The TechEd Podcast

• The $10 Million Workforce Experiment That Could Redefine Apprenticeships in America - Lindsay Blumer, CEO of WRTP | BIG STEP

  Workforce systems are often fragmented—built around short-term funding, disconnected programs, and a lack of coordination between industry, education, and community.But a different model is taking shape - one that’s not only working in practice, but has the potential to scale across states and regions. In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with Lindsay Blumer, President & CEO of WRTP | BIG STEP, to explore how her organization is building a future-ready, industry-led, and worker-centered workforce ecosystem.Backed by a $10 million grant, Lindsay and her team are launching the Apprenticeship Pathway Coalition Initiative (APCI)—a five-year effort to expand apprenticeship pathways into emerging industries, strengthen regional partnerships, and create a scalable blueprint for workforce development in both urban and rural communities. From infrastructure and manufacturing to healthcare and IT, this episode explores how WRTP is aligning training, policy, and industry needs to meet the challenges of today’s labor market—and what other states can learn from it.Listen to learn:What it takes to design a workforce model that can be replicated across states and sectorsWhy modern apprenticeships are expanding beyond the trades to include fields like healthcare, IT, marketing, and educationHow WRTP balances short-term upskilling needs with long-term career pathways for workers and employersThe role of intermediaries in navigating funding, aligning stakeholders, and simplifying workforce systemsWhat educators, employers, and workforce leaders can do today to become more effective partners in building talent pipelines3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. A scalable workforce model starts with alignment, not duplication. WRTP | BIG STEP acts as a “workforce intermediary,” connecting education, labor, employers, and community organizations to create coordinated talent pipelines across regions. Their funding model blends federal, state, philanthropic, and employer-based sources—like the cents-per-hour contribution from union contractors—to sustain long-term collaboration and flexibility.2. Modern apprenticeships go far beyond the trades. Lindsay explains that apprenticeships now exist in fields like healthcare, IT, agriculture, marketing, and education, expanding far beyond traditional construction roles. She points out that 55% of new jobs in the next decade won’t require a college degree—making earn-and-learn models more relevant than ever.3. If you want to replicate success, start by listening. WRTP’s statewide initiative begins with asset mapping and community conversations, not pre-built solutions—because what works in one region may not work in another. Lindsay emphasizes that local lived experience must inform system design, and that conveners should be flexible enough to lead, support, or step back depending on the context.Resources in this Episode:Visit WRTP | BIG STEP's website: wrtp.orgOther resources:Read about the $10 million grant programConnect with We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• Love It or Hate It: A Surprisingly Human (And Very Fun) Conversation About Math - Dr. Jordan Ellenberg, Mathematics Professor at the University of Wisconsin

  What happens when a world-class mathematician meets ’80s college radio, Bill Gates’ top-10 favorite books, and a host with an algebra redemption arc? A surprisingly funny, fast-moving conversation. Dr. Jordan Ellenberg—John D. MacArthur Professor of Mathematics at UW–Madison and author of How Not to Be Wrong—swaps stories about The Housemartins, consulting on NUMB3RS (yes, one of his lines aired), and competing at the International Mathematical Olympiad. There’s a lot of laughter—and a fresh way to see math as culture, craft, and curiosity.But we also get practical about math education. We discuss the love/hate split students have for math and what it implies for curriculum design; a century of “new” methods (and if anything is truly new); how movie tropes (Good Will Hunting, etc.) shape student identity in math; soccer-drills vs scrimmage as a frame for algebra practice and “honest” applications; grades as feedback vs record; AI shifting what counts as computation vs math; why benchmarks miss the point and the risk of lowering writing standards with LLMs; and a preview of Jordan’s pro-uncertainty thesis.Listen to Learn: A better answer to “Why am I learning this?” using a soccer analogyThe two big off-ramps of math for students, and tactics that keep more students on boardHow to replace the “born genius” myth with a mindset that helps any student do mathWhen a grade is a record vs. a motivator, and a simple replacement policy that turns a rough start into effort and growthWhat AI will and won’t change in math class, and why “does it help create new math?” matters more than benchmark scores3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. Math mastery comes from practice plus meaning, not a “born genius.” Jordan puts it plainly: “genius is a thing that happens, not a kind of person,” and he uses the soccer drills vs scrimmage analogy to pair targeted practice with real tasks, with algebraic manipulation as a core high school skill. He urges teachers to “throw a lot of spaghetti at the wall” so different explanations land for different students, because real innovation is iterative and cooperative.2. Students fall off at fractions and Algebra I. How do we pull them back? Jordan names those two moments as the big off-ramps and points to multiple representations, honest applications, and frequent low‑stakes practice to keep kids in. Matt’s own algebra story shows how a replacement policy turned failure into effort and persistence, reframing grades as motivation rather than just record‑keeping.3. AI will shift our capabilities and limits in math, but math is still a human task. Calculators and Wolfram already do student‑level work, and Jordan argues benchmarks like DeepMind vs the International Mathematical Olympiad matter less than whether tools help create new mathematics. He also warns against letting LLMs lower writing standards and says the real test is whether these systems add substantive math, not just win contests.Resources in this Episode:Visit Jordan Ellenberg's website! jordanellenberg.comRead How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical ThinkingWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• The Smart Farm Era Is Here—and It’s Changing How America Grows Food - Dick Pavelski and Andy Diercks, Food + Farm Exploration Center

