The Education Innovators Podcast

Dacia Toll - From Charter School Rock Star to EdTech Entrepreneur

From Charter School Rock Star to EdTech Entrepreneur
 
In 1999, Dacia became the founding principal of Amistad Academy in New Haven, CT, which went on to post the greatest achievement gains of any middle school in the state. Dacia then co-founded and co-led Achievement First (AF), which became one of the nation's leading charter school networks with 41 schools across the Northeast and college graduation rates that were five times peer averages. Dacia left Achievement First in July 2021 to launch Coursemojo. Dacia is a founder and current board chair of Relay Graduate School of Education. Dacia received a BA from UNC-Chapel Hill, an MA from Oxford University, and a JD and teaching certification from Yale University.
 
Coursemojo is a curriculum-aligned, AI-powered teaching assistant that is leading to impressive gains in ELA achievement and teacher satisfaction. Mojo aligns to the texts, questions, and writing assignments from many of the top-rated ELA curricula (HQIM) and creates highly-interactive, differentiated experiences for students (“It’s like the handout is talking to me.”).
 
Mojo provides each student (students with IEPs, advanced students, struggling readers, MLL students with 60+ home languages) with targeted, Socratic, one-on-one and small group support. For teachers, Mojo provides real-time data visibility, trends in student misconception, suggested discussion questions, and grading support.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Dacia Toll:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daciatoll/
 
Coursemojo:
https://coursemojo.com/
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Support Your Local Schools

Support Your Local Schools
This is a short solo episode where Eric talks about the importance of communities and reflects on all of the guests on the show who have raised this topic. Learning is a social activity, with the best results happening in a safe and supportive environment.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com

Doug Bolton - Grades & Punishment are Curiosity Killers

Grades & Punishments are Curiosity Killers
 
The theory that rewards and punishments have negative long-term effects on performance, isn’t new, but Doug Bolton puts a new spin on the science behind this and offers practical advice for how teachers, administrators, and parents can help students be more emotionally resilient and engaged in school.
 
Doug Bolton is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of School Consultation for Formative Psychological Services in Chicago. He spent over 20 years as a school psychologist and educational leader. Dr. Bolton provides consultation, supervision and professional development to parents, educators, and clinicians throughout the US to create communities that help foster student and staff resilience.  We will talk today about his book, Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation 
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Doug Bolton:
https://www.drdougbolton.com/
 
Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation:
Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation 
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com

Are We Grading Intelligence or Compliance?

Are we grading intelligence or compliance?
 
This short solo episode takes a practical look at how we fuel curiosity through questions and how we make it important by measuring it. Eric acknowledges the challenge around the subjectivity of measuring curiosity buts makes the case that we can and should try.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Kyle Wagner - PBL Meets Montessori

PBL meets Montessori
 
Kyle Wagner is the Inaugural IMS Middle School Director and Founder of Transform Educational Consulting Limited, an organization that empowers forward thinking schools and educators to create more globally, socially and emotionally aware citizens through project-based learning. Kyle fell in love with project-based learning as a teacher at High Tech High (the most prominent PBL school in the world) where he witnessed students publish best- selling books, create their own social enterprises, and even influence policy change in the
community through real- world projects.
 
As the Director of the International Montessori School, Kyle is responsible for Interdisciplinary Curriculum Development and Founding Teaching Team development and training. This is the first Montessori Adolescent Programme in Hong Kong- where they are building a personalised, student-centered programme where students manage their own projects to actively contribute to their local and global communities.
 
He has taken this passion global, helping over 1,000 educators from schools around the world develop their own transformative learning experiences for students. Kyle is also the former co-founder of the innovative micro-school ‘Futures Academy’ at the International School of Beijing, a program that uses interdisciplinary project- based learning to connect students to their passions and the world outside of school.
 
