Learning Unboxed

We’re going to continue our ongoing conversation around entrepreneurship, social enterprise, and how the two relate to the education system.

Joining us is Jerry Valentine, an active community member and volunteer in the Columbus, Ohio area. As part of his journey, he has completed community hackathons, startup accelerator programs such as Give Back Hack Columbus, and participated in SEA Change where he jump-started his business venture, Renter Mentor.

Because of his participation in all of these spaces, he has a lot to bring to the discussion around the innovations happening in the startup world. We talk about how to take all of those innovations and turn them into amazing opportunities for students.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jerryv513
• rentermentor.net

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Steve Shapiro is a veteran educator of 32 years. He has taught sixth grade through graduate school, primarily as a high school teacher and school reformer.

Our education system was built hundreds of years ago. To say the world has changed a lot since then is an understatement. More than just the adoption of computers in the classroom, there were no cars or even radios. And yet, very little about our educational structure has changed to prepare students for the world we are releasing them into. That’s what school reform is all about.

It can be a loaded term for many people. If you’re a traditional teacher, the phrase “school reform” can even feel accusatory. We unbox what it actually means and explore why it has more to do with understanding the different ways that kids learn, the ways adults teach, and what the world needs from its education system.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• steventshapiro.com
• escco.org/MosaicHumanities-BasedEducationExperience.aspx

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Today we’re talking about the WOSU classroom. WOSU is a public media station that hosts everything from radio stations, to TV stations, to digital broadcasts, as well as, of course, classrooms. They take kids from birth to 12th grade, offering programs for kids, caregivers, families, teachers, and more. They offer a holistic learning experience with the goal of creating as many touch points as possible along the way.

Amy Palermo is the chief of content for education at WOSU Public Media, where she leads a team of educators dedicated to helping children learn. She began her educational career in Texas, where she perfected the poetic application of “y’all” and developed a love of sweet tea.

It’s easy to forget that, in addition to our traditional school-based learning, kids are engaging with content from a variety of sources and each of them play a role in educating them and their worldview. There’s so much opportunity in meeting them where they are and providing educational materials that integrate into kids’ lives.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• news.wosu.org
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amypalermo

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Is traditional education about learning to be a successful, well-rounded human, or just about getting good at school itself?

Doug Schachtel is the co-founder and Head of Community at Portfolio School, where they believe that making is the best form of learning. As they put it, “We don’t have a maker studio, we are a maker studio.” Their approach to learning enables students to set their own goals, problem-solve, and understand the reasons for the actions they take because children learn best when they’re invested in what they are trying to accomplish.

Doug discusses what led to him founding his own school despite having no background in education, why that’s likely a good thing, and how building the future of teaching is one of the most important endeavors we can devote ourselves to.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• portfolio-school.com
• linkedin.com/in/dougschachtel

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Lisa M. Chambers has more than 20 years of experience building cross-sector, strategic alliances and developing nationally and award recognized Computer Science and Information Technology programs for K12 classrooms. As the National Executive Director of TECH CORPS, she leverages the power of relationships and works across private, public, and corporate sectors to advance the mission of the organization. We talk about the role of technology in K12 education – both now and what we should expect (and plan for) in the future.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• techcorps.org
• linkedin.com/in/lisamchambers

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

Today, we go into detail on an innovative education program, NuVu Studio, a full time innovation school based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Joining us is Saeed Arida, the Chief Excitement Officer at NuVu Studio, and three students at NuVu, Anara Magavi, 10th Grade, with a focus on design; Siena Jekel, 9th Grade, with a focus on film and innovation; and Luca Rudenstine, 12th grade, with a passion for storytelling through design and art as a tool for activism.

While earning his Ph.D. in Architecture at MIT, Saeed studied the processes architects use to create their work. He wondered what would happen if we applied those same techniques to the education system, and, through his work with NuVu, he’s determined to find out.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• cambridge.nuvustudio.com
• linkedin.com/in/saeed-arida-824122

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Rana Dajani is a worldwide advocate, and research scientist. She holds a PhD in molecular cell biology, has received many accolades and recognitions around the world, has participated in the Clinton Global Initiative, is on The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program from Jordan to the United States, and so much more. She is also the author of “Five Scarves: Doing the Impossible,” an exploration of the intersections between gender, race, religion, and science, told through the eyes of one of the world’s leading Muslim, women scientists. Every woman or educator deserves to read it. She’s seeking a paradigm shift in the fight against women’s oppression. She joins us to talk about her work, what influences her thinking, and the future of education.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• welovereading.org
• scholar.harvard.edu/rdajani
• Instagram: @wlreading
• Twitter:@welovereading
• Twitter: @Prof_RanaDajani
• facebook.com/ProfessorRanaDajani
• facebook.com/WLReading

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

We’re continuing our conversation on the ideologies of progressive education and how to put them into practice. We’ve talked about the origins of the progressive education movement, the philosophy behind it, and why it works so well for students, families, communities, and teachers.

Now we’re talking to two teachers who have been working in progressive education for a while. We dive into more of the details surrounding putting it into practice. 

Sarah Giles teaches in a two-three multi-age classroom at Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School. Tim O'Connor is a middle school mathematics teacher, currently at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago. He has many years of experience and has been involved in teaching math in grades six through 12 in England, Ireland, New Zealand, and the US. 

We talk about what these progressive schools are doing, how they keep their students engaged, and the barriers blocking progressive education from being introduced to more schools.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• wickliffepto.org
• Chicago | Making Math Work Remotely

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio

We continue our conversation on digital transformation, this time focusing on growing startups and fostering entrepreneurship as a component of transformation.

Jasmine De Gaia is currently the Executive Director of Transformation at JP Morgan Chase & Co. She has over 20 years of experience in building and leading innovative digital and agile organizations. She’s returning from being featured on the previous two components of this series. Joining her is Kristy Campbell, who leads operations for Rev1 Ventures, an investor startup studio that provides strategic services and capital to help startups scale and corporations innovate.

The education system still has a very distinct divide between business and technology disciplines. We talk about breaking down the silos between them and embracing technology and innovation in the work that educators do.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• Read more: jpmorgan.com/insights/technology/digital-innovation
• linkedin.com/in/jasminedegaia
• linkedin.com/in/campbellkristy

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

We continue our discussion of progressive education by exploring equality and justice. Joining us are three experts in the progressive education movement.

Theresa Collins has 27 years of experience teaching high school English, she was past president of the Progressive Education Network, and she is now co-director of the National Institute of Progressive Education.

Kavan Yee is the director of Middle School at Lowell School and has served in a variety of former roles, including middle school science teacher, science curriculum coordinator, director of middle school and student life.

Chris Thinnes is a veteran, independent school-leader, an active collaborator with educators and activists from the public and private sectors, and an engaged public school parent.

Together, they consider the role that progressive education will play in the future of our society, the value of making connections with students, and the responsibility that educators face in shaping the way forward.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

Resources:

• linkedin.com/in/theresa-collins-32621117
• linkedin.com/in/kavan-yee-3167a2102
• twitter.com/ChrisThinnes

Learning Unboxed is produced in part by Crate Media

Recorded by Eric French at WOSU Studios in Columbus, Ohio