Start with Questions

In this episode of Start with Questions, we explore how Mackintosh Academy Littleton, a small independent school in Colorado for gifted learners, is using futures thinking and scenario planning to shape its strategic vision. Annie Slothower, Director of Enrollment Management, shares how the school’s strengths—small class sizes, a strengths-based approach, and an International Baccalaureate curriculum—inform its mission to serve gifted students. Through collaboration with Mount Vernon Ventures consulting team, Mackintosh Academy Littleton explored future scenarios such as becoming a gifted research hub, adopting a nature-technology fusion model, and enhancing personalized learning pathways.

Annie Slothower reflects on the process of stepping away from daily demands to focus on long-term goals, emphasizing how the work fostered diverse perspectives and reaffirmed Mackintosh's commitment to its mission. The discussion highlights the value of integrating futures planning into strategic initiatives, offering insights for educators on preparing for opportunities and challenges while staying true to their core purpose.

In this episode of Start with Questions, we dive into the long-standing partnership between The Mount Vernon School and Dewey Schools in Vietnam. Vũ Phương Nhi, Executive Director of English Programs at the Dewey Schools, and Trish Bogdanchik, Head of Upper School at The Mount Vernon School, share insights on their collaboration and recent visits. They discuss the shared mission of empowering students through innovative programs like the integrated curriculum and professional development workshops. Reflecting on the cultural exchange and professional growth during the visit, they highlight the importance of teacher collaboration, primarily through the impact of design thinking and differentiated learning for both students and faculty. The episode wraps up with future opportunities for deeper collaboration, including potential teacher exchanges.

In this episode of Start with Questions, we welcome Christian Long,  an expert in design thinking and education. The discussion centers around the importance of nurturing a sense of belonging and wholeness for both educators and students. Emphasizing the value of curiosity and empathy, and fostering strong relationships among colleagues, we learn how this creates a more supportive and effective educational environment.  

We ask the question, "How can these practices help retain faculty and improve the overall school experience by focusing on the well-being of adults as well as students?

In this episode of Start with Questions, hosted by Ann Marsh Rutledge, Executive Director of School Mount Vernon Ventures, we're joined by Michele Koch, the Chief Brand Officer at the Mount Vernon School. Together, we explore how brand and communication play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the school year. Sharing insights into the intentionality behind Mount Vernon School's branding, she emphasizes the importance of consistency and how it reflects the school's mission of inquiry, innovation, and impact. We discuss the concept of brand as a promise and the strategic process of creating a cohesive brand experience, from the first impression to fostering long-term advocacy. 

Whether you're a school leader or someone interested in organizational brand strategy, this episode offers valuable takeaways on how to align your branding efforts with your institution’s mission and goals.

Tune in to "Start with Questions," a transformational leadership podcast by Mount Vernon Ventures. In this episode, host Ann Marsh Rutledge welcomes two inspiring leaders: Denise Musselwhite, CEO and founder of Tech and Thrive and executive board chair for ATLIS, and Kristy Lundstrom, Head of School for the Mount Vernon School. Together, they delve into the question, How might we support personalized leadership development, especially for women in schools?

In this episode, Ann Marsh Rutledge, Executive Director of MV Ventures, and Jared Colley, Head of Learning and Innovation at Mount Vernon Upper Campus and Editor for Ventures R&D Reports, discuss the concept of "futures literacy." 

Emphasizing the importance of preparing for multiple plausible future scenarios rather than predicting a single future, Jared shares insights on scenario-based planning, a method used to build strategic resilience and adaptability in organizations.

As a bonus, this episode complements our Spring R&D Report (available at MVVentures.org) by providing practical steps for integrating futures thinking into organizational culture.

Mount Vernon Upper School eSports A team joins us on the podcast to discuss their experiences in competitive gaming. They highlight the strategic depth they use, including data analysis and team strategy, particularly in playing Super Smash Bros. They also share personal stories on how eSports facilitated significant social connections and personal growth, underscoring the community and inclusiveness of their program. The conversation reveals how the skills acquired through eSports, like strategic thinking, handling pressure, and finding friendships, are valuable beyond gaming and applicable in real-world situations.

In this episode, host Ann Marsh Rutledge and guest Krista Fancher from Mount Vernon School delve into the Innovation Diploma program's "Future of" course, revealing how it instills a future-ready mindset in students. Students tackle ambitious, real-world, industry projects and surpass expectations, fueled by intrinsic motivation. The Innovation Diploma program champions experiential learning and forward-thinking skills, employing tools like design matrices to navigate future trends.

In this episode of "Start with Questions," host Ann Marsh Rutledge and guests Jared Colley from The Mount Vernon School and Josh Clark from The Landmark School discuss changes in the conversation around AI in schools. Listen as they discuss trends, pressing issues, exciting opportunities, and practical advice for leaders for implementing AI in schools.

In this episode of "Start with Questions," host Ann Marsh Rutledge and guest Bo Adams from the Mount Vernon School highlight "Collider," a professional learning event at Mount Vernon School. It brings external conference benefits in-house, fostering collaboration among faculty and staff. Themes like purpose-based learning and artificial intelligence emerge. The event encourages idea-sharing and innovation. Listen and learn how your school can explore similar models for internal professional development.