Innovations in Education with David Adams copertina

Innovations in Education with David Adams

Innovations in Education with David Adams

Di: The Urban Assembly
Ascolta gratuitamente

Offerte di stagione | 0,99 €/mese per i primi 3 mesi

A seguire 9,99 €/mese – si applicano condizioni. Puoi disdire mensilmente.
Urban Assembly CEO and social-emotional learning expert David Adams talks with people who have solved problems and made things work to improve public education. Learn more about The Urban Assembly at www.urbanassembly.org.Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved. Economia Gestione e leadership Management Scienze sociali
Episodi
  • Insights from Harlem Village Academies Founder and The Well-Educated Child Author Dr. Deborah Kenny

    Insights from Harlem Village Academies Founder and The Well-Educated Child Author Dr. Deborah Kenny
    Apr 21 2026
    On this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly sits down with Dr. Deborah Kenny, an American educator and the founder of Harlem Village Academies. While this wide-ranging discussion covers Dr. Kenny's career shift from corporate publishing to charter school leadership, listeners can find a deeper exploration of her educational philosophy in her book, The Well-Educated Child: How the Principles and Practices of Quality Thinking, Agency, and Ethical Purpose Cultivate Deeper Learning. This conversation highlights how innovators are solving complex problems in public education by focusing on what truly works for young people. Dr. Kenny reflects on her transition from being the president of Sesame Street Publishing to establishing a learning lab in Harlem. She explains that her school network exists to provide an excellent education to children who have historically been underserved despite their immense potential. Drawing on her experiences as both a mother and a lifelong educator, she describes the "entrepreneur's mind" required to build schools that move beyond uninspired, bureaucratic models. The episode delves into specific pedagogical approaches, such as constructivist math instruction that encourages students to solve problems actively rather than passively memorizing formulas. Dr. Kenny and David also discuss the purpose of schooling through the lens of figures like James Baldwin and Ted Sizer, emphasizing the need for students to use their minds well and develop independent thinking. Dr. Kenny shares her skepticism regarding the rush to implement AI in classrooms, advocating instead for the "low-tech" power of reading great works and writing by hand. By the end of the conversation, Dr. Kenny outlines how to cultivate intrinsic motivation and agency in students. She argues against the "rat race" of grades and rankings, suggesting that the true goal of education is to help children discover their calling and sense of purpose in the world. Subscribe to Innovations in Education today to ensure you never miss a conversation with the leaders shaping the future of public schools. You can find more information and pick up a copy of Dr. Kenny's book at thewell-educatedchild.org. Episode Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome to Innovations in Education with host David Adams 03:50 — The career exercise that revealed an "educator’s heart" 08:40 — Meeting Jeff Canada and the spark for Harlem Village Academies 13:10 — Constructivist math and the "Teaching Gap" 17:20 — James Baldwin and the purpose of a school 21:00 — Intellectual humility and deep research projects 23:45 — Skepticism of AI and the value of notebooks over Chromebooks 32:40 — Quality thinking, agency, and ethical purpose 36:20 — Navigating universal virtues in a polarized society 39:15 — The application of knowledge and the concept of "transfer" 40:50 — Why intrinsic motivation beats extrinsic rewards 44:10 — Helping students discern their calling and life's purpose 46:40 — Closing remarks and resources
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    47 min
  • Radical Clarity and 100% Proficiency: A Conversation with LEAD 359's Dr. Alexa Sorden and Dr. Jennifer Charlot

