With our current top-down education model, where the bottom line at the administrative level seems to be more important than whether our kids learn, creativity has been thrown out the window. We’re teaching to the test, rather than fostering the four C’s (creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication), tools that are necessary in our workforce. What if our curriculum focused on creative problem solving that’s realistic and engaging, that our kids are excited about learning?

This week on the podcast, we’re talking to author Chad Stewart, who has created a media empire that brings the world of Britfield to kids across the globe. His realistic adventure series and workshops model how to engage students in the classroom and out. In the conversation, we talk about bringing more fun into classrooms, how to make writing easier for authors, and how to open opportunities for learners.

Listen in now!

 

About Chad Stewart:

Welcome to the World of Britfield: a media empire that is impacting and improving education, literacy, and media while bringing encouragement to children and families worldwide. One of the most awarded books in fiction, Britfield & the Lost Crown is taking the World by Storm. This timeless adventure series is transforming literature while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Seven extraordinary movies (2023) will follow the 7-book series.

Born in Newport Beach, California, Chad Robert Stewart is an award-winning and bestselling author, international strategist, prominent speaker, and creativity educator. He founded the prestigious Britfield Institute, a non-profit dedicated to creativity and literacy; and Devonfield, a media empire committed to the highest quality in education, publishing, and film production. He received a Bachelor of Arts in British Literature and European History from Brown University; earned an M.B.A. from Boston College; and is pursuing a Master of Science in Advanced Management and a PhD in Creativity and Innovation at Claremont Graduate University. Now based in San Diego, he is a strong supporter of education and the Arts; professor at Fermanian School of Business, Point Loma Nazarene University; and Past President (Board of Directors) of the San Diego Ballet. 

  Jump in the Conversation:

• [3:52] Striving for excellence in a profession
• [5:49] More than a book; it’s a movement
• [8:55] Children are no different based on their geography
• [10:06] Good ideas take time
• [13:15] Focusing on engagement in writing
• [14:12] Write about what you know and love
• [17:20] What we can do to be equally engaging in education
• [18:48] Bring creativity back in classroom 
• [20:02] The four C’s - creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication
• [23:04] Provide as many opportunities as possible for creativity
• [26:58] What’s next in Chad’s mission
• [33:19] Turnkey play turns equity opportunity
• [42:16] Turbo Time
• [49:01] Chad’s Magic Wand
• [54:02] Maureen’s takeaways
• [54:20] Google’s 20% rule

  Link

• Britfield Website
• Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory author)
• Runaway Ralph one of many timeless books by Beverly Cleary
• Sir Ken Robinson’s Do Schools Kill Creativity TED Talk
• Book: Coloring Outside the Lines
• The 4 C’s in Wake County, NC
• TR: The Last Romantic (Teddy Roosevelt’s biography)
• Article: Google’s Famous 20% Policy
• Email Maureen
• Maureen’s TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools
• The Education Evolution
• Facebook: Follow Education Evolution
• Twitter: Follow Education Evolution
• LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution
• EdActive Collective
• Maureen’s book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids
• Micro-school feature on Good Morning America
• The Micro-School Coalition
• Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition
• LEADPrep