Sparking Genius

The years spent in school can shape much more than what happens in the classroom. They influence confidence, friendships, interests, and the choices people make long after graduation. Host Dianne Drew sits down with recent Dwight graduate Paul Wilpon and Dwight Class of 2017 alumna Skye Lucas for a conversation about the experiences that helped shape who they are today. From teachers who left a la...

Discipline in early childhood is often misunderstood as punishment or control, but what if it could instead become an opportunity to build connection, emotional regulation, confidence, and lifelong skills?  In this episode of Sparking Genius, host Dianne Drew is joined by Dodie Blomberg, educational consultant, certified Positive Discipline Lead Trainer, and Adler-trained coach, alongside Chris Al...

Great school leadership shapes far more than academics; it influences school culture, student confidence, and the overall sense of community. In this episode of Sparking Genius, host Dianne Drew sits down with Chris Beddows, Head of School at Dwight London, to discuss what leadership looks like in modern education. Dianne and Chris explore the importance of visibility, relationship-building, and b...

In a world filled with constant noise and distraction, the ability to slow down, observe, and stay curious matters more than ever. In this episode of Sparking Genius , Dianne Drew’s guest host Lesa Wang sits down with Andrew Farnsworth of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to explore how small moments of curiosity in our youngest learners can grow into a lifelong passion. From spotting a bird at five...

Creative thinking is a core skill every learner needs. In this episode of Sparking Genius , guest host Lesa Wang, Dwight Head of Design and Global Spark Programs Director, speaks with two bold leaders in design and education: Paul Bennett, former Chief Creative Officer at IDEO, and Maureen Reilly, Head of Building Experience Design at LEGO Design. The conversation explores how creativity and play...

The future of education is being shaped by a new set of possibilities, ones that extend beyond traditional classrooms and school systems. In this episode of Sparking Genius , host Dianne Drew is joined by Vriti Saraf, educator, innovator, and co-founder of Ed3 DAO, to examine how Web3 technologies are reshaping learning experiences and educational access. Vriti brings deep insight into how AI, blo...

Technology is everywhere and for today’s students, it can be both a tool and a trap. In this episode of Sparking Genius , host Dianne Drew is joined by Robbie Torney of Common Sense Media and Ron Posner of Dwight School New York for a practical conversation on helping kids build healthier digital habits. They unpack digital citizenship, the risks of AI companions, and how schools and families can...

Student-athletes face a unique challenge: maintaining high academic standards while committing to rigorous athletic schedules.  In this episode of Sparking Genius , host Dianne Drew sits down with John Pelin, Head of Athletics at Dwight School New York, and Kathryn McMahan, an 11th-grade student who competes on three varsity teams: soccer, swimming, and softball. They talk about what it takes to b...

College admissions continue to evolve in response to societal shifts, technological advancements, and changing student expectations.  In this episode of Sparking Genius , host Dianne Drew speaks with two experts shaping the admissions experience on both sides: Katie Korhonen, Director of Global Admissions, Evaluation, and Strategy at NYU, and Shellee Hendricks, Dwight’s Global Director of College...

Great teaching goes far beyond textbooks and tests—it’s about connection, adaptability, and lifelong impact. In this episode of Sparking Genius , host Dianne Drew sits down with Zach Shapiro, a dedicated math teacher from Dwight New York, and Javier Sanchez, an inspiring language arts teacher from Dwight London, to explore what it truly means to be an effective educator. Zach and Javier, the inaug...

The ability to think critically and connect dots across disciplines has never been more vital. In this episode of Sparking Genius , host Dianne Drew sits down with Lee Howell, Executive Director of the Villars Institute, to unpack how systems thinking and intergenerational collaboration are transforming education. From exploring real-world examples to understanding the critical role of interdiscip...

The ways we can tap into the power of AI are growing and changing every day – which raises important questions about how to best utilize and regulate its functionality in the education landscape. In the first episode of “Sparking Genius” Season 2, we are joined by Amanda Bickerstaff, CEO of AI for Education, and Christian Talbot, President of the Middle States Association. Together with our host D...

What does it take to truly inspire a student? Here at Dwight Schools , we believe it starts with recognizing the unique potential in every child. Welcome to Season 2 of Sparking Genius – where we’re continuing the journey we started in Season 1 by diving deeper into the heart of what makes education truly transformative, and examining how the latest ideas in education are reshaping classrooms arou...

As the AI phenomenon continues to rise and have vast effects across so many industries, the question stands: what effects will it have in the world of education? In this episode of “Sparking Genius,” we welcome Liz Hutton, Head of Academics and Student Affairs at Dwight Global Online School, and Michael Yankoski, Postdoctoral Associate at the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence at Colby Co...

The recent growth of private schools around the world has been remarkable – especially in Asia. In this episode of “Sparking Genius,” we welcome Brantley Turner, Dwight Director of East Asia Programs and Co-Founder of Qibao Dwight High School in Shanghai. Together with our host Dianne Drew, Brantley shares insights into the rapid expansion of private education in Asia, exploring its implications,...

Schools are more than places for learning - and students need support with their mental health in addition to their academics. In this episode of “Sparking Genius,” we welcome Grace Berman, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, alongside Michael Haber, the Dwight Director of School Counseling. Grace and Michael share their experiences and strategies for enhancing the social and emotional well-being o...

Over the past several years, a new way of learning has swept through the world: online learning. First, it was borne of necessity due to COVID lockdowns, but now it’s taken on a life of its own as a powerful teaching tool. So what are the biggest benefits of online learning? On this episode of “Sparking Genius,” host Dianne Drew speaks with Head of Dwight Global Online School, Louisa Childs,  abou...

Since the 1970’s when Dwight adopted the Diploma Program, we have recognized the significance and power of the International Baccalaureate curriculum for Dwight students and alumni. The IB program holds many benefits for students, teachers, parents and for schools – and on this episode of “Sparking Genius,” host Dianne Drew speaks with two guests who can expertly speak to those benefits. We hear f...

There’s a core educational philosophy we embrace at all of our Dwight Schools worldwide that forms the foundation for everything we do: the “Spark of Genius.” It’s a passion or skill which we aspire to ignite in every child - and it’s the namesake for this podcast. On this episode of “Sparking Genius,” host Dianne Drew speaks with three guests who have unique perspectives on how students find and...

Since the founding of the first Dwight School in 1872, our mission to ignite the spark of genius in every child has never wavered — nor has our commitment to innovation. In our rapidly changing world, how can the latest advances in teaching and learning continue to be integrated into systems of education to ensure the best outcomes for students? On Sparking Genius, host Dianne Drew, Global Educati...