Teaches 2 masterclasses:

1. Metatrends Driving Change and Redefining the Future

2. Pack Your Bags for Our AI Future

About the class

Rachael Mann is a nationally recognized leader and sought-after voice in career and technical education, known for her dynamic work at the intersection of education, technology, and innovation. A seasoned keynote speaker and author, Rachael inspires audiences with her focus on future-ready learning and disruptive technologies. Her publications include The Things You’ll Grow, The Spaces You’ll Go, and The Martians in Your Classroom, co-authored to promote STEM integration through space-related initiatives.

With a master’s in Educational Leadership and over a decade of classroom experience, Rachael has served in impactful roles, including State Director for Educators Rising Arizona and Director of STEM Professional Learning. A founding member of the Council on the Future of Education, she serves on several national boards that champion student success. Based in Hershey, PA, Rachael brings a personal passion for tennis, hiking, and travel to her professional mission of empowering educators to dream big and lead boldly. Connect with her @RachaelEdu.

About Me

masterclass DESCRIPTION

Forecasters predict that over the next decade, waves of exponential technology advances will eclipse decades of breakthroughs in both scale and impact. What are the Metatrends that will revolutionize the industries that we are equipping students to enter? Join Rachael Mann for a keynote on how Artificial intelligence (AI), Extended Reality (XR), digitized goods and services, demonetized tech, the smart economy, and more will continue to transform the way we live - and what these trends mean for how we approach learning. Through a thoughtful narrative on where we’ve been and where we are going, participants will discover how to connect the past and the future to best equip students now.

MASTERCLASS PREVIEW

Services

Program

DR. MICHELLE WEISE

The Future of Learning

The Future of Learning is a cutting-edge masterclass program that explores how emerging technologies, workforce shifts, and global megatrends are reshaping the educational landscape. Through provocative and insightful sessions on artificial intelligence, the metaverse, and the evolution of work, participants will gain a strategic view of what lies ahead for learners, educators, and institutions. This series equips education leaders with the foresight and tools to adapt curriculum, learning environments, and pathways to opportunity—ensuring students are not only prepared for the future but empowered to shape it.

Discover The Future of Learning

Getting to Know Rachael

1

What was your first job? What did you learn from it?

I was a vet assistant in high school, and fortunately, I discovered that it wasn't a fit for me instead of finding out after spending money on pursuing a field that wasn't a fit in my postsecondary. I thought that because I loved animals, becoming a veterinarian was a natural fit for me. I discovered during my three years working as a vet assistant, that I didn't do well in a medical setting. I was very sensitive to the smells and didn't handle seeing blood or assisting with surgeries well. I was also very sensitive when an animal didn't make it or had to be put down for one reason or another. Through my first job, I had an opportunity to develop employability skills and a work ethic.

2

Who do you look up to or follow in your field of work?

I've had wonderful mentors; Dr. John Mulcahy, Curt Bertelsen, and Tom Applegate to name a few. I follow the work of Peter Diamandis, Elon Musk, Eric Schmidt, and Neil Degrasse Tyson. I believe that education leaders must look to the folks from industry and learn the successes to emulate and failures to avoid in order to help young people to develop these mindsets and skills.

3

What sparked your interest in working in career readiness?

That's a great question. I think back to the options I was aware of as a young person and how limited my options were to jobs in my community. Fast forward to now, and young people are overwhelmed by the many options, often leading to decision paralysis.
In reality, the formula is simple. Career readiness is about helping young people to discover what interests them, what they are good at, and what the world needs. At the intersection of these three is their destiny. In addition, developing transferable skills and an understanding of metatrends that are transforming all industries will assist them in any path that they choose.