About this episode

How can schools overcome the current challenges and use their opportunities to innovate? If anyone knows the answer to this question, it would be Tom Vander Ark. As the CEO of getting smart, he has visited thousands of schools and contributed to countless books, articles, blog posts, and podcasts on the topic of educational innovations.  He and Jeff explore the need for leaders to strategically shift their attention from political turmoil to innovative opportunities and systems for students. Prepare yourself for a fascinating conversation.

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Tom Vander Ark is an advocate for innovations in learning. As CEO of Getting Smart, he advises schools, districts, networks, foundations and learning organizations on the path forward. A prolific writer and speaker, Tom is author of Getting SmartSmart Cities That Work for EveryoneSmart ParentsBetter Together, and The Power of Place and has published thousands of articles and papers. He writes regularly on GettingSmart.com, Forbes, and LinkedIn.

Previously he served as the first Executive Director of Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Tom served as a public school superintendent in Washington State and has extensive private sector experience. Tom is a board member for Education Board Partners; Director for 4.0 Schools, Digital Learning Institute, Latinx Education Collaborative, Mastery Transcript Consortium and eduInnovation; and an advisor to YELLOW.

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