Innovation Tour

EduCon and our visit to Science Leadership Academy introduced me to Sam Chaltain, an educator and consultant who works with schools to help them become more democratic. His work intrigues and inspires me. Through Sam and his blog (http://www.samchaltain.com/blog), and through IDEA (http://democraticeducation.org/), I happily discovered this:

IDEA helps transform education by showcasing what works in education and equipping others to learn from it. And this April 3rd-5th, IDEA will shepherd a group of people through an “innovation tour,” during which participants will explore four exemplary NYC schools, with opportunities to see and experience classroom and school culture, discuss instruction, and meet with school leaders.

IDEA’s Innovation Tours offer an in-depth opportunity to really see and engage with the most innovative schools in the U.S. The NYC tour will take participants through the NYC iSchool, Urban Academy, Calhoun School, and The Green School.

Tours are designed to offer participants a chance to see dynamic schools in action, to learn from school leaders about the challenges and evolution of their culture and instructional program, and finally, to discuss ideas and applications with other teachers, students, parents, school board members, business leaders, and policy-makers involved in the tour. Tour participants will also attend Columbia University’s Seminar on Innovation featuring IDEA leaders Kirsten Olson, Scott Nine, and Dana Bennis on Monday evening, April 4th

I am excited to take part in this "innovation tour" with colleagues from BBA and to return to VT, as we did after EduCon, with new perspective and fresh ideas.