children are gifted with curiosity regardless of where they live or who
regardless of where they live or who
regardless of where they live or who their parents are if we give them the
their parents are if we give them the
their parents are if we give them the opportunity children will showcase their
opportunity children will showcase their
opportunity children will showcase their talents and imagination with even the
talents and imagination with even the
talents and imagination with even the most simple of things like a cardboard
most simple of things like a cardboard
most simple of things like a cardboard box I’ve seen kids design castles invent
box I’ve seen kids design castles invent
box I’ve seen kids design castles invent new games with only a box and I
new games with only a box and I
new games with only a box and I experienced this firsthand when I walked
experienced this firsthand when I walked
experienced this firsthand when I walked inside the classroom as a kindergarten
inside the classroom as a kindergarten
inside the classroom as a kindergarten teacher that was completely terrified
teacher that was completely terrified
teacher that was completely terrified but ultimately transformed as it lay the
but ultimately transformed as it lay the
but ultimately transformed as it lay the foundation for how I teach all kids even
foundation for how I teach all kids even
foundation for how I teach all kids even adults
adults
adults you see kindergarten teachers get
you see kindergarten teachers get
you see kindergarten teachers get immediate and unfiltered feedback if we
immediate and unfiltered feedback if we
immediate and unfiltered feedback if we lecture too long or we have kids sit
lecture too long or we have kids sit
lecture too long or we have kids sit behind a desk all day if we don’t move
behind a desk all day if we don’t move
behind a desk all day if we don’t move around five-year-olds will immediately
around five-year-olds will immediately
around five-year-olds will immediately let you know so we get down on the floor
let you know so we get down on the floor
let you know so we get down on the floor with them we go outside to play we build
with them we go outside to play we build
with them we go outside to play we build things together what if every grade and
things together what if every grade and
things together what if every grade and not just kindergarten could look like
not just kindergarten could look like
not just kindergarten could look like this most teachers would agree that if
this most teachers would agree that if
this most teachers would agree that if we give that every child can thrive if
we give that every child can thrive if
we give that every child can thrive if we give them the right stimuli and
we give them the right stimuli and
we give them the right stimuli and environment but to do that we need to
environment but to do that we need to
environment but to do that we need to think outside the box and imagine a
think outside the box and imagine a
think outside the box and imagine a place where even simple cardboard can
place where even simple cardboard can
place where even simple cardboard can become a bridge to new ways to teach and
become a bridge to new ways to teach and
become a bridge to new ways to teach and learn take a look at this picture what
learn take a look at this picture what
learn take a look at this picture what do you say said classroom you’re
do you say said classroom you’re
do you say said classroom you’re absolutely right this one though is from
absolutely right this one though is from
absolutely right this one though is from the 19th century
the 19th century
the 19th century and think about all the things that have
and think about all the things that have
and think about all the things that have happened in the past 150 years
happened in the past 150 years
happened in the past 150 years electricity automobile telephone walking
electricity automobile telephone walking
electricity automobile telephone walking on the moon uber but classrooms and what
on the moon uber but classrooms and what
on the moon uber but classrooms and what goes on inside of them have not changed
goes on inside of them have not changed
goes on inside of them have not changed and for far too many youth this place is
and for far too many youth this place is
and for far too many youth this place is not a place for creativity
not a place for creativity
not a place for creativity for imagination for thinking outside the
for imagination for thinking outside the
for imagination for thinking outside the box I believe we can do something about
box I believe we can do something about
box I believe we can do something about that too often kids fail in school
that too often kids fail in school
that too often kids fail in school because we assess things that they just
because we assess things that they just
because we assess things that they just do not care about nor see the relevance
do not care about nor see the relevance
do not care about nor see the relevance in but in the early grades failure is
in but in the early grades failure is
in but in the early grades failure is authentic if a block tower that a group
authentic if a block tower that a group
authentic if a block tower that a group of kids builds collapses it’s not like
of kids builds collapses it’s not like
of kids builds collapses it’s not like they failed blocks 101 instead there’s
they failed blocks 101 instead there’s
they failed blocks 101 instead there’s usually a real reason that kids can
usually a real reason that kids can
usually a real reason that kids can graphs
graphs
graphs maybe the foundation wasn’t far enough
maybe the foundation wasn’t far enough
maybe the foundation wasn’t far enough for the height or maybe their team
for the height or maybe their team
for the height or maybe their team needed to work together better share
needed to work together better share
needed to work together better share talk to each other without arguing
talk to each other without arguing
talk to each other without arguing recently Google education commissioned
recently Google education commissioned
recently Google education commissioned the Economist to answer a simple
the Economist to answer a simple
