1
S5E19 - Iowa WTF Part 2: How High School Students Organized a State-wide Walkout 43:04

1y ago43:04

43:04

Episode Notes Listen to the first episode in this series, Iowa WTF: The High School Students Fighting for Free Speech in in Schools Iowa WTF on Instagram David’s pre-walkout video message for organizers Article about the walkout in the Des Moines Register

1
S5E18 - Iowa WTF: The High School Students Fighting for Free Speech in in Schools 31:14

1y ago31:14

31:14

Episode Notes Iowa WTF's Instagram Account The instagram post announcing Iowa WTF's first walkout An article about the Johnston Community School District

1
S5E16 - Derek Mitchell: How to nurture and sustain school change in challenging times 1:00:12

1y ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Episode Notes The book that Stacey and Derek talk about is Change Agents, by Justin Cohen Listen to a conversation between the author, Justin Cohen, and Derek Mitchell here! Learn more about Derek's organization, Partners for School Innovation on their website Check out our full library of podcast episodes, articles, and videos about Continuous Imp…

1
S5E15 - "A bigger picture of possibilities": How Dr. Gladys Velazquez supported staff to cultivate college access 35:09

1+ y ago35:09

35:09

Episode Notes Find out more about college access here: CARPE Collective Listen to our other episodes about college access here

1
S5E15 - Getting Into the Heartset with Marisol Quevedo Rerucha 34:09

1+ y ago34:09

34:09

Episode Notes Beyond the Surface of Restorative Practices Watch Marisol's keynote from the PBL Leadership Academy

1
S5E14 - Talking about Dancing and Deeper Learning with Envision Education CEO Jillian Juman 34:03

1+ y ago34:03

34:03

Episode Notes Jillian's Recommended Reading/Listening: Street Data by Shane Safir and Jamila Dugan Street Data Pod hosted by Shane Safir and Alcine Mumby

1
S5E13 - XP Trust’s Andy Sprakes: If the Work Matters, Every Child’s Work Matters (Director's Cut) 38:44

1+ y ago38:44

38:44

Episode Notes This is the "director's cut" version of this episode. It includes a section on how XP does student portfolios and uses them for student-led conferences and "passage presentations." You can find a shorter version of the episode here. Examples of XP Trust Expeditions and Student Work The XP Trust Statement of Values and Ethos XP Schools…

1
S5E12 - XP Trust’s Andy Sprakes: If the Work Matters, Every Child’s Work Matters 30:31

1+ y ago30:31

30:31

Episode Notes This is the shorter version of this episode. To find out about how XP does student portfolios and uses them for student-led conferences and "passage presentations," listen to the "director's cut" version of the episode here. Examples of XP Trust Expeditions and Student Work The XP Trust Statement of Values and Ethos XP Schools Assessm…

1
S5E10 - For Navajo Teacher Bernita Bedah, Language is Foundational to Building Identity 33:00

1+ y ago33:00

33:00

Episode Notes Make sure you also listen to the companion episode to this one, For Assistant Superintendent Peter Deswood, Connection to Navajo Students is Personal Bernita references Rochelle Gutierrez’s keynote address from the 2023 Deeper Learning conference. You can listen to it on your preferred podcast platform here, and find the transcript he…

1
S5E11 - For Assistant Superintendent Peter Deswood, Connection to Navajo Students is Personal 30:14

1+ y ago30:14

30:14

Episode Notes Make sure you also listen to the companion episode to this one, For Navajo Teacher Bernita Bedah, Language is Foundational to Building Identity Check out Peter’s podcast, 21st Century Native Leaders!

1
S5E9 - Sharing Canada’s Indigenous History Through Skateboards 28:50

1+ y ago28:50

28:50

Episode Notes Kristian Basaraba's podcast, the Rad Dads Podcast Joe Buffalo on Instagram The New Yorker Documentary about Joe Buffalo Oasis Skateboard Factory Colonialism Skateboards Read more about Michel Blades Bird’s work here John “JCat” Cardinal on Instagram You can see photos from the project (including Layla's deck) here.…

1
S5E8 - Kaleb & Rob's Fireside Chat 2: Adult Learning at High Tech High 47:31

1+ y ago47:31

47:31

Episode Notes Video: Rob Riordan Introduces High Tech High’s Design Principles

1
From RPA to Generative AI Models 24:33

1+ y ago24:33

24:33

Join industry veteran and AI enthusiast Divya Rajagopal, Associate Partner – Hybrid Cloud Services, IBM Consulting with host Vijay Navaluri, Co-Founder & CCO, Supervity where they talk about how Cloud, AI and automation are helping more organizations digitally transform compared to earlier focus only on RPA. They also dive into sustainability and p…

1
S5E7 - What are the Conditions for Grade 9 Success? With Connecticut RISE’s Nichelle Woodson and Peter Lorinser 59:35

1+ y ago59:35

59:35

Episode Notes Learn More About Connecticut Rise How RISE Partners are Collaborating to Keep Students On-Track Referenced in the episode: On-Track Coaches On-Track Data Teams Conditions for Grade 9 Success, RISE Data Hub Margaret J. Wheatley, “Willing to Be Disturbed” Listen to another episode from Unboxed about Ninth grade success here Want more aw…

1
S5E6 - Dr. Michelle Pledger's Rodeo Days 8:16

1+ y ago8:16

8:16

Episode Note This is a special bonus episode. The jury's out on whether it's "educational" but this is not a story you want to miss. Liberate! Pocket-sized Paradigms for Liberatory Learning by Dr. Michelle Sadrena Pledger The San Marcos Writing Project The Deeper Learning Conference

1
S5E5 - Kaleb & Rob's Fireside Chats Part 1: Where They're Coming From 52:00

1+ y ago52:00

52:00

Episode Notes If you have questions you’d like me to ask Rob and Kaleb in their next episode, send them to unboxed [at] hthgse [dot] edu.

1
S5E4 - At International Studies Learning Center, Data + Relationships=100% FAFSA Completion 29:36

1+ y ago29:36

29:36

Episode Notes Article: "Improving FAFSA Completion Rates," by Ben Daley Podcast Episode: The $50,000 Prize: How Calexico High School Raised FAFSA Completion by 13 percentage points in one year Click Here for More Continuous Improvement Stuff than You Can Imagine!

1
S5E3 - Andrew Lerario: Students should build something on day one of the project 22:55

1+ y ago22:55

22:55

Episode Notes See a video about the rocketry project here. Read more about Andrew Lerario and Blue Dot Education here.

1
S5E2 - “Optional is not equitable”: How College Advisor Erik Castillo makes sure no student slips through the cracks 43:51

1+ y ago43:51

43:51

Episode Notes The CARPE Collaborative High Tech High International You can find more great podcast episodes, articles, and videos about improvement here!

1
S5E1 - Improvement as Teacher Empowerment: Learning From West Virginia’s Mountaineer Math Master Teacher Network 1:25:21

1+ y ago1:25:21

1:25:21

Episode Notes EdWeek article about Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers (M3T) Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers Center For Research on Equity and Innovation You can find more great podcast episodes, articles, and videos about improvement here!

1
S4E26 - Deeper Learning: Origins, with Brandon Wiley 33:01

2y ago33:01

33:01

Episode Notes The Deeper Learning Hub

1
S4E25 - Scott McLeod: Leadership for Deeper Learning 25:50

2y ago25:50

25:50

Episode Notes Scott's book, Leadership for Deeper Learning The website (and book) Scott shares with schools to show them examples of what they could do:Changing the Subject: Twenty Years of Projects from High Tech High Books written by John Holt Books written by Tom Vander Ark Getting Smart

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