Bridging Education and Real-Life Experiences: The Winchendon School's Kamilah Ayele

Education Perspectives

Education Perspectives
Bridging Education and Real-Life Experiences: The Winchendon School's Kamilah Ayele
Mar 16, 2025 Season 4 Episode 5
Liza Holland

Kalimah Fergus Ayele

Head of Campus

The Winchendon School

 Quote of the Podcast: 

"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it." 

--- Marian Wright Edelman, Former president and the Children's Defense Fund

Introduction of Guest BIO – 

Kalimah Fergus Ayele is the Head of NYC Campus for The Winchendon School, an oasis in the heart of Manhattan where students are guided through real-world learning to connect with their passion through a unique city-wide field study program. Her experience in schools started as a Peace Corps Volunteer where she taught Chemistry in East Africa and over her 30 year career, she has taught in 5 countries. She earned her bachelor's degree in Chemistry at Stanford University and masters degrees at Teachers College Columbia University, including an Ed M in Organization Leadership through the Klingenstein program. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Kalimah Fergus Ayele has always been committed to building thriving, inclusive communities where participants experience a sense of belonging and have the opportunity to build the necessary tools to design and create a more equitable world.

Interview

Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators

  •  30,000 Ft. View – Why do we, as a society invest in education?
  • What drew you to education?
  • innovative schools and using design thinking techniques to "design for belonging" in school communities.
  • What are the biggest challenges to you?
  • What would you like decision-makers to know?

Podcast/book shoutouts

Shout out to "The Management Center" a training program that helps organization design and implement equitable management systems; 

"The Landscape Model for Learning"

"What School Could Be" 

for their commitment to moving the conversation about innovation in education forward.

Support the show

Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox

Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions