Fri, 06 Mar 2026 03:44:25 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2401194 en-us © 2026 Quality Matters yes 73d3057b-2266-531d-936a-3a9e8dbe323f Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz episodic false with Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz

We speak with experts across industries to see how their perspectives can inform our pursuit of a high-quality education for all students. We are passionate about all students having access to a great education and quality is a driving force behind our work. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz https://storage.buzzsprout.com/0em3qtpx43r4l22t4febjm9o5oyr?.jpg Caitlin Sienkiewicz Shaka Mitchell Quality Matters | Episode 7 | Erik Ellefsen & Ben Bajarin Uncovering the Real Drivers of Success in Education and Leadership 

In this episode of Quality Matters, we sat down with Erik Ellefsen and Ben Bajarin to explore what true educational quality looks like—beyond test scores and standardized assessments. Erik, a leader in school networks and improvement, emphasizes that the foundation of high-quality education lies in relationships, engagement, and empowerment, while Ben, a business and technology strategist, draws parallels between building effective teams in the corporate world and fostering strong educational environments.

]]> Uncovering the Real Drivers of Success in Education and Leadership 

In this episode of Quality Matters, we sat down with Erik Ellefsen and Ben Bajarin to explore what true educational quality looks like—beyond test scores and standardized assessments. Erik, a leader in school networks and improvement, emphasizes that the foundation of high-quality education lies in relationships, engagement, and empowerment, while Ben, a business and technology strategist, draws parallels between building effective teams in the corporate world and fostering strong educational environments.

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-16669081 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2864 1 7 full false Quality Matters | Episode 6 | Dr. Patrick Wolf With insights from his groundbreaking research on school choice and civic outcomes, University of Arkansas professor, Dr. Patrick Wolf reveals how empowering parents to choose schools creates not just academic gains but stronger, more engaged citizens.

]]> With insights from his groundbreaking research on school choice and civic outcomes, University of Arkansas professor, Dr. Patrick Wolf reveals how empowering parents to choose schools creates not just academic gains but stronger, more engaged citizens.

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-16448262 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500 1759 1 6 full false Quality Matters | Episode 5 | Superintendent Alberto Carvalho Join Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

]]> Join Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-16295720 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0500 1057 1 bonus false BREAKDOWN: Quality Matters Episode 4 | Dan Hamlin Join Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Dan Hamlin. Dan's perspective sheds light on the dynamic landscape of education and the factors fueling this transformation. Tune in for a thought-provoking breakdown conversation.

]]> Join Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Dan Hamlin. Dan's perspective sheds light on the dynamic landscape of education and the factors fueling this transformation. Tune in for a thought-provoking breakdown conversation.

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-16223598 Thu, 05 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0500 1014 full false Quality Matters | Episode 4 | Dan Hamlin In this episode of Quality Matters, we sit down with Dan Hamlin to explore the vision behind the Emerging School Models Conference, which he co-founded with Paul Peterson. Dan shares insights gained over the past three years as enrollment and interest in the conference continue to surge, reflecting an undeniable appetite for innovative educational approaches. Together, Shaka, Caitlin and Dan delve into why parents are increasingly prioritizing self-discipline, the social and civic outcomes offered by diverse school models, and whether these shifts are driven by people being pushed out of traditional systems or pulled into new ways of learning. Dan's perspective sheds light on the dynamic landscape of education and the factors fueling this transformation. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation and let us know your take on the future of school models.

]]> In this episode of Quality Matters, we sit down with Dan Hamlin to explore the vision behind the Emerging School Models Conference, which he co-founded with Paul Peterson. Dan shares insights gained over the past three years as enrollment and interest in the conference continue to surge, reflecting an undeniable appetite for innovative educational approaches. Together, Shaka, Caitlin and Dan delve into why parents are increasingly prioritizing self-discipline, the social and civic outcomes offered by diverse school models, and whether these shifts are driven by people being pushed out of traditional systems or pulled into new ways of learning. Dan's perspective sheds light on the dynamic landscape of education and the factors fueling this transformation. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation and let us know your take on the future of school models.

