#116 - Durga Suresh-Menon | How To Embody an Innovative Ethos

In this episode, I sit down with Durga Suresh Menon, the new Head of School at New England Innovation Academy (NEIA), to talk about what it means to truly reimagine education. Durga shares her unexpected transition from higher education into the world of secondary schooling, and how that shift has given her fresh insight into how we prepare students—not just for college, but for life.

At NEIA, students are called “innovators,” and it’s more than just a name. The school is built around a culture of entrepreneurship, creativity, and student-centered learning. Durga and I dive into the innovative assessment practices being used there, the intentional design of learning environments that foster curiosity, and the importance of collaboration across grades.

We also talk about what it means to embrace failure as a vital part of the learning process, and how NEIA is working to close the gap between high school and real-world readiness. This conversation is a powerful reminder that education doesn’t have to follow a single path—and that when we center curiosity, collaboration, and growth, we give students the tools to thrive in whatever path they choose.