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Welcome to Innovating Education with Dr. Riley Williams, the podcast where we explore the future of education through insightful conversations with administrators, policymakers, and educators. Each episode dives into pressing issues in education reform, upcoming policy changes, and innovative ideas from those shaping the system. Our focus is solution-driven, fostering a positive space for collaborative dialogue that inspires actionable change. Whether you’re a decision-maker, teacher, or simply passionate about education, this podcast offers fresh perspectives and practical insights to help build a brighter future for learners everywhere. Join us as we uncover groundbreaking approaches to teaching, learning, and leading in education.
Episodes
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
In this episode of Innovating Education, Dr. Riley Williams is joined by educator, author, and Innovageous co-founder Shira Woolf Cohen for a transformative conversation about what it takes to lead schools where every student feels connected, engaged, and prepared for the future.
Drawing from her new book, Leading Future-Focused Schools: Engaging and Preparing Students for Career Success—OUT NOW—Cohen shares an actionable framework to shift school culture from compliance to purpose. With insights honed over 25 years in youth workforce development and education, Cohen makes the case for a Future-Focused Mindset that transcends career day and transforms every classroom.
From building student identity and purpose, to engaging ecosystem partners and designing school-wide career pathways, this conversation is packed with practical tools and inspiring examples.
🎧 In This Episode:
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Why career readiness can’t wait—and how to embed it in everyday instruction
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The role of mindset, SEL, and student leadership in real engagement
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How principals can start small but think systemically
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Real stories from schools already transforming the way students connect learning to life
Bio
Shira Woolf Cohen is no stranger to bold leadership. She spent 19 years growing a Philadelphia charter from 500 to 1,500 students while serving as teacher, dean, vice principal, and principal. Today, she mentors future leaders, teaches at the graduate level, and facilitates the National Youth Leadership Council’s Instructional Leadership in Service-Learning Program.
A recipient of the G. Bernard Gill Award and a Senior Neubauer Fellow in Educational Leadership, Shira brings deep expertise and a core belief that expanding opportunity is the most powerful way to transform lives and communities. Through her work at Innovageous, she partners with schools to design courageous, equity-centered strategies that prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
🛠️ Resources and tools mentioned in this episode—including reproducibles, frameworks, and a full career development continuum—are available at: www.innovageous.com/future-focused
And, don't forget to order her new book from, www.innovageous.com/books. Discounts are available for multi-copy orders.
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