Innovation Ignited: Highlights from the Google GSV Education Innovation Fellowship
By Tiffany C. Taylor, Partner and Chief People & Impact Officer, GSV Ventures, and Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Impact, Google for Education
As the Google and GSV teams eagerly anticipate the second convening of the Google GSV Education Innovation Fellowship — 24 exceptional top-level K-12 instructional leaders from across the nation — we are reflecting on the powerful themes that shined through in our first convening.
When the Fellowship first gathered this past July at the Google offices in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the air was filled with palpable excitement and readiness to collaborate. Now, as we prepare to welcome these leaders again next week, it’s clear that the profound connection, spark of inspiration, and innovative perspectives present at our first convening are indelible not only to the Fellowship program itself but to each ripple of impact our leaders cultivate on their paths forward.
The Power of Being Together
Being in person was powerful—finding a community of peers is an experience unlike any other. Our Fellows echoed that the opportunity to build relationships and work alongside other instructional leaders from across the country was valuable beyond measure. The strong relationships forged are crucial to the Google GSV Fellowship and foundational for the collaboration and partnership the Fellows are embarking on.
Setting the Stage for Transformation
Throughout the year, our Fellows are engaging in learning, coaching, and collaborative experiences as they pursue a transformational opportunity for their district. Themes of “AI & Tutoring,” “AI Assessment,” “Systems Integrations,” “Organizational & Culture Change,” and “Innovations in Workforce Models” resonated deeply, sparking conversations about reshaping education’s future.
Since our time together in July, these inspirational leaders have been collaborating with each other and a personal executive coach to give shape to the opportunity they are eager to bring to life for their students and school community. Each convening gives them continued opportunities to collaborate and receive feedback through dynamic and energizing conversations around impactful opportunities for transformation at the intersection of technology and instruction.
Learning from Visionaries
Equally as important as the power of being in community are examples of successfully developed and implemented initiatives that have transformed education. We ground each convening in an opportunity to learn directly from a nationally recognized district about their experience bringing about transformation and innovation at the district level. From these speakers’ guidance, our Fellows are able to find inspiration and empowerment as they pursue innovation in their own districts.
Facilitated by the Pahara Institute’s Shawna Wells, Dr. Darryl Adams — former Superintendent of Coachella Valley Unified School District — spoke about the process, people, and programs needed to transform a district and, therefore, a community through the “Technology for All” and the “Wi-Fi on Wheels” initiatives.
In October, Babak Mostaghimi, Ed.L.D., MPP (Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education & Student Support in Gwinnett County Public Schools) will speak about what it’s taken for their district to become nationally recognized for their commitment to AI education in schools.
A Bright Future Awaits
Our Fellows are not just participating — they are trailblazing, influencing, and envisioning a future where education transcends barriers and reaches new heights. This Fellowship equips them with the tools, relationships, and inspiration to amplify their impact and embrace the journey ahead of bringing real change in the educational landscape.
We can’t wait to reconvene this incredible group next week as we continue our shared work, fueled by the energy of collaboration, innovation, and the promise of a brighter future. We look forward to sharing a few behind-the-scenes stories throughout the day on October 24th!
Tiffany C. Taylor is a Partner and Chief People & Impact Officer at GSV Ventures, a multi-stage venture capital fund investing in digital education and workforce skilling. She started her career as a classroom teacher, has 20 years of experience in the education, non-profit, and public sector, and most recently served as a national vice president supporting Teach For America’s 51 regions across the country. Tiffany serves as a director on the AI Education Project board, a non-profit that creates equitable AI literacy learning experiences. Tiffany also serves as a board observer for Tutored By Teachers, a public benefit company that seeks to close the opportunity gap and advance equity in education by supporting high-needs students.
Jennie Magiera is the Global Head of Education Impact at Google, bestselling author of Courageous Edventures, and the founder and president of the non-profit Our Voice Alliance (whose mission is to elevate marginalized voices and perspectives to improve equity and empathy in education). Previously, she was the Chief Innovation Officer for the Des Plaines School District, the Digital Learning Coordinator for the Academy for Urban School Leadership, and a Chicago Public Schools teacher. A White House Champion for Change, Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Innovator, and TEDx Speaker, Jennie works to improve education globally. Jennie is also passionate about transforming professional learning, having served on the Technical Working Group for the US Department of Education’s National Educational Technology Plan, co-founding PLAYDATE and other conferences. You can follow Jennie on Twitter at @MsMagiera and learn more about her work and her book at bit.ly/edventuresbook.
