In this Masters of Creativity Education Edition we will hear from educators who have dedicated their lives to advancing equity and design.

About this event

How do we apply a creative and liberatory approach in order to address the most pressing challenges facing K12 education? How do we build a cadre of community members who are committed to building radical new approaches to cultivate a supportive, caring culture for young people and adults to thrive. In this final session of the Masters of Creativity-- Education Edition we will hear from educators who have dedicated their lives to advancing equity and design. They will share their stories of success and challenges and leave you with insights and actions you can bring to your community.

My name is Kwaku Aning and I am:

- an educator

- a professional wonder(er)

- a connector

- an advocate for students

- looking to connect the dots between education, tech, art, agency, and the stuff that I am yet to understand

Currently I am the Director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking at the San Diego Jewish Academy but I have had the privilege to work in various roles within public charter and private schools over the past 19 years within education. In my current and previous roles I have had the privilege to work with students on various STEAM and Project Based Learning projects utilizing robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, and projection mapping. One of the highlights of this work occurred in the fall of 2017 when I produced four short 360 video documentaries for the United Nations on Fijian youth and the effects of climate change.

Eric Chagala (Ed.D. Educational Leadership) is the founding principal of the Vista Innovation & Design Academy (VIDA). Eric believes that all kids need a place to matter, that our actions say what we believe about children, and that schools have souls & those souls need to be nurtured.

Eric’s belief in Design Thinking for education is deeply rooted in his dissertation that focused on the critical resiliency of high achieving LatinX youth. This research solidified the knowledge (not just belief) that schools have the power to either defeat or to perpetuate the status-quo of a neighborhood.

Eric has spoken across North America in both workshops & Keynotes about Personalized Learning, Design Thinking, and to talk about what it takes to build a true school culture that will be ripe for innovation.

Zoë Randall is a positive and enthusiastic STEAM educator. She loves to spark creativity in others and help them discover their passions.

Having begun her teaching career in 2007 at High Tech High, Zoë is currently co-leading a district-wide STEAM initiative at the San Diego Unified School District. She writes TK-5th grade STEAM curriculum and facilitates on-going training and coaching. She also leads professional development workshops in the US and abroad for educators interested in Project-Based Learning, Deeper Learning, and STEAM.

Zoë believes that doing work that matters and making meaningful connections to the community is essential in education. She is excited to empower others to pursue their passions and create projects from their hearts that will inspire others.

Mike Strong

Director of Professional Learning & Curriculum at Escondido Union High School District

Mike has spent the last 16 years both in the classroom with students and as an instructional coach for other teachers and school leaders. His work in the classroom and as an adult learning designer at High Tech High’s Graduate School of Education focused on the benefits of Project Based Learning and understanding the work that educators are doing (and not doing) as critical battlegrounds for equity in our schools.

Mike has been a School Retool coach nationally and facilitator since 2016 and joined the Construct team in the summer of 2019 to launch Oregon's first Hacktivation Station (a continuation of School Retool) Mike is co-facilitating with Jami Fluke for Construct’s 5th School Retool cohort. Mike’s Master of Arts (M.A.), focused in Teacher Leadership, was received at High Tech High Graduate School of Education.

About the Masters of Creativity: Education Edition

Innovation in education has been ubiquitous with technology over the last decade, but now that everyone is becoming more equipped to teach in a digital world, what is the role of innovation in education now?

The time has come to redefine “Head of Innovation.”  Join us as we embark on a series exploring how innovation leaders in education can be effective creative practitioners themselves and spark the creative courage of their students and educators within their communities to make an equitable change.

The Masters of Creativity: Education Edition will feature six sessions, each focused on competency that will support the Head of Innovation and build a vibrant community of creativity, discovery, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Learn more and check out more upcoming events here.