Our very own Bridgitte Alomes, the CEO and founder of Natural Pod, is a panel speaker at the next SXSW Edu in Austin 2020. Her panel colleagues are some incredible movers and shakers in the education world as you can see below, and this session is sure to have many inspiring and implementable takeaways as they discuss ‘Sustainability & Social Justice in K-12 Schools’.
As a company whose goal is to improve the learning outcomes for students through healthy sustainable practices, participating in SXSW EDU is very exciting, as this is where many of the most committed educators and progressive minds come together to assess where education is now, where it can go, and how to make it the best it can be. SXSW EDU is dynamic event where questions are asked, answers are examined, and people put ideas into action.
The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning.
The Panel discussing: ‘Sustainability & Social Justice in K-12 Schools’
Bridgitte Alomes – CEO of Natural Pod, a thought leader dedicated to better environments for play, learning, and collaboration using sustainable furniture. In her work with Natural Pod, she has helped create over 8,000 learning environments throughout the world. She’s engaged over 20,000 educators through her workshops and presentations and is dedicated to creating play-based pedagogy and sharing the importance of learning environment design. Bridgitte also serves as President of the board for Green Schools National Network, creating broad-based initiatives and successful strategies aimed at fostering healthy, sustainable K-12 schools across the United States.
Alison Suffet Diaz – Founder and Executive Director of Environmental Charter Schools, Lawndale, CA. She is responsible for driving strategic development, as well as fundraising, fiscal/capital budget management and oversight of administrative operations. ECS has also developed the Green Ambassador Training Institute to support educators and organizations to replicate the best practices demonstrated at its school. ECHS in Lawndale, California has become an award-winning high school, recognized nationally for its innovative programs.
James Edward Mills – A freelance journalist and an independent media producer in a career that spans more than 20 years. He specializes in sharing stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving and practices of sustainable living.
Jennifer Seydel – Bringing more than 35 years of experience preparing youth for success in an ever-changing world to her role as the Executive Director of the Green Schools National Network. Jenny has taught at grade-levels from kindergarten to graduate school, worked in public schools and non-profits, has been involved with starting numerous public charter schools, has extensive experience with at-risk children and has worked with educators across the country and eastern Asia. Prior to her role with GSNN, she was a school designer with Expeditionary Learning for twelve years, providing school coaching, leadership development, and curriculum design support to schools nationwide. She was the lead author of one of the first integrated curriculum modules that combines the Common Core State Standards in ELA with the Next Generation Science Standards.