Beyond Compliance: How jacob adams’ Inner Spark Learning Lab Cultivates Critical Thinkers

What if education wasn’t about compliance but about discovery? jacob adams, founder of Inner Spark Learning Lab, believes students should have the power to question, explore, and create—not just memorize and obey. In this episode of Pitch Playground, jacob shares his journey from being labelled a “troublemaker” in school to reimagining learning environments that prioritize student agency and self-actualization.

jacob’s first teaching job was at a majority-Black elementary school in Brooklyn, where he quickly realized how rigid discipline policies and top-down control stripped students of autonomy. Witnessing kindergarteners being forced into silence, he began to question the foundations of education. His experiences led him to launch Inner Spark Learning Lab (formerly STEM to the Future), an initiative that engages students in hands-on, community-driven learning projects designed to foster critical thinking, self-awareness, and social impact.

If jacob wins the $50,000, the funds will support a Dreamweaver position—a dedicated team member responsible for learning about students, their families, and the broader school community to ensure programming meets real needs. He sits down with Niloy Gangopadhyay, Vice President at Teach for America, to refine his pitch and tackle key questions:  What role do community facilitators, or “Dreamweavers,” play in ensuring students feel seen and heard? How can jacob provide measurable outcomes that school leaders and funders will recognize? Tune in to hear jacob’s vision for student-centered education. 

02:54 jacob's Early Education and Challenges

05:07 College Struggles and Overcoming Obstacles

06:17 Teach for America Experience

07:55 Questioning the System

10:13 Creating a New Teaching Approach

16:53 Inner Spark's Impact and Future Goals

18:47 Pitching to Niloy Gangopadhyay

25:57 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Links: 

• jacob adams
• Inner Spark Learning Lab (formerly STEM to the Future)
• Niloy Gangopadhyay
• Teach for America

About the Host, Nicole Jarbo:
Nicole Jarbo is the host of Pitch Playground and the CEO of 4.0. An entrepreneur and 4.0 alumni herself, Nicole took a side hustle from $0 to $500k per year and founded a fintech startup that empowered Gen Z with their finances. She's passionate about sharing the inspiring stories of the 4.0 community and believes in work that makes the world more livable, creative, sustainable, and fun.

About 4.0:
4.0 is a hub for education innovators and social entrepreneurs reimagining the future of learning. Through mentorship, funding, and community support, we empower bold thinkers to turn their dreams into reality. To date, 4.0 has helped spark and invest in over 1,800 ideas, and our alumni have impacted over 10M students and families. We envision a future where our education system meets the needs of every family and improves life outcomes for all.

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