ClassCast Podcast Ep.069 features host Ryan Tibbens reflecting on the 2020-2021 school year, pandemic-related changes in schools, 4-day work weeks, and a HUGE career shift -- to 100% virtual instruction. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone differently, but one thing is certain -- it is has affected everyone.  Tibbens has experienced loss in his family, a massive shift at work, and a sea-change in education beliefs. This quick solo talk starts with a brief promo of #Edupodlooza (check it out June 27) and quickly gets into teachers' experiences in 2020-2021. A deep reflection on a pandemic mantra -- "If not now, why ever? If now, why not always?" -- follows and is accompanied by a quick justification of a 4-day school week.  This episode ends with perhaps the most important part (bury the lead much?) -- Ryan Tibbens' shift to 100% synchronous virtual instruction in the 2021-2022 school year, the 16th year of his career.  If you're interested in innovation, education trends, school choice, or a "return to normal" in schools, then spend a few minutes on this episode and the very real experiences it presents.  

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-0:52 -- #Edupodlooza Promo
2. 0:52-10:49 -- 2020-2021 Recap
3. 10:49-15:21 -- If not now, why ever? If now, why not always?*
4. 15:21-19:04 -- 4 Day Weeks or Bust
5. 19:04-32:49 -- Big Changes: Tibbens Goes Virtual***

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The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! If every listener made a one-time donation of $2-3, the podcast would be funded for the year! 

ClassCast Podcast Ep.064 features host Ryan Tibbens sharing his thoughts on school choice while concluding a five episode mini-series on school choice. After engaging, informative discussions with Citizen Stewart (pro-school choice), Jennifer Berkshire (pro-public school), Neal McCluskey (pro-school choice, and Jon Hale (pro-public school), Tibbens tries to connect the dots, share the learning, and make meaningful predictions about the future of school in the United States. Over half the episode focuses on the positive aspects of school choice -- freedom, specialization, individuality, and more -- but in the final 20 minutes, Tibbens explores the potential problems, including decreased community control, monopolies, reduced quality, and -- most importantly -- the abolition of publicly funded education. Whether you are pro-choice or pro-public schools, this episode includes a synthesis of ideas that is sure to make you second guess your biases.  

Support the show! If each listener donated just $2, we could fully fund the ClassCast Podcast! Please consider making a small donation to keep the discussion alive. 


Recent and ClassCast Podcast episodes featured public school advocates, school choice advocates, and the kind of thoughtful discourse that should inform our national conversation as well as individual listeners' opinions on school choice, public schools, funding, equity, justice, and opportunity. Let us know what you think about each part of this series and how you feel about school choice.  

- School Choice Series Part 1: Ep.060 -- Citizen Stewart -- School Choice & Educational Opportunity (3/21/21)
​- School Choice Series Part 2: Ep.061 -- Jennifer Berkshire -- The False Promises of School Choice (3/29/21)
- School Choice Series Part 3: Ep.062 -- Neal McCluskey -- School Choice & Liberty (4/5/21)
- School Choice Series Part 4: Ep.063 -- Jon Hale -- School Reform, Not School Choice (4/12/21)

​ Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-4:32 -- Intro & Recap of School Choice Mini-Series
2. 4:32-9:51 -- Previous Connections to School Choice
3. 9:51-15:18 -- Is "Choice" Good? *
4. 15:18-24:26 -- Choice, M4A, Specializing, & Informing Parents *
5. 24:26-33:16 -- Racism & School Choice
6. 33:16-47:04 -- Tibbens' Problems with School Choice **
7. 47:04-54:04 -- The Best Path Forward: Choice and the Public System **
8. 54:04-56:58 -- Final Thoughts/Wrap-Up

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The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and right here at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

WATCH: Mentioned in this episode, it is both hilarious and informative, frightening and stimulating.

ClassCast Podcast Ep.060 features Chris "Citizen" Stewart discussing school choice, educational opportunity, dismantling oppressive systems, and empowering individuals with host Ryan Tibbens. Citizen Stewart is CEO of the Brightbeam Network, founder of Citizen.Education, host of the UnPublic Podcast, co-host of the 8 Black Hands Podcast, a former school board member, father of five, and school choice advocate.  In this episode, we discuss the value of choice, the significance of freedom for all citizens, why school choice appeals to many poor and minority families, and how great education should be tailored to individuals rather than aggregates. Stewart shares observations on school consolidation, economies of scale, parenting, and why school choice might be the future of education in America. 

Listeners should approach this episode with an open mind, a curious intellect, and a vision for what schools should be. If that "should be" is significantly different from what currently exists, then various school choice models could be the pathway to innovation and progress. On the other hand, a move to nationwide school choice could undermine our participation in local communities, our dedication to serve one another as fellow citizens, and our long-term dedication to funding education for all students. Citizen Stewart does an amazing job explaining his views, the benefits of choice, and why change is necessary.  

You can contact or learn more about Citizen Stewart at @citizenstewart on Twitter, @citizenstewart on Instagram, and @iamcitizenstewart on Facebook.  You can also learn more about his advocacy at Brightbeam Network and Citizen.Education.  

Upcoming ClassCast Podcast episodes will feature public school advocates, choice advocates, and the kind of thoughtful discourse that should inform our national conversation as well as individual listeners' opinions on school choice, public schools, funding, equity, justice, and opportunity. Let us know what you think about each part of this series and how you feel about school choice.  


Support the show! If each listener donated just $2, we could fully fund the ClassCast Podcast for the entire year. Please consider making a small donation to keep the discussion alive.

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-7:53 -- Intro to Citizen Stewart & Teacher Quality
2. 7:53-10:32 -- The Purpose of Education According to Citizen Stewart
3. 10:32-17:00 -- Parents' Responsibilities in Education *
4. 17:00-29:04 -- Can School Choice Become a Reality? **
5. 29:04-35:00 -- Equity, Funding & Other Elements of School Choice
6. 35:00-42:04 -- School Consolidation, Cultural Conformity, & Civic Education *
7. 42:04-48:13 -- Citizen Stewart's Ideal School *
8. 48:13-53:08 -- Citizen's Own School Experiences
9. 53:08-1:01:16 -- Race & Educational Opportunity
10. 1:01:16-1:07:55 -- Citizen Stewart's Entry to School Policy *
11. 1:07:55-1:14:29 -- Final Comments; Book/Movie Recommendations; Contact Info

The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and right here at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!