SHOWCASE
SHOWCASE
2023 Yass Prize Semifinalist Showcase
Discover how our semifinalist experts at the 2023 Semifinalist Showcase revolutionize education through dynamic discussions and transformative innovations.
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Stepping into the spotlight at Forbes on Fifth in New York City on December 13th, the 2023 Semifinalist Showcase features 33 semifinalists – true craft experts – sparking purposeful and thought-provoking conversations around cutting-edge education innovations. They share a transformative wealth of knowledge, highlighting the impact they have on shaping student learning experiences nationwide. Through engaging discussions encompassing diverse and timely topics, these semifinalists contribute to a dynamic and informed dialogue, propelling the evolution and improvement of educational practices.
Micro, Macro, and Digital Approaches to Learning
Taylor Shead
Amy McGrath
Erika Donalds
Dr. LeDonna Griffin
Mindy Sjoblom
Steve Grubbs
The Role of Parent Power and Permissionless Education
Pat Brantley
Brenaea Fairchild
Colleen Dippel
David Noah
Joe Connor
Timeliness School Models for the 21st Century
Cory Steiner
Ayana Verdi
Dominique Burgess
Jason Bransford
Jim Donahue
Josh Herring
Melding the Core & Creative
Randall Lane
Aaron Black
Garrett Smiley
Dr. Judy Jankowski
Nicole Duslak
Dr. Morris Brown
Breaking Barriers and Cultivating Growth and Success in Men
Kenisha Skaggs
Anthony Brock
Cornell Ellis
Hans Hageman
Keith Brooks
Kyle Smitely
Not your Father’s Shop Class
Ryan Craig
Christine Laurenzi
Kelby Woodard
Matthew Chaussee
Mike Felton
Why STOP for Education?
Jeanne Allen
Elias Pappas
Heidi Treu
Pastor Joshua Roberston
Michael Piscal
Shaun Luehring
Meet this year's $1 Million winner & nine finalists!
Get to know this year's remarkable awardees, each embodying excellence and innovation in their endeavors.
Discover the Yass Prize
Uncover the passion and purpose behind why we STOP for education!
Explore our Impact!
Experience the transformative efforts of our semifinalists on a national stage.
Micro, Macro, and Digital Approaches to Learning
Schools continue to grapple with the complex balance of digital and blended learning. Teachers and education leaders seek to explore transformative ways to use technology that are individualized for students, 21st century in approach, and rigorous in nature. Our society knows that tech is evolving at a rapid pace, but how are organizations ensuring that technology is not just an “add on,” but rather embedded into the student experience to prepare students for the future of work?
Moderator: Taylor Shead, Founder & CEO of STEMuli Studios
- Amy McGrath, ASU Preparatory Global
- Erika Donalds, OptimaEd
- Dr. LeDonna Griffin, Leaders to Legends
- Mindy Sjoblom, OnYourMark Education
- Steve Grubbs, VictoryXR
The Role of Parent Power and Permissionless Education
There are vast differences in student performance in states that truly give parents the freedom and power to select a learning environment that best meets their student’s needs and states that do not. We know that parents are a child’s first teacher, yet starting in Pre-K or kindergarten, this idea is often lost and forgotten. What is the key to making fundamental change on the state and national level? How can we ensure parents are ready to lead?
Moderator: Pat Brantley, CEO of Friendship Public Charter School
- Brenaea Fairchild, Melanin Village
- Colleen Dippel, Families Empowered
- David Noah, Comp Sci High
- Joe Connor, Odyssey
Timeliness School Models for the 21st Century
Homeschools, microschools, and learning pods have been around for centuries. But COVID shed an important light on the role that these individualized types of learning environments play in the broader K12 sphere, giving parents greater agency and tangible options for their students. How can education leaders in these emerging models keep up with the demand, while sustaining and growing their “mom & pop” learning environments?
Moderator: Cory Steiner, Superintendent of Schools at Northern Cass School District
- Ayana Verdi, Verdi EcoSchool
- Dominique Burgess, Burbrella Learning Academy
- Jason Bransford, Gem Innovation Schools
- Jim Donahue, Old Sturbridge Academy
- Josh Herring, Thales Academy
Melding the Core & Creative
We know that the core content areas of reading, writing, and math are foundational learning skills that all students need to be proficient in. However, melding these core content areas with other creative avenues with science, technology, the arts, engineering, and more fuses an educational experience that is well-rounded, disruptive, and interdisciplinary. What schools and organizations are preparing their students to think critically, be proficient in the basics, while exploring and revealing their creative selves in the process.
Moderator: Randall Lane, Chief Content Officer at Forbes
- Aaron Black, Randolph Eastern School Corporation
- Garrett Smiley, Sora Schools
- Dr. Judy Jankowski, Chesapeake Bay Academy
- Nicole Duslak, CREATE Conservatory
- Dr. Morris Brown, Savannah Legacy Academy
Breaking Barriers and Cultivating Growth and Success in Men
We know many boys are struggling due to competing pressures, intense social media use, violent and addictive video games, pervasive bullying, and more. These unique challenges are often overlooked by our education system – in that we teach boys and girls in the same classrooms, in the same ways, and with the same subjects often. How are schools and organizations taking this reality into account, understanding and attacking the problem at hand with solutions that break down barriers to cultivate boys and men that are confident, resilient, and forward-thinking?
Moderator: Kenisha Skaggs, Founder & Director of SOAR Academy
- Anthony Brock, Valiant Cross Academy
- Cornell Ellis, Brothers Liberating our Community
- Hans Hageman, Tutwiler Community Education Center
- Keith Brooks, National Fellowship for Black and Latino Male Educators
- Kyle Smitely, Detroit Achievement Academy
Not your Father’s Shop Class
Practically every state and industry is struggling with the talent shortfall. Higher education and K12 education are finally waking up to the fact that they are not adequately preparing students to enter the workforce and understanding that there are a diversity of pathways to get students into high-demand career opportunities. Yet some experts, thought leaders and CEOs are recognizing the emerging and urgent need to change the landscape and the connection between K12 learning and the future of the workforce. From “learn to earn” opportunities, career connected learning, apprenticeships, stackable credentials, industry certifications, and more, the future of our country and economy will rely on a strong, talented, diverse workforce and it is the job of the US education system to produce a generation of students that are competent, flexible, and driven. How is K-12 education making sure they are meeting the demands of the future of work, and how can industry leaders put the pressure on K12 education leaders to rise to this challenge?
Moderator: Ryan Craig, Managing Director at Achieve Partners & Author, Apprentice Nation: How the “Earn and Learn” Alternative to Higher Education Will Create a Stronger and Fairer America
- Christine Laurenzi, Indi-Ed
- Kelby Woodard, Cristo Rey Network
- Matthew Chaussee, Career ViewXR
- Mike Felton, St. George Municipal School Unit
Why STOP for Education?
The mission of the Yass Prize and STOP Awards Initiative is to identify and support best-in-class education providers who can tackle the big education challenges of the day and deliver an education for students that is Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless. These principles actualize in unique ways based on the sector, founder and CEO, and state. How do these tenets guide leaders in making critical decisions about the present and future of their organization?
Moderator: Jeanne Allen, Founder & CEO, Center for Education Reform & Director, Yass Foundation for Education
- Elias Pappas, Odyssey Charter School
- Heidi Treu, West Virginia Academy
- Pastor Joshua Roberston, Black Pastors United for Education
- Michael Piscal, College Achieve Preparatory Academy
- Shaun Luehring, Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative
