In this week's episode, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Esther Wojcicki, an internationally-known educator, consultant, and speaker with a demonstrated history of working in the e-learning industry. She is the Chief Learning Officer at Planet3, the Founder of the Journalistic Learning Initiative in collaboration with the University of Oregon, an Advisory Board member at THNK, The Amsterdam School of Creative Leadership, a Plenary Speaker at UNESCO, and a teacher at Palo Alto High School since 1984 who shaped their journalism program from the ground up! On top of all this (and many more organizations and initiatives she is a part of), she is also the author of two successful books, Moonshots in Education: Launching Blended Learning in the Classroom and How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results.

Esther's most recent book, How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results, published just this May, outlines the key values of successful homes (or schools, programs, or companies) through the principles of her acronym: T.R.I.C.K: Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness. And while honing her craft as an educator, Wojcicki was raising three daughters using these same principles.

In this podcast, Esther discusses how she helped shape writing and journalism at Palo Alto High School as a teacher; what she believes to have been the key ingredients to the current success of Palo Alto and its journalism program; the conditions at Palo Alto that allow a world-class journalism program to exist; and how to create a culture of tradition and excellence in both the home, in the classroom, and in your business. She also shares important key takeaways from her new book and the important life lessons she has shared with her children that have helped shape them into the successful individuals they are today!

Key Takeaways:

[:12] About today's episode and Getting Smart's new team member, Mason Pashia!

[:29] Mason speaks about the values of his family that have impacted his life and career today.

[1:10] About today's guest, Esther Wojcicki.

[1:54] Tom welcomes Esther to the podcast!

[2:36] Where and how did Esther's passion for journalism first begin?

[4:29] Does Esther recall having good writing instruction in high school?

[5:59] Did Esther have good writing experiences at Berkeley?

[6:38] Why did Esther decide to begin studying French?

[7:41] What was the state of student writing and journalism when Esther began as a teacher at Palo Alto High School in 1984?

[10:44] About the physical space Esther was teaching in back in 1984 at Palo Alto.

[11:22] About the current incredible space that is Palo Alto!

[12:12] What does Esther believe to have been the key ingredients to the current success of Palo Alto and its journalism program.

[14:03] Esther describes how students can progress into leadership roles in the various publications.

[17:11] Esther summarizes the conditions that allow a world-class program such as the journalism program at Palo Alto to exist.

[19:55] Esther speaks about the culture at Palo Alto where students receive the majority of their feedback from their peers.

[21:35] Tom and Esther discuss how Palo Alto's academic programs create a culture and tradition of excellence.

[23:17] Esther speaks about her first book, Moonshots in Education, and explains what the Moonshot Manifesto is all about!

[24:52] Esther speaks about the Journalistic Learning Initiative she created in collaboration with the University of Oregon.

[26:49] From her book, How to Raise Successful People, Esther explains her important acronym, T.R.I.C.K, that are the key values crucial to raising successful children, a successful classroom, and managing a successful company.

[34:42] Should parents set high expectations for their children with regards to both behavior and achievement?

[36:50] Have Esther and her family traveled a lot? If so, has it benefited them?

[38:02] Have Esther or her daughters developed useful tech management tools around screen time?

[39:44] How are the performing arts and visual arts important for children?

[40:54] Esther gives her recommendations on when and how to expose children to the world of work.

[42:45] When did Esther let her girls know that she was writing a book on how to raise successful people?

[44:10] Tom thanks Esther for joining him this podcast!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Mason Pashia — Getting Smart's new Growth & Marketing Manager

How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results, by Esther Wojcicki

ASU GSV Summit

Palo Alto High School

Moonshots.org

Moonshots in Education: Blended Learning in the Classroom, by Esther Wojcicki, Lance Izumi, and Alicia Chang

Journalistic Learning Initiative

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