Michael Crawford
VP of Strategic Initiatives, America Succeeds
Quotes of the Podcast: "We know more than we can tell" - Michael Polanyi
Introduction of Guest BIO – 
Michael Crawford is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at America Succeeds, where he leads efforts to advance durable skills. Prior to this role, Michael held positions in research, strategy, and partnerships at organizations including VELA, WGU, Real World Scholars, and the Kauffman Foundation. He is a frequent speaker, mentor, and facilitator on topics like human development, entrepreneurship, and the future of learning. Michael holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan, an MS in Sport Psychology from Michigan State University, and a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Kansas. Outside of work, he enjoys time with loved ones, traveling, and reading voraciously across a wide range of topics.
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• Speaker on the Future of Learning
• Durable skills  - Pathsmith
• implications of AI on Durable Skills 
• Research Practice Collaborative [high school research])
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?” 

Podcast/ website/ book shoutouts
(podcast) 'Your Undivided Attention' by The Center for Humane Technology

Support the show
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions

​Jessica Hiler, VP, Kentucky Education Association
Quote of the Podcast: 
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not" -The Lorax, Dr. Seuss
Introduction of Guest BIO – 
Taught Kindergarten at Deep Springs Elementary in Fayette County from 1999 - 2010. Served as the President of the Fayette County Education Association from 2010 - 2025. Began the term as the Vice President of Kentucky Education Association in June of 2025. Was appointed to the Early Childhood Task Force in 2008 by Governor Steve Beshear.
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators. 

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• Upcoming 2026 Legislative session and need for additional funding for public schools.
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?”

Support the show
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions

Angelo Biasi
Introduction of Guest BIO – 
Angelo Biasi is a senior level business executive and transformational leader with a strong track record of developing high-growth, innovative, lifelong learning businesses, and initiatives. His proven ability to disrupt, create, and execute on successful GoTo Market - through to exit – strategies, plans and processes has involved operations, fundraising, product management, business development, human capital, market positioning and segmentation, lead generation and revenue / profitability growth. Mr. Biasi is a motivational manager / coach and influential member of high-performing executive leadership teams.
 
Over the past fifteen years, Angelo has acted on a passion to transform education at a global scale and his experience in starting and leading high tech, mobile, and media businesses, to pioneer award-winning integrated education solutions that have changed the way we teach and learn. This led to a recent exit for MassiveU, Inc. a company he founded in 2013.
 
 As a lifelong learner, recently completing an MIT Sloan leadership program and executive ScalingUp coaching certification, Angelo continues to seek and implement the most advanced and effective tools, processes and methodologies necessary for high-velocity, people-centric growth, transformation, and shareholder return.
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• What do you love about what you do?
• Tell us about your journey in tech and education
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?”

Support the show
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions

Dr. Brian Creasman
Superintendent and author
Flemming County Schools
 
Quotes of the Podcast:
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” — Robert Frost.
 
Introduction of Guest BIO –
Brian K. Creasman, Ed.D., currently serves as Superintendent of Fleming County Schools in Kentucky, a position he has held since 2014. As the recipient of the 2020 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year award, Dr. Creasman proudly proclaims on his social media accounts that he has "the best job in Kentucky," reflecting his deep passion for education and leadership.
 
Dr. Creasman brings a diverse and extensive background in education, spanning rural, suburban, and urban settings. Throughout his career, he has served in various roles, including assistant superintendent, high school and middle school principal, assistant principal, instructional technologist, and classroom teacher. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Creasman is a respected author, contributing to several notable publications: - "The Leader Within: Understanding and Empowering Teacher Leaders" - "Growing Leaders Within: A Process toward Teacher Leadership" - "Can Every School Succeed? Bending Constructs to Transform an American Icon" - "ConnectED Leaders: Network and Amplify Your Superintendency" - "Maximum Impact: Boards of Education and Superintendents Communicating as a Team" - "Prioritizing Health and Well-being: Self-care As a Leadership Strategy for School Leaders"
 
Dr. Creasman is frequently sought after to contribute his expertise to articles, books, and blogs within the field of education. His weekly blog, "Measures of Quality," is widely read by educators, principals, practitioners, researchers, and educational leaders worldwide. This blog is dedicated to exploring next-generation accountability models, specifically local accountability, demonstrating his commitment to advancing education through innovative and effective practices.
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.
 

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• Your journey in Local Accountability
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?”

 
Podcast/ website/ book shoutouts
Author of multiple books, including “Can Every School Succeed?” Author page
Measures of Quality LinkedIn Newsletter
​

PODCAST Season 6 EPISODE 1
 
Dr. Beth Rabbitt and Virgil Hammonds
Fullscale Learning

Quote of the Podcast:
 
If you come upon a wall, throw your hat over it and go get your hat.
 
