ClassCast Podcast Ep.076 features Simon Tang, a former student of host Ryan Tibbens, sharing his thoughts on school improvement, student choice, dual enrollment programs, post-high school plans, Dick Wolf TV shows, and much, much more. Throughout his public school career, Simon distinguished himself from most students by serving as a technology support specialist/paraprofessional in the school, forming close bonds with faculty members, challenging the status quo, earning top grades and thousands of dollars in scholarships, and wearing a totally awesome pocket protector. Simon shares his student (and semi-staff) views on school improvement, joining the US Navy, and how COVID affected his education, post-high school plans, and personal outlook. If you're interested in serious student perspectives, challenges to tradition, or people with the quirks and confidence to change the world, don't miss Episode 076 and Mr. Simon Tang! 

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-11:03 -- Meet Simon Tang *
2. 11:03-17:00 -- Dual Enrollment, Rigorous Classes, & Scholarships **
3. 17:00-25:58 -- Simon'ns Start in the United States Navy
4. 25:58-30:02 -- The Purpose of School: Indoctrination or Self-Improvement? **
5. 30:02-35:13 -- I.T., Specialization, & Access to Education
6. 35:13-39:22 -- What's the Deal with Textbooks?
7. 39:22-53:50 -- The Importance of Student Choice & Engagement *
8. 53:50-58:01 -- The GED, Graduation, and Opportunity
9. 58:01-1:12:00 -- Simon's Ideal School: Choice & Specialization **
10. 1:12:00-1:17:00 -- Would You Send Your Kids to These Schools?
11. 1:17:00-1:27:24 -- Standardized Testing, Project-Based Learning, & Power Skills **
12. 1:27:24-1:32:00 -- Hot Topics, Hot Seat
13. 1:32:00-1:52:32 -- Simon's Book, Movie, & TV Recommendations; 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 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)! Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!

ClassCast Podcast Ep.068 features Chris Rader, a former student of host Ryan Tibbens, sharing his experiences and perspectives on education and how to better serve students.  Since graduating from high school in 2012, Chris has found immense success in the fields of chemistry and material science at Virginia Tech and now as a Ph.D. student the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Switzerland. Aside from groundbreaking work with cellulose and creating environmentally friendly packaging, Chris also has some great ideas about how we can improve K12 education in the United States to better prepare young people for college, career, and the independent critical thinking we all aspire to. Chris's experiences in lab sciences have not only shaped his rare and valuable skill set; they've also helped him to better understand what education can -- and can't -- do for young people in the current paradigm. If you are interested in improving STEM in K12, learning more about chemistry and materials science, helping young people achieve more on their own, studying abroad for higher ed, or even the significance of athletics for high school students, this is a discussion you won't want to miss. 

For more information, leave a comment at www.ClassCastPodcast.com or contact Chris Rader directly via email, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.  

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-5:40 -- Intro to Chris Rader & His Unique Education Path
2. 5:40-14:18 -- Depth, Rigor, & Project-Based Learning in HS vs College *
3. 14:18-16:49 -- Why Get a Ph.D.?
4. 16:49-25:52 -- Patents, Saving the World, & Chris's Work in Material Science *
5. 25:52-45:25 -- Improving American High Schools, Career Prep, & Grading ** 
6. 45:25-59:32 -- Chris's Ideal School & Learning by Doing *
7. 59:32-1:07:04 -- The Value of Athletics in Human Development
8. 1:07:04-1:12:30 -- Study Abroad: Make It a Priority
9. 1:12:30-1:21:24 -- Chris's Book & Movie Recs/ Final 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 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!