Quarterbacking the Future of Education

Better Learning Podcast

In the latest episode of the Better Learning Podcast, Alex Demczak, a former SEC quarterback turned entrepreneur, speaker, and author, joins host Kevin Stoller for an engaging conversation about the profound influence educators have on students’ lives and the importance of leadership in shaping future generations.

The episode dives deep into both personal experiences and big-picture insights, as Alex and Kevin discuss the lasting impact that teachers and coaches can have—both positive and negative. With touching anecdotes about their own school experiences, they explore how educators can build meaningful relationships with students by showing integrity and making long-term investments in their success. These reflections are a powerful reminder of the responsibility and opportunity that come with the role of an educator.

Beyond the classroom, Alex and Kevin highlight the changing landscape of K-12 education post-pandemic, providing valuable insights for parents navigating tough decisions around school choices. They explore public and private schools, homeschooling, and trade schools, as well as how the rising costs of college are reshaping the way parents think about higher education. Their conversation goes beyond academics, emphasizing the ultimate goal of raising responsible, service-oriented adults.

From the power of mentorship to the value of storytelling in education, this episode is packed with takeaways for educators, parents, and anyone interested in the future of education.

Takeaways:

• Educators have the power to make a significant impact on students' lives and should approach their role with love, service, and care.
• Building trust and investing in students on a personal level can have a lasting positive effect.
• Educators should strive to be trustworthy and demonstrate integrity in their actions.
• The teaching profession needs to be more appealing and supportive to retain talented teachers.
• The rising cost of college education and the changing landscape of higher education are influencing parents' decisions about their children's future.
• Mentorship and learning from experienced individuals in the field are valuable for personal and professional growth.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool in education, allowing for the sharing of experiences and the creation of meaningful connections.

Alex Demczak is a former SEC quarterback for the Missouri Tigers. Alex graduated with a degree in Communication and a minor in Business. Alex is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and author who challenges businesses, schools, and teams to maximize their impact.

He is the best-selling author of The Sale with Jon Gordon. The Sale delivers an invaluable lesson about what matters most in life and how to achieve it. The business fable teaches four lessons about integrity to create lasting success. The Sale has been endorsed by Dave Ramsey, Ed Mylett, Michael Porter Jr., Jamie Kern Lima, and others.

Alex is also the author of Thrive U. The inspirational book is a collection of stories from 100 collegiate and professional athletes from across the country. Alex has been mentored by Jon Gordon for the past 8 years and is part of his core leadership team.

Sound Bites:

"A teacher or a coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in a lifetime."

"People just need that human connection and they need to be encouraged."

"We're not trying to raise kids. We're trying to raise adults."

Follow Alex Demczak on Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-demczak-59108179/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexdemczak/

Twitter: https://x.com/alexdemczak

Website: https://alexspeaking.com/

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/.

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Episode 197 of the Better Learning Podcast

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

Kay-Twelve - https://www.kay-twelve.com/

EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/

Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/