On today's episode, how a first generation American envisions an education system that actually values who kids are and supports them to become their best selves.   Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen is a Chief Program Officer at Grantmakers for Education, a member organization that serves as a trusted partner for education philanthropists. Ulcca is a first-generation American who began school as an English-language learner; she was the first in her family to complete college and graduate school.  Her own experiences have fueled her desire to interrogate and advocate for an expanded vision of what it means to ensure every child has access to a high-quality education in America.   Ulcca is especially committed to bringing a racial justice and equity lens to the expansion of this educational approach, one that has been largely inaccessible to lower-income and BIPOC communities within America’s public education system.   Ulcca's new book, The Future of Smart, is out today!! The book traces the deep roots of America’s dominant approach to education and illuminates why so many reform and innovation efforts over the last three decades have fallen short of our aspirations for children AND it proposes a different path forward.   Links Mentioned: Next Generation Learning Challenge Education Reimagined Transcend Find Ulcca on LinkedIn | Twitter | Website   Follow Najia on LinkedIn

On today's episode, how a former teacher turned education innovation leader navigated remote education for his kids and the trends he's seeing that will impact the sector moving forward.   Jason Weeby is an independent consultant who helps senior education leaders make high-stakes decisions about the future of their organizations so all students have access to high-quality learning opportunities. He advises foundations, nonprofits, school systems, and government agencies that believe innovation can be a force for equity using his 18 years of education sector experiences ranging from a middle school teacher to venture philanthropist.   We talk about how education is woefully underfunded and what some of the obstacles to innovation in the education sector have been. We also talk about the $122B of federal funding coming to schools from the Biden administration as part of the American Rescue Act and how that money can be used. For example, did you know that it can be put towards decarbonizing schools through infrastructure improvements like new electric HVAC systems or heat pumps, solar panels, and even composting toilets.   Jason also shares some of what he's learned doing empathy interviews with parents, teachers and students as part of a consulting engagement he's been working on, and I LOVED hearing how honest students were about how they've found remote education to be compared to traditional, pre-pandemic school.   If you're an education leader or a policy maker, I think this episode provides some great big picture context in which schools today are operating.   Links Mentioned: Article about $122B federal investment from the Biden administration Article on New Schools Venture Fund's $200M Advanced Education Research & Development Fund (AERDF) National Parents Union Find Jason Weeby on LinkedIn | Twitter   Follow Najia on LinkedIn

On today's episode, how a mother sought out a different approach to education for her son which led her to build a national community around learner centered education.    Kelly Young is the President of Education Reimagined, a non-profit organization committed to making learner-centered education available to every child in the US. Education Reimagined unites and ignites learner-centered leaders including young people, educators, administrators, policy advocates,  and leaders across higher education, business, unions and philanthropy – who are ALL building the models, systems, public will, and policy conditions to transform education in the U.S.    For Education Reimagined the shift to community-based ecosystems of learning is also a shift to learner-centered education where young people are supported to discover and pursue their interests and curiosities in caring, supportive relationships and community. Kelly believes we need inventors who are ready to act on this new vision for education and she's really proud to lead an organization that is bringing these folks together from across the country.   As many of us just started or are getting ready to start a new school year with uncertainty around the pandemic, I think the ideas Kelly shares are even MORE relevant because we continue to be faced with having to figure out flexible ways for kids to keep learning.   Links Mentioned:   The Teacher Wars by Dana Goldstein Education Reimagined's vision document: A Vision for Transformational Education in the U.S. The Met High School Iowa Big Workspace Education - Homeschool co-learning space Education Reimagined on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Education Reimagined's Voyager magazine   Find Education Reimagined on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.   Follow Najia on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

