What & WHO HELPED CREATE Education |
The Education Innovation Collaborative (EIC) is a non-profit social impact organization founded with the mission to re-imagine and transform education to empower every learner to thrive.
We envision learner-driven, community-based ecosystems powered by collaboration that extend beyond the formal education system. We're focused on creating transformative learning and change of individuals, organizations, and communities through collaboration, on small and large scales.
On the individual level, we envision every learner supported by a personal coach team. The coach-cheerleading squad supports, guides, and mentors each learner in their day-to-day experiences with real-world projects and investigations with their peers. Coach team members include certified educators, fellow students, and parents as well as specialized adults such as counselors, subject experts, career mentors, and employers. These coaches may come from the local community, or they may come from across the state or nation to provide virtual support. Whatever the student needs in terms of information, leadership, expertise, and resources, the coach team’s job is to ensure that the learner is continually being challenged to realize their goals and reach their potential.
Empowered individuals are the foundation of strong, vibrant, and healthy workplaces and communities. We seek a stronger, more vibrant future for Nevada by empowering every young person today.
We envision learner-driven, community-based ecosystems powered by collaboration that extend beyond the formal education system. We're focused on creating transformative learning and change of individuals, organizations, and communities through collaboration, on small and large scales.
On the individual level, we envision every learner supported by a personal coach team. The coach-cheerleading squad supports, guides, and mentors each learner in their day-to-day experiences with real-world projects and investigations with their peers. Coach team members include certified educators, fellow students, and parents as well as specialized adults such as counselors, subject experts, career mentors, and employers. These coaches may come from the local community, or they may come from across the state or nation to provide virtual support. Whatever the student needs in terms of information, leadership, expertise, and resources, the coach team’s job is to ensure that the learner is continually being challenged to realize their goals and reach their potential.
Empowered individuals are the foundation of strong, vibrant, and healthy workplaces and communities. We seek a stronger, more vibrant future for Nevada by empowering every young person today.
EIC Timeline
our inspirations
Experience Sir Ken Robinson's 30 years of action research, amusing wisdom, and transformative vision for education, society, and human development (active links):
-> A Future for Us All - animated RSA video of his last talk in 2020 summarizing his life's transformative work (for which the Queen of England knighted him)
-> Changing Education Paradigms - animated RSA video of the education paradigm shift & revolution needed (17 million views, 2010)
-> Do Schools Kill Creativity? TedTalk with 21.6 Million views, 2007 (#1 most viewed TEDtalk)
-> Imagine If...Creating a Future for Us All - extracts of his final of 7 books - a 100 page manifesto completed by his daughter Kate Robinson after he passed in 2020.
Education Reimagined non-profit organization has inspired us from the beginning to empower youth and communities to co-create the future of education - building upon and seeking to realize Ken Robinson's vision:
-> A Transformational Vision for U.S. Education - conclusions from years of action research and design program conducted by youth and communities (2015)
-> BIG IDEA VIDEO - animated history and future of education; building learner-centered communities that transform our systems of education, economy, and society
-> A Future for Us All - animated RSA video of his last talk in 2020 summarizing his life's transformative work (for which the Queen of England knighted him)
-> Changing Education Paradigms - animated RSA video of the education paradigm shift & revolution needed (17 million views, 2010)
-> Do Schools Kill Creativity? TedTalk with 21.6 Million views, 2007 (#1 most viewed TEDtalk)
-> Imagine If...Creating a Future for Us All - extracts of his final of 7 books - a 100 page manifesto completed by his daughter Kate Robinson after he passed in 2020.
Education Reimagined non-profit organization has inspired us from the beginning to empower youth and communities to co-create the future of education - building upon and seeking to realize Ken Robinson's vision:
-> A Transformational Vision for U.S. Education - conclusions from years of action research and design program conducted by youth and communities (2015)
-> BIG IDEA VIDEO - animated history and future of education; building learner-centered communities that transform our systems of education, economy, and society
The People
Who FOUNDED AND HELPED TO BUILD EIC since 2018?
Dr. Mary Alber, Founding Director, Human development for thriving
Mary has a wealth of academic and work experience, and as a mother of two, now adult, children, she has been active to support all the schools they have attended. On that journey, Mary developed a passion for innovating the education system to enable her children - and all children - robust opportunities to grow. EIC reflects her life passion to unleash the power of people everywhere.
Mary holds a PhD in transformative learning and change focused on systems of self-development, an MA in anthropology, and an MBA from the Wharton School.
