Encore: Jesse Byrd on Why Storytelling Matters for Children | Creativity, Confidence & Connection
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
Release Date: 02/26/2025
How MedCerts Is Training Teens for In-Demand Healthcare Jobs With Jennifer Kolb
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
In this episode, Kevin sits down with Jennifer Kolb, Vice President of Workforce Development at MedCerts, to examine a growing question: What if college isn’t the only path to a good career? They dive into how MedCerts is helping high school students land well-paying jobs in healthcare—no four-year degree required. From AI-powered training to employer-backed certifications, Jen shares how this new model is reshaping how students prepare for work, and why school systems—and employers—are paying attention. They also unpack the rise of career exploration in high school, how virtual...
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Can AI Tutors Fix What Schools Can’t? With Vida C. Williams
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
In this episode, Kevin sits down with Vida Williams, Chief Data Officer at Stride, to explore the promise—and risks—of artificial intelligence in education. From personalized tutoring to curatorial learning, they dive into how AI is reshaping what it means to teach, learn, and build trust in a digital world. They discuss how AI can reduce teacher overload, personalize instruction, and expand access—but also unpack why how we build it matters as much as what we build. And in a world where machines are getting better at guiding student learning, they ask a fundamental question: What’s...
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The Tax Bill That Could Change American Education with John Schilling
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
Public dollars. Private schools. Political firestorms. In this episode, Kevin talks with long-time school choice advocate John Schilling about what happens when education funding follows the student instead of the system. They dig into the proposed federal scholarship tax credit: what it is, who it helps, and why supporters say it's about opportunity—not ideology. Opponents fear it's the beginning of the end for public schools. Advocates say it's already helping students, especially those in underserved communities. From Florida’s model programs to Washington’s sharp divisions, this...
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Encore: How can teachers maintain their passion for the profession?
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
We’re re-releasing this episode because the questions it raises are more relevant than ever. In 2025, as technology transforms how students learn and entire industries evolve, the role of educators is shifting rapidly. Classrooms are becoming more digital, expectations more complex, and the pressure to keep students engaged—and prepared for the future—has never been greater. Yet, many teachers are stepping away. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly half of public education employees who leave the field aren’t retiring or laid off. They’re choosing to resign. Amid...
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Encore | Can Summer Learning Programs Combat the Summer Slide?
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
This is an encore episode — and with good reason. As the school year winds down and summer approaches, the “summer slide” — the loss of academic progress over the break — becomes a very real concern once again. Without intentional learning opportunities, students can lose ground they’ve worked hard to gain, making each new year harder than the last. In this conversation, Kevin revisits a timely discussion with Aaron Dworkin, CEO of the National Summer Learning Association, about how the right summer programs don’t just prevent learning loss — they help students come back...
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How to Help Your Teen Choose the Right Career Path with Allison Danielsen, CEO of Tallo
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
College. Careers. Credentials. Teens today are facing big decisions—and most don’t even know where to start. In this episode, Kevin P.Chavous talks with Allison Danielsen, CEO of Tallo, about why the old ways of guiding students—career quizzes, outdated job charts, one-size-fits-all advice—no longer cut it. Allison’s team is building a digital career co-pilot designed to help Gen Z explore real career paths, learn relevant skills, and connect directly with schools, scholarships, and employers. They discuss why most career journeys aren’t linear (including Allison’s own winding...
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How to Make Your Child Love STEM | Eric Olsen
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
During lockdown, a math teacher and his son 3D-printed a board game on their kitchen table. Now it’s transforming how students feel about math—and school in general. In this episode, Eric Olsen, principal of Idaho Technical Career Academy, joins Kevin to share how his creative approach to teaching, including developing innovative tools like the board game “Glyphics,” inspires students and shapes the future of education. Jump to: 03:09 – School Without Walls 04:48 – Future-Proof Pathways 05:11 – Glyphic: Born on a Kitchen Table 07:30 – Pictionary for People Who Hate Math 08:26...
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Jenny Kendall on How to Build IEPs That Truly Support Every Student
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
Fluorescent lights. Constant noise. Rigid schedules. For a lot of kids with special needs, school was less a place to learn and more a daily test of endurance. In this episode, Jenny Kendall—a national leader in special education—joins Kevin to talk about what happens when you take students out of a system that was never designed for them and build something better. Virtual learning isn’t a compromise. For many, it’s a relief. They get into how online education strips away environmental distractions, how real success hinges on teamwork between families and educators, and why AI and...
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How Virtual Tutoring is Making Education More Accessible with Jennifer Moore
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
Since the pandemic, the demand for online tutoring has surged by 200%, with families seeking flexible, effective, and accessible academic support for their children. But does virtual tutoring truly measure up to in-person sessions? Research from the Annenberg Institute and Johns Hopkins University suggests that well-designed virtual tutoring can significantly boost student performance—often rivaling traditional face-to-face methods. So, what sets the most effective virtual tutoring programs apart? And beyond academics, can they build confidence and spark a love for learning? To explore these...
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How to Make Your Child Love STEM | Eric Olsen
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
During lockdown, a math teacher and his son 3D-printed a board game on their kitchen table. Now it’s transforming how students feel about math—and school in general. Meet Eric Olsen, the STEM rebel behind Glyphic, and principal of Idaho Technical Career Academy, where Zoom school gets a creative upgrade. From TikTok-style math reels to student-led TED Talks, Eric’s not just teaching equations—he’s rebuilding confidence, attention spans, and joy in learning. (Yes, really.) So what happens when you let kids teach? What happens when you stop lecturing and start building? Let’s find...
info_outlineThis is an encore episode of What I Want to Know, revisiting one of our most impactful conversations on the power of storytelling. Storytelling isn’t just about entertainment—it’s a crucial tool for learning, connection, and confidence-building in children.
In this episode, host Kevin P. Chavous sits down with award-winning children's book author and NPR Foundation board member Jesse Byrd to discuss how storytelling shapes young minds, promotes literacy, and empowers kids to see themselves in the stories they read.
🎙 In This Episode:
✔️ How storytelling fuels language and cognitive development
✔️ The journey from a tech career at Google to writing for children
✔️ Overcoming rejection and breaking into publishing
✔️ The need for diverse representation in children's books
✔️ Teaching kids to think critically about the stories they consume
✔️ The role of storytelling in social media and digital literacy
✔️ Navigating book bans and challenges in education
📚 Guest Spotlight: Jesse Byrd
Jesse is a celebrated children's book author, publisher, and advocate for inclusive storytelling. He has read to over 25,000 kids and worked with Airbnb Experiences to bring virtual storytime to families and corporations. His mission? Making sure every child sees themselves reflected in literature.
🔗 Resources & Links:
👉 Learn more about Jesse Byrd: [Website / Socials]
👉 Explore Stride Learning: https://www.stridelearning.com
👉 Follow Kevin P. Chavous on social: #WIWTK
📢 Join the Conversation:
How has storytelling impacted your life? Comment below or share your thoughts using #WIWTK on social media!
🚀 If you found this episode valuable, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss an inspiring discussion. Let’s keep learning, together! 🔥
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