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-16156348 Fri, 22 Nov 2024 15:00:00 -0500 1091 1 4 full false BREAKDOWN: Quality Matters Episode 3 | Chad Auer Join Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Chad Auer. They explore Chad's insights on transparency as a crucial tool in shaping effective education policies and discuss the importance of getting the right people in the right roles to drive impactful change. Not everyone needs to lead or take the activist route, but every role matters in creating quality outcomes for students. Tune in as they uncover valuable lessons that lead to educational success!

]]> Join Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Chad Auer. They explore Chad's insights on transparency as a crucial tool in shaping effective education policies and discuss the importance of getting the right people in the right roles to drive impactful change. Not everyone needs to lead or take the activist route, but every role matters in creating quality outcomes for students. Tune in as they uncover valuable lessons that lead to educational success!

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-16060127 Thu, 07 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0500 1124 1 6 bonus false Quality Matters | Episode 3 | Chad Auer Chad Auer is a Senior Policy Advisor for Wyoming Governor, Mark Gordon, and he is a true renaissance man. Chad is a father, lawyer, rancher, former-mayor, and even a stablecoin architect. He joins Caitlin and Shaka to discuss the relationships between good governance and transparency, personal relationships and good public policy – showing us that Wyoming is much more than “fly-over” country.

]]> Chad Auer is a Senior Policy Advisor for Wyoming Governor, Mark Gordon, and he is a true renaissance man. Chad is a father, lawyer, rancher, former-mayor, and even a stablecoin architect. He joins Caitlin and Shaka to discuss the relationships between good governance and transparency, personal relationships and good public policy – showing us that Wyoming is much more than “fly-over” country.

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-16012922 Thu, 31 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0400 1775 full false BREAKDOWN: Quality Matters | Episode 2, Part 2 | Gerard Robinson Each episode of Quality Matters features a Breakdown, where Caitlin and Shaka highlight the most potent parts of their most recent interview. On this episode they breakdown their conversation with Gerard Robinson.

]]> Each episode of Quality Matters features a Breakdown, where Caitlin and Shaka highlight the most potent parts of their most recent interview. On this episode they breakdown their conversation with Gerard Robinson.

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-15923814 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400 1152 1 bonus false Quality Matters | Episode 2 | Gerard Robinson Gerard Robinson is a distinguished professor at the University of Virginia, bringing a wealth of expertise in education policy, criminal justice, and economic mobility. Notably, he is one of the few individuals in the nation to have held cabinet-level positions in multiple states, serving as Florida’s Commissioner of Education and Virginia’s Secretary of Education. Recently, Robinson has shifted his focus toward prison reform, dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals and advocating for a more equitable justice system.

]]> Gerard Robinson is a distinguished professor at the University of Virginia, bringing a wealth of expertise in education policy, criminal justice, and economic mobility. Notably, he is one of the few individuals in the nation to have held cabinet-level positions in multiple states, serving as Florida’s Commissioner of Education and Virginia’s Secretary of Education. Recently, Robinson has shifted his focus toward prison reform, dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals and advocating for a more equitable justice system.

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-15885152 Tue, 08 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400 2015 1 2 full false BREAKDOWN: Quality Matters | Episode 1, Part 2 | Dr. Ashley Berner Each episode of Quality Matters features a Breakdown, where Caitlin and Shaka highlight the most potent parts of their most recent interview. On this episode they breakdown their conversation with Dr. Ashley Berner of Johns Hopkins University.

]]> Each episode of Quality Matters features a Breakdown, where Caitlin and Shaka highlight the most potent parts of their most recent interview. On this episode they breakdown their conversation with Dr. Ashley Berner of Johns Hopkins University.

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-15762915 Tue, 17 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0400 1190 1 2 bonus false Quality Matters | Episode 1 | Dr. Ashley Berner On this episode Caitlin and Shaka talk with Dr. Ashley Berner, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, about taking a two-pronged approach to quality: choice and common content.

]]> On this episode Caitlin and Shaka talk with Dr. Ashley Berner, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, about taking a two-pronged approach to quality: choice and common content.

]]> Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz Buzzsprout-15689698 Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:00:00 -0400 1784 1 1 full false