Silver Lining for Learning

In Episode #227, the Silver Lining for Learning Co-hosts reflect on the transformative (and not so transformative) changes in education of the past five years. They will do such pondering with two long-time friends of SLL, David Wiley, one of the founders of the field of open educational resources and innovator in the field of virtual education who presently is Chief Academic Officer at Lumen Learning and Lin Lin Lipsmeyer from Southern Methodist University who researches in the fields of learning sciences, STEM education, artificial intelligence, and innovative and advanced learning technologies. Lin will discuss her new role as a National Science Foundation (NSF) Program Director/Officer on an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment.David Wiley is the Chief Academic Officer of Lumen Learning. His work and research happen is at the intersection of open educational resources, generative AI, learning analytics, continuous improvement, and professional development. he's one of the founders of the open educational resources (OER) movement. David is also adjunct faculty in Brigham Young University's graduate program in Instructional Psychology and Technology where he was previously a tenured Associate Professor, and Director of The Brad D. Smith Student Incubator in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Marshall University.As an academic, he's been fortunate to receive several recognitions for his work, including an National Science Foundation CAREER grant and appointments as a Nonresident Fellow in the Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School, a Peery Social Entrepreneurship Research Fellow in the BYU Marriott School of Business, and a Shuttleworth Fellow. As a social entrepreneur, David has founded or co-founded numerous entities including Lumen Learning, Degreed, and Mountain Heights Academy, and was named an Ashoka Fellow. In 2009, Fast Company named me one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business. In my professional community, he was Education Fellow at Creative Commons from 2013 - 2016 and one of the original authors of the CC Certificate Program, as well as President of the international Association for Educational Communications and Technology from 2022 - 2023.David Wiley began my teaching career in 1996 as adjunct faculty at Ashland Community College in Kentucky where I taught Introduction to E-Business. He then taught Advanced Web Techniques as an adjunct in Marshall University's Computer Science Department. And then Educational Psychology at Brigham Young University as a graduate student. Next, David held tenure-track faculty appointments at Utah State University and Brigham Young University, where he taught courses in instructional design, grant writing, open education, social entrepreneurship, social media in education, and other subjects. As an adjunct, he most recently taught IPT 515R, Generative AI for Instructional Designers, at BYU and ENT200h, The Brad D. Smith Student Incubator, at Marshall University during 2024. Find out more about David Wiley at his homepage: https://davidwiley.org/ or contact him directly at: david.wiley@gmail.com.Lin Lin Lipsmeyer is a Professor of Teaching and Learning at the Simmons School of Education & Human Development, Southern Methodist University (SMU, https://www.smu.edu/simmons/about-us/directory/teaching-learning/lipsmeyer). Currently, Dr. Lipsmeyer is serving as a National Science Foundation (NSF) Program Director/Officer on an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment. Lin earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Instructional Technology and Media from Teachers College Columbia University. Lin’s interdisciplinary research spans between learning sciences, STEM education, artificial intelligence, and innovative technologies. She has co-edited 9 books and reports, authored or co-authored over a hundred refereed journal articles and book chapters, and delivered more than a hundred presentations at national and international conferences. Dr. Lipsmeyer has also served as PI or Co-PI on multiple grants. Her leadership roles include department chair, center director, conference president, and program chair. From 2018 to 2024, Lin was the Development Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Educational Technology Research and Development (ETR&D), one of the top 20 educational research journals. Her SMU homepage is at: https://www.smu.edu/simmons/about-us/directory/teaching-learning/lipsmeyer and her LinkedIn page is at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lin-lin-professor/. She can be contacted at: llipsmeyer@smu.edu Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Celebrating 5 years of Silver Lining for Learning with the hosts: Chris Dede, Curt Bonk, Lydia Cao & Punya Mishra  Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Everyday AI is an innovative model for teacher professional development to advance middle and high school teachers’ AI literacy and pedagogical content knowledge in teaching AI in their inclusive classrooms. Everyday AI’s innovation is its three waves of PD: 1) an AI Book Club combined with 2) the authentic learning experience of a summer Practicum and 3) a community practice sustained throughout the academic year through monthly webinars.Participating in Everyday AI helps teachers learn to implement the Developing AI Literacy (DAILy) 2.0 Curriculum (link) in their diverse classrooms, grow comfortable teaching foundational AI topics, and