In this episode of Driving Education, Katie sits down with Hailey Ridgeway from the Alabama State Department of Education — one of the brilliant minds behind ALEX (Alabama Learning Exchange).

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by standards, lesson planning, or finding high-quality resources that actually fit your students, this episode is for you.

Hailey pulls back the curtain on how ALEX has evolved into a powerful, teacher-centered platform — designed to help educators work smarter, not harder. From unpacked standards and vetted resources to collaborative sandboxes, AI-supported lesson planning, and interactive Sparkle activities, ALEX is changing how Alabama educators plan, teach, and collaborate.

In this conversation, you'll hear about:

• How ALEX supports teachers without telling them how to teach

• Why standards are a guide — not a curriculum

• The power of collaboration across schools and districts

• Using AI thoughtfully to support (not replace) teachers

• Why Alabama educators are trailblazers nationwide

This episode is a reminder that teachers are the number one predictor of student success — and the systems supporting them matter.

🎧 If you're an Alabama educator, this is an episode you'll want to bookmark.

In this episode of Driving Education, Katie welcomes Dr. Mackey for a joyful, thoughtful conversation about leadership, perspective, and what it means to show up fully — even when the road is hard.

Dr. Mackey brings humor, honesty, and heart as he reflects on leadership, resilience, and the importance of choosing joy in the work of education. From lighthearted moments to meaningful insights, this episode reminds us that how we lead — and how we live — matters just as much as what we accomplish.

In this conversation, you'll hear about:

• Why joy is a leadership strategy, not a bonus

• Showing up authentically in hard seasons

• Keeping perspective when the work feels heavy

• Leading people, not just systems

• Remembering why education is worth the long drive

🎧 This episode feels like rolling the windows down, turning the music up, and remembering why you started.

In this episode of Driving Education, Katie and Aubrey pull back the curtain on one of the most prestigious honors in education — the Milken Educator Award.

Often called the "Oscars of Teaching," the Milken is surrounded by secrecy, surprise, and speculation. But behind the mystery is something much deeper: exceptional educators doing extraordinary work every single day — without knowing who is watching.

This episode explores:

• Why the Milken Award is intentionally mysterious

• What the award truly recognizes (and what it doesn't)

• The unseen impact of excellent educators

• How recognition can elevate the profession

• Why great teaching is about the journey, not the spotlight

🎧This conversation is a reminder that excellence in education doesn't chase awards — it drives change, impact, and opportunity for students.