 A published author, his book, "The power of SIMPLE," documents this experience and shares how edu-visionaries can create their own vision for learner-centered spaces through simple, research-based strategies. Kyle holds a M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership with a thesis that focuses on developing democratic classrooms and distributed leadership models. When not writing or teaching, he is performing with his original band, participating in karaoke contests and traveling the world with his partner. He currently resides in Hong Kong where he spends time developing learner-centered schools of the future while helping other school leaders build theirs.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Kyle Wagner:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwagssd3/
 
International Montessori School:
https://www.ims.edu.hk/en
 
Twelve shifts:
https://www.gettingsmart.com/2024/05/21/12-shifts-to-move-from-teacher-led-to-student-centered-environments/
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Teachers are Our Superpower

Teachers are Our Superpower
 
This is a short solo episode as Eric looks back on 2 years of doing this podcast and reflects on some of what he has learned. This is a powerful call to action in time of radical change that is both necessary and dangerous. Empowered teachers will make the difference!
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
 
Links:
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com

Marsha Enright - Enlightenment Education

Enlightenment education – developing independent thinkers
 
Marsha Familaro Enright is an educational entrepreneur, writer and speaker with a rare blend of scientific training, liberal‑arts expertise and institution‑building experience. She holds a B.A. in Biology from Northwestern University and an M.A. in Psychology from the New School for Social Research. Her broad scholarly interests range from neuropsychology and philosophy to literature and politics.
 
She is the founder and president of the Reason, Individualism, Freedom Institute (RIFI), the organization behind the Great Connections seminars. These week‑long seminars use a Great Books–based methodology to immerse young adults in the full range of influential ideas, drawing on the best of classical liberalism, the Montessori method and Ayn Rand's philosophy.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Marsha Enright:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsha-familaro-enright-8a973b
https://marsha-familaro-enright.com/about-me/
 
Reliance College:
https://reliancecollege.org/
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com

Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead
This is a short solo episode where Eric previews 6 of the episodes that will be published in the coming weeks. Season 4 has an amazing line up of diverse educators who are bravely innovating and making a difference.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 
 

Dr Amanda Gummer - Let Them Play

Let Them Play
 
Dr Amanda Gummer is a research psychologist, passionate about children’s play. She is the CEO of the research consultancy Fundamentally Children, home of Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide. Amanda is also the independent chair of the Association of Play Industries. In addition, she is an NED for Families in Focus CIC and is on the advisory board of a small number of mission-led businesses.
Amanda has a PhD in neuropsychology, the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and over 20 years’ experience working with children and families. Widely considered as the UK’s go to expert on play, parenting and child development, her book ‘Play’ was published in May 2105 and has been translated into different languages with extracts being published in the USA’s Toy Industry Association’s Genius of Play initiative for which she is an expert ambassador.
Amanda has an increasing international profile and was commissioned by the Toy Association to create the STEAM toy accreditation framework, and more recently has created the MESH Toy accreditation program for toys promoting Mental, Emotional and
Social Health. She is also the UK Chapter chair for Women in Toys – an international group supporting women within the toy, entertainment and licensing industries.
Amanda is regularly in the media and continues to take an active role in research, presenting papers at various international conferences. She is often involved in government policy around children’s issues, presenting her Balanced Play Model at the European Parliament in September 2019.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Dr Amanda Gummer:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandagummer/
 
FUNdamentally Children:
https://fundamentallychildren.com/
 
“Play: Fun ways to help your child develop in the first five years”
https://www.amazon.com/Play-child-develop-first-years-ebook/dp/B00W2WCCXC
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Shai Reshef - The University of the People

University of the People
 
Shai Reshef is the President of University of the People (UoPeople). Shai has over 25 years of experience in the international education market and has been awarded the 2023 Yidan Prize for Educational Development, referred to as the Nobel Prize for Education and, amongst many other awards, he was selected by The Huffington Post as the Ultimate Game Changer in Education.
 
An expert on the intersection of education and technology, Shai has spoken internationally at conferences, including DLD, TED, World Economic Forum, EG5 Conference, and Google’s Higher Education Summit. He has also lectured at Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford, among others. Shai holds an M.A. in Chinese Politics from the University of Michigan.
University of the People (UoPeople) is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American, accredited, online university dedicated to opening access to higher education globally.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Shai Reshef:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaireshef/
 
The University of the People:
http://www.uopeople.edu/
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
The Human Intelligence movement:
https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com