develop a deep understanding of AI concepts including AI ethics and its societal impacts. As teachers reflect on how they would modify the materials to make them more accessible, relevant, inclusive, and equitable for their diverse students, they gain ownership over the material. As teachers complete the program, they return to serve as Facilitators in subsequent years to grow new cohorts of knowledgeable AI teachers.In this episode, we dive deep into the experiences of two teachers who've been on the front lines of integrating artificial intelligence into their classrooms. We hear from Wanda and Racquel about their journey through the Everyday AI teacher professional development program. They will share their insights on everything from the AI Book Club and summer practicum to the rewards of mentoring other teachers and ultimately facilitating the program themselves!  Finally, we'll get a glimpse into their current classroom practices, discovering how they implement the DAILy 2.0 curriculum, address student misconceptions, and create impactful learning experiences. Tune in as we uncover the practical applications and transformative potential of AI in education!About our guests Wanda Jones, Computer Science TeacherWanda Jones is a Computer Science educator with over twenty-four years of secondary and undergraduate teaching experience that incorporates her unique background of computer science, education technology, and computer information system management. Ms. Jones was named one of the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the year 2022 - 2023 and she is currently a National Winner of the 2024 CS Teaching Excellence Award by the Computer Science Teacher Association. Ms. Jones has worked with the Everyday AI project as a piloting teacher as well as a facilitator.Racquel Herring, Robotics & Digital Literacy TeacherRacquel Herring is a Robotics and Digital Literacy educator with over twenty-five years of experience teaching first graders to adults. She has served as a mentor to new and veteran educators through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and Broward County’s New Teacher Academy. Racquel pursues educational experiences that open the world of science and technology to her students. She is one of the initial implementers of the Everyday AI Project.Kate Moore, Research Scientist at the MIT STEP LabKate Moore is a research scientist who studies how to teach middle and high school students about systems and ethics of artificial intelligence and machine learning. She earned her doctoral degree at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she studied cooperative learning and collaborative problem solving, and worked part-time as a professional development coach for STEM teachers in New York City public schools with the Center for the Professional Education of Teachers (CPET). Before entering the world of research and design, Kate served as a middle school science and special education teacher for 10 years. She has worked in public, independent, and charter schools in New York City NY, Newark NJ, and Pittsburgh PA. Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

David Crandall is a Luddy Professor of Computer Science specializing in computer vision, and Selma Šabanović is a Professor of Informatics focused on social robotics. They discuss the transformative potential of social robots in elderly care, especially for those with dementia. Key insights include the importance of conversational design in robots, emotional responsiveness, and the collaborative approach needed for effective human-robot interactions. They stress that technology should enhance human connections, enriching lives and supporting caregivers in meaningful ways.

Ashok Goel is a Professor at Georgia Tech and Executive Director of the National AI Institute for Adult Learning, leading innovative research in AI applications for education. Sandeep Kakar contributes as a Research Scientist, focusing on the Jill Watson project, a virtual teaching assistant utilizing AI for enhanced student support. Kristy Singletary, Dean at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, discusses the democratization of education through AI. They explore Jill Watson's impact in online learning, AI's evolving role in teaching, and the importance of integrating AI to improve accessibility and engagement.

In this insightful discussion, Michael Berardino, a Senior Research Analyst at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, and Steven Weiner, a fellow Research Analyst, dive into the critical intersection of AI and education. They explore how school districts are navigating AI adoption while addressing the urgent need for teacher preparedness. Their research highlights gaps in AI training for future educators and showcases innovative strategies from early adopters. The conversation also touches on policy implications and the importance of equity in educational technology.

Christina Bosch, a research scientist at MIT's Teacher Education Lab, discusses innovative AI initiatives like Collaborative AI for Learning (CAIL) and Responsible AI for Computational Action (RAICA). She highlights how a conversational agent named Oscar enhances collaborative learning in classrooms, promoting deeper engagement among students. Christina also addresses the ethical implications of AI in education and stresses the importance of customizing tech to meet diverse learning needs. Tune in for insights into balancing innovation with traditional educational practices!

