Kalimah Fergus Ayele
Head of Campus
The Winchendon School
 
Quote of the Podcast:
"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it."
--- Marian Wright Edelman, Former president and the Children's Defense Fund
 
Introduction of Guest BIO –
Kalimah Fergus Ayele is the Head of NYC Campus for The Winchendon School, an oasis in the heart of Manhattan where students are guided through real-world learning to connect with their passion through a unique city-wide field study program. Her experience in schools started as a Peace Corps Volunteer where she taught Chemistry in East Africa and over her 30 year career, she has taught in 5 countries. She earned her bachelor's degree in Chemistry at Stanford University and masters degrees at Teachers College Columbia University, including an Ed M in Organization Leadership through the Klingenstein program. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Kalimah Fergus Ayele has always been committed to building thriving, inclusive communities where participants experience a sense of belonging and have the opportunity to build the necessary tools to design and create a more equitable world.
 
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators

•  30,000 Ft. View – Why do we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• innovative schools and using design thinking techniques to "design for belonging" in school communities.
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision-makers to know?

Podcast/book shoutouts
Shout out to "The Management Center" a training program that helps organization design and implement equitable management systems;
"The Landscape Model for Learning"
"What School Could Be"
for their commitment to moving the conversation about innovation in education forward.
 
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions
​

Adam Smith
Founder and Lead Education Consultant
Smith Education Consultants
 
Quote of the Podcast:
We all do better, when we all do better - Senator Paul Wellstone
 
Introduction of Guest BIO –
Adam A. Smith is a first-generation college graduate who has dedicated his almost three-decade career to ensuring college access and success for all Americans. He served as the founding Director of the TRIO Upward Bound program at Rock Valley College and later as the college’s Dean of Students. He taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, and was appointed to serve as the City of Rockford’s (IL) “Education Czar” to former mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey. Adam worked at Metropolitan State University as Director of Multicultural, American Indian and Retention Services, The University of Alabama as Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising and Student Success and at The University of Akron as Assistant Vice President of Student Success. He also has undergraduate admissions experience from his time at The University of Tennessee. Smith currently works at the University of Kentucky as Executive Director for University Academic Advising and has a vibrant public speaking and educational consulting firm, Smith Education Associates, LLC and is the host of The Get Uncomfortable podcast and is represented by the Institute of Democratic Education & Culture, “SpeakOut”, the nation’s only social justice speaker agency. Adam has built successful coalitions and initiatives that have transformed high school graduation rates, college enrollment and success for students throughout the nation.
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators

•  30,000 Ft. View – Why do we, as a society invest in education?
• What drew you to education?
• Higher education.
• College students since the return for lock down,
• Student success, student mental health and well-being,
• The impact of anti-DEI legislation on student success and belonging
• What are the biggest challenges to you?
• What would you like decision-makers to know?

Podcast/book shoutouts
The Get Uncomfortable Podcast, Smith Education Associates, LLC,
SpeakOut - The Institute for Democratic Education and Culture
 
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions