E478

How Do Schools Turn Innovation Into Systemic Change? | Rebecca Wolfe

From Getting Smart Podcast · Hosted by Tom Vander Ark

2026-05-13·00:45:02

Episode summary

In this episode of Getting Smart Podcast: Why do so many promising ideas in education stay stuck in individual classrooms? In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen talks with Rebecca Wolfe about what it takes to turn innovation into lasting system change. From teacher agency and school leadership to accountability and knowledge-sharing, they explore how schools can create the conditions for ideas to spread, scale, and ultimately support learner thriving.

Listen elsewhere

Original publisher description

Why do so many promising ideas in education stay stuck in individual classrooms? In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen talks with Rebecca Wolfe about what it takes to turn innovation into lasting system change. From teacher agency and school leadership to accountability and knowledge-sharing, they explore how schools can create the conditions for ideas to spread, scale, and ultimately support learner thriving. Outline (00:00) Intro & The Problem (12:46) Learning From AVID (24:42) School Leadership & Culture (34:15) The Macro Challenge (41:40) Hope & A Bias Toward Action Links Read the full blog here Watch the full video here LinkedIn