the Economist to answer a simple question what are the skills of the
question what are the skills of the
question what are the skills of the future and after talking with teachers
future and after talking with teachers
future and after talking with teachers and academics and business leaders three
and academics and business leaders three
and academics and business leaders three things top that list problem-solving
things top that list problem-solving
things top that list problem-solving team working communication we educators
team working communication we educators
team working communication we educators call these 21st century skills and by
call these 21st century skills and by
call these 21st century skills and by far the best way to teach these skills
far the best way to teach these skills
far the best way to teach these skills is to embed them naturally into the
is to embed them naturally into the
is to embed them naturally into the school day so I find it as one of the
school day so I find it as one of the
school day so I find it as one of the great ironies of public education that
great ironies of public education that
great ironies of public education that corporations are looking for skills and
corporations are looking for skills and
corporations are looking for skills and mindsets that are fostered better with
mindsets that are fostered better with
mindsets that are fostered better with blocks than by textbooks and Center eyes
blocks than by textbooks and Center eyes
blocks than by textbooks and Center eyes tests I believe schools can do a better
tests I believe schools can do a better
tests I believe schools can do a better job to teach kids of all grades to learn
job to teach kids of all grades to learn
job to teach kids of all grades to learn these skills unfortunately too often
these skills unfortunately too often
these skills unfortunately too often this is predicted by where you live or
this is predicted by where you live or
this is predicted by where you live or the school you go to and I experienced
the school you go to and I experienced
the school you go to and I experienced this firsthand like many of the kids
this firsthand like many of the kids
this firsthand like many of the kids that I taught I was raised by a single
that I taught I was raised by a single
that I taught I was raised by a single mother
mother
mother off and on welfare and by the third
off and on welfare and by the third
off and on welfare and by the third grade when I was not thriving with her
grade when I was not thriving with her
grade when I was not thriving with her she did what I think is one of the
she did what I think is one of the
she did what I think is one of the hardest things possible when she picked
hardest things possible when she picked
hardest things possible when she picked me up one night and drove me far away to
me up one night and drove me far away to
me up one night and drove me far away to my dad’s house and told me to stay here
my dad’s house and told me to stay here
my dad’s house and told me to stay here because
because
because here was an opportunity for me to
here was an opportunity for me to
here was an opportunity for me to succeed my dad lived on a farm which was
succeed my dad lived on a farm which was
succeed my dad lived on a farm which was a world away from the apartment building
a world away from the apartment building
a world away from the apartment building that I was used to and on the farm I got
that I was used to and on the farm I got
that I was used to and on the farm I got my hands dirty I worked as part of a
my hands dirty I worked as part of a
my hands dirty I worked as part of a team tackled some real problems I
team tackled some real problems I
team tackled some real problems I thrived and I was lucky but we can’t
thrived and I was lucky but we can’t
thrived and I was lucky but we can’t rely on luck and this experience drove
rely on luck and this experience drove
rely on luck and this experience drove me to create something new here in
me to create something new here in
me to create something new here in Atlanta I imagined what it would look
Atlanta I imagined what it would look
Atlanta I imagined what it would look like if we can bring opportunities to
like if we can bring opportunities to
like if we can bring opportunities to youth without asking families to move
youth without asking families to move
youth without asking families to move I created steam truck and Innovation Lab
I created steam truck and Innovation Lab
I created steam truck and Innovation Lab on wheels and for those of you not
on wheels and for those of you not
on wheels and for those of you not familiar with the latest in education
familiar with the latest in education
familiar with the latest in education acronyms steam stands for science
acronyms steam stands for science
acronyms steam stands for science technology engineering arts and math and
technology engineering arts and math and
technology engineering arts and math and since 2013 this truck has brought tools
since 2013 this truck has brought tools
since 2013 this truck has brought tools and technology and local talent directly
and technology and local talent directly
and technology and local talent directly to schools and we work with youth most
to schools and we work with youth most
to schools and we work with youth most underrepresented in STEM careers when we
underrepresented in STEM careers when we
underrepresented in STEM careers when we park it right outside the classroom door
park it right outside the classroom door
park it right outside the classroom door kids just walk outside to begin to
kids just walk outside to begin to
kids just walk outside to begin to tinker and build things I honed working
tinker and build things I honed working
tinker and build things I honed working on a farm but improved upon as a
on a farm but improved upon as a
on a farm but improved upon as a kindergarten teacher I want to make sure
kindergarten teacher I want to make sure
kindergarten teacher I want to make sure that the next inventor or scientist is
that the next inventor or scientist is
that the next inventor or scientist is not lost to us simply because they
not lost to us simply because they
