Empowering Innovation in Education: The Journey of the Google GSV Education Innovation Fellowship & Unveiling the Digital Lookbook of Insights

Abbey Prior

Vice President, Educator Engagement at ASU+GSV Summit

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In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, the intersection of technology and instructional impact has never been more critical. The Google GSV Education Innovation Fellowship, a groundbreaking collaboration between Google for Education and GSV, champions K-12 superintendents and top-level instructional leaders dedicated to using technology as a lever for innovation and impact to inform the future of education. By bringing together the most innovative and forward-thinking instructional leaders in K-12 education, the Fellowship creates a powerful network of change agents working in partnership to influence the EdTech landscape and, most importantly, drive toward rigorous outcomes for our students.

The Spark

The Google GSV Education Innovation Fellowship began with a transformative conversation between Deborah Quazzo, Co-Founder of the ASU+GSV Summit and Managing Partner of GSV Ventures; Tiffany Taylor, Partner and Co-President of the ASU+GSV Summit; and Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact at Google. Their dialogue ignited a shared vision: to invest in education leaders who are passionate about leveraging technology to drive instructional impact. The enthusiasm and alignment in that conversation fueled the creation of the Google GSV Fellowship.

The Launch

The inaugural cohort of the Google GSV Fellowship launched in 2023 with a clear purpose: to empower K-12 leaders to tackle critical systems-level instructional challenges through collaborative problem-solving, expert mentorship, and professional development. Twenty-four superintendents and top-level instructional leaders were selected for this year-long program, where they were supported by a network of peers, coaches, and resources, and engaged with expert case studies and exclusive seminars on critical topics such as the future of education and measuring instructional impact.

The result? A series of insightful initiatives — called Transformational Opportunities — that promise to reshape the educational landscape.

As Simone Wright, Ed.L.D., Chief of Academics at Denver Public Schools , shared:‍

“At this moment in time, there is the appetite and resources to leverage technology to reimagine instruction. We are uniquely positioned to overlay instructions and technology to increase access to information and experiences for our historically underserved students.”

Throughout the year, Fellows engaged in rich, collaborative experiences, gaining valuable insights into the world of educational technology. Dr. Cameron Fadjo, former Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services at Pleasantville Union Free School District, reflected:‍

“The Google GSV Fellowship is really that chance to explore that idea that you’ve had in your mind…we all get into this work because we’re passionate about supporting our students and our teachers.”

Impact and Future Directions

The impact of the Fellowship extends beyond the individual leaders. By empowering educational innovators, the program has catalyzed systemic change, influencing entire districts and reaching millions of students. Tiffany Taylor, Partner and Co-President of ASU+GSV Summit, noted:‍

“From transforming districts to launching companies, the power of the Google GSV Fellowship has already been seen and experienced at the systems level in its first year alone.”

Our Fellows have tackled critical challenges such as improving student achievement, integrating technology with instruction, and closing the achievement gap. By sharing their insights through presentations, articles, and conferences, they have accelerated learning and driven impactful change across the K-12 ecosystem, creating a ripple effect that enhances educational practices and outcomes.

Explore Insights & Learnings

We are thrilled to unveil a series of six thematic videos and individual profiles that offer an even deeper dive into the Fellows’ transformative work, highlighting key themes and strategies. Our goal is to further amplify their impact and contribute to the acceleration of learning and transformative change within the educational ecosystem.

Dive into the full series here and explore the impact of the 2023-2024 Google GSV Education Innovation Fellowship. Follow along over the next few weeks as we elevate and highlight each thematic video and resources!

Together, let’s build on our shared learning and collaborative efforts to push the boundaries of what’s possible in education, driving innovation that makes a meaningful difference for students and educators alike.