Sparking Genius, Dwight School’s podcast, dives into the dynamic and ever-evolving world of global education. Season 2’s topics thus far include AI, systems thinking, and the art and science of teaching.
Season 2 of Sparking Genius is off to a strong start, with Dianne Drew, Head of School at Dwight School New York and Global Education Director for the global network of Dwight Schools, exploring how innovative ideas, technologies, and thought leaders are shaping the future of education worldwide.
Unlocking AI’s Potential in Education (Season 2, Episode 1)
AI in education is an essential theme to explore, particularly given the tremendous opportunities it presents, as well as the potential challenges. In this episode, host Dianne Drew and her guests offer ideas on how to prepare educators and students for an AI-driven future.
Amanda Bickerstaff, founder and CEO of AI for Education, and Christian Taubman, President and CEO of the Middle States Association — an organization that has been at the forefront of school accreditation and innovation — joined Ms. Drew in the conversation and shared insights drawn from extensive industry experience.
When discussing the Middle States Association’s AI endorsement (which Dwight School is proud to have earned this past February) Mr. Taubman explained how the school’s participation deepened students’, teachers’, and administrators’ understanding of AI in education. Since AI tools are still in the “dial-up phase,” as Ms. Bickerstaff said, and evolving quickly, it is important to keep an open mind and learn about what is possible for the future.
She continued, “If you’re going to think about that long term trajectory, the more that you’re willing to learn and try and go out of your comfort zone, the more you’re going to be ready for this transformation.”
The Power of Systems Thinking in Education (Season 2, Episode 2)
Ms. Drew’s guest for this episode, Lee Howell — Executive Director of the Villars Institute, a nonprofit organization at the forefront of systemic change and sustainability — introduced our audience to the importance of systems leadership. Howell discussed his work in building connections across generations, his leadership in the world of sustainability and environmental advocacy, and how he brings real-life knowledge into education through nonprofit work and as a professor at the University of Geneva.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, Mr. Howell explained “systems thinking” in simple terms and how it can be applied in our everyday lives:
“It’s a framework for understanding the world we live in, through relationships and understanding how when these pieces fit together, they form a whole… ”
Infusing this topic early on in schools pushes students to think about how every action we take has an effect and ultimately highlights how our world is deeply interconnected.
Beyond The Lesson Plan: Mastering the Classroom (Season 2, Episode 3)
This was a special episode for the Dwight community, as Ms. Drew was joined by 2024 Dwight Torchbearer Award recipients, Zach Shapiro and Javier Sanchez. The Torchbearer Award recognizes faculty and staff across our global network who exemplify the values and practices of the global network of Dwight Schools.
Mr. Shapiro, a beloved math teacher from Dwight New York, and Sanchez, an inspiring language arts teacher from Dwight London, shared their passion for teaching and spoke about some of their innovative and creative approaches to engaging students with the material. Both also emphasized the importance of collaboration with fellow teachers across subjects.
Mr. Sanchez discussed teamwork multiple times, saying: “This idea of collaboration is key. I love it when we do sessions on teaching and learning, and how much we learn from one another.”
Mr. Shapiro chimed in on this point, explaining: “I always welcome teachers into my classroom to watch my lessons, and to see how I do things. I also love checking other teachers, teachers of other subjects, whether it’s art, theater, science, it doesn’t matter, because it allows me just to see what they do differently.”
Coming Up This Season…
The Sparking Genius podcast will continue to offer its audience fresh insights from educators and industry leaders on a wide range of timely, engaging topics — from the shifting landscape of the college application process, to creating Athletics programs where student-athletes thrive, and more.
Listen and subscribe to Sparking Genius on our website.
More Podcast Insight on Dwight
Sparking Genius host Dianne Drew recently stepped into a new role — podcast guest! — on the Inspiring Schools Podcast.
In an engaging conversation with Simon Noakes, Founder and CEO of Interactive Schools, Ms. Drew reveals what inspired her to become an educator, how Dwight stands out in the international school market, and how our IB-fueled program allows students around the world to deeply connect with their sparks of genius – amongst many other topics.