  If you still picture farming as dusty tractors and endless manual labor, think again. Today’s agriculture runs on GPS-guided equipment, drones, real-time soil sensors, and data systems that look more like Wall Street trading floors than old barns. In this episode, lifelong farmer and innovator Dick Pavelski and Andy Diercks of the Food + Farm Exploration Center pull back the curtain on precision agriculture—the technology, data, and processes that are transforming how we grow and deliver food.We break down the technologies making precision agriculture possible, from variable rate irrigation to “see and spray” weed control, and how data is being used to make decisions at the square-meter level. We also examine how these shifts are influencing agricultural careers, the skills now in demand, and why public understanding of modern farming is critical. Plus, discover the Food + Farm Exploration Center and its role in showing students, families, and policymakers what modern farming really involves.Listen to learn:What a farm looked like 40 years ago, and how that image compares to a modern precision operationHow GPS guidance, drones, and 300 weather stations help farmers make square-meter-level decisionsThe crossover of technologies and skills between manufacturing and precision agricultureThe biggest challenges in attracting and training the next generation of ag professionalsHow one Midwestern center is bridging the gap between farm technology and public awareness3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. Modern agriculture is driven by technology and precision. GPS-guided equipment, variable rate irrigation, and “see and spray” weed control have replaced much of the manual labor and guesswork of past decades. These tools work together to improve yields, reduce inputs, and create a more sustainable and efficient farming process.2. Data is the backbone of today’s farm operations. Farmers track weather, soil conditions, and crop needs in real time—often down to individual square meters—using hundreds of sensors and automated systems. This constant stream of information enables faster decision-making and more targeted resource use than was possible a generation ago.3. The skills and careers in agriculture are rapidly changing. Large-scale farms now employ specialists in data analysis, equipment maintenance, and automation, while mid-sized operations require workers with diverse technical abilities. The Food + Farm Exploration Center is working to show students, families, and policymakers the realities of these careers and the opportunities they offer.Resources in this Episode:Food + Farm Exploration Center: explorefoodandfarm.orgOther resources:Heartland FarmsColoma FarmConnect with the Food + Farm Exploration Center:Facebook  |  LinkedIn  |  Instagram  |  We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• AI Can Close the Learning Gap in Underserved Classrooms. But We Have to Guide, Not Just Give - Sam Whitaker, Director of Social Impact at StudyFetch