Introduction of Guest BIO –
Virgel Hammonds, a nationally recognized leader in education innovation, joined the Aurora Institute as CEO in 2024 with over two decades of experience working alongside young people, educators, communities, districts, and policymakers as they endeavor to become more learner-centered. Having most recently served as Chief Learning Officer at KnowledgeWorks, Virgel has forged partnerships with national policymakers and local learning communities across the country to redesign learning systems to become more learner-centered. Prior to his time at KnowledgeWorks, Virgel served as superintendent of the RSU 2 school district in Maine, where he collaborated with five communities to develop and implement a curriculum designed to ensure mastery of standards by all students. Before serving as superintendent, Virgel was a high school principal at Lindsay Unified School District in California. There, Virgel helped implement a personalized learning model where learners didn’t earn letter grades, but rather are awarded mastery for subjects in which they’ve proven to be proficient.
Currently, Virgel also serves on the PBLWorks Board, the Learner-Centered Collaborative Board, and Jobs for Maine Graduates Executive Board. Additionally, he is Board Chair Emeritus of the Aurora Institute and a former member of the CompetencyWorks Advisory Board. 
Virgel holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Master of Education from Fresno Pacific University.
Beth Rabbitt is Chief Executive Officer of The Learning Accelerator (TLA). She is a nationally recognized expert in education innovation and improvement, with over 20 years of experience in the K-12 nonprofit, philanthropic, and private sectors. 
Prior to becoming CEO in 2016, Beth was a Partner on TLA’s start-up team, leading the organization’s work to develop educator training systems and research on emerging teaching and learning models and practices. She also was a Doctoral Resident and Director of Human Capital at a start-up school system in Newark, NJ, an Associate Partner at the NewSchools Venture Fund, a consultant to and with Education Resource Strategies, and the founding Doctoral Fellow at the Harvard Innovation Lab. 
Beth is a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow and serves on the board of several nonprofits, including Catalyst:Ed, GiveThx, and Portland Parks Conservancy. She earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a doctorate (Ed.L.D.) from Harvard University, where she was an inaugural cohort member in the University’s Doctor of Education Leadership program. 
Beth is based in Portland, Maine, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. As a parent and educator, she is inspired daily and urgently to create school experiences that better meet the needs of every child, everywhere.

​Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.
 

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• Merger to Full Scale
• Multiple Ps Policy, Practice, Progress, People.
• Time as a resource
• Building community to change togehter
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?”

 
Podcast/ website/ book shoutouts
 
Fixable- Podcast
https://symposium2025.fullscalelearning.org/
 
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions

Tinsley Gaylean
Author REFRAME & Co-Founder Curious Learning
Quotes of the Podcast: 
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 
Introduction of Guest BIO – 
TINSLEY GALYEAN, author of REFRAME, is a technologist, designer, and co-founder of Curious Learning, a global nonprofit dedicated to eradicating illiteracy. He holds a PhD from the MIT Media Lab and works at the intersection of education, storytelling, and digital innovation, creating interactive experiences for museums and programing for networks like Discovery Kids, Disney, and Warner Bros. Under Galyean’s leadership, Curious Learning has made its literacy apps available in 60 languages, reaching children in diverse communities worldwide, many with little or no access to formal schooling. By partnering with parents, educators, NGOs, and governments, the organization has helped children in some of the most resource-constrained settings begin their reading journey. Curious Learning’s work is recognized for its commitment to mother-tongue instruction and its focus on data-driven evaluation to ensure real, lasting impact. To learn more, visit: www.curiouslearning.org
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• Why curiosity is not a “soft skill,” but a core learning strategy for the 21st century 
• How infrastructure, not mindset, gets in the way of learning 
• Deploying technology effectively in low-resource environments 
• The neuroscience of reading and what it reveals about how children learn best 
• Why top-down education reform often fails — and what grassroots, community-based innovation gets right 
• Why overcoming self-limiting beliefs is key to success for leaders of any organization.
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?”

Podcast/ website/ book shoutouts
Reframe: How Curiosity and Literacy Can Redefine Uswww.curiouslearning.org
Support the show
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions

Yajaira Aich West
VP Client and Community Relations Director, PNC Bank
 
Quote of the Podcast:
 “"It’s not so much what we have in this life that matters. It’s what we do with what we have." Fred Rogers
 
Introduction of Guest BIO –
Yajaira Aich West is a Vice President at PNC Bank and serves as the Director of Client and Community Relations. In this role she manages the philanthropic investments in the fifteen counties where PNC has a presence in the central and eastern half of the state of Kentucky and southeast portion of Ohio, coordinates the client events produced by the bank and leads employee initiatives around health and wellness. 
 
Yajaira graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Transylvania University in 2004 and earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics in 2011.  
 
Yajaira is an active member of the community via volunteerism and board service. She is currently a Lexington Public Library Trustee, on the board of directors at the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, Commerce Lexington Foundation, Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County, Child Care Council of Kentucky and on the Policy Council for Bluegrass Community Action Partnership. She is a graduate of the Commerce Lexington’s Leadership Lexington and Leadership Central Kentucky and the Leadership Kentucky programs.
 
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.
 

• 30,000 Ft. View -Why should we as a society invest in education?
• How did you come to be involved with the support of education at PNC?
• What do you love about what you do, specifically in the education space?
• PNC’s philanthropic efforts in educational initiatives (early childhood education, financial education, grants to economic empowerment etc).
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?