In the public sector, Mary has worked in product management with Digital Equipment Corp., as a strategic business consultant with Bain & Co., as a manager with the information and technology strategy group of Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), and as an executive adviser to two Indonesian conglomerates.
As a parent with a deep interest in education, Mary has been a supporter and researcher of four public schools and three private schools (including Montessori in Japan). She successfully navigated their diverse leadership visions, learning philosophies, and teaching pedagogies.
Mary has developed and realized her calling through her experiences as co-chair of the Speaker Series on Education at Sierra Nevada College (2012−13), community organizer for education visioning in Incline Village, a member of the Education Alliance of Washoe County (P16 Council), and lead author of a grant proposal for the XQ Super School Challenge that was selected as a semi-finalist.
She seeks to engage community members in creating innovative, student-centered, community-engaged collaborative learning ecosystems - in partnership with teachers, counselors, parents, community members, social services professionals, employers, and policymakers. These ecosystems will empower today’s students to discover their unique talents and achieve their greatest potential.
Mary holds a PhD in transformative learning and change focused on systems of self-development, an MA in anthropology, and an MBA from the Wharton School.
In the public sector, Mary has worked in product management with Digital Equipment Corp., as a strategic business consultant with Bain & Co., as a manager with the information and technology strategy group of Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), and as an executive adviser to two Indonesian conglomerates.
As a parent with a deep interest in education, Mary has been a supporter and researcher of four public schools and three private schools (including Montessori in Japan). She successfully navigated their diverse leadership visions, learning philosophies, and teaching pedagogies.
Mary has developed and realized her calling through her experiences as co-chair of the Speaker Series on Education at Sierra Nevada College (2012−13), community organizer for education visioning in Incline Village, a member of the Education Alliance of Washoe County (P16 Council), and lead author of a grant proposal for the XQ Super School Challenge that was selected as a semi-finalist.
She seeks to engage community members in creating innovative, student-centered, community-engaged collaborative learning ecosystems - in partnership with teachers, counselors, parents, community members, social services professionals, employers, and policymakers. These ecosystems will empower today’s students to discover their unique talents and achieve their greatest potential.
Dr. Priya Ahlawat, Co-founder
Priya has strong academic and real-world experience as well as passion that make her an ideal co-founder of such an innovative project.
Priya was awarded Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year 2015 while pursuing her master’s in education leadership with a thesis in Nevada Fit boot camps and grade point average. She also has a M.Ed with a focus on early childhood special education, both from University of Nevada, Reno.
For over a decade, Priya taught clinical dentistry with a Masters in Medical Sc. in Restorative Dentistry from England and lived in UK, Malaysia and India with her last position as associate professor in dentistry. Priya’s current focus is at-risk, disadvantaged, and special needs students. This was a change in trajectory from a long, lucrative profession in dentistry as a result of having an impactful experience working with homeless and at-risk children at the Kids Kottage emergency shelter, Reno and her work as a certified Washoe County CASA-Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care.
She was also in the committee for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), chaired the service committee of the University of NV Education Association, and was a council member of the Graduate Students Association at UNR. Additionally, Priya played a key role in writing Phase 2 of the grant proposal for the Super School Washoe (SSW) Learning Lab. She has been a member of the P16 Council of the Education Alliance of Washoe County, working with the data profile working group and college and career readiness working group and has held the post of President at OptimistClubOfReno.net a community service organization which serves kids.
Priya has lent her personal passion and compassion for all children, her international experiences in education, and her education leadership training to ensure that EIC’s mission and vision includes empowering all students, especially those who are the most disadvantaged and learning-challenged. She is a strong advocate for educational change that leverages diverse cultural perspectives and abilities to improve the quality of learning for all students.
Priya was awarded Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year 2015 while pursuing her master’s in education leadership with a thesis in Nevada Fit boot camps and grade point average. She also has a M.Ed with a focus on early childhood special education, both from University of Nevada, Reno.
For over a decade, Priya taught clinical dentistry with a Masters in Medical Sc. in Restorative Dentistry from England and lived in UK, Malaysia and India with her last position as associate professor in dentistry. Priya’s current focus is at-risk, disadvantaged, and special needs students. This was a change in trajectory from a long, lucrative profession in dentistry as a result of having an impactful experience working with homeless and at-risk children at the Kids Kottage emergency shelter, Reno and her work as a certified Washoe County CASA-Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care.
