A selection of who to watch in and around education during the BIF Collaborative Innovation Summit.
Larry Rosenstock
Few schools have gained as much attention as Larry Rosenstock’s High Tech High, recently featured in the documentary Most Likely to Succeed. With the support of the Gates Foundation and other organizations, Larry has helped create a school that puts students at the center of their learning with a project-based curriculum. At High Tech High, students are empowered to play roles as scientists, engineers, and designers.
With 20 years of teaching experience, Larry knows the challenges of innovating inside highly structured environments. His work in education has set a precedent for experimentation and innovation within our education system. Larry doesn’t want every school to be like High Tech High, he wants every school to experiment like High Tech High.
Jaime Casap
As Chief Education Evangelist at Google, Jaime focus is bringing technology into classrooms and using the Internet as a tool educators can use to empower their students to be lifelong learners and problem-solvers.
Raised in the crime-ridden, poverty-stricken NYC neighborhood Hell’s Kitchen, Jaime finished college, beating the odds that a first-generation American would be able to do so. Education is the ‘silver bullet’ for escaping poverty, he asserts, and no matter where students come from, in one generation they can use education to reach their dreams.
Jaime has shared his passion for education and technology all over the world, including a recent White House speech, which can be found on his blog.
Chris Emdin
Chris Emdin’s art is his ability to create a deep connection with students. Chris believes the “magic” of teaching — the ability to perform and engage with students, can be learned by visiting the masters: barbers, hip-hop artists, and preachers.
Chris brings equity into his classroom by asking students what they need without making assumptions and allowing them to offer feedback to critics of his teaching practices.
Chris is also a pioneer of hip-hop education, which reimagines and transforms education using the principles of hip-hop. You can find Chris on his tweetchat #hiphoped at 9 PM EST every Tuesday night.
Carlos Moreno
Originally from the Bronx, Carlos has spent his time learning and teaching in Rhode Island. Currently, Carlos is co-director of Big Picture Learning in New York.
Carlos doesn’t want equality for all students and insists that we fight inequality in our schools with inequality. Education systems that try to bring a one-size-fits-all model to education harm students more than they help, especially those already at risk. Carlos suggests that the best way to prepare students for the future is by creating very different learning opportunities for them. Carlos is setting an example by having his school assess the talents and interests of students, and create a learning program that is personalized to each student.
