Jacob Adams is an education leader committed to transforming schools into places of joy, belonging, and critical thinking for Black and Brown youth. He coined the term “disconnection crisis” to describe how traditional education separates young people from their purpose, community, and creativity. In 2017, he founded STEM to the Future, now Inner Spark Learning Lab, which has reached over 40,000 young people and generated insights shaping the broader education field.

Jacob began his career as a Teach For America corps member, teaching 1st and 2nd grade before serving as an instructional coach for three years. He holds a B.A. from Birmingham-Southern College and a master’s from Relay Graduate School of Education. He is also an alum of fellowships including the Simons Foundation’s inaugural Science Sandbox Fellowship, 4.0 Schools, LA Leads, and the Black Equity Collective Build Fellowship.

Takeaways:

• The disconnection crisis in education highlights how traditional schooling alienates students from their true potential and creativity.
• Inner Spark Learning Lab aims to transform educational environments into nurturing spaces that foster joy and a sense of belonging.
• By engaging students in participatory action research, they learn to address community needs and develop critical thinking skills.
• The importance of feedback loops is emphasized, ensuring that the voices of students and families shape the educational experience.
• Empowerment in education is achieved when students feel their contributions are valued and their identities are recognized.
• The initiative aims to create a network of schools that adapt to the needs of their communities, fostering relevant and engaging learning experiences.

Chapters:

• 00:21 - The Disconnection Crisis in Education
• 00:29 - The Birth of Inner Spark Learning Lab
• 10:52 - Transitioning Educational Paradigms
• 19:27 - Transforming Education: The Role of Dreamweavers
• 35:15 - Navigating the Map of Life: Teaching Self-Awareness and Skills
• 37:23 - The Importance of Feedback in Education

https://www.innersparklab.org/

instagram.com/innersparklab

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobadams706/

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