She was also in the committee for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), chaired the service committee of the University of NV Education Association, and was a council member of the Graduate Students Association at UNR. Additionally, Priya played a key role in writing Phase 2 of the grant proposal for the Super School Washoe (SSW) Learning Lab. She has been a member of the P16 Council of the Education Alliance of Washoe County, working with the data profile working group and college and career readiness working group and has held the post of President at OptimistClubOfReno.net a community service organization which serves kids.
Priya has lent her personal passion and compassion for all children, her international experiences in education, and her education leadership training to ensure that EIC’s mission and vision includes empowering all students, especially those who are the most disadvantaged and learning-challenged. She is a strong advocate for educational change that leverages diverse cultural perspectives and abilities to improve the quality of learning for all students.
Dr. Bill Bryan, Leadership, Organization Performance, and competencies for success
Bill brings his vast wealth of leadership and organizational development skills to EIC.
On the academic side, Bill holds a PhD in clinical psychology. In the business sector, Bill has worked as a manager and executive coach to lead change in various types and sizes of organizations including Fortune 500 companies.
He founded the management consulting firm Bryan Associates in 1983 and worked as an organizational consultant and change expert with companies including Anheuser-Busch, NY Stock Exchange, US Navy, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Johnson & Johnson. He has taught at several institutions of higher education and has also been involved in leadership and organization development associated with schools and system redesign.
Bill has been a leader and taught others to lead, and he’s worked in team development. He has real-world experience with applied competency research through design of competency-based HR systems. And he is an expert in assessment and analysis, having worked with individuals, teams, and companies to enhance their effectiveness.
We also honor Bill’s service as a Captain in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and as commanding officer of two units in South Korea. At the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, Bill served as head of the computer training branch.
On the academic side, Bill holds a PhD in clinical psychology. In the business sector, Bill has worked as a manager and executive coach to lead change in various types and sizes of organizations including Fortune 500 companies.
He founded the management consulting firm Bryan Associates in 1983 and worked as an organizational consultant and change expert with companies including Anheuser-Busch, NY Stock Exchange, US Navy, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Johnson & Johnson. He has taught at several institutions of higher education and has also been involved in leadership and organization development associated with schools and system redesign.
Bill has been a leader and taught others to lead, and he’s worked in team development. He has real-world experience with applied competency research through design of competency-based HR systems. And he is an expert in assessment and analysis, having worked with individuals, teams, and companies to enhance their effectiveness.
We also honor Bill’s service as a Captain in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and as commanding officer of two units in South Korea. At the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, Bill served as head of the computer training branch.
Ed Yarish, Major General USAFR (Ret.) – Board Member
General Yarish founded High Sierra Advisory Services (HSAS), providing advisory services in Strategic Business and Leadership Development, Operations Integration, Corp Governance and Work Process Optimization.
He previously worked for various organizations with responsibilities for program development, working with customers to understand operational challenges, identify opportunities, and facilitate the implementation of innovative solutions.
General Yarish’s military career included leadership experience in Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics with active duty and reserve assignments in program offices, Logistics Centers, and Major Command, Air Staff, Joint Staff Headquarters. He deployed and served as Mission Director for Theater Logistics for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
He brings over 35 years of combined government and industry experience in program management, acquisition, and development/implementation of innovative solutions. His professional interests include a focus on leadership development, mentoring future leaders.
General Yarish has a bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering and Masters degree in Business Administration. Professional Development training includes Battlefield to Boardroom – National Association of Corporate Directors, Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officers School, Advanced Joint Military Education Program, and numerous courses in Defense Acquisition and LEAN Six Sigma (continuous process improvement).
He previously worked for various organizations with responsibilities for program development, working with customers to understand operational challenges, identify opportunities, and facilitate the implementation of innovative solutions.
General Yarish’s military career included leadership experience in Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics with active duty and reserve assignments in program offices, Logistics Centers, and Major Command, Air Staff, Joint Staff Headquarters. He deployed and served as Mission Director for Theater Logistics for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
He brings over 35 years of combined government and industry experience in program management, acquisition, and development/implementation of innovative solutions. His professional interests include a focus on leadership development, mentoring future leaders.
General Yarish has a bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering and Masters degree in Business Administration. Professional Development training includes Battlefield to Boardroom – National Association of Corporate Directors, Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officers School, Advanced Joint Military Education Program, and numerous courses in Defense Acquisition and LEAN Six Sigma (continuous process improvement).
