• Education Entrepreneurship Incubator

    A generative space where motivated educators join forces to ignite, launch, and develop projects and practices.

  • Overview

    As educators, we want to make a difference in the lives of our students and in the world. We often have ideas and want to initiate changes in our practices, schools, districts, and communities but need help making it happen.

     

    The Education Entrepreneurship Incubator (EEI) was founded by a team of educators who are passionate about doing school differently. We believe that when guided by a core set of principles, and a committed team, school can be a more equitable and moving experience for teachers, students, administrators, and the entire local community.

     

    The EEI is a generative space where motivated educators join forces to ignite, launch, and develop projects and practices with the goal of making school different for students and teachers.

     

    As an incubator participant, you will be encouraged to bring an idea or challenge to the table, no matter the size – something you've been working, have always dreamt about, or are facing in your practice right now. The participant cohort will collaborate to workshop the idea or challenge and help identify actions you can take to bring it to reality.

  • Principles

    These principles guide our understanding of what schools could and should be. They anchor our work and are the essential foundation of what incubator participants can expect from our facilitation team.

    Collaborative

    Educators should work together around a shared vision to construct learning environments that are dynamic, feature a diverse set of perspectives, and empower the entire community.

    Equitable

    Teaching and learning should be accessible and adequate for everyone. It should prioritize those who might not have access, and encourage those with access to evaluate what they do have.

    Experiential

    Learning should be relevant and real, engaging the a sense of compassion and purpose. Teachers and students should work together to find meaning in their action and a future goal in their work.

    Innovative

    Education continues to be slow to react to our rapidly changing world. If we are to meet the needs of our students and teachers, we should work together to bring new approaches to our work.

    Personalized

    Students and teachers should engage in learning that is individualized and relevant to their goals. They should be active constructors of learning, and be engaged in its metacognitive processes.

    Student-Centered

    Students and teachers should engage in learning that is individualized and relevant to their goals. They should be active constructors of learning, and be engaged in its metacognitive processes.

  • Facilitators

    Our team of education leaders bring a wealth of knowledge founded on public, charter, and independent school experiences. Each team member brings their own set of interests and specialities that are enhanced through their collaborative approach.

    broken image

    Julie Cook

    Teacher-leader at Souderton Charter School Collaborative. Passionate about collaborative leadership, student-driven learning, and school outside the box.

    broken image

    Matt Downing

    K-8 technology coach in a large public school district who is interested in the way technology transforms learning and provides equity to student voices. His new obsession is Flipgrid.

    broken image

    Jeannine Dunn

    Educational leader at Souderton Charter School Collaborative. Passionate about doing school differently. Interests include learning environments that are personalized, inclusive, culturally responsive, and hands-on.

    broken image

    Mike Dunn

    Progressive education leader, and Director of College Counseling at AIM Academy. Interested in school change, distributed leadership, student-centered teaching/learning, and community partnership building

  • Recent & Upcoming Incubators

    At the start of the pandemic, our team quickly pivoted to an all virtual model and have been working with small teams of educators this past year to deliver a complete virtual incubator experience. We will certainly return to in-person incubators when it's safe.

    broken image

    Promoting Student Voice Incubator

    Themes: Student Voice and Choice

    A virtual incubator coming this spring focusing on helping teachers and teaching teams infuse student voice and choice into their curricula and teaching practices. Sign-up coming soon. / Spring 2020

    broken image

    Upper Darby School District Incubator

    Themes: Technology, COVID, Differentiation

    A virtual incubator facilitated with a cohort of teachers in a large urban school district. Teachers walked away with ideas for hands-on learning for remote students, differentiation for remote students, and virtual escape rooms. / March 2020

    broken image

    NEU Doctoral Residency Incubator

    Themes: Student Voice, Community Partnerships, Technology

    A virtual incubator facilitated with a cohort of doctoral students and faculty at Northeastern University. Participants walked away with ideas to connect their teaching to their community, technology to build skills, and engaging student voice and choice. / July 2020

    broken image

    Philly Educator Incubator

    Themes: Living Your Best Life, Student Voice, Community Partnerships

    An in-person incubator facilitated with a cohort of educators from around the Philadelphia area. Participants walked away with ideas to form a mobile STEAM lab, connect students with nature, and connect with real-world math practitioners. / November 2020

  • Project Highlights

    Highlights from past incubators and ongoing work.

    broken image

    Kathy B. - Middle School STEAM Teacher

    Original Idea

    Kathy wanted to build connections with her local community and create STEAM activities for students who would not otherwise have access to hands-on, creative work.

    Leaving the Incubator

    Kathy landed on an idea for a mobile STEAM lab in conversation with the incubator cohort. She then developed a plan to submit a proposal for a STEAM truck utilize her school’s resources to connect with the local community.