 
Podcast/ website/ book shoutouts
www.PNCgrowupgreat.com
www.pnc.com
 
I’d recommend a relatively new podcast called “Good Hang with Amy Poehler” because she does something different before each interview, she chooses someone close to the guest and records a conversation where they talk “Good behind their back.” It is an uplifting and joyful podcast and a reminder that we can always talk good behind someone’s back.  
 
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions

Dr. Lisa Hammonds
Founder, Dove Training & Innovations 
Quote of the Podcast: 
Your heart has to be able to handle the weight of your divine calling - bell hook
Introduction of Guest BIO – 
Dr. Lisa Hammonds is the founder of Dove Training & Innovations and a passionate, results-driven Learning Experience & Development Consultant with a proven track record of helping professionals reimagine training design and facilitation. She has partnered with clients across various industries, equipping them with strategies to create meaningful learning experiences that inspire action. Her signature Train the Trainer program empowers trainers, coaches, educators, and speakers to confidently design and facilitate engaging experiences that connect with learners, build lasting impact, and drive transformation. Prior to her work in training and development, Dr. Hammonds built a successful career in software development and continues to integrate technology solutions into her training design and development initiatives. Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Hammonds is a dedicated community advocate. She actively supports adult literacy programs and other community initiatives, using her expertise to expand access to learning and help individuals gain the skills they need to thrive.
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• What do you love about what you do?
• Ways to designing training to inspire action, build confidence and empower. 
• Experiential learning, AI and training and development.
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?” 

Podcast/ website/ book shoutouts 
Think Again by Adam Grant 
The Accidental Instructional Designer by Cammy Bean


Support the show
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions

​Darcy Bakkegard
Co-Founder & Change Consultant,
The Educators' Lab
 
Quotes of the Podcast:
“Think of what you want to be different and start from there.” Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering
 
“While individual curiosity can produce incredible feats, our collective curiosity is the motor behind humanity’s biggest innovations. Conversations feed our imagination, and collaboration enables us to dream bigger. In fact, we are wired to function at our best when tapping into shared knowledge and the support of a community.” Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Tiny Experiments
 
Introduction of Guest BIO –
Darcy believes in the power of education to change lives and the power of TEACHERS to lead that change. To help teachers do this work, she co-founded The Educators' Lab USA and is a board member of The Educators’ Lab Global. She designed and facilitated The Teacher Empowerment Incubator, a pilot program that supports rural teachers as community collaborators and problem-solvers.
 
A classroom teacher for over a decade, Darcy creates the type of PD she always wanted, driving change in education and empowering teachers as changemakers. Through her work, teachers reconnect with their purpose, rekindle their spark for teaching, and reignite the JOY of teaching and learning.
 
In addition to her joy work, Darcy is the co-author of The Startup Teacher Playbook, a frequent contributor to Edutopia, holds a Master’s of Secondary Education, is an ISTE Certified Educator, and is an experienced international presenter and keynote speaker. She's ALWAYS up to brainstorm and collaborate. She lives in Fargo, ND, with her husband and their triplets.
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.
 

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• The lessons Education CAN learn from business
• Why Joy & How Joy helps spark ACTION
• The importance of play (playing with ideas, playing in the classroom, PLAY!)
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?”

 
Podcast/ website/ book shoutouts
Book I Wrote: The Startup Teacher Playbook Books I recommend: Wintering, The Art of Gathering, Tiny Experiments- ALL GREAT reads Website: TheEducatorsLab.com

PODCAST Season 5 EPISODE 4
 
Marj Atkinson
CEO
The Research Sage
 
Quotes of the Podcast:
Make yourself an example of good works with integrity, dignity and incorruptibility in your teaching. Titus 2:7 CSB
 
What a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it feels about education. -Harold Howe.
 
Introduction of Guest BIO –
Marj Atkinson received her Master of Library Science from Texas Woman's University in 2012 (as a true nontraditional grad student). She is an academic success coach specializing in personalized support for nontraditional graduate students and research solutions for authors, faculty, small businesses, and nonprofits. She leads engaging workshops including resource organization, literature reviews, AI best practices, and market research tools. With a background spanning libraries, financial services, IT, and nonprofits, Marj is known for helping people find exactly what they need—so if you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, ask Marj!
 
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators.
 

• 30,000 Ft. View – Why so we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• Challenges of nontraditional Grad students in online programs and the lack of resources they receive, especially at but not exclusive to under-resourced schools such as HBCUs.
• Also discussions on AI and academic integrity. And the
• lack of "pipelines" in so many professions from K12 to Higher Ed.
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision makers to know?”

 
Podcast/ website/ book shoutouts
I'm featured in Careers in Library and Information Services, by Priscilla K. Shontz, editor
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/careers-in-library-and-information-services-9798216185772/
 
Podcasts: A Way with Words, an upbeat and lively public radio show and podcast about language examined through culture, history, and family. https://waywordradio.org/
Code Sw!tch (while NPR is still a thing). It's the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch
​