Dr. John Theis, social-emotional & academic development, systems architecture
Dr. Theis is the founder of Whole Student Learning and creator of the SeeMe ForMe app. He created this company to fill crucial gaps in the social, emotional, and mental health space. Dr. Theis started his career working with students with developmental and behavioral challenges as a social worker and classroom teacher. He took a tech-focused approach during his doctoral work while receiving his Education Administration and Leadership doctorate from the University of Minnesota. He was a professor in the Education Department at St. Cloud State University. Most recently, he was the Chief Academic Officer in a non-profit education service organization before starting Whole Student Learning.
Dr. Theis had a nice job, good salary, and was the leader of over 200 employees, all focused on helping kids. He voluntarily left that role because he felt there was something missing. He felt there was not enough attention given to the mental health perspective and how it can help or hurt a student’s learning capabilities. With his strong education technology experience, he knew there was a better way to help ALL students AND their families. Thus, the concept for the SeeMe ForMe app was born. John explains his passion best:
“When I started working with kids over 35 years ago, I used paper and pencil to document and report on their behavior and mental health condition. I was stunned to see that the paper and pencil is still being used today. I knew we could do better. We needed a way to leverage technology to provide an efficient way to collect and share pertinent data about individual students. We need to work together to support the academic, social, emotional, and overall mental health of all students. I want every student to be seen for who they are and not what others want them to be.”
Dr. Theis had a nice job, good salary, and was the leader of over 200 employees, all focused on helping kids. He voluntarily left that role because he felt there was something missing. He felt there was not enough attention given to the mental health perspective and how it can help or hurt a student’s learning capabilities. With his strong education technology experience, he knew there was a better way to help ALL students AND their families. Thus, the concept for the SeeMe ForMe app was born. John explains his passion best:
“When I started working with kids over 35 years ago, I used paper and pencil to document and report on their behavior and mental health condition. I was stunned to see that the paper and pencil is still being used today. I knew we could do better. We needed a way to leverage technology to provide an efficient way to collect and share pertinent data about individual students. We need to work together to support the academic, social, emotional, and overall mental health of all students. I want every student to be seen for who they are and not what others want them to be.”
Michelle Alber, marketing & development Associate
Michelle has been a major contributor to the development of EIC - since she was born. As the daughter of founder, Mary Alber, Michelle has been a real world Participatory Researcher about her educational experiences and ways to improve it. Her 8th grade capstone project was on the importance of education opportunity and challenges of obtaining them for girls in Taliban-led Afghanistan. During the XQ Super School grant application writing process, Michelle orchestrated her fellow high school students to participate in focus groups to share their ideas for improving education.
Michelle's Extended Essay that earned her the International Baccalaureate degree in high school was on the topic of why education system change is so challenging. After earning her B.A. at UCSB in Political Science and Minor in Anthropology, Michelle has been working part-time for EIC helping evaluate and acquire services and platforms for marketing, communications, and fundraising development. Her letter writing and video production talents supported EIC's fundraising efforts at the end of 2020. Michelle has been working with AJ Tutoring in the San Francisco bay area as an office manager and administrator for multiple branches (particularly challenging during the year of COVID!).
Michelle's Extended Essay that earned her the International Baccalaureate degree in high school was on the topic of why education system change is so challenging. After earning her B.A. at UCSB in Political Science and Minor in Anthropology, Michelle has been working part-time for EIC helping evaluate and acquire services and platforms for marketing, communications, and fundraising development. Her letter writing and video production talents supported EIC's fundraising efforts at the end of 2020. Michelle has been working with AJ Tutoring in the San Francisco bay area as an office manager and administrator for multiple branches (particularly challenging during the year of COVID!).
Dr. John Moran, Co-founder, in memory
EIC would not exist in its current form without John's vision, expertise, passion, and patient guidance. We were deeply saddened by John's unexpected departure from this world on November 18, 2017. He continues to inspire EIC, and we are honored to forever acknowledge him as a co-founder, in fact and spirit.
John was recognized as a bridge builder between academic communities and industry. He held a PhD in educational psychology and worked as an adjunct and guest professor at multiple institutions of higher learning.
He was the CEO of Global Gateways, an organization that developed Information Technology Communities of Practice (CoPs) that brought together groups of people with the desire to solve shared problems and realized opportunities. Through collaboration, participants accelerated business results and added value by researching and learning from each other and outside experts.
John joined the grant proposal writing team for the Super School Washoe (SSW) Learning Lab to help implement his vision to bring linked learning and deeper learning to Washoe County high school students. He also researched and authored a study of four deeper learning programs.
