• Join host Cate Tolnai for a powerful conversation with three education veterans who've weathered 20+ years of educational transformation together. Meet Dr. Toutoule Ntoya, Neeraj (Nick) Satyal, and Dr. Amarpal Khanna - three friends whose bond was forged in the early charter school movement and whose friendship continues to drive innovation in education today.

In this episode, discover how these educators:

• Started as "true believers" in the charter movement at ICEF Public Schools in early 2000s LA
• Witnessed the evolution from college-prep-focused reform to embracing CTE and hands-on learning
• Navigate today's challenges with AI, digital natives, and rapidly changing technology
• Support each other through career pivots and continued growth

🎯 Key Highlights:

• The reality of being in LA's charter movement before it was recognized as a "movement"
• How CTE programs are revolutionizing opportunities for Black and brown students
• Why 21st century students are outpacing 20th century educational systems
• The critical importance of access to technology and creative tools in underserved communities
• How dual enrollment is fast-tracking students through traditional educational pipelines

🔥 Raw Insights:

• Toutoule's near-exit from education and the pivotal moment that kept him in
• How digital natives are teaching educators about technology innovation
• The gap between educational research and classroom implementation
• Why "finding your people" is essential for educator longevity

💡 Wisdom for Educators:
"Find your people. Stick with your people... Like a screwdriver is horrible at being a hammer. A hammer is horrible at being a screwdriver. So you gotta find your thing. Whatever your thing is, you'll be the best." - Dr. Toutoule Ntoya

This conversation celebrates the power of sustained friendship, professional curiosity, and the belief that education can be transformative regardless of the system. Their story spans from the hopeful early days of charter schools to today's complex landscape of educational equity, technology integration, and workforce preparation.

Connect with Dr Toutoule Ntoya, Dr Amarpal Khanna and Nick Satyal

🔗 Toutoule on Bluesky
🔗 Amarpal on LinkedIn
🔗 Nick on LinkedIn

💻 Nick’s Website

#education #CharterSchools #CTE #DualEnrollment #EducationalEquity #MakerEducation #DigitalNatives #AIinEducation #TeacherRetention #EducationalInnovation #CommunityCollege #STEAM