In this podcast episode, Mark Edwards shares his extensive journey in education, influenced by his upbringing in a family of educators. He discusses the importance of recognizing and addressing institutional racism within educational systems, recounting personal experiences and transformative practices that led to significant improvements in student outcomes. Mark emphasizes the role of technology and innovative approaches in creating equitable learning environments for all students.

This episode is brought to you by Education Perfect, a complete teaching and learning toolkit built to support Canadian classrooms. Education Perfect empowers educators to track progress, personalize learning, and support purposeful practice. Its tools are flexible and designed to help Canadian teachers amplify their impact in the classroom. See for yourself and book a free demo today at educationperfect.com.

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About: Each week, we bring you candid and personal interviews with educators and edtech leaders.

New episodes: Every Tuesday & Thursday—don’t miss next week’s conversation!

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Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Sponsor Message – Education Perfect

[00:00:27] Principal’s Philosophy: “Love Them Across the Line”

[00:01:12] Guest Introduction – Dr. Mark Edwards

[00:03:31] Welcome and Setting the Scene in Nashville

[00:04:04] Mark’s Background and Family of Educators

[00:05:31] Early Leadership Lessons and Daily Gratitude

[00:07:57] Creating Joyful School Cultures

[00:09:44] Childhood in the Rural South

[00:10:53] Influential Teachers and Love of History

[00:12:31] Academic Motivation and Personal Mentorship

[00:14:55] High School Years and Sports Culture

[00:16:15] Early Encounters with Racism and the Foundation of Equity

[00:18:31] Family Roots and Civil Rights Advocacy

[00:20:35] Habitat for Humanity and Modeling Care

[00:21:59] Parental Influence on Respect and Anti-Racism

[00:24:24] Studying Racism and Selling Black History Books

[00:26:52] Friendship, Poverty, and Early Activism

[00:29:05] Institutional Racism in Mooresville Schools

[00:31:20] Systemic Change and Listening First

[00:33:35] Tracking Data and Changing Culture

[00:35:56] Digital Equity and the “Every Child, Every Day” Motto

[00:38:21] Long-Term Effects of Racism on Students

[00:40:25] Open Dialogue and Simone Graham’s Leadership

[00:42:28] First Black Principal at Mooresville High School

[00:44:18] Meeting Steve Jobs and the First 1:1 Laptop Program

[00:46:45] Federal Recognition and No Child Left Behind

[00:49:12] Collaborating with the Obama Administration

[00:51:40] President Obama’s Visit to Mooresville

[00:53:31] Participating in Teacher Roundtable with Obama

[00:55:19] Concern About the Future of the Department of Education

[00:57:46] The Role of Public Institutions in Supporting Vulnerable Kids

[01:00:11] Kindness Counts: Lessons from Canada

[01:02:37] Love as the Most Powerful Educational Force

[01:04:39] The Spirit Work Book and Big Spirit Origins

[01:07:09] Collaboration, Dialogue, and Student Voice

[01:09:34] Mentoring Ricky – A Story of Resilience

[01:11:59] Ricky’s Graduation and Military Service

[01:14:05] Building Shared Learning Cultures

[01:16:30] Student-Led Learning and Self-Efficacy

[01:18:43] What Makes Canadian Education Special

[01:20:54] Utopian Vision: Love, Belief, and Conviction

[01:23:00] Robotics Competition as a Symbol of Belief

[01:25:27] Teaching as a Lifelong Gift

[01:27:31] Music Recommendation – Lanco and High Valley