Welcome to the HundrED ConnectED Podcast's Summer Break Specials, where we take deep dives with each of the members of the Connection Committee to learn more about what drives them.
This week, we join HundrED's Alex Shapero as he discusses his journey to become part of the HundrED family, his drivers in the classroom, the future of education, the intersection of community, neuroscience and learning, and how HundrED thinks about building communities for global audiences.
Of course, the episode ends with his vision for the future of education.
Welcome to the HundrED ConnectED Podcast's Summer Break Specials, where we take deep dives with each of the members of the Connection Committee to learn more about what drives them.
This week, we welcome Annette de Graaf, an educator and founder of Flow School. The conversation explores Annette's journey in education, her passion for recognizing the 'fire' within children, and the importance of creating a flow state in learning environments. The discussion dives into personal experiences of finding flow, the challenges faced in the education system, and Annette's vision for a future where education is tailored to individual needs, fostering emotional well-being and community support.
Welcome to the HundrED ConnectED Podcast's Summer Break Specials, where we take deep dives with each of the members of the Connection Committee to learn more about what drives them.
Join Cherrelle Druppers and Franco Odhiambo, co-founders of ChezaCheza, a transformative initiative in Kenya that uses dance to educate, heal, and empower children in marginalized communities. The conversation explores the origins of Chesa Chesa, the therapeutic benefits of dance, and the importance of emotional intelligence in education. Franco shares his personal journey from the slums of Kibera to becoming a youth leader, emphasizing the role of dance in overcoming adversity.
And of course, we end with a reflection on their dreams for the future of education.
Welcome to the HundrED ConnectED Podcast's Summer Break Specials, where we take deep dives with each of the members of the Connection Committee to learn more about what drives them.
This week, we invite Lindsay Stewart and her frequent collaborator Marlee Luehman, two founding members of Sweet Tree Arts school in Hope, Maine. They discuss their journey in alternative education, the essence of their school, and the importance of creativity and mental health in learning. They explore the day-to-day life at Sweet Tree, the role of research in education, and the challenges of scaling impact while maintaining a focus on individual student needs.
The conversation of course ends with their dreams for the future of education, emphasising the need for kindness, connection, and a deeper understanding of human development.
Welcome to the HundrED ConnectED Podcast's Summer Break Specials, where we take deep dives with each of the members of the Connection Committee to learn more about what drives them.
This week, we are delighted to dive in to Hanneke Mackie's experience as founder of Buzz Kidz as she discusses the transformative power of arts education in child development. She shares her journey into education, emphasizing the importance of creativity and play in learning. The discussion highlights the impact of arts on both children and teachers, the challenges of integrating arts into traditional education systems, and the need for a shift towards more innovative and engaging teaching methods.
And of course, a reflection on her vision for the future of education
In this conversation, Gareth Thomson from Resolute Education shares his journey from being a neurodivergent student to co-founding an organization that focuses on making robotics and coding accessible in South Africa. The discussion emphasizes the importance of practical learning, critical thinking, and the need for digital literacy in education. The panel explores the challenges faced in African education systems, the significance of empowering teachers, and the essential skills needed for the future, including creativity and computational thinking.
-------
Applications for the 2026 Global Collection are now CLOSED. Thanks to all who applied!
Komodo Wellbeing's Chris Bacon is this week's guest on the HundrED ConnecTED Podcast, bringing a bracing discussion of the role of technology in mediating student mental health and wellbeing. With a background in sports psychology and a refreshingly diverse take on how schools should address pastoral care, Chris joins the hosts in an exploration of what mental health looks like across cultures and gender divides.
----
The call for the 2026 Global Collection is closing soon! Apply now at Hundred.org
Join the Connection Committee in greeting Faith Doucette in this episode of the HundrED ConnectED podcast. Faith's organisation, Kenya Connect, has two innovations in 2025 Global Collection: The Girl Boy Empowerment and Parent Programme, which seeks to establish gender equality and agency in young people, and the Village that Reads, which works to develop literacy throughout the community. Both work in, through, and by the community of Machakos, a rural region two hours outside of Nairobi Kenya.