Workforce Development through the Technical College System of George with Dr. Andrea Daniel - President Athens Technical College; Adie Shimandle, Executive Director - the Technical College Directors Association of Georgia; and Tammy Bryant - Director of Curriculum for Allied HealthThe Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) is the backbone of workforce development in Georgia, serving every corner of the state through 22 colleges and 88 campuses. TCSG delivers high -quality education and careers that empowers Georgians with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for success in high-demand professional and emerging fields. From innovative programs in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity to robust partnerships with industries statewide, TCSG is preparing Georgia’s workforce for the jobs of the future. Each year, TCSG serves more than 500,000 Georgians through its technical education, adult education, and customized workforce training programs.Georgia has been named the #1 state for business for 11 consecutive years by Area Development magazine, and TCSG plays a critical role in earning and sustaining this recognition. With affordable tuition, cutting-edge programs, and a strong emphasis on experiential learning, TCSG ensures that education and career advancement are accessible to all. The system has experienced significant enrollment growth in recent years and had the highest number of graduates in its history in 2024. Beyond technical programs, TCSG leads the state in adult education, high school equivalency initiatives, and workforce training for business and industry, cementing its role as a vital force in Georgia’s economy.Areas of interest  for the Podcast and the individual most knowledgeable in that area:Georgia Match - Dr. DanielGEORGIA MATCH is a workforce initiative created by Governor Kemp, and championed by Chancellor Perdue, Commissioner Dozier, and State School Superintendent Woods.Direct Admissions initiative - letter to every public and private high school senior. The letter identifies all the TCSG & USG colleges that the student is academically qualified to attend based on their HOPE GPA.Articulation Agreements ) Tammy Bryant  28 TCSG courses transfer to University System of Georgia Colleges (USG)894 one-to-one articulation agreementsNursing  programs and their articulation agreementsCareer Plus  -  Dr. DanielCareer Plus is a high school diploma program (vs. high school equivalent program) for students 21 years old and older.Students must complete nine high school core courses plus either a two-TCC pathway, a diploma, or an associate degreeDual Achievement and Dual Enrollment – Dr. DanielStudents will graduate high school with a high school diploma and college credentials. Students must earn either two Technical Certificates of Credit or a Diploma or an associate degreeBe between the ages of 16-21Student is not considered a drop-out from their high schoolGeorgia Quick Start – A highly accomplished department of the Technical College System of Georgia  -    (All)#1 Workforce Training Program in the country for 15 years, per Area Development MagazineProvides FREE workforce training for companies moving to Georgia or expanding operations in GeorgiaWorksource Georgia – Dr. DanielProvides workforce development and career services to more than 196,000 GeorgiansLaunched an online labor exchange portal that connects employers with job seekers. worksourcegaportal.comLeadership through Local Board of Directors - Adie ShimandleNational Science Foundation Artificial Intelligence institute in Adult Learning and Online Education Program– Adie Shimandle11 colleges participating in the ALOE Fellowship programEpisode GuestsDr. Andrea Daniel President Athens Technical CollegeDr. Andrea Daniel currently serves as the President at Athens Technical College. She has served the College for over 27 years. Dr. Daniel began her career working in the office of Senator Sam Nunn and supported the work of the Armed Services Committee. Dr. Daniel previously worked as a senior planning analyst for the Atlanta Regional Commission on projects such as the Outer Loop Study, Vision 2020 Education Stakeholder Committee, planning and zoning studies, and Olympic Transportation Planning.Dr. Daniel has completed the Executive Leadership Academy of the Technical College System of Georgia, and she is a graduate of L.E.A.D. Athens Class of 2008. She has also successfully completed the Georgia Tech Annual Basic Economic Development Course, and the Georgia Regional Academy for Economic Development Essentials of Economic Development course. In January 2020, Dr. Daniel was elected and nominated by a group of her peers to serve on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees. For her efforts in demonstrating excellence, creativity and success in business and furthering the goals for other professional women, Dr. Daniel was presented the Athena Award in February 2020. In November 2020, Dr. Daniel received the Elbert County Native Citizen Award during the annual meeting of the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Daniel has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Lander University, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia, and a doctorate in Business Administration specializing in organizational leadership from Northcentral UniversityAdie Eleaze Shimandle: Executive Director of the Technical College Directors' Association of GeorgiaMs. Shimandle is the Executive Director of the Technical College Directors' Association of Georgia (TCDA) under the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). In this role, she oversees education and certification programs for local boards of directors across Georgia's 22 technical colleges and has trained and certified more than 600 local board members.  