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Sparking Genius
Sparking Genius episodes
- Beyond the Lesson Plan: Mastering the Classroom
Great teaching goes far beyond textbooks and tests—it’s about connection, adaptability, and lifelong impact. In this episode of Sparking Genius, host Dianne Drew sits down with Zach Shapiro, a dedicated math teacher from Dwight New York, and Javier Sanchez, an inspiring language arts teacher from Dwight London, to explore what it truly means to be an effective educator.
Zach and Javier, the inaugural recipients of the Torchbearer Award, share their experiences on building meaningful relationships with students, mentoring the next generation of teachers, and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of education. They discuss the importance of engagement, differentiation, and embracing technology—including AI—to enhance learning.
If you're an educator, parent, or aspiring teacher, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on fostering student success and creating dynamic, inclusive classrooms.
Follow Us
- Facebook @dwightschool
- Instagram @dwightschool
- LinkedIn @dwight-school
Presented by the Dwight Schools Global Network
www.dwight.edu
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
43 min - The Power of Systems Thinking in Education
The ability to think critically and connect dots across disciplines has never been more vital. In this episode of Sparking Genius, host Dianne Drew sits down with Lee Howell, Executive Director of the Villars Institute, to unpack how systems thinking and intergenerational collaboration are transforming education. From exploring real-world examples to understanding the critical role of interdisciplinary learning, this episode is filled with actionable insights for educators, school leaders, and lifelong learners. Lee shares how schools can empower students to tackle global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss while fostering a sense of agency and leadership in young learners. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s world.
Follow Us
- Facebook @dwightschool
- Instagram @dwightschool
- LinkedIn @dwight-school
Presented by the Dwight Schools Global Network
www.dwight.edu
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
49 min - Unlocking AI's Potential in Education
The ways we can tap into the power of AI are growing and changing every day – which raises important questions about how to best utilize and regulate its functionality in the education landscape. In the first episode of “Sparking Genius” Season 2, we are joined by Amanda Bickerstaff, CEO of AI for Education, and Christian Talbot, President of the Middle States Association. Together with our host Dianne Drew, they tackle issues like AI policy development, the challenges schools face in prioritizing AI amidst other demands, and the importance of AI literacy, safety, and ethics. Further, they touch upon real-world examples, underscoring AI's potential to inspire creativity and enhance learning experiences for students and educators alike. So press play and make sure you don’t miss this informative and fascinating episode!
Follow Us
- Facebook @dwightschool
- Instagram @dwightschool
- LinkedIn @dwight-school
Presented by the Dwight Schools Global Network
www.dwight.edu
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
52 min - Welcome to Season 2 of Sparking Genius
What does it take to truly inspire a student? Here at Dwight Schools, we believe it starts with recognizing the unique potential in every child. Welcome to Season 2 of Sparking Genius – where we’re continuing the journey we started in Season 1 by diving deeper into the heart of what makes education truly transformative, and examining how the latest ideas in education are reshaping classrooms around the world. Join Dianne Drew, Global Education Director of the Dwight Schools, as she engages with the most influential voices in education to uncover the ideas, practices, and stories leading the way in learning worldwide. Subscribe now to stay at the cutting edge of the education conversation.
Follow Us
- Facebook @dwightschool
- Instagram @dwightschool
- LinkedIn @dwight-school
Presented by the Dwight Schools Global Network
www.dwight.edu
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 min - The Landscape of AI in Education
As the AI phenomenon continues to rise and have vast effects across so many industries, the question stands: what effects will it have in the world of education? In this episode of “Sparking Genius,” we welcome Liz Hutton, Head of Academics and Student Affairs at Dwight Global Online School, and Michael Yankoski, Postdoctoral Associate at the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence at Colby College. Together with our host Dianne Drew, Liz and Michael dig into topics such as misconceptions about AI, what educators should be looking for when it comes to utilizing AI tools, ways that AI could potentially transform teaching, and more. So press play and make sure you don’t miss this fascinating episode!
Follow Us
- Facebook @dwightschool
- Instagram @dwightschool
- LinkedIn @dwight-school
Presented by the Dwight Schools Global Network
www.dwight.edu
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
36 min - Fostering Global Citizenship through International Education
The recent growth of private schools around the world has been remarkable – especially in Asia. In this episode of “Sparking Genius,” we welcome Brantley Turner, Dwight Director of East Asia Programs and Co-Founder of Qibao Dwight High School in Shanghai. Together with our host Dianne Drew, Brantley shares insights into the rapid expansion of private education in Asia, exploring its implications, challenges, and the transformative potential it holds for the next generation. They also delve into topics such as teacher recruitment in international schools, the factors that lead parents to seek out international schools, and more. So press play and make sure you don’t miss this wonderful episode!
