Changemaker ED“U”
Changemaker ED“U”

Changemaker ED“U”

David K. Richards

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Episodes

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Welcome to Changemaker ED“U”, a podcast about all things microschools. If you are a paradigm shifter who wants to create change in your community through microschooling, this is the podcast for you! We share the nuts and bolts of launching and running a successful microschool as well as important tips and tricks about leadership, business, and entrepreneurship. I am David K Richards, the Founder & CEO of Changemaker Education, an affiliate network of microschools. With 25+ years in education reform, leadership development, and entrepreneurship, I am excited to host this podcast!

Recent Episodes

Empowering Communities Changing Lives and the Power of Microschools
APR 2, 2025
Empowering Communities Changing Lives and the Power of Microschools

David shared the relaunch of the podcast focusing on all things microschools and the vision going forward as follows. 


  • This is a podcast about all things microschools.
  • It will share the nuts and bolts of opening and running a successful microschool.
  • He will share leadership development tips and tricks.
  • He will share how to embody an entrepreneurship mindset.
  • He wants this podcast to help anyone in the process whether they join Changemaker Education officially or not. 


He then shared a little about what Changemaker Education does: 

  • It is a network of affiliate microschools that incubate paradigm shifting microschools across the country.
  • It is unique because it is a network but founders have autonomy. 
  • Founders license the mind, body, soul curriculum, the brand, and the support and community in exchange for a revenue share once they open.
  • Founders are provided with the support they need from budget to student recruitment to curriculum to facility procurement. 

Then David shared Changemaker Education was created:

  • We believe that we are in a massive time of change and we need the people in the community that know and care about the kids to create real change on the ground. 
  • We believe that it is the grassroots and the people on the ground that will create lasting impact in education. 
  • We see the microschools movement as one key driver of this change and want to create the conditions to support founders with a vision for a life changing microschool to get it off the ground. 


Then he made a call to action for the changemakers listening and his calling to lead this effort: 


Part of the goal for this podcast is to reach the people that have this dream to launch a microschool, or be part of a founding team to get one off the ground. 


This is a call for the educators, care takers, parents, community members who see that we need change and are willing to commit to being part of the solution. 


If you are committed and all in to create the change and ready to follow your dream, we want  you to be part of this movement. 


We are at the forefront of a massive transformation and paradigm shift. This is not for people that are looking to maintain the status quo or tweak around the edges. This is a call for radical change, and a call to reimagine the way we do school and create proof points all across the country and the world that this is possible. 


I have been in education reform for over 25 years and am super excited about the opportunities for change. I want to gather the people that will do it in the best way for kids. 


I have worked in all different types of schools: public charter, traditional public, and private schools and I have seen what happens when you create intimate learning environments where kids are at the center and parents are engaged in the process. 


I have been called as a changemaker and am inspired to lead the charge to gather the other changemakers that are ready. 


Changemaking is not easy. People like to keep things the way they are. But we can do it together. We can do it arm and arm and heart to heart one student, one microschool, and one community at a time. 


I hope you will join us. Please follow Changemaker Education on Linked in and check out our website: changemakereducation.com 


"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead


This is only the beginning! Let’s do this! 


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19 MIN
Great Schools in Action
MAR 6, 2024
Great Schools in Action

David has a great conversation with Elana Feinberg. They discuss the current trends in education, what Elana is seeing in schools that she thinks more people should be doing, and reforming the inside or outside of the system. You will hear great advice from Elana about problems with implementation and some of the unique ways that great schools across the country are creating innovative change for all types of different kinds of learners. 


Elana has almost 25 years of experience in education, social enterprise, and technology. She has worked with district and charter schools, educational technology companies, and other social enterprise and educational organizations.  Elana has designed and launched (or expanded) 10+ schools and coached 30+ teachers, school leaders, and entrepreneurs through her work for New Schools for New Orleans, Catalyst: Ed, Camelback Ventures, Leading Educators, Next Generation Learning Challenges (Mass IDEAS), Boston Schools Fund, Walton Family Foundation, and the Center for Women in Entrepreneurship. She works from an anti-racist and feminist lens, mostly supporting women and people of color who are working to innovate and disrupt. When project managing and leading launches or supporting leaders, she is involved in every aspect of the work, including design, operations, talent and hiring, governance, and programs. She has also designed and facilitated workshops on entrepreneurship and consulting for Catalyst:Ed, Camelback Ventures, and the Center for Women in Entrepreneurship, and created the Core Consulting Competencies program, detailing the information and strategies that new consultants and entrepreneurs need to know to be successful. Finally, Elana has built a nationwide network upon which she often calls upon for support, resources, input or connections. 


You can learn more about Elana here: 

@elanafeinberg Twitter/X

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elana-feinberg/

www.elanafeinberg.com

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44 MIN
One Stone: Empowering Students Through Student-Driven Education
FEB 28, 2024
One Stone: Empowering Students Through Student-Driven Education

One Stone, co-founded by Teresa Poppen, revolutionizes education by empowering students to take charge of their learning journey. Initially focusing on experiential service, One Stone evolved into Lab 51, a student-driven school fostering real-world impact and self-discovery.

At One Stone, students drive the organization's direction, with student-majority boards ensuring their voices shape its activities. Service projects, like Project Good, instill leadership and empathy, while the Hatch Studio offers entrepreneurial opportunities, nurturing risk-taking and innovation.

Lab 51 operates on a competency-based model, emphasizing mindset growth and skill development aligned with students' passions. A college-like environment lets students craft schedules around their interests, engaging in design labs, community reads, and the Living in Beta program, fostering identity exploration.

One Stone's approach challenges parental involvement, urging them to embrace student-driven learning alongside their children. Extracurricular activities, integrated seamlessly, extend learning beyond traditional bounds, aligning with students' interests.

The organization shares its innovative practices through Idea 51 and professional development series, assisting other schools in adopting student-centric approaches. Challenges, like funding and resistance to change, are overcome by a steadfast commitment to core values, notably trust in students.

Understanding the "why" behind educational initiatives is paramount, with One Stone's website providing insights into its programs. Visitors are encouraged to witness firsthand the transformative power of student-driven education.

In summary, One Stone's dedication to empowering students and sharing its innovations epitomizes a new paradigm in education. By prioritizing student agency, fostering real-world impact, and staying true to core values, One Stone is redefining education and inspiring change in institutions worldwide.

You can learn more about One Stone below: 


Website: 

onestone.org


Facebook:

facebook.com/onestoneidaho


Instagram:

instagram.com/onestoneidaho


Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-stone-idaho/

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45 MIN