Education Entrepreneurship Incubator - Philly
Education Entrepreneurship Incubator - Philly
Education Entrepreneurship Incubator - Philly
Actualizing Educational Change
Bring an idea, goal, or problem. Leave with a solution.
Who We Are
We are committed to changing education, and getting others to join in the effort.
Dr. Chris Unger
Teaching Professor, Northeastern University
Dr. Unger runs the university's education entrepreneurship program and works with educators, schools, and school systems across the country in pursuit of innovation in education. He co-facilitates the NExT Network.
c.unger@northeastern.eduJulie Cook
Doctoral Student, Northeastern University
Teacher-leader at Souderton Charter School Collaborative. Passionate about collaborative leadership, student-driven learning, and school outside the box.
cook.jul@husky.neu.eduJeannine Dunn
Doctoral Student, Northeastern University
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.
dunn.je@husky.neu.eduMike Dunn
Doctoral Student, Northeastern University
Director of College Counseling at AIM Academy. Interested in school change, distributed leadership, student-centered teaching/learning, and community partnership building.
dunn.mich@husky.neu.eduMatt Downing
Doctoral Student, Northeastern University
K-8 technology coach who is interested in the way technology transforms learning and provides equity to student voices. His new obsession is Flipgrid.
downing.mat@husky.neu.eduOur Principles
School can be different, for students and teachers. As educators, we want to make a difference. We have big ideas and want to initiate changes in our classrooms, schools, districts, and communities but need help making it happen.
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.
Student-Centered
Students should be active members of the school experience. They should be part of the decision-making, and be considered as active, contributing members of the learning community.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why an Incubator?
An Education Entrepreneurship Incubator is a community that can help you cultivate your innovative endeavor and support you in taking action to put your idea into practice. Many classroom-based ideas, programs, services, and schools have grown out of such experiences.
________________________________________________The Philly Incubator
Join us at AIM Academy in Conshohocken, PA on November 16, 2019 for an intensive Design Studio experience. We will help you actualize whatever idea, goal, or problem you bring to the table. You'll work with innovative educators from around the region who have been leading change initiatives within their own contexts. Come connect with like-minded peers and walk away with a plan for what's next.
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Plan
Come with a goal, initiative, or problem.
During our one day incubator, you will join a community that can help you discern and articulate what you would like to do. Engaging in some pre-work including journaling, reading, an watching videos, we will set you up to bring your idea to the table during our time together. Whether you are an educator within classrooms, a school, district, or a community-based organization, we are committed to helping you pursue an idea or make a difference where you are.
Design
Design an executable plan.
Many educators get stuck thinking of their idea, but not figuring out how to make it happen. Engage in our close-knit cohort to help you figure out how you can pursue your idea into reality. Do more than just think about this plan. Work with our team to discern what's possible in your context, and identify a tangible place where you can start. Gather your thoughts into actionable steps that you can actually execute.
Actualize
Leave with a solution and support.
Our goal is for you to leave our incubator with an actionable solution that meets your goal, kicks off your initiative, or solves your problem. We are committed to helping you bring your designed plan into reality. Once we depart our in-person meeting time, you will receive ongoing remote support to help you stay accountable to your plan and actualize the solution you're committed to.
Coaching & Support
We believe in the power of ongoing support and mentorship as entrepreneurs actualize their ideas. After the incubator, we will work with you to help you stay accountable to your goals, document your progress, and sustain your efforts.
1Inspire
Complete some work before the incubator to think about what your goals are and what is driving your actions.
2Incubate
Work with the cohort in a one day design studio to bring your idea into actuality with real steps and plans.
3Support
Meet with our coaching and support team to launch your idea. Figure out how to document and sustain your efforts.
Testimonials
Thoughts, and takeaways from EEI Philly participants.
Trina K. - English Teacher- Boyertown Area School District
The Philly Education Entrepreneurship Incubator offered a unique opportunity for me to network with teachers and entrepreneurs who have a like-minded interest in re-imagining the "factory model institution" of education while symbiotically improving our local and global community.
I walked away with connections to people and ideas to grow as an educator along with the confidence to begin my own journey toward my personal vision. I think many educators evoke Thoreau and "go to the woods" because they wish to live deliberately. The Philly Education Entrepreneurship Incubator offers a wide open platform to verbalize and initiate your vision.
Ryan W. - Advisory Senior Manager- EY
EEIPhilly was a well-structured, welcoming environment for all attendees to brainstorm new, innovative ideas with an open-minded group. It was both engaging and inspiring.
Rather than simply focusing on grand, long-term ideas that may seem daunting and unattainable, this one day generated so many ideas that were discussed and aligned to immediate, attainable actions. That really brought it to life.
Incubator Projects
EEI Philly brought together a handful of curious, motivated, entrepreneurial individuals. This group included teachers, administrators, program directors, and even some non-school based participants. Here's a sampling of some of the project work that was brought to the incubator, and its evolution thereafter.
Kathy B.- Middle School STEAM Teacher
Imagining and launching a mobile STEAM lab.
Entering the Incubator- Kathy had the idea to create a STEAM truck to bring activities to under-served students outside of her school.
Exiting the incubator- Developed a plan for submitting the STEAM truck proposal and utilizing her school’s resources to connect with the local community. Her proposal was accepted and was granted funding for an outfitted trailer which will be used to support a local school that services foster students. The trailer will also be used at community events.
Brandon R.- Middle School Math Teacher
Amplifying math instruction.
Entering the Incubator- Brandon wanted to make more real-world and authentic connections in his math classes.
Exiting the Incubator- Developed a plan for hosting a math day at his school with various math-oriented community members including engineers, mechanics, bankers, and many more. He also left with a variety of suggestions for incorporating authentic learning projects into his math class, such as origami art, mini-golf course construction, carnival and casino games, math escape rooms, a quilting project and so many more.
Beth S.- Elementary School Reading Teacher
Spearheading community learning initiatives.
Entering the Incubator- Beth was a little unclear about her initial ideas, but through some incubation, honed her vision to develop a community education center to support her school’s outreach program.
Exiting the Incubator- Created a plan to investigate available community resources to increase equal access to the school's resources. This included offering one-on-one tutoring for kids in need, and classes for community members beyond the typical student body. She submitted a proposal to her Head of School and was approved to begin the initial planning phases and bring the community center to fruition.
Join Us
We are looking for educators from all walks of life to join our program. Send us an email if you're interested.
Not sure?
Contact us anyway. We're sure you have an idea, goal or problem that would benefit from this experience.
© 2019