In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Erin Mote. Erin is the co-founder and executive director of InnovateEDU, a nonprofit whose mission is to eliminate the achievement gap by accelerating innovation in Common Core-aligned next-generation learning models and tools that serve, inform, and enhance teaching and learning. She and her husband, Eric, are the co-founders of the Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School, an organization that serves over 800 students. Erin is a loving wife to Eric and a loving mother to Roo and Clare.

Some Questions We Ask:

• What is InnovateEDU? (00:48)
• How did you start Project Unicorn? (01:59)
• Tell us more about the ideas and tools that come from the coalition. (07:46)
• How does one go about starting an alliance and a coalition? (12:26)
• What are takeaways or strategies for success we can apply to building our own audiences and growing our own impact (15:21)
• How do you balance being a CEO, a mother, and everything that comes with those roles? (20:14)
• What makes you hopeful about the future of education and transforming the lives of young people moving forward? (27:52)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• All about InnovateEDU (00:59)
• How Project Unicorn began (02:24)
• About Pathways Alliance (08:02)
• Why trust is the main element in creating a coalition and starting an alliance (12:40)
• Strategies for success such as being authentic, having a sense of urgency, and being a good listener (15:50)
• How Erin juggled her career and her family (20:50)
• What makes her hopeful about the future of education (28:11)

Quotes:
“Not every organization will agree on everything. But can you agree on the 80% you have in common? … If you can build a coalition on trust and finding common ground when there is that 20% disagreement, it’s still comfortable and you have a space for radical candor.”

“Educators who take the time to share information and home in on their problem and organizations who have been committed to coming together to transform the education space are the type of uncommon alliances we need in this space."

“We don’t see vulnerability as a superpower, and we should.”

“The thing that gives me hope every single day is actually our young people. They are amazing, dynamic, caring, global citizens, and our job is to create experiences that invest them in their own learning and drive social impact and change. …That's the stuff that fills my cup and makes me feel urgency.

“Our schools are amazing. Our educators are innovators. Our young people are catalysts for change. We need to figure out a way to unlock that power, and that's what I'm committed to at InnovateEDU.”

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Connect with Erin:
·      InnovateEDU Website

·      InnovateEDU Projects

·      Erin's LinkedIn

·      Erin's Twitter

·      Video

Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
·      Free Case Study Guide  

·      Website

·      LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Katie Lash:
·      LinkedIn

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About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
·      Transformational Leadership Secret website

·      Purchase the print or ebook

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