A Trane Podcast
This Educational Life
Welcome to This Educational Life by Trane, a podcast that explores the challenges and triumphs of Superintendents and educators in K-12 education.
Season 1
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Episode 3. Powering Up Rural America: Education & Industry Unite
Rural communities are vital to America’s identity. As education evolves, these areas face unique challenges. How can we celebrate rural strengths and ensure equal opportunities? -
Episode 2. School Innovation: Strategies for Enhancing Resources & Infrastructure
Dr. Curtis Chesick shares how Ozark transformed aging buildings, enhanced energy efficiency, and unlocked savings through federal incentives and creative budgeting. -
Episode 1. Industry & Schools: A STEM Collaboration
How do you prepare students for jobs that might not exist yet? Discover how schools can leverage STEM education to empower the next generation for whatever comes next.
Meet Your Host
Mariah Presley
What happens when a small-town girl boards her first flight at 19 with her college forensics team to debate across Great Britain? She transforms into a champion of real-world, transformational learning experiences. That’s Mariah Presley – a globetrotter with a growth mindset geared for education.
Mariah boasts over a decade of data-driven growth marketing and strategic development experience across healthcare, education, engineering, and business services industries. She’s a proud facilitator of institutional change and innovation as a global instructor for Dale Carnegie and applies those teachings daily in her role as the Team Lead for Education and Industry Programs at Trane.
Her own transformational learning experience drives her mission to support innovation in education and empower experiential and work-based learning opportunities that are accessible all students - no matter where they come from.
Values: Humans, purpose, integrity, creativity, openness, diversity, innovation/growth mindset
Described As: Audacious, authentic, purposeful, welcoming, passionate, integrous
About the Podcast
A school is more than just four walls and a roof—it’s an impactful learning tool for students. Taking on the challenge of improving educational facilities today and leaving them better is no easy task, that’s why we’re putting together a blueprint for the school of tomorrow.
We’re looking at pioneering school districts who transform school buildings with sustainable, green solutions, saving millions of dollars through more energy-efficient infrastructure. All the while giving students access to new skill development opportunities and a safer, more comfortable environment. Get ready for thought-provoking conversations with educational leaders across the country.
In this season, we take on the most pressing issues facing K-12 education and explore how innovative solutions are creating better learning environments. We drill into each obstacle, and understand the step-by-step actions taken to overcome it. From decarbonizing school facilities to unlocking thousands in educational grants and utility incentives, we showcase practical, real-world actions that are improving school operations and leaving lasting impacts.
The podcast is hosted by Mariah Presley, Education and Industry Programs Leader for Trane. Mariah brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for innovation and growth. Each episode features real stories from Superintendents and educational leaders who’ve faced and overcome challenges. You hear how they secured federal grants, improved career pathways in STEM, and created sustainable systems that ensure schools continue to thrive for generations to come. And, we hear directly from the students about how these solutions are shaping their education and opening doors for the future.
This Educational Life turns big challenges into practical solutions, offering a blueprint that not only addresses today’s problems but also sets schools up for long-term success. It’s not just about designing the school of the future—it’s about solving problems today so future generations can inherit schools that are better, stronger, and more sustainable.
Tune in every two weeks to This Educational Life, where together, we’re creating the schools of the future, today.
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