    Radical Clarity and 100% Proficiency: A Conversation with LEAD 359's Dr. Alexa Sorden and Dr. Jennifer Charlot
    Apr 8 2026
    In this episode of Innovations in Education recorded LIVE and on site in the South Bronx, host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly, continues his mission to highlight the educators and innovators who are solving the toughest problems in public education. While many conversations in the sector focus on systemic failures, this series remains dedicated to what is actually working for young people. Adams travels to the South Bronx to visit LEAD 359 (Leaders of Excellence, Advocacy, and Discovery), a Title 1 school located in the nation’s poorest congressional district. Joining him are Dr. Alexa Sorden, the school’s founding principal, and Dr. Jennifer Charlot, Managing Partner at Transcend. Together, they explore how a neighborhood school—composed entirely of local students—achieved a staggering 100% proficiency in ELA and 98% proficiency in Math in 2024. The conversation deconstructs the "special sauce" behind these outcomes, moving past educational buzzwords to discuss concrete systems. Dr. Sorden details her signature Collaborative Reading protocol—a highly scaffolded, 15-minute daily structure that allows even kindergarteners to engage with texts several grade levels above their own. The episode also dives into the school’s unique approach to departmentalization starting in kindergarten, and how radical leadership clarity allows teachers to release control and foster student independence. From student-led progress reports to a curriculum that prioritizes "quality over quantity," this episode offers a masterclass in building school coherence. As Dr. Charlot notes, the journey toward excellence often requires educators to "release fear" and trust in the capacity of their students. Subscribe to Innovations in Education wherever you get your podcast so you never miss an episode like this one. Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Innovations in Education 01:00 - Guest introductions: Dr. Alexa Sorden and Dr. Jennifer Charlot 01:30 - Dr. Sorden’s "why": From reading tutor to educational leader 02:45 - Dr. Charlot’s "why": Bridging academic rigor and social-emotional learning 03:55 - The partnership: How LEAD 359 and Transcend began collaborating 05:15 - Defining LEAD: Excellence, Advocacy, and Discovery 08:20 - School history and structure: From 3K through 8th Grade 09:50 - Exceptional Results: 100% ELA and 98% Math proficiency in the South Bronx 11:10 - The "Special Sauce": The 5-phase Collaborative Reading protocol 15:50 - Systemic Consistency: Departmentalization beginning in Kindergarten 18:10 - Leadership Clarity: Providing teachers with clear structures for success 22:05 - Releasing Control: Moving from teacher-led talk to student-led thinking 24:50 - Strategic Spending: Investing in home libraries, trips, and hands-on tools 26:40 - Instructional Coherence: Integrating Arts and STEAM into core subjects 31:25 - Ownership of Learning: Data tracking and student-led progress reports 34:35 - The Future of LEAD: Developing a Bronx Arts and STEAM hub 35:50 - Final Takeaways: Releasing fear and the necessity of love in education
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    39 min
  • Scaling Portfolio Assessment and Insights from Dance with Jillian Juman

    Scaling Portfolio Assessment and Insights from Dance with Jillian Juman
    Mar 25 2026
    In this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly, sits down with Jillian Juman, CEO of Envision Education. Juman shares her unique journey from a professional dancer to a national leader in deeper learning and performance assessment. The conversation explores the profound connections between the arts and the classroom, emphasizing the importance of feedback, the power of being seen, and the necessity of moving beyond perfectionism toward continuous mastery. Juman discusses Envision Education's nationally recognized portfolio defense model, where students demonstrate mastery through public defense of their learning. She argues that this approach moves education away from rote memorization and toward authentic application, ensuring that students see the relevance of their work to their own identities and communities. The episode also touches on the role of artificial intelligence in education, the challenge of balancing remediation with high-level engagement, and the need for operational humility when scaling innovative school models across the country. Key Takeaways: The Synergy of Dance and TeachingJuman views teaching as a continuous cycle of feedback and growth, much like a dance class where a student’s energy is acknowledged and refined. This mindset shifts the focus from static achievement to a lifelong journey of learning. Portfolio Defense as a Path to EmpowermentThe portfolio defense model allows students to not only show what they know but explain why they know it. By defending their work publicly, students "earn" their education and build the confidence necessary for college and future leadership. Challenging the Deficit MindsetEducation often treats students from impoverished backgrounds with a focus on remediation and rote recall. Juman advocates for a "both/and" approach that closes academic gaps while simultaneously engaging students in deep, meaningful projects that honor their intelligence and identity. AI and the Embodiment of KnowledgeWhile AI can streamline the creation of materials and rubrics, Juman emphasizes that true learning requires students to embody and internalize information. The goal for educators is to leverage AI to save time on documentation so they can focus more on the human elements of coaching and practice. Scaling Innovation through CollaborationEnvision Education operates as a small network to remain nimble while partnering with districts nationwide. Juman highlights the importance of being "system agnostic," working with both charter and district schools to spread effective practices without hoarding solutions. Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to Jillian Juman and Envision Education 01:45 The relationship between dance, feedback, and the classroom 04:40 The intuitive connection and energy shared between teachers and students 07:45 Moving from perfectionism to mastery and continuous growth 11:45 Understanding the portfolio defense model and student agency 15:30 Defending performance assessments against the "loosey-goosey" critique 19:40 Using dance to teach math equations and bridge learning gaps 22:45 Why Envision Education chooses to stay small and partner with districts 27:15 Lightning Round: New York vs. California 34:50 The impact of AI on school assessments and documentation 39:55 The analogy of the choreographer versus the dancer in leadership
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    44 min
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
Ancora nessuna recensione