Shatter Barriers – Jim Goenner NACSACon 2024
This presentation highlights some of our partners who are authorizers Changing the Arc of Education through personalizing education. Speakers emphasize the need for flexibility in curriculum to address students’ diverse needs and the necessity of eliminating bureaucratic hurdles to better serve students. Jim Goenner, Ph.D., discusses the transformative power of education and the challenges of authorizing, likening it to a marathon rather than a sprint. He encourages the audience to embrace difficult tasks, citing President Kennedy’s moonshot as an example of overcoming challenges. Goenner concludes by urging the audience to create conditions for excellence and to read “Arete” for inspiration in their educational missions.
Jim Goenner’s Introduction and Authorizing Mission
- Jim Goenner, Ph.D., shares his excitement about the NACSA conference and his commitment to the Pahara fellowship, which involves training in Colorado.
- The speaker reflects on the importance of authorizers being on their A game and the opportunity to learn and grow through the fellowship.
- Jim Goenner discusses the challenges of authorizing, including building relationships, mutual trust, and creating a shared vision.
- The speaker emphasizes that authorizing is not easy, but it is essential because it unifies everyone around the belief in the transformative power of education.
Story of Running a Half Ironman and Community Standards
- Jim Goenner shares a personal story about running a half Ironman with his son, highlighting the importance of joining a community with high standards.
- The speaker draws a parallel between the challenges of training for a half Ironman and the challenges of authorizing, emphasizing the need to become better.
- The dedication to a North Star and the transformative power of education are reiterated.
- Jim Goenner challenges the audience to pick something hard and elevate kids and the adults who serve them.
Closing Remarks and Call to Action
- Jim Goenner emphasizes that authorizers are more than technocrats and need to create conditions where excellence can thrive.
- The speaker calls for changing the arc of education and acknowledges that it won’t happen on its own.
- Jim Goenner mentions a book, “Arete” by Brian Johnson, which combines modern science with ancient wisdom and has been a game changer in his life.
- The speaker encourages the audience to pick something hard, tackle it, and get a copy of “Arete” to find courage for the journey.
This video presentation was created for the National Charter Schools Institute’s NACSACon breakfast, hosted at NACSACon 2024 at the Westin Oaks Houston at Galleria, TX.