Follow Us
- Facebook @dwightschool
- Instagram @dwightschool
- LinkedIn @dwight-school
Presented by the Dwight Schools Global Network
www.dwight.edu
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
38 min - Supporting Students In and Beyond the Classroom
Schools are more than places for learning - and students need support with their mental health in addition to their academics. In this episode of “Sparking Genius,” we welcome Grace Berman, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, alongside Michael Haber, the Dwight Director of School Counseling. Grace and Michael share their experiences and strategies for enhancing the social and emotional well-being of students, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to education. Together with our host, Dianne Drew, they delve into challenges and solutions, discussing the crucial roles of parents, schools, and the students themselves in fostering resilience and growth. So press play and make sure you don’t miss this insightful episode!
Follow Us
- Facebook @dwightschool
- Instagram @dwightschool
- LinkedIn @dwight-school
Presented by the Dwight Schools Global Network
www.dwight.edu
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
39 min - The Benefits of Online Learning
Over the past several years, a new way of learning has swept through the world: online learning. First, it was borne of necessity due to COVID lockdowns, but now it’s taken on a life of its own as a powerful teaching tool. So what are the biggest benefits of online learning? On this episode of “Sparking Genius,” host Dianne Drew speaks with Head of Dwight Global Online School, Louisa Childs, about the misconceptions about online learning, the limits of in-person-only systems, and strategies for making online learning even better in the future. You won’t want to miss this fascinating episode – so press play on this episode of “Sparking Genius”!
Follow Us
- Facebook @dwightschool
- Instagram @dwightschool
- LinkedIn @dwight-school
Presented by the Dwight Schools Global Network
www.dwight.edu
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
35 min - How the IB Curriculum Helps Students Thrive
Since the 1970’s when Dwight adopted the Diploma Program, we have recognized the significance and power of the International Baccalaureate curriculum for Dwight students and alumni. The IB program holds many benefits for students, teachers, parents and for schools – and on this episode of “Sparking Genius,” host Dianne Drew speaks with two guests who can expertly speak to those benefits. We hear from Nicole Bien, Chief Schools Officer at the International Baccalaureate Organization, and Marie Nieto, Head of Middle School Humanities at Dwight. Together, they discuss what makes the IB curriculum unique, what the exciting future holds for the IB, and much more. So press play on this exciting episode of “Sparking Genius”!
Follow Us
- Facebook @dwightschool
- Instagram @dwightschool
- LinkedIn @dwight-school
Presented by the Dwight Schools Global Network
www.dwight.edu
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
42 min - Helping Students Find Their Spark
There’s a core educational philosophy we embrace at all of our Dwight Schools worldwide that forms the foundation for everything we do: the “Spark of Genius.” It’s a passion or skill which we aspire to ignite in every child - and it’s the namesake for this podcast. On this episode of “Sparking Genius,” host Dianne Drew speaks with three guests who have unique perspectives on how students find and nurture their sparks. We hear from Vice Chancellor Blake Spahn about the origins of the ethos, Teacher Lesa Wang about personalizing students’ journeys in the classroom, and alumna Jada Morgan about how she found her own spark. This is an insightful episode you don’t want to miss – so press play on this episode of “Sparking Genius”!
Follow Us
- Facebook @dwightschool
- Instagram @dwightschool
- LinkedIn @dwight-school
Presented by the Dwight Schools Global Network
www.dwight.edu
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
40 min
About Sparking Genius
From the publisher's feed
Since the founding of the first Dwight School in 1872, our mission to ignite the spark of genius in every child has not wavered - nor has our pioneering attitude. But as the world changes with each…
passing day, so does the field of education. As we look ahead to the coming years and the many ways that learning innovations can continue to be integrated into systems of education, there is so much to look forward to. On Sparking Genius, host Dianne Drew sits down with education leaders and innovative thinkers to explore what the future of education holds. We dive into the most cutting-edge topics, and hear firsthand how new strategies and fresh perspectives can inspire and enlighten students like never before. So join us as the Dwight Schools Global Network takes the next step forward in our long history of leading the way in education — all while discovering incredible advancements that will benefit the next generations of students. This is Sparking Genius.