Rebel Educator®
Rebel Educator®

Rebel Educator®

Tanya Sheckley

Overview
Episodes

Details

In each episode of the Rebel Educator® podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

Recent Episodes

140: The Key to Overcoming Math Anxiety with Aditya Nagrath
APR 15, 2025
140: The Key to Overcoming Math Anxiety with Aditya Nagrath

Math anxiety starts early, but it doesn’t have to.

In this episode Aditya Nagrath, co-founder of Elephant Learning, shares why confidence and belief are critical for math success—and the tools we can use to change a child’s trajectory.

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:


GUEST BIO:

Dr. Nagrath helps students overcome mathematics anxiety.  Aditya is the creator and founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy which helps students learn years of mathematics over the course of a few months using their system just 10 minutes per day, 3 days per week.

With a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Sciences, Dr. Nagrath has spent over 30 years in industry as a software engineer, author, leader, speaker, and serial entrepreneur working on everything from atomic clocks to iOS and Android apps to Amazon’s Kindle Fire. As the Founder of Elephant Head Software, which won the prestigious JD Edwards Innovation Award in 2015, he has also done software projects for Pearson, Verizon, Telefonica, JD Edwards (Oracle), and other billion dollar companies.


Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts

We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6 

Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7

Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator


MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:

In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

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30 MIN
139: Transforming Education Through Community-Based Design and Centering Young Voices with Jenee Henry
APR 8, 2025
139: Transforming Education Through Community-Based Design and Centering Young Voices with Jenee Henry

What makes extraordinary schools? 


In this enlightening conversation, Jenee Henry, Chief Learning Officer at Transcend, explores how community-based design is helping schools evolve beyond industrial-era models to create learning environments where everyone thrives. 


From competency-based approaches to student-driven projects, discover how education is being reimagined across America.


RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:


GUEST BIO:

Jenee Henry is Chief Learning Officer at Transcend. Jenee started her career as an educator in Atlanta and has been nationally recognized for outstanding teaching. Jenee studied Economics and Russian at Sarah Lawrence and at Oxford. While living in the United Kingdom, she also served as a cellist in the Oxford University Orchestra and is a life member of the Oxford Union debating society. She lives in New Haven, Connecticut.


Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts

We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6 

Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7

Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator


MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:

In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

play-circle
37 MIN
138: Designing Meaningful Project-Based Learning Experiences
APR 1, 2025
138: Designing Meaningful Project-Based Learning Experiences

Project-based learning isn’t just about doing projects—it’s about designing deep, concept-driven experiences.

In this episode, I'm breaking down what makes a project meaningful, highlighting common mistakes to avoid, and sharing real-world examples of successful interdisciplinary project-based learning.

Tune in and start transforming your classroom today!

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:


Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts

We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6 

Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7

Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator


MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:

In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

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25 MIN
137: Tracking Student Progress Effectively and Efficiently with Chris Hull
MAR 25, 2025
137: Tracking Student Progress Effectively and Efficiently with Chris Hull

This week we’re joined by Chris Hull, founder of Otus, an edTech tool designed by educators to simplify the way schools manage data, assessments, and instruction.


Join us as we dive deep into an innovative approach that reimagines education as a personalized journey of discovery. Learn how Otus is using AI and data to empower teachers to do what matters most: connecting, inspiring, and truly seeing each student's unique potential.

 

From transforming traditional grading to creating comprehensive student profiles, this conversation explores how technology can become a powerful ally in education—creating more efficient tools that give teachers back their most valuable resource: time with students.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

  • The evolution of educational technology and its impact on teaching
  • Creating efficient systems that support teacher-student interactions
  • The importance of understanding individual student journeys
  • Balancing technological tools with human empathy and connection
  • Developing skills for continuous learning and adaptation


RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:


GUEST BIO:

Chris Hull is the founder and President of Otus, an education technology company that provides schools across the U.S. with comprehensive solutions for assessments, data management, and insights into student performance. As a former educator, Chris has firsthand knowledge of the challenges and rewards of the classroom, an experience that has fueled his commitment to developing innovative solutions that empower educators and enhance student outcomes. 


His journey from teaching to founding Otus was driven by a passion for education and a desire to make a meaningful impact. He believes that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, which begins by equipping educators and school communities with the right tools and data to make a difference in students’ lives.


Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts

We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6 

Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7

Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator


MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:

In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.


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35 MIN
136: Practical Tools to Create Opportunities for Agency and Independence
MAR 18, 2025
136: Practical Tools to Create Opportunities for Agency and Independence

Kids need the chance to make decisions. 


But how do we create the right balance between structure and independence? 


Tune in for strategies that empower kids to take ownership of their choices.

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:


Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts

We’d love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6 

Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7

Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator: www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator


MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:

In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

play-circle
23 MIN