She spearheaded the creation of TECH Talks, an initiative technical showcase of pioneering entrepreneurs in disruptive technologies and co-host of the Technical College System of Georgia Statewide Leadership Conference. These explosive new technologies and innovations are driving Georgia's industries and workforce. In addition to her work with TCDA, Ms. Shimandle actively advocates for technological advancements, serving as an ambassador to Georgia legislators, locally and at the federal level, and engaging in discussions on transformative innovations that enhance education and industry.Ms. Shimandle has held senior level position in marketing, business analyst, project management and education. She is a graduate of Leadership North Fulton, created the Community Partner's Fair for the Taste of Alpharetta, Georgia, former member of Habitat for Humanity North Fulton and provided computers underserved students in the Norcross, Ga area. She was inducted into Marquis Who's Who in 2024 and recently was honored to be named the recipient of Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award December 2024.  She will appear in the 2025 edition of Who's Who in America.Ms. Shimandle earned an Associates of Science in Education from Manatee Junior Collee (now the State College of Florida),  then earning a Bachelor of Science in Instructional Psychology, Training, and Technology at the University of Georgia, where she achieved academic distinction and was recognized for her leadership and scholastic excellence as a straight "A" student. She was honored to be selected as one of two graduating seniors to give the graduation speech at a UGA satellite campus.  She is a founding member of the National AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education (ALOE), and currently resides on the executive board assisting researchers with ongoing data and advice on adult learners.Tammy Bryant, MSN, RN, Director of Curriculum for Allied Health at TCSGTammy earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Brenau University and a Master’s degree in Nursing from Walden University. Her first career was that of a Labor and Delivery Nurse in the Atlanta area. She then started as a nurse educator with the Technical College System of Georgia at Southern Regional Technical College (SRtC) in 1994 as a full-time instructor in the LPN Program; as she continued her educational journey she developed one of the first Gerontology Diploma Programs for the Technical College System, served as instructor, and program chair for the ASN program from 2010-2022. In 2023, she served as Dean of Nursing for SRTC from June – January of 2023.   Most recently in January 2023, she accepted the position within the Technical College System as Executive Director of Health Initiatives.Tammy received the Southern Regional Technical College’s Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction twice while teaching. She has served as a member of the Nursing Education Committee for the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Steering Committee for the Inaugural Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing - Nursing Education Accreditation Conference.  She was appointed to the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) in 2017 and reappointed in 2021 and served as the President of the GBON for 2 years.Additionally, she is active in her community where she has served as a Board Member for the Lives without Limits non-profit organization, a member of Thomasville Health Department Committee, as well as a Member of the Georgia Association of Nursing Deans and Directors.  Tammy and her husband, Danny, have one daughter and live in Thomasville. Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Episode #219 of Silver Lining for Learning will focus on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) and open education in Taiwan. We will have guests from the Research Center of Higher Educational Resources for Openness (HERO) at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. The platform they use is called ewant. Ewant is an Open Education Platform established in 2013 by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in Taiwan. More on this is below.About the Ewant Open education platform: https://www.ewant.org/The ewant Open Education Platform, established in 2013 by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in Taiwan, is a pioneering initiative in the realm of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). As Taiwan's first MOOCs platform, ewant has made significant strides in democratizing education, offering over 1,100 courses to a diverse audience that includes more than 650,000 enrollments. This platform collaborates with 110 educational institutions and organizations to provide high-quality learning resources across various disciplines. Over the past two years, approximately 200,000 registered users were high school students.Ewant aims to enhance accessibility to education by breaking geographical barriers and offering courses in both Mandarin and English. Its innovative approach includes hybrid learning models that combine online and offline experiences, fostering peer-to-peer interaction and collaboration among learners. The platform has gained international recognition for its engaging content and successful partnerships, such as its collaboration with the National Palace Museum and renowned educators like Professor Barbara Oakley. With a commitment to promoting lifelong learning, ewant continues to expand its course offerings, including specialized programs in emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence and Medical Science. One notable