The Teacher's Tavern

STL in STL '23 - Kevin Costa

To close out the weekend, Leigh and Mush had the chance to sit down with Dr. Kevin Costa, the Director of LifeReady at McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD, and talk about his approach to teaching that's centered around preparing students for a future we can't yet fully see. We also discussed the untapped potential of aligning education with neuroscience, the role of liberal arts in a tech-driven world, and the influence of futurist research on shaping the classrooms of tomorrow. Kevin Costa on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-costa-55749b3a/] LifeReady at McDonogh School [https://www.mcdonogh.org/academics/lifeready/team]

STL in STL '23 - Cindy Meyers-Foley

Cindy Meyers Foley is the Director and CEO if the Grand Rapids Art Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Before that, she served a 17-year tenure at the Columbus Museum of Art, most recently serving as the Scantland Family Executive Deputy Director for Learning, Experience and Engagement. Cindy has a dedicated commitment to learning about and celebrating the link between creativity and play, and how that relationship can continue to be nurtured beyond childhood. Leigh and Mush joined Cindy poolside to talk about rethinking the purpose and value of art museums in society, the connection between drawing, painting, gardening, and math, and losing control in the classroom. Grand Rapids Art Museum [https://www.artmuseumgr.org/] Cindy Meyers-Foley on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-foley-60866043/]:

STL in STL '23 - Jessica Vance

Jessica Vance brings a unique perspective to her role as Enrichment & Environment Coordinator with a background in teaching and leadership in both the private and public international schools. She has a passion for student centered learning, collaboration, and coaching that stems from the students themselves, ideally as they engage in learning experiences inside outside of the classroom. Jessica strongly believes in the power of leading with a lens of inquiry, facilitating innovative professional learning opportunities and coaching sessions that provide the space for educators to collaborate and reflect, while supporting their professional growth as inquiry practitioners. We had the chance to sit down with Jessica and delve into her approach to education, that's transforming classrooms and entire schools. We also touched on demonstrating creative vulnerability, the shift from directive- to inquiry-based leadership, and the power of planning for curiosity. Jessica Vance on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-vance-27b61a275/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jess_vanceedu/] X [https://www.x.com/jess_vanceedu/]

STL in STL '23 - Mark Boswell

Mark Boswell is an educator and consultant with more than two decades of experience, who has dedicated his career to transforming institutions by implementing solutions founded on their actual, and not just perceived, underlying needs. Through our conversations we got a deep and genuine sense of the passion and sincerity with which Mark approaches teaching and learning, from the individual leading the classroom all the way up to the overarching system - and it always, always comes back to the kids. Leigh and Mush talk with Mark about how the path of amplifying impact leads from teachers to administrators to humans; Being vs Doing vs How You Spend your Time (and what happens when you stack Bugattis); and how Mark learned the secret to figuring out what he wanted to do when he grew up. Mark Boswell on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrboswell/] MehtaCognition.com [https://www.mehtacognition.com/]

STL in STL '23 - Dan Cohen

Dr. Daniel Cohen is an academic and entrepreneur who has dedicated his career to fostering innovation in education. He is the John C. Whitaker, Jr. Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Wake Forest University, where he co-founded Startup Lab. Dan's research focuses on how entrepreneurs develop passion and capabilities, and he has pioneered methods like the IDEATE Method to enhance teaching ideation. Leigh and Mush sit down with him to talk about the importance of Facilitating Failure; Learned Optimism and its relationship to Growth Mindset; and what happens to the best idea in the world when it's left alone. Dr. Dan Coehn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancohenphd/]