On today's episode, how a Writer, Educator & Futurist imagines how education can have a renaissance and what it could look like.   Dr. Zachary Stein is a philosopher of education working at the interface of psychology, metaphysics, and politics. He has published two books, including Education in a Time Between Worlds. Zak is also the co-founder of a non-profit and think tank called The Consilience Project, has taught graduate students at Harvard, and consults with technology start-ups.   In Part 2 of this 2 part episode, we start off talking about the purpose of education, which is more complicated than you might think. But I think this is such an important question if you're a teacher or an education leader, because all your work flows from what you believe is the answer to this question.   We also talk about Zak's book, Education in a Time Between Worlds. In it, Zak talks about creating decentralized education hub networks located in and led by communities. Imagine learners moving fluidly between topics of interest and a digital back end measurement system that gives learners a sense of what they're learning and where they might have gaps.   This is an episode that might have you re-thinking how we do school.   Links Mentioned:   Michael Tomasello, Comparative Psychologist, Max Planck Institute Deschooling Society by Ivan Illich Slaying Goliath: The Passionate Resistance to Privatization and the Fight to Save America's Schools by Diane Ravitch Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher's Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto Finnish Lessons 3.0: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland? by Pasi Sahlberg Basic Income Guarantee   Find Zak at zakstein.org and consilienceproject.org.   Follow Najia on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

On today's episode, how a Writer, Educator & Futurist is reimagining an education system that might prepare us for climate change.   Dr. Zachary Stein is a philosopher of education working at the interface of psychology, metaphysics, and politics. He has published two books, including Education in a Time Between Worlds, which is a PROFOUND read that I highly recommend. He co-founded a non-profit and think tank called The Consilience Project, has taught graduate students at Harvard, and consults with technology start-ups. Zak is a long time meditator (something he and I have in common), a musician and a caregiver, which he says has shaped him more than any professional work.   In Part 1 of this 2 part episode, I talk with Zak about the role the education sector can play in addressing climate change. #smallgoals   Last week the IPCC, (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) which is the foremost group of climate scientists around the globe, put out the 2021 sixth assessment report. This is one of, if not THE most important report that comes out every few years telling us the state of our planet. It's a CODE RED alarm for humanity!   Zak and I just scratch the surface of how education and climate intersect but like many things, conversations are the starting point of solutions. If you're interested in learning more, check out organizations like Aspen K-12 Climate Action and UndauntedK12 that are working to support the education sector in addressing climate change.   Links Mentioned:   IPCC Climate Change 2021 report Aspen K12 Climate Commission UndauntedK-12 Find Zak at zakstein.org and consilienceproject.org   Follow Najia on LinkedIn

On today's episode, how a former teacher discovered how design thinking can be a practical tool for transforming schools.   Dr. Sabba Quidwai believes that cultures of innovation begin with a culture of empathy. She hosts a podcast of her own called, Sprint to Success with Design Thinking, where she interviews researchers and practitioners about their stories and strategies for navigating change with design thinking.   So what is design thinking? It's a methodology that starts by understanding the human needs involved, re-framing the problem in human-centric ways, creating a lot of ideas in brainstorming sessions, and adopting a hands-on approach in prototyping and testing possible solutions.   In our conversation, we talk about Sabba's doctoral research where she studied Design 39, an innovative K-8 public school in San Diego, CA, that has been on a mission to reimagine traditional schooling and has done it using principles of design thinking.   If you're an education leader or teacher, perhaps the conversation sparks some ideas on how you might be able to leverage the principles of design thinking in your organizations or schools.   Links Mentioned:   5 stages in the design thinking process Why Design Thinking Works, Harvard Business Review Design 39 Campus Yong Zhao's article: From “Yes, but” to “Yes, and…:” Reimagine Possibilities and Obstacles of Educational Change Lynchpin by Seth Godin Thank You for Being Late by Thomas Friedman Life is in the Transitions by Bruce Feiler Find Sabba at www.askmsq.com   Follow Najia on LinkedIn

How an entrepreneur dreamt up a bold vision for a new education system and how she's turning it into reality.   Heidi DeCoux is a serial entrepreneur that has built and sold multiple businesses and appeared in publications like Forbes. But more recently, the thing that keeps her up at night, is trying to figure out how to revolutionize the public school system.  Heidi and her husband founded a non-profit organization, called Illuminated Life School with the first school opening in Puerto Rico.   We talk about her vision for the organization, the challenges she's faced in launching it and the innovative experiments she's working on.   My goal with the podcast is to bring you a variety of perspectives and approaches to creating an education system centered on people and the planet. Heidi brings a newcomer's lens and bold dreams to the issue. I hope this episode inspires the dreamer in you!   Links Mentioned: Illuminated Life Schools Socials: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Connect with Heidi on Instagram and her website   Follow Najia on LinkedIn

