Leading into the Future with Fearless Inquiry: The Big Questions Institute

Summary

In this episode of the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, hosts Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes engage with Homa Tavangar, a renowned education, leadership, and global citizenship expert. They discuss the evolving vision for education, emphasizing the need for relevance, mental wellness, and joy in learning. Homa shares insights from her work at the Big Questions Institute and their newest ebook edition, “12 Big Questions Schools Must Answer To Imagine Irresistible Futures,” highlighting the importance of asking critical questions to guide educational practices. The conversation also touches on the challenges of leadership in education, the role of hope and optimism, and the significance of equity and inclusion in schools. As they explore current trends in international education, they reflect on the need for a renewed focus on global citizenship and the legacy educators leave behind.

Takeaways

• Education should be relevant, just, healthy, and joyful.
• Asking the right questions is crucial for school improvement.
• Hope is a discipline that requires action.
• The Big Questions Institute focuses on guiding educators through complexities.
• Leadership in education involves navigating crises and failures.
• Understanding what is sacred in a school community is vital.
• Equity and inclusion must be addressed authentically in schools.
• Global citizenship is facing challenges in today's educational landscape.
• Storytelling can help schools articulate their values and aspirations.
• Educators should consider their legacy and impact on future generations.

Links

• 12 Big Questions Schools Must Answer To Imagine Irresistible Futures - Ebook - https://bigquestions.institute/12-questions/
• Big Questions Institute - https://bigquestions.institute/
• Homa Tavangar’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/homatavangar/

Sound Bites

"What does a blue sky vision of school look like?"

"We want to ask more questions than give answers."

"What is your story?"

"What is your legacy as an institution?"

"Hope is a discipline anchored in action."

"What is sacred in your school community?"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Blue Skies Leadership Podcast

02:53 Exploring the Vision for Education

06:09 The Big Questions Institute and Its Impact

08:57 Navigating Leadership Challenges in Education

11:49 The Role of Hope and Optimism in Education

15:11 Utilizing the 12 Big Questions for School Improvement

18:00 Trends in International Education

20:56 Addressing Equity and Inclusion in Schools

23:52 Future Directions and Global Citizenship

27:07 Conclusion and Future Engagements

Keywords

education, leadership, global citizenship, equity, inclusion, Big Questions Institute, school improvement, optimism, trends, international schools