Season 3 Ep. 1:

Summer Read: The Future of Smart

Welcome to Season Three! Last season we launched with an episode about summer reads- Montessori-related books to explore. Our premier episode for this season will do the same as we discuss The Future of Smart: How Our Education System Needs to Change to Help all Young People Thrive. The author, Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen, shares her inspiration for the book and how Montessori schools play a role in changing our education system so all children flourish.

Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen is Chief Program Officer at Grantmakers for Education. She is a first-generation American who began school as an English-language learner and was the first in her family to complete college. Her experiences have fueled her desire to interrogate and advocate for an expanded vision of what it means to ensure every child has access to high-quality education in America.

Ulcca began her career as an elementary school teacher in Newark, NJ. Over the last twenty years, she has worked with educators, students, communities, business and civic leaders to support developmentally-aligned, human-centered learning experiences that unlock the unique potential of learners.

An internationally-recognized expert on educational transformation, Ulcca has presented at World EduLead, SxSW Education and the Aurora Institute’s annual forum, and is a two-time TEDx speaker. Her recent book, "The Future of Smart", traces the deep roots of America’s dominant approach to education, illuminates why so many reform and innovation efforts fall short of our aspirations for children, and proposes a path forward.

www.ulcca.com