On today's episode, how a father turned parent education coach realized that parents might hold the key to improving education.   Matt Barnes is the founder of The Education Game, an organization that helps parents learn how to navigate and realize authentic and relevant learning experiences for their children. Over the last 22 years, Matt has served on 9 education org boards including a selective public university. He's run an education nonprofit, he's helped to give away over $500 million worth of grants -- many to public charter school networks like KIPP -- and most importantly, he has coached thousands of parents on building independent, self-directed learners. He believes that parents should now avoid "normal" in their child's education and, instead, shamelessly pursue "weird."   Matt believes many parents are still stuck in the old model of good grades, doing well on standardized achievement tests, and attending college, with the assumption that these achievements will lead to a happy life but you probably know, that's not necessarily true.   We had this conversation in the Spring but what Matt shares is very relevant for all my parents out there who care about how their child is being educated (aka all parents!).   Links Mentioned: The Education Game, where you can also find free resources. The Promise and the Plan: Every parent must make a promise and a plan for their child's learning. Parents can schedule a free one on one conversation with Matt to create a basic learning plan for their child. Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind: 16 Essential Characteristics for Success book Connect with Matt on LinkedIn   Follow Najia on LinkedIn

What if a culturally-affirming Montessori education was deeply embedded in every school? And what if teachers had the autonomy and resources to build schools that meet the needs and aspirations of the students in their neighborhoods?   Meet Wildflower Schools.   I talk with Maia Blankenship, a Partner at Wildflower Schools D.C. who has been building out a regional hub of one-room, shopfront, equity focused Montessori schools in D.C.    Wildflower Schools are an ecosystem of decentralized Montessori micro-schools that blur the boundaries between home-schooling and institutional schooling, between administrators and teachers, and between schools and the neighborhoods around them.   For educators and parents of young ones interested in an equitable Montessori approach, I think you'll find this episode intriguing!   Links Mentioned: Wildflower Schools. On social: Facebook | Instagram Double Tree Elementary in Memphis, Tennessee, founded by Maia's grandmother, was the first public elementary school based on Montessori principles. Black Montessori Education Fund for black & brown educators that want to be trained in Montessori.   Follow Najia on LinkedIn

How can schools NOT go back to business as usual in the fall?   I talk with Jenee Henry Wood who is passionate about social justice. Jenee leads Organizational Learning at Transcend, a national nonprofit whose mission is to support communities to create and spread extraordinary, equitable learning environments. They are a research & development engine for the education sector.   We talk about how Transcend has been partnering with districts and schools to re-design learning environments, particularly coming through the pandemic.   It was really inspiring to hear about some of the innovative schools with which the Transcend team has worked, and the practices they've put into place, especially to support the social & emotional health of students.   If you're an education leader, teacher, or parent, I hope this conversation ignites or builds on ideas you've been exploring for your students or kids in the fall...and beyond.   The Education ReMade podcast's mission is to explore what education can look like if it is built to serve PEOPLE & the PLANET!   Links Mentioned: Visit Transcend for tools & resources including Roads to Reinventing work and follow on Twitter and Facebook. Leaps for Equitable 21st Century Learning Framework Perea Elementary School, Memphis, TN, designed a fall come-back plan that gave parents choice with full in-person options, full virtual options, on Fridays all students would engage in community or project based learning. Van Ness Elementary School, an innovative district-run school in Washington DC, and Transcend, the field’s premier “engine” for R&D on new school models, are partnering to create a powerful elementary school model that has the potential to transform elementary education in the District of Columbia.  Read more about the VanNess Whole Child Model. Navigator Elementary School, Rancho Cordova, CA nXu is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to catalyze and equip youth and adults to explore, articulate, and pursue their purpose. Follow Najia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/najialupson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najia.lupson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/najialupson