In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna welcomes Stephen D. Dackin, Director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, for a conversation that dives deep into the evolving role of education in preparing students for life beyond high school.

With over four decades in public education—as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and policymaker—Dackin shares how Ohio is reshaping its entire K–12 ecosystem to meet the urgent demands of today’s economy. From pioneering STEM academies in Reynoldsburg to leading the newly integrated Department of Education and Workforce, Dackin has made a career out of building bridges—between schools and businesses, academics and employability, policy and practice.

This episode explores how Ohio is aligning its education system with workforce realities through community-driven school reform, personalized student pathways, and innovative state-level policy shifts. Dackin breaks down the state’s new governance model, which uniquely merges education and workforce strategy, and discusses why that matters for employers, families, and students alike. Listeners will also hear about Ohio’s innovative graduation pathways, career planning reforms, and a game-changing pilot program that could reimagine the high school experience altogether.

Whether you're a state leader, educator, or community advocate, this episode offers both inspiration and a roadmap for making public education more relevant, responsive, and resilient.

Key Moments

00:00 From Athlete to Educator

03:36 Teacher to Administrator Journey

09:57 Empowering Parental Choice in Education

10:55 "Reynoldsburg Reach Community Engagement"

16:19 Ohio's Business Growth and Workforce Challenge

18:48 Pathways Beyond High School

20:35 Transition Challenges to College Success

25:11 Accountability in Education Readiness Measures

30:28 Ohio Education and Workforce Insights

31:28 "Superman Originated in Cleveland"

35:17 "Community Engagement in School Planning"

38:02 "Children: 100% of Our Future

Connect with Stephen Dackin

Website: https://education.ohio.gov/

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with MacKenzie Price, an innovative educator and co-founder of 2hr Learning and Alpha School, who is redefining how we approach K-12 education. MacKenzie shares her journey, from growing up in a small-town school to attending Stanford and ultimately pioneering a model that challenges the traditional education system.

MacKenzie’s 2hr Learning methodology focuses on efficiency and mastery, using AI-powered adaptive learning tools to condense academic instruction into just two hours a day. This approach frees up time for students to explore their passions, develop life skills, and excel in unique projects. Her schools, including Alpha School, have achieved remarkable results, with students learning up to six times faster and consistently performing in the top 2% nationwide.

Tom and MacKenzie discuss the challenges and opportunities of scaling this innovative model, including its potential impact on public education through charter and virtual schools.

Tune in to hear how MacKenzie’s passion and transformative ideas are reshaping education—and why she believes every child can thrive with the right approach.

Key Moments

00:00 "Tom Luna's Educational Podcast"

03:06 Lack of Passion-Driven Education

06:13 School System's Motivation Problem

11:17 Accelerated Learning Through Sports

13:14 Paid Learning for Ukrainian Refugees

18:04 Teaching Grit Through Triathlon

19:42 Cultivating Life Skills and Masterpieces

23:36 Philosophical Alignment in EdTech Education

26:45 "Advocating for Diverse Education Choices"

29:15 Children: 100% of Our Future

Connect with Mackenzie Price

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenzielprice/

Website: https://2hourlearning.com/

In Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with Dr. Carissa Moffat Miller, CEO of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), to discuss the evolving landscape of education policy, leadership, and innovation. With decades of experience shaping state and national education initiatives, Dr. Miller shares insights into the challenges and opportunities in the field today.

The conversation explores pressing topics such as teacher shortages, the impact of high-dosage tutoring on student learning, and the future of math education reform. Dr. Miller also provides a behind-the-scenes look at how CCSSO helped states navigate the pandemic, manage federal education funds, and implement effective recovery strategies.

As artificial intelligence reshapes education, Dr. Miller discusses CCSSO’s efforts to equip state leaders with policies and best practices for AI integration in classrooms. She also shares a unique piece of Nebraska trivia, adding a personal touch to an insightful discussion.

Tune in to hear how education leaders are driving meaningful change, one policy at a time.

Key Moments

00:00:39 - Setting the Scene

00:01:24 - A Career Rooted in Education Leadership

00:03:23 - The Role of CCSSO

00:04:47 - Navigating Political Transitions in Education

00:06:51 - Addressing the Teacher Shortage

00:08:06 - Pandemic Response & Federal Funding

00:10:38 - Data-Driven Education Recovery

00:12:08 - Math Education Reform & The Science of Reading Parallel

00:14:36 - The Rise of AI in Education

00:17:14 - AI Policy & Classroom Integration

00:18:32 - Nebraska Trivia & Unicameral Legislature

Connect with Carissa Miller

Website: https://ccsso.org/