In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, we explore the transformative impact of whole student education—an approach that goes beyond academics to prepare students for the challenges of the future.
Elana welcomes Monica Milligan, Executive Director of Gradient Learning, who reflects on how a single teacher’s efforts not only changed her life but also inspired her to dedicate her career to education reform and whole student support.
The conversation delves into what whole student education truly encompasses—beyond being a buzzword—and how it integrates life skills such as self-direction and curiosity into everyday learning. Monica addresses common misconceptions, highlights practical strategies for educators, and explains why this holistic approach is essential for long-term student success. Additionally, she offers valuable tips for EdTech professionals on creating tools that support both academic and social-emotional development.
If you’re an educator, district leader, or EdTech professional looking to foster deeper student-teacher relationships and help students thrive in and beyond the classroom, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert guidance. Tune in to discover how whole student education can create lasting, meaningful change.
Questions asked:
What does day-to-day leadership look like for Monica as she guides Gradient Learning? What challenges and priorities does she focus on?
How does whole student education differ from traditional approaches, and what are some common misconceptions about it?
What does whole student education look like in practice? How can educators integrate life skills like self-direction and curiosity into everyday classroom activities?
How can school leaders, who are already overburdened with responsibilities, prioritize whole student education without viewing it as just a ‘nice-to-have’?
What role can EdTech companies play in supporting whole student education, and what actionable steps can they take to create meaningful tools for teachers and students?
What recent books or resources have inspired Monica in her leadership journey?
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Gradient Learning – a Whole Student System, supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, that brings together everything educators need—in a single, cohesive approach—to deliver on the promise of Whole Student teaching.
Along – free teacher-student connection builder, created in collaboration with Gradient Learning, that helps teachers quickly build and maintain the strong ties needed so that their students feel comfortable sharing their classroom experience.
"Ask" by Jeff Wetzler – A book that Monica mentions as a practical resource for leaders on asking high-quality questions to gather better insights.
Gradient Learning: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook
Get in touch with Monica: LinkedIn
Elana Leoni, Host
Elana Leoni has dedicated the majority of her career to improving K-12 education. Prior to founding LCG, she spent eight years leading the marketing and community strategy for the George Lucas Educational Foundation where she grew Edutopia’s social media presence exponentially to reach over 20 million education change-makers every month.
Monica Milligan, Guest
Monica brings 20 years+ in the education and private sector to Gradient Learning. Early in her career, she taught middle school math, helped women launch businesses, and helped businesses set strategy as a McKinsey consultant. She also served as the Deputy to the CEO at Chicago Public Schools and as the Chief Operating Officer at KIPP Austin. More recently, she was a Vice President at TNTP and was the Chief Program Officer at OneGoal Graduation. Monica joined Gradient Learning as Chief Program Officer in 2021 and was appointed as Executive Director in 2023. Monica holds a BA from Amherst College and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
About All Things Marketing and Education
What if marketing was judged solely by the level of value it brings to its audience? Welcome to All Things Marketing and Education, a podcast that lives at the intersection of marketing and you guessed it, education. Each week, Elana Leoni, CEO of Leoni Consulting Group, highlights innovative social media marketing, community-building, and content marketing strategies that can significantly increase reach, relationships, and revenue.
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