How can we invite innovation in education? Learn from Sarah Elizabeth Ippel's public school model inspired by education across the globe.
Chasing Innovation in Education
Sarah Elizabeth Ippel has dedicated her career to championing innovation in education. Her passion for learner-centered models sparked a vision for creating the pioneering Academy for Global Citizenship school in Chicago. With the help of admirable resiliency and the bravery to innovate, Sarah Elizabeth continues disrupting traditional paradigms.
As a graduate student abroad, Sarah Elizabeth discovered stark contrasts between American and international learning approaches. She realized the untapped potential of experiential education focused on student passions, hands-on projects, and developing the whole child.
Core Principles of Academy for Global Citizenship
Back in Chicago, Sarah Elizabeth brought a radical proposal to the Board of Education to create a public school embodying seven core elements:
- Inquiry-based, integrated curriculum
- Sustainability and environmental literacy
- Nutrition and wellness
- Dual-language learning
- Parent and community partnerships
- Entrepreneurship skills
- Social justice and activism
Despite initial resistance, Sarah Elizabeth persevered and established the Academy for Global Citizenship on these principles. The school has now trained 10,000 educators worldwide to adopt its model.
Inviting Innovation into Education
Sarah Elizabeth believes we must all rethink education for the challenges ahead. Her new $60 million “school of the future” in Chicago exemplifies cutting-edge design, net-positive energy, and community revitalization.
Sarah Elizabeth inspires educators everywhere to keep pushing boundaries. By creating holistic, student-driven learning environments in partnership with our communities, youth become empowered as engaged global citizens.
Lead Like Sarah Elizabeth - Take Risks to Drive Innovation
We love Sarah Elizabeth's example of questioning assumptions and taking risks to drive innovation in education. Sarah Elizabeth teaches us to stay connected to learner needs, collaborate with communities, and empower the next generation. Though new ideas often bring skepticism, Sarah Elizabeth shows that with persistence and purpose, we can transform old ways of doing things into bold steps toward the future.
Watch the replay of Sarah Elizabeth's talk.
