EPISODE 223: ‘The Incredibles’ with Mercedes Johnson & Katie Riley
March 12, 2025
Overview:
In our latest Better Learning Podcast episode, we dive into The Incredibles (2004) and uncover powerful insights for educators. Just like Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl face lawsuits that restrict their powers, teachers often feel held back by red tape and policies that limit their ability to innovate in the classroom.
We explore how educators can break free from these constraints, unlocking their creativity, adaptability, and empathy to make a bigger impact. Plus, we break down fun film moments that mirror real-life school experiences.
Meet Our Guest:
About Mercedes Johnson:
In 1995, Mercedes Ramirez Johnson narrowly survived a commercial airplane crash that killed 160 people, including her parents. She presents her proprietary Second Chance Living concept, an innovative mindset and approach with a proven track record, to organizations such as General Electric, ExxonMobil, Microsoft, NASA, Chevron, and the various branches of the US Armed Forces.
Before becoming a speaker, Mercedes spent nearly a decade in high-level sales in the pharmaceutical and medical software industries. A record-breaking, multimillion dollar producer, she became the youngest female and sole Latino account executive at Cerner Corporation. She is an active leader in philanthropic organizations advocating for special needs children and children’s health initiatives, notably for Make-A-Wish and The National MPS Society. Mercedes and her story have been the subject of considerable national and international media coverage.
Connect with Mercedes Ramirez Johnson:
Website: https://www.mercedesramirezjohnson.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-ramirez-johnson-5536234/
X: https://x.com/MRamirezJohnson
About Katie Riley:
Katie Riley’s extensive career reflects a strong dedication to transforming education, particularly for students with diverse learning needs. With 25 years of experience in various educational settings, including public and private schools, and her work in parish schools, she has built a reputation as an educator passionate about making a difference for all students.
Her journey began in the challenging but rewarding environments of Chicago Public Schools and Dallas Independent School Districts, where she was determined to improve educational outcomes for students with different learning styles. As her career progressed, her expertise expanded, and she took on leadership roles as an educational consultant and an administrator of high-impact schools in Dallas.
Katie continues her deep commitment to innovation in education and a drive to advocate for students who may otherwise be overlooked. She is currently an educational consultant who works with schools and families to help ensure all students find an environment where they can be successful.
Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/i5DDMzAftRATakeaways:
- Everyone wants to be special and normal at the same time
- Teachers aren’t the only adults that can have an impact
- Everyone has their own superpowers
- Different is okay
The Host:
Host, Kevin Stoller:
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.
Connect with Kevin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/
Connect with co-host, Carla Cummins:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-cummins-01449659/
Our Partners:
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/
EDmarket – https://www.edmarket.org/
Catapult @ Penn GSE – https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/
Be a Guest on the Better Learning Podcast!
Are you rethinking what learning environments can be? We are always looking for thoughtful school leaders, designers, and educators to join the Better Learning Podcast and share real stories from the field.
As a guest, you will take part in meaningful conversations about student centered design, planning, and collaboration and how these ideas show up in real schools. We explore what is working, what is evolving, and what educators can do today to create learning spaces that truly support students and teachers.
If you are passionate about improving learning environments and have insights, experiences, or lessons to share, we would love to have you on the podcast.
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About the podcast
Through in-depth conversations, the podcast highlights how Radically Student Centered™ approaches can make a tangible difference in schools, inspiring educators, administrators, designers, and anyone passionate about the future of learning.