achievement is the collaboration with the National Palace Museum, which resulted in the award-winning course "A Visit to Treasures in National Palace Museum." This course received a gold medal at the 2021 World Fest Houston International Film and Video Festival, highlighting its innovative approach to education and cultural engagement.Additionally, ewant partnered with Professor Barbara Oakley to create a Chinese version of the highly popular course "Learning How to Learn." This collaboration expanded the course's reach, allowing Mandarin-speaking students to benefit from its insights into effective learning strategies. The platform also launched a high school version and a teacher education variant, further enhancing its educational offerings. Courses like "Mandatory Credits for College Students: Emotional Education," developed by Professor Fei-Juan Chen, have seen significant enrollment success, with over 30,000 students participating in its first semester on a major credit-sharing platform in China. Such initiatives demonstrate ewant's commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education that resonates with diverse audiences and fosters global connections among learners.Sample project: NYCU Partners with VIS to Launch Digital Semiconductor Course: Advancing Educational Equity and Providing Quality Resources for Remote and Offshore High Schools: https://www.nycu.edu.tw/nycu/en/app/news/view?module=headnews&id=552&serno=fcf843a0-00da-4a97-b26d-bcb89cffaac8Kenzen Chen, Associate Professor of e-Learning; and also Associate Dean of the College of humanities, arts, and social sciences; Associate Director of Higher Education Resources for Openness (HERO Center); Associate Director of faculty choir (many associates, LOL); National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan.Dr. Ken-Zen Chen is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Education at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan starting September 2015. Prior to becoming an academic, Kenzen was an instructional designer and research analyst at eCampus Center, Boise State University, Idaho, U.S.A. Kenzen specialized in retention research & provided instructional design consultation to support the design & delivery of online courses & programs at Boise State. In line with the state government’s mission of Complete College Idaho 2020, he assisted with learning analytics to improve online student success and provide faculty support with research collaborations for online scholarship of teaching & learning. Kenzen completed his Ph.D. in math, science & technology education in 2012, & M.S. in applied statistics in 2010 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC); he also received an M.A in curriculum & instruction & a B.Ed. from National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). With his experience in educational foundations, MIS, and instructional design tools, he has broad research interests & backgrounds in the areas of educational technology, learning sciences, big-data analytics in education, and curriculum & instruction. Starting 2016, Dr. Chen collaborates with Dr. Barbara Oakley to transform her famous “Learning How To Learn” MOOC into a series of culturally responsive MOOCs for Chinese-speaking learners and won great success. Currently, the “landing” LHTL is onboarding in five MOOC platforms and one Podcast platform. Dr. Chen uses these MOOCs as research sites to generate a sustainable model for MOOC development. Presently, Kenzen co-directs the ewant Open Education Platform (https://ewant.org, literally: the education you want) - Taiwan’s flagship Mass Open Online Courses platform.Dr. Hsin-Yun Wang (Jill)Dr. Jo-Chi Hsiao (Anna)Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Center for Teacher Education at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology;Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Institute of Education at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University;Community leader of Dance with Stars, a professional learning network for high school English teachers in TaiwanEnglish teacher at National Hsinchu Senior High SchoolHer research focuses on teacher professional development, TESOL, and Computer Assisted Language LearningDr. Wen-Li Chang (Wendy)Post Doc Fellow, Institute of Education, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, TaiwanLecturer, General Education Center and Language Center, National Chung Hsing University, TaiwanLecturer, Department of English and Language Center, National Changhua University of Education, TaiwanHer research field encompasses English-medium instruction, technology-enhanced language learning, self-regulated language learning, and open educational practices.Dr. Yi-Fang Lo (Elva)English Teacher and The Chief of Curriculum, Yong Zhen Elementary School, Miaoli County, TaiwanDoctoral Student, Institute of Education, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, TaiwanLecturer, Cool English website, MOE (The Ministry of Education), TaiwanReview Expert of Examination, “Test My English” CEFR English Test System, MOE (The Ministry of Education), TaiwanCommunity leader, a professional learning network for elementary school English teachers in TaiwanResearch fields:motivation on English learningonline escape room game design on learningtechnology-enhanced language learning in elementary educationself-regulated language learning   Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Episode 218 | The Brilliant Global Gem Called Christel House, 11 am Eastern, 1/11/2025Silver Lining for Learning will start 2025 with a phenomenal project called Christel House International (https://christelhouse.org/) involving youth around the world. Christel House is a