Innovations in Education with David Adams

Innovations in Education with David Adams

Urban Assembly CEO and social-emotional learning expert David Adams talks with people who have solved problems and made things work to improve public education. Learn more about The Urban Assembly at www.urbanassembly.org.

Episodes

May 14, 2026 43 mins
In this special bonus episode of Innovations in Education, recorded live in front of a vibrant audience at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, host David Adams sits down with Dr. Christina Cipriano for a fireside chat that brings you directly into the room where the future of learning is being shaped. This session explores how K-12 school systems can move beyond the hype of artificial intelligence to leverage technology in ways that e...
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On this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly sits down with Dr. Deborah Kenny, an American educator and the founder of Harlem Village Academies. While this wide-ranging discussion covers Dr. Kenny's career shift from corporate publishing to charter school leadership, listeners can find a deeper exploration of her educational philosophy in her book, The Well-Educated Child: How the Princip...
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In this episode of Innovations in Education recorded LIVE and on site in the South Bronx, host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly, continues his mission to highlight the educators and innovators who are solving the toughest problems in public education. While many conversations in the sector focus on systemic failures, this series remains dedicated to what is actually working for young people. Adams travels to the South Bronx ...
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In this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly, sits down with Jillian Juman, CEO of Envision Education. Juman shares her unique journey from a professional dancer to a national leader in deeper learning and performance assessment. The conversation explores the profound connections between the arts and the classroom, emphasizing the importance of feedback, the power of being seen, and the n...
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In this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly, sits down with Dr. Rebecca Unterman, a senior research associate at MDRC. Dr. Unterman has spent over 15 years studying the longitudinal effects of New York City's Small Schools of Choice (SSCs). Together, they explore the data-driven reality of what happens when public education shifts from large, impersonal institutions to small, mission-ali...
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LIVE! from The Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice In this unique crossover episode, the host becomes the guest as David Adams, CEO of The Urban Assembly, joins the student-led podcast "Beyond the Sports." Recorded on-site at the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice (LGJ), an Urban Assembly school, David sits down with student hosts Fatou, Gabriela, and Leana, for a deep dive into the intersections of psychology, ...
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LIVE! from the Fund for the City of New York in SoHo, New York. In this special live-audience episode of Innovations in Education, the tables are turned as our host, David Adams, CEO of The Urban Assembly, moves from the interviewer’s chair to the spotlight. Hosted at the Fund for the City of New York’s headquarters, David sits down with Lisette Nieves, President of the Fund, for a candid and high-stakes exploration of how artific...
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In this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams, CEO of The Urban Assembly, sits down with Michelle Navarre, the Founder and Executive Director of Polaris Charter Academy in Chicago. A former Golden Apple Award winner for excellence in teaching, Navarre discusses the founding principles of her school and why she believes character development is the essential foundation for rigorous academic growth. Navarre explores...
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In this insightful episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams of the Urban Assembly sits down with two exceptional leaders from New York City Outward Bound Schools (NYCOBS): founding force and former CEO Richard Stopol and current CEO Laurie Adams. We explore a philosophy of education that sees the classroom, and the community, as a challenging expedition requiring both rigor and deep support. Richard Stopol, who led NY...
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This episode of Innovations in Education with David Adams features Josh Thomases, a seasoned educator, leader, and CEO of IPsquared, a leadership consulting firm, discussing his decades of experience at the intersection of education, equity, and innovation. Why Listen? Solving Education's Toughest Problems: Josh shares insights from his extensive career, including his time at the Great Oaks Foundation, Bank Street College of ...
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Join host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly, as he welcomes Dr. Jonah Schenker, District Superintendent, and Peter Harris, Assistant Superintendent for Career Pathways, from Ulster BOCES to the Innovations in Education. Dr. Schenker and Mr. Harris explain BOCES' role as an educational service agency focused on shared services, efficiency, and economic benefits for school districts in Ulster County, New York. The conversation ...
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This episode of Innovations in Education takes us beyond the K-12 sector to explore the vital role of international education in higher ed. Host David Adams speaks with Dr. Shaun Carver, CEO and Executive Director of the International House at UC Berkeley, about the importance of creating inclusive communities that embrace diverse perspectives.   Dr. Carver shares insights from the I House's century-long commitment to fostering ...
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In this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams interviews Tiffany Taylor, Partner and Co-President at ASU+GSV Summit and Partner at GSV Ventures, about her journey from education to ed tech and her vision for the future of learning. Taylor emphasizes that her work is driven by a commitment to ensuring access and opportunity for all learners, with a focus on empowering students to use their agency and become leaders. ...
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Join us for a Special Episode of Innovations in Education with David Adams. Mayoral candidates in New York City discuss their plans for public education at a forum hosted by David Adams, Urban Assembly CEO, and Dr. Meisha Porter, Chair of the Urban Assembly Board. Dr. Porter kicks off the forum, emphasizing the importance of education as the heart of the city and its role in shaping the future. David welcomes folks highlighting the...
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Join us for a captivating conversation with Gary Beidleman, Superintendent of Manhattan High Schools, as he traces his remarkable journey in education, from community organizer to transformative district leader. Superintendent Beidleman shares his insights on fostering equity through technology, empowering school leaders, and inspiring students to reach their full potential. Discover how his innovative approach is shaping the futur...
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In this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams, CEO of Urban Assembly, speaks with Dan Fitzpatrick, a pioneering figure in artificial intelligence and education. You can check out Dan's newsletter The AI Educator here. And here is the link to Dan's new book, Infinite Education. Discussing Dan's bestselling book The AI Classroom: Teaching and Learning in the Artificial Intelligence Revolution, the conversation delve...
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In this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams speaks with Roxanne Ledda, principal of PS70, the Max Schoenfeld aka "The Max" in the Bronx. Roxanne shares her inspiring journey from a childhood in the Bronx to leading efforts in public education. The discussion highlights her innovative and community-centered approach to school transformation, including efforts to improve instructional practices, build supportive env...
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In this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly, welcomes Dacia Toll, co-founder and co-CEO of Coursemojo. They discuss the importance of showcasing educational success stories and the role of innovative solutions in improving public education. Dacia shares the idea that "and is the higher bar" when it comes to our goals for our kids and our schools. Dacia shares her journey from founding Am...
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In this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly, interviews Lee Hawkins, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of I Am Nobody’s Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free. They discuss how uncovering his family's history has shaped Lee's understanding of personal and collective liberation. Lee shares his journey of exploring his ancestry, the impact of language and discipline, and...
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In this episode of Innovations in Education, host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly, sits down with Jean Claude Brizard, President and CEO of Digital Promise. We delve into Jean Claude's illustrious career in education, ranging from his beginnings as a chemistry student to his impactful tenure in various educational leadership roles. We explore pivotal moments in his career, his formative experiences teaching at Rikers Island,...
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