not lost to us simply because they didn’t have access to tools and
didn’t have access to tools and
didn’t have access to tools and technologies now it’s true as kids start
technologies now it’s true as kids start
technologies now it’s true as kids start to get a little older playing with
to get a little older playing with
to get a little older playing with blocks may not work but kids often
blocks may not work but kids often
blocks may not work but kids often younger than when most folks here would
younger than when most folks here would
younger than when most folks here would feel comfortable with can use real tools
feel comfortable with can use real tools
feel comfortable with can use real tools there’s a sense of responsibility they
there’s a sense of responsibility they
there’s a sense of responsibility they earn when they use real tools and when
earn when they use real tools and when
earn when they use real tools and when we go to schools we love it when we can
we go to schools we love it when we can
we go to schools we love it when we can tackle a real problem and this is go
tackle a real problem and this is go
tackle a real problem and this is go healthy which i think is the nation’s
healthy which i think is the nation’s
healthy which i think is the nation’s first mobile cart that gamma Phi’s the
first mobile cart that gamma Phi’s the
first mobile cart that gamma Phi’s the collection of healthy food kids design
collection of healthy food kids design
collection of healthy food kids design and built this themselves
and built this themselves
and built this themselves that first prototype was at a simple
that first prototype was at a simple
that first prototype was at a simple cardboard before this the final version
cardboard before this the final version
cardboard before this the final version out of wood and metal their vision to
out of wood and metal their vision to
out of wood and metal their vision to bring though healthy around school
bring though healthy around school
bring though healthy around school putting healthy food inside to then give
putting healthy food inside to then give
putting healthy food inside to then give to others it’s an amazing innovation
to others it’s an amazing innovation
to others it’s an amazing innovation that shows that kids can tackle real
that shows that kids can tackle real
that shows that kids can tackle real problems if we just give them the
problems if we just give them the
problems if we just give them the opportunity and when we give them
opportunity and when we give them
opportunity and when we give them authentic opportunities kids begin to
authentic opportunities kids begin to
authentic opportunities kids begin to learn there’s 21st century skills like
learn there’s 21st century skills like
learn there’s 21st century skills like problem-solving team working
problem-solving team working
problem-solving team working communication all right now for the head
communication all right now for the head
communication all right now for the head fake up to now I have shown you pictures
fake up to now I have shown you pictures
fake up to now I have shown you pictures of kids and they inspire me and their
of kids and they inspire me and their
of kids and they inspire me and their stories I shared are true and yes to
stories I shared are true and yes to
stories I shared are true and yes to close opportunity gaps you need programs
close opportunity gaps you need programs
close opportunity gaps you need programs like what we do but you also need to
like what we do but you also need to
like what we do but you also need to catalyze transformation and the reality
catalyze transformation and the reality
catalyze transformation and the reality is is that kids don’t need to change
is is that kids don’t need to change
is is that kids don’t need to change they don’t they just need more
they don’t they just need more
they don’t they just need more opportunity the true value of this work
opportunity the true value of this work
opportunity the true value of this work or any work with a similar mission is to
or any work with a similar mission is to
or any work with a similar mission is to build a skills and mindsets of the one
build a skills and mindsets of the one
build a skills and mindsets of the one thing that has the biggest impact on
thing that has the biggest impact on
thing that has the biggest impact on student achievement teachers often it’s
student achievement teachers often it’s
student achievement teachers often it’s adults even with the very best of
adults even with the very best of
adults even with the very best of intentions that need the biggest shift
intentions that need the biggest shift
intentions that need the biggest shift in mindset and if I can’t get every
in mindset and if I can’t get every
in mindset and if I can’t get every single teacher to teach kindergarten for
single teacher to teach kindergarten for
single teacher to teach kindergarten for a year before they go off to teach
a year before they go off to teach
a year before they go off to teach Shakespeare or algebra well then I’ll
Shakespeare or algebra well then I’ll
Shakespeare or algebra well then I’ll drive a steam truck and park it outside
drive a steam truck and park it outside
drive a steam truck and park it outside their classroom door and show them what
their classroom door and show them what
their classroom door and show them what happens when you get your hands dirty
happens when you get your hands dirty
happens when you get your hands dirty and you make something here are two
and you make something here are two
and you make something here are two teachers doing exactly that as they use
teachers doing exactly that as they use
teachers doing exactly that as they use a relatively safe and simple tool one
a relatively safe and simple tool one
a relatively safe and simple tool one never found inside the classroom and
never found inside the classroom and
never found inside the classroom and they’re making much cooler name tags
they’re making much cooler name tags
they’re making much cooler name tags than the stickers on their shirt
than the stickers on their shirt
than the stickers on their shirt nametags it’s pretty simple but in the
nametags it’s pretty simple but in the
