S03E23 - Bridging the gap between edtech organizations and K-12 decisionmakers to solve education's most difficult challenges| Doug Roberts, CEO, Institute for Education Innovation (IEI)

Build Momentum for Education - K-12 Superintendent Series

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Doug Roberts, who is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation. IEI specializes in bridging the gaps between individuals and organizations that are committed to seeing students succeed in school and in life. Doug and his team create safe spaces for problem-solving and innovative thinking, including the IEI Summer Summit where this episode was recorded.
Some Questions We Ask:

• Could you tell us why you’re here and what IEI has going on this week? (00:59)
• What is IEI? (02:28)
• What are your thoughts about superintendents’ stress levels and how does IEI support them during difficult times? (02:45)
• Why is it important for edtech companies to have evidence, and how should they be ensuring they have it, especially with ESSER funding dwindling? (05:48)
• How do you think edtech companies are getting it wrong when they focus on AI support for school districts? (11:12)
• What are some of the ways you have committed to increasing the superintendent pipeline, and how do you think others can help support it too? (15:13)
• Tell us more about Supes’ Choice Awards. (21:31)
• You've really worked to build your thought leadership presence throughout the years. Is there anything you would change in the industry in terms of how people publicly try to build their exposure and awareness? (27:45)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About the IEI Summer Summit (01:11)
• About the Institute for Education Innovation (02:32)
• About superintendents’ stress levels and how IEI supports them (03:03)
• The importance of evidence and why companies should have it, especially in connection with ESSER funds (06:14)
• What edtech companies do wrong when they focus on AI support for school districts (11:30)
• What IEI Lead is and what it does (15:23)
• Doug and Katie’s perspective on the Supes’ Choice Awards (21:54)
• Katie’s advice for people who want to apply for the Supes’ Choice Awards (26:54)
• Doug’s thought leadership (28:06)

Quotes:

“Evidence is really in the eye of the beholder. That's a decision between a superintendent and her or his cabinet and the actual educators who will implement the thing.”
Connect with Doug:
Doug's Twitter
Email: [e-mail]
Doug Robert's LinkedIn
IEI Twitter
IEI Website
Supes' Choice Website

Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
Free Case Study Guide
SWPR GROUP Website
LinkedIn
Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
LinkedIn
About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
Purchase the print or ebook