Today on This Educational Life, we journey to Beloit, Kansas—a close-knit community where small-town roots fuel big aspirations. Beloit Senior High School is reimagining what it means to prepare students for the world beyond the classroom. Through hands-on experiences and true ownership, students aren’t just learning about their environment—they’re leading change, managing the school’s energy use with real data, curiosity, and national recognition for their achievements.

Host Mariah Presley welcomes Casey Seyfert, the innovative principal of Beloit Senior High School. With a vision centered on student empowerment, Casey has fostered a culture where learners take the reins of their educational experience. By connecting with families and the broader community, he has helped create an environment where students don’t just participate—they become central to the school’s direction and future.

Together, Mariah and Casey explore how Beloit has flipped the script for rural schools—proving that a smaller setting can offer every opportunity available in large districts. The conversation highlights the value of co-creating change, the importance of students returning to contribute to their community, and the pride that grows when young people are trusted with responsibility.

Listen to discover:

• How giving students real ownership over major projects, like managing school energy use, transforms engagement and builds pride.
• Why shifting the narrative about rural schools creates space for innovation and opportunity equal to any big-city district.
• How inviting families and community members to help shape school culture turns educational change into a shared, sustainable mission.

In the heart of Fredonia, Kansas, Lara Staker is reimagining what it means for students to truly belong at school. Where some might see gaps or challenges, Lara sees opportunities to connect learning to real life. By blending hands‑on projects, vocational math, and strong community partnerships, she’s creating an environment where students feel seen, supported, and capable of so much more. In her alternative learning program, relevance fuels curiosity, and every step forward helps students build confidence in who they are and what they can do.

Lara’s work is rooted in lessons she learned early in life from her father—resourcefulness, resilience, and the belief that practical skills matter. Those values now guide her approach to helping students explore pathways beyond traditional academics, from welding and construction to data and emerging trades. She looks beyond her immediate surroundings for new ideas, adapting what works and shaping opportunities that align with her students’ strengths and the realities they face.

The impact is clear. Students who once felt overlooked now show up more, connect more deeply, and begin to see futures they didn’t know were possible. Engagement increases. Confidence grows. Options expand. And when educators like Lara are empowered to innovate, entire communities start to see new possibilities—and young people discover what they’re capable of achieving.

· Giving students real‑world, hands‑on experiences builds confidence and belonging.

· Industry‑aligned projects help connect learning to meaningful career pathways.

· When teachers are supported to innovate, students and communities thrive together.

Today on This Educational Life, we’re tuning in from Kansas City—a vibrant community known for its world‑class barbecue, jazzy cool music, and innovative spirit. Sitting on both sides of the Kansas & Missouri state line, Kansas City’s urban school districts are facing the realities of a changing workforce and the rapid evolution of skills employers need. As today’s episode reveals, preparing young people for a strong future requires collaboration, vision, and a commitment to making sure opportunity is within reach for every student.

Host Mariah Presley is joined by Susan Wally, founder and CEO of PREP-KC, and Cecil Criswell, Director of Teaching and Learning at PREP-KC. Together, they share how PREP-KC works across six urban districts to bring business and industry into high schools, helping students understand what they’re good at, what kind of jobs they’d like to have, and the education it will take to get there. Their work centers on connecting students with experiences that build momentum and illuminate real possibilities in a changing economy.

Learn how PREP-KC’s focus on “diploma plus” market value assets is opening doors for students, creating relevance in the school day, and supporting a stronger, more competitive regional workforce. The conversation highlights how practical, repeatable steps taken over time can transform systems and elevate opportunities for all young people.

Listen to discover:

• How PREP-KC’s “diploma plus market value asset” opportunities shape students’ futures.
• Why collaboration between schools, industry, and community strengthens workforce development.
• What Kansas City’s example shows about building equitable pathways to prosperous careers.

If today’s discussion inspired you or made you think of someone forging partnerships in their own community, let us know! Drop us an email at ThisEducationalLife@trane.com, leave a review on Apple, or a comment on Spotify or Youtube.

Let’s keep reimagining education together—so every student is truly future-proof.