nametags it’s pretty simple but in the process it’s the adults not just the
process it’s the adults not just the
process it’s the adults not just the kids who begin to build the skills and
kids who begin to build the skills and
kids who begin to build the skills and confidence needed to use something other
confidence needed to use something other
confidence needed to use something other than a textbook
than a textbook
than a textbook to begin to think outside the box this
to begin to think outside the box this
to begin to think outside the box this all started with a 1988 Chevy p30 that I
all started with a 1988 Chevy p30 that I
all started with a 1988 Chevy p30 that I bought for less than $15,000 and in an
bought for less than $15,000 and in an
bought for less than $15,000 and in an amazing and ironic twist this truck was
amazing and ironic twist this truck was
amazing and ironic twist this truck was a government vehicle used in the county
a government vehicle used in the county
a government vehicle used in the county next door to where I was born and for
next door to where I was born and for
next door to where I was born and for almost 30 years
almost 30 years
almost 30 years it drove around a city helping adults
it drove around a city helping adults
it drove around a city helping adults fill out their unemployment papers
fill out their unemployment papers
fill out their unemployment papers adults who could not get a job would
adults who could not get a job would
adults who could not get a job would walk inside this truck and hope for the
walk inside this truck and hope for the
walk inside this truck and hope for the best so I like to imagine that if
best so I like to imagine that if
best so I like to imagine that if steamed truck
steamed truck
steamed truck could talk it would say that it’s very
could talk it would say that it’s very
could talk it would say that it’s very best years of its life are now working
best years of its life are now working
best years of its life are now working to ensure that this next generation can
to ensure that this next generation can
to ensure that this next generation can thrive and support in the transformation
thrive and support in the transformation
thrive and support in the transformation of teachers and teaching eliminating
of teachers and teaching eliminating
of teachers and teaching eliminating inequities catalyzing transformation I
inequities catalyzing transformation I
inequities catalyzing transformation I just simply put it on wheels enclosing
just simply put it on wheels enclosing
just simply put it on wheels enclosing my call to action for those in the
my call to action for those in the
my call to action for those in the audience or listening is that regardless
audience or listening is that regardless
audience or listening is that regardless if you’re ready for retirement or spent
if you’re ready for retirement or spent
if you’re ready for retirement or spent time doing something other than
time doing something other than
time doing something other than education reform it’s not too late
education reform it’s not too late
education reform it’s not too late this is not a Waiting for Superman
this is not a Waiting for Superman
this is not a Waiting for Superman moment now sure if I had a thousand
moment now sure if I had a thousand
moment now sure if I had a thousand trucks across this nation which I would
trucks across this nation which I would
trucks across this nation which I would love
my pair will put a serious dent in the
my pair will put a serious dent in the opportunity to divide but there’s talent
opportunity to divide but there’s talent
opportunity to divide but there’s talent around every single school in this
around every single school in this
around every single school in this nation and I’m looking at it now if you
nation and I’m looking at it now if you
nation and I’m looking at it now if you have a skill a trade or a hobby the rise
have a skill a trade or a hobby the rise
have a skill a trade or a hobby the rise of the maker movement and STEM education
of the maker movement and STEM education
of the maker movement and STEM education in almost every single school in this
in almost every single school in this
in almost every single school in this nation gives us all the opportunity
nation gives us all the opportunity
nation gives us all the opportunity really the responsibility to drive
really the responsibility to drive
really the responsibility to drive yourself to the nearest school and give
yourself to the nearest school and give
yourself to the nearest school and give kids and their teachers an opportunity
kids and their teachers an opportunity
kids and their teachers an opportunity to get their hands dirty and make
to get their hands dirty and make
to get their hands dirty and make something together I want to leave you
something together I want to leave you
something together I want to leave you with a challenge steam truck was just an
with a challenge steam truck was just an
with a challenge steam truck was just an idea on paper before I got that first
idea on paper before I got that first
idea on paper before I got that first truck and that first year I only served
truck and that first year I only served
truck and that first year I only served 75 kids in a single teacher three and a
75 kids in a single teacher three and a
75 kids in a single teacher three and a half years later with six vehicles we
half years later with six vehicles we
half years later with six vehicles we have driven up and down the East Coast
have driven up and down the East Coast
have driven up and down the East Coast and we’ve served hundreds of teachers
and we’ve served hundreds of teachers
and we’ve served hundreds of teachers and over 6,000 kids now if a former
and over 6,000 kids now if a former
and over 6,000 kids now if a former kindergarten teacher can do that what
kindergarten teacher can do that what
kindergarten teacher can do that what could we do together it’s time to think
could we do together it’s time to think
could we do together it’s time to think outside the box thank you
outside the box thank you
outside the box thank you [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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