Faith has had a tremendous impact not only in Machakos, but also throughout the world. Along the way, she has gained tremendous insights into how community and parental buy-in can be secured, how to approach education holistically, and how to leverage iterate on small programmes to provide meaningful, durable improvements for quality of life throughout the region.
In this episode of the HundrED Connected, join Naqiya Ebrahim, Executive Director at Seenaryo, in discussing the transformative power of play, storytelling, and the arts in emergency learning contexts. Seenaryo, was recognized for its impact on Education in Emergency contexts at the 2024 HundrED Innovation Summit.
Naqiya's journey with Seenaryo, the development of the PlayKit, and the challenges of funding arts education highlights the importance of teacher well-being, the role of music in learning, and the need for community engagement, particularly involving parents in the educational process.
This episode of the HundrED ConnectED podcast explores the impactful work of Link Education International, which was selected to the 2025 Global Collection with their innovation Embedding Wellbeing in Ethiopian Schools. Link focuses on social emotional learning, community engagement, and the importance of localized educational models. Samantha Ross, Link's Executive Director for programmes and partnerships, shares her journey and insights on the future of education, emphasising the need for child-centered systems and the role of education in empowering individuals and communities.
---------
Applications for the 2026 Global Collection are open. Submit your innovation now!
In this episode, host Annette de Graaf and her co-hosts chat with Doha Khassawneh, an educator and storyteller, who shares her innovative approach to literacy through storytelling in her innovation, Qesasjeh. The conversation explores the transformative power of storytelling in education, the balance between traditional methods and technology, and the importance of perspective in learning. Doha emphasizes the need for more storytelling in subjects like philosophy and science, and shares her dream of an education system without boundaries, allowing children to learn freely and creatively.
---------
----------
Applications for the 2026 Global Collection are open. Submit your innovation now!
Content Note: This episode includes discussion of sensitive topics, including child sex work.
Join Sonal Kapoor and Jaswinder Singh from Protsahan India Foundation on this episode of HundrED ConnectED. They discuss their journey in transforming the lives of at-risk children through trauma-informed education. The conversation covers the importance of long-term commitment, the HEART model, engaging communities, and the role of creativity in healing. They also explore caregiver wellbeing and their dreams for a future where education is holistic and accessible to all.
----------
Applications for the 2026 Global Collection are open. Submit your innovation now!
In this episode of the HundrED Connected Podcast, the hosts welcomes Aik, the co-founder of Holotracker, to discuss how innovative tools are reshaping education to focus on what truly matters—holistic development and social-emotional learning.
Aik shares how HoloTracker makes these often-overlooked skills visible and measurable, providing a well-rounded approach to tracking student growth. They explore the importance of observational learning as a window into student progress and how AI can enhance feedback processes in powerful ways.
———
We are now calling for applications to the 2026 Global Collection. We are seeking out your impactful education innovation. Apply now!
Siri Abrahamsen is the founder of Gleding United - famous in Norway for it's revolutionary approach of not being anti-bullying, but rather pro-joy. The conversation focuses on the importance of emotional learning, empathy, and creativity in education. Siri shares her journey of creating Gleding, a movement focused on kindness and social emotional learning, and emphasizes the role of adults in fostering children's emotional development. The conversation explores the challenges of parenting, the significance of self-compassion, and the need for empathy training. The episode concludes with a vision for a future of education that prioritizes joy, freedom, and meaningful challenges for children.
--------------------------------------------
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Global Collection - Apply now!
Want to be part of our community? Join us at HundrED.org
Welcome to the HundrED ConnectED Podcast!
In this inaugural episode, the Connection Committee share their dreams for the future of education and the importance of accessibility, creativity, and well-being. They discuss the power of community and connection fostered through the HundrED Summit, where they find inspiration and support among like-minded individuals.
Meet the hosts of the HundrED ConnectED podcast:
Annette de Graaf - Flow School Norway's My Learning Story
Hanneke Mackie - Buzz Kidz
Cherrelle Druppers - Cheza Cheza's Happy Schools
Lindsay Stewart - Sweet Tree Arts
Alex Shapero - HundrED
--------------------------------------------
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Global Collection - Apply now!
Want to be part of our community? Join us at HundrED.org