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One Big Idea: Karen Reiss Medwed on Learning Hubs in Wal-Mart

Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed of Northeastern University proposes that large businesses support education by hosting community learning hubs.

By Amy Valentine

Karen Reiss MedwedJun 9, 20213 min read

In this episode, Dr. Reiss Medwed shares her one big idea for big businesses to support education by offering community learning hubs.

If you could share One Big Idea to change the future of education, what would it be?

In the third episode of our One Big Idea series, we hear from Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, Associate Teaching Professor in the Graduate School of Education and the Assistant Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs in the Graduate School of Education at Northeastern University.

Dr. Reiss Medwed shares her big idea for big businesses to support education by offering community learning hubs at heavily trafficked retail locations. Inspired by the efforts of companies to set up accessible vaccination centers for COVID-19, this idea builds on that concept and addresses the problem of many learning centers that are located out of the way for families. Listen to the episode to hear much more and find out how this idea can transform educational opportunities and enhance equity in communities.

What’s your One Big Idea to transform education? Connect with us on social media or on our website, www.futureof.school, to share! Follow Future of School on Twitter @futureof_school and follow Amy Valentine @amyvalentine555.

Learn more about Future of School and its mission to mobilize change in American K-12 education from a one-size-fits-all system to one that ensures all students reach their unbounded potential no matter where their learning takes place at www.futureof.school.

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More on Future of Education

Amy Valentine: Author
Chief Executive Officer, Future of School
Amy Valentine is the Chief Executive Officer and Education Evangelist of Future of School, a national nonprofit organization designed to support the growth of innovative school models integrating blended and online learning. Prior to guiding Future of School’s incubation and launch, Amy managed a portfolio of Colorado schools where she led academic and operational turnaround strategy. She also previously served as executive director for a network of Nobel Learning Communities schools in California.
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Karen Reiss Medwed: Author
Teaching Professor in Education and Professional Studies
Rabbi Dr. Karen G Reiss Medwed, works in higher education, and is a Teaching Professor in Education and Professional Studies.
Dr. Reiss Medwed's scholarship includes understanding the growth of the field of online education and instruction in higher education, K-12 education and faith-based education.
Dr. Reiss Medwed earned her Ph.D. from New York University's Steinhardt School of Education in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning with a specialization in Jewish education. She was also a Steinhardt Fellow for the four years of her doctoral studies. She went on to design and develop a Master of Education program in Faith-Based Education at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education. Dr. Reiss Medwed studies innovative practices for online course design and instruction for higher education. From faith-based education, to network and digital learning, her studies focus on connected learning and radical belonging in education.
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