global network of schools in India, Mexico, South Africa, Jamaica, and Indianapolis in the United States. Its mission is to provide high-quality, free education from preschool age until they can secure employment after their tertiary education. For the past 25 years, Christel House has strived to provide a comprehensive approach that involves not just educational programming but also healthcare, nutrition, and family assistance. Such an approach helps to ensure the complete holistic development and well-being of every young person in their program. At its core, Christel House has been dedicated to helping empower children from under-resourced communities to maximize their potential, and, in effect, transform lives around the planet. Across their 25 years of existence, Christel House has impacted over 20,000 students across the world with the establishment of 9 schools in 5 countries. They are currently spearheading a new fully funded Fellowship program called the Global Pathbuilders Fellowship which hopes to identify and support high-potential visionary leaders and entrepreneurs in establishing Christel House schools in new countries. Among the countries under consideration are Peru, Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, and Bangladesh. They are presently looking for partners in those countries. Selected Fellows will receive customized support to design and launch new schools, including opportunities to be embedded in different Christel House schools to learn from their experienced CEOs and their teams. Clearly, Episode #218 of Silver Lining for Learning will be one of great interest to those seeking innovative solutions to educational problems around the world.David Harris – President and CEO, Christel House InternationalDavid Harris is President & CEO of Christel House International. Before joining Christel House, he was a partner with The City Fund. David founded The Mind Trust in 2006, which became a national model for driving urban education reform. Before founding The Mind Trust, David spent five years as Mayor Bart Peterson’s Charter Schools director, where he built a charter school office that received Harvard University’s Innovations in American Government Award. In 2024, David was recognized with the Leader in Education Innovation Award from The Mind Trust. The Indianapolis Business Journal named David one of the city’s 40 Influential People of the Past 40 Years in 2020. He has received College Summit’s Let Talent Shine Award, Teachers’ Treasures Caring Spirit Award, Hope Academy’s Faces of Hope Award, Marian University’s Franciscan Values Award, and Indy’s Best and Brightest Award from Junior Achievement of Central Indiana. He was featured as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 2013 Profiles of Change series. He also was named one of Indianapolis Business Journal’s ‘Forty Under 40’ and was the inaugural winner of the St. Richard’s Episcopal School’s Eugene S. Pulliam Founders Medal for alumni who “demonstrate creative leadership and service that has benefitted society.” David received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and a law degree from Indiana University.Adri Marais – CEO, Christel House South AfricaIn April 2018 Adri Marais joined Christel House South Africa as CEO. Adri has a Masters in Biochemistry, an MBA and a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education Studies (cum laude). Science, business and education inform her view of the world. As a social entrepreneur, she is passionate and tenacious. As a leader, deeply empathetic, straight-talking and standing in her integrity. She drives innovation from conceptualization to implementation, balancing risk and reward with humanity. The business of education was a natural home for her work towards social change. In 2004, together with three co-founders, she started TSiBA (Tertiary School in Business Administration) dedicating her life full-time to post-apartheid redress. TSiBA is a private not-for-profit business school that provides all students with full, or part, tuition scholarships to study towards an enriched, fully accredited BBA degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership.Lauren DanielsMy name is Lauren Daniels; I am 25 years old and currently residing in South Africa. I attended Christel House South Africa from 2013-2017, which was my high school career. I matriculated top of the class in 2017 and was also the valedictorian. I went on to study business and marketing for one year at a private college on a full scholarship, and then proceeded to complete my undergraduate degree at Stellenbosch University, a Bachelor of Arts in Social Dynamics in 2021. I completed my BA Honors in Social Anthropology at Stellenbosch University in 2022. I graduated in March 2023, and I am currently working as Project coordinator in the Bursaries and Student Recruitment management division at the Growsmart Educational Program at Growthpoint Properties CSR department. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in medical Anthropology, with a focus on public and reproductive health at the University of Johannesburg.Indianapolis Star (front page article from January 4, 2025) This high school mentors its students long after they graduate, and it’s seeing resultsThe 74 – Op-Ed by David Harris: How Indiana is leading the way in measuring schools by what matters mostMail & Guardian – Op-Ed by Adri Marais: There is a way to address poverty in South AfricaChalkbeat Indiana – (College & Careers Collaboration): Christel House expands postsecondary support program to traditional public, charter schoolsSouth Africa - The Good News (CH Expansion): Christel House SA to open a new high school Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org