  In schools with limited resources, large class sizes, and wide differences in student ability, individualized learning has become a necessity. Artificial intelligence offers powerful tools to help meet those needs, especially in underserved communities. But the way we introduce those tools matters.This week, Matt Kirchner talks with Sam Whitaker, Director of Social Impact at StudyFetch, about how AI can support literacy, comprehension, and real learning outcomes when used with purpose. Sam shares his experience bringing AI education to a rural school in Uganda, where nearly every student had already used AI without formal guidance. The results of a two-hour project surprised everyone and revealed just how much potential exists when students are given the right tools.The conversation covers AI as a literacy tool, how to design platforms that encourage learning rather than shortcutting, and why student-facing AI should preserve creativity, curiosity, and joy. Sam also explains how responsible use of AI can reduce educational inequality rather than reinforce it.This is a hopeful, practical look at how education can evolve—if we build with intention.Listen to learn:Surprising lessons from working with students at a rural Ugandan school using artificial intelligenceWhat different MIT studies suggest about the impacts of AI use on memory and productivityHow AI can help U.S. literacy rates, and what far-reaching implications that will haveWhat China's AI education policy for six-year-olds might signal about the global race for responsible, guided AI use3 Big Takeaways:1. Responsible AI use must be taught early to prevent misuse and promote real learning. Sam compares AI to handing over a car without driver’s ed—powerful but dangerous without structure. When AI is used to do the thinking for students, it stifles creativity and long-term retention instead of developing it.2. AI can help close educational gaps in schools that lack the resources for individualized learning. In many underserved districts, large class sizes make one-on-one instruction nearly impossible. AI tools can adapt to students’ needs in real time, offering personalized learning that would otherwise be out of reach.3. AI can play a key role in addressing the U.S. literacy crisis. Sam points out that 70% of U.S. inmates read at a fourth-grade level or below, and 85% of juvenile offenders can’t read. Adaptive AI tools are now being developed to assess, support, and gradually improve literacy for students who have been left behind.Resources in this Episode:To learn about StudyFetch, visit: www.studyfetch.comOther resources:MIT Study "Experimental Evidence on the Productivity Effects of General Artificial Intelligence"MIT Study "Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task"Learn more about the Ugandan schools mentioned: African Rural University (ARU) and Uganda Rural Development anWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• The Rules for Earning College Credit Are Changing, and Competency (Not Time in Seats) Matters Most - Dr. Paul Carlsen, President of Lakeshore College

  With technical education under pressure to deliver skilled talent faster, Lakeshore College is flipping the model—measuring learning by competency, meeting students where they are (even in high school), and using grants + national advocacy to scale the impact.This week, Matt Kirchner talks with Dr. Paul Carlsen, President of Lakeshore College, about the different methods to rapidly upskill a technical workforce. Like Lakeshore's competency-based education (CBE) approach, which has now been adopted by half the college's programs and earned national attention and a White House conversation on scaling CBE.In addition to CBE, we discuss Rocket Academy’s early manufacturing pathway for high school students, why industry certifications (SACA) matter (because employers say they matter), and how the college has leveraged $32M+ in competitive grants to fund innovation. Carlsen also explains his work on the AACC Board—including the coming impact of Workforce Pell on short-term training.Listen to learn:Why competency-based education is reshaping how we recognize skillsHow high schoolers are earning real college credentials before graduationWhat makes an industry certification valuable—according to employersThe mindset shift that helped Lakeshore win $32M+ in competitive grantsHow new federal policies could redefine workforce training programs3 Big Takeaways:1. Competency-based education measures student success by skill mastery, not seat time. Lakeshore’s shift to CBE began with an employer who couldn’t wait 16 weeks for students to complete a course. Today, students demonstrate mastery through real-world assessments, faculty build flexible learning pathways, and program delivery adapts to the individual needs of working adults, veterans, and learners balancing multiple responsibilities.2. Through innovative partnerships, high school students are graduating with a college degree and workforce-ready credentials. Rocket Academy gives high school students access to a full integrated manufacturing pathway, often leading to a technical diploma before they even receive their high school diploma. The curriculum is designed to fit directly into the school day, removing scheduling barriers and building true college transcripts—not just college “experience.”3. Grant funding follows big ideas and execution capacity. Lakeshore has secured over $32 million in competitive grants, including major awards from the National Science Foundation. Success comes from proposing bold, high-impact projects with measurable outcomes, and from having the internal systems and cross-functional teams in place to deliver those outcomes on time and at scale.Resources in this Episode:To learn about Lakeshore College, visit: lakeshore.eduConnect with Paul Carlsen on LinkedInOther resources:Rocket AcademyWhat is competency-based education (CBE)?American AWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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