Changing the "Operating System" in Education

Some people effect change and improvement from within the educational system, and many of the guests on this podcast have been implementing reform in their own ways, through their individual efforts. Others seek change and reform from outside the system. This is the kind of reform David K. Richards effects, through Changemaker Education.

With over 25 years of experience in education reform—as a teacher, principal, executive leader, coach, special education consultant, and school founder—David is passionate about changing the narrative of education by putting mind, body, and soul (MBS) at the heart of learning. He previously served as a founding leader with Summit Public Schools. He then became the Founder & CEO of Growth Public Schools, which are “learner- and heart-centered” charter schools in Sacramento, before launching Changemaker Education, which supports parents in finding microschools that best fit their students’ needs and also  supports potential founders of microschools. David is the host of the Changemaker EDU podcast, where he shares insights into the future of education, microschools leadership, and love-based learning.

In this episode, David shares his story about what motivated him to give up a corporate banking job at 30 in order to start teaching at an urban school in Oakland, then later leave an executive job with Summit Public Schools to found the Growth Public Schools. At the heart of his schools are strong relationships with self and others and understanding your own inner greatness. Now he is applying this philosophy in his work with educators and parents around microschools, which, with their small size and personal approach, he anticipates could solve many of the systemic issues in education.

References from episode:

Finding your own North Star, by Martha Beck

https://marthabeck.com/product/finding-your-own-north-star/

National Microschooling Center

https://microschoolingcenter.org/

Changemaker Education

changemakereducation.com