John's motto : "Learning without application is mere entertainment."
We have adopted this as our own.
John was recognized as a bridge builder between academic communities and industry. He held a PhD in educational psychology and worked as an adjunct and guest professor at multiple institutions of higher learning.
He was the CEO of Global Gateways, an organization that developed Information Technology Communities of Practice (CoPs) that brought together groups of people with the desire to solve shared problems and realized opportunities. Through collaboration, participants accelerated business results and added value by researching and learning from each other and outside experts.
John joined the grant proposal writing team for the Super School Washoe (SSW) Learning Lab to help implement his vision to bring linked learning and deeper learning to Washoe County high school students. He also researched and authored a study of four deeper learning programs.
John's motto : "Learning without application is mere entertainment."
We have adopted this as our own.
The Purpose
Why Is EIC Necessary?
Nevada has the unique potential to become a world-class hub for technology and entrepreneurial research, development, and business growth.
However, our current education system is not preparing students with the necessary knowledge, literacies, and skills to be a meaningful part of this vision.
Here are some facts that should deeply concern you:
Unfortunately, today's incremental and partial reform initiatives will not be enough to make the significant change needed.
Although Washoe County voters approved new taxes to repair, renovate, and build new schools, there is not yet a plan to fundamentally change what happens in and around those schools to prepare students to succeed.
We need an education innovation. EIC is positioned to be the innovation we need.
However, our current education system is not preparing students with the necessary knowledge, literacies, and skills to be a meaningful part of this vision.
Here are some facts that should deeply concern you:
- Nevada ranks last in the country for "student opportunity" to succeed (Ed Week, Quality Counts Report Card).
- Less than 20% of Nevada graduates (15% of WCSD juniors) passed the minimum benchmarks of math, English, and science aptitude: these metrics correlate with success in college and careers (ACT 2016)
- Over 50% of Nevada high school graduates require remedial classes in college (70% at TMCC)
- Only 21% of UNR students graduate after 4 years (Oct 2016, Guinn Center for Policy Priorities; Funding and Student Enrollment and Graduation Remain Low at NSHE Institutions)
- Nevada school districts are heavily challenged to improve by having one of the lowest per student spending rates in the country as well as challenging student populations (in Washoe County, 48% low socioeconomic status, 38% special needs); in addition, schools are increasingly overcrowded.
Unfortunately, today's incremental and partial reform initiatives will not be enough to make the significant change needed.
Although Washoe County voters approved new taxes to repair, renovate, and build new schools, there is not yet a plan to fundamentally change what happens in and around those schools to prepare students to succeed.
We need an education innovation. EIC is positioned to be the innovation we need.
The History
How Did EIC Come to Exist?
In the fall of 2015, a small team of ambitious education innovators decided to embark on a big dream: write a proposal for $10 million grant to build a Super School Washoe (SSW) Learning Lab.
The SSW Learning Lab design team comprised more than 35 students, educators, mentors, parents, professionals, business owners, engineers, and artists. We shared a passion to inspire and empower students to discovering their calling and purpose and realize their potential.
The SSW design was selected as a semi-finalist from among over 700 national entries. When it wasn't selected as a top-10 winner in July 2016, Mary Alber and core team members Dr. John Moran and Priya Ahlawat, as well as advisor Stefanie Fenton, decided to leverage the wealth of research and design work done for the grant proposal and form EIC as a non-profit. The goal is to create a best-in-class education ecosystem across our region and state to benefit all students, schools, and communities.
The SSW Learning Lab design team comprised more than 35 students, educators, mentors, parents, professionals, business owners, engineers, and artists. We shared a passion to inspire and empower students to discovering their calling and purpose and realize their potential.
The SSW design was selected as a semi-finalist from among over 700 national entries. When it wasn't selected as a top-10 winner in July 2016, Mary Alber and core team members Dr. John Moran and Priya Ahlawat, as well as advisor Stefanie Fenton, decided to leverage the wealth of research and design work done for the grant proposal and form EIC as a non-profit. The goal is to create a best-in-class education ecosystem across our region and state to benefit all students, schools, and communities.
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FOLLOW US
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CONTACT US info@eic-nv.org |
Mary Alber, Founding Director
mary.alber@eic-nv.org 775.224.3736 Priya Ahlawat, Co-Founder priya.ahlawat@eic-nv.org 774 Mays Blvd Ste #10-453, Incline Village, NV 89451 |
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