Innovation Diploma | The iD Connection
Farewell, iD Class of 2023
2023 | Year-End Edition
The Innovation Diploma Class of 2023 is one of the most exciting cohorts of students we have had the pleasure to know.
From the beginning, these learners have done school differently, cultivating their ability to ask the right questions and drive meaningful change. They have built networks by forging strong relationships that transcend the walls of our school and established a new paradigm of self-regulated learning, accountability, and commitment. They are brave enough to tackle complex, ambiguous problems like affordable housing, healthcare, equity, inclusion, and sustainable communities.
Their global influence has been heard in 62 countries, thanks to their idea as first-year students to begin the Getting into Good Trouble Podcast. Now in its 4th year, the show has become a rite of passage for first-year iD students. Similarly, the annual hosting of a community dinner during the study of molecular gastronomy is another part of their legacy. All iD cohorts do it now, but They did it first. The iD class of 2023 has created a culture of excellence that future iD students will be expected to uphold.
Their success stories include:
- Creating user experience proposals for Mercedes Benz
- Showcasing prototypes of the future of food and the future of retail
- Refining systems management workflows for Geodis Americas
- Proposing onboarding & HR protocols for Olive Garden
- Submitting sustainability messaging within The Coca-Cola Company,
- Leading Rebranding and marketing campaigns for several start-up and nonprofit businesses like when they created Optimization plans for nonprofits like the Sandy Springs CAC, TO NAME A FEW
Most of us agree that It is nearly impossible to imagine this campus without these students, but it is so easy to envision them leading their future endeavors at the next level.
The iD class of 2023:
Addison Vogt, Aidan Ray, Ansley Fenech, Aubrey Ellis, Audrey Mitchem, Barrett Riley, Benjamin Spitz, Christopher Collins, Davis Garrison, Emma Dickie, Grace Gilmour, Hope Holloway, Jac Crouch, Jack Isakson, Jackson Alewine, Jesse Sherrill, Karoline Lundstrom, Kenneth Southall, Jr., Kiefer Hurtado, Kyle Cumming, Lauren Bell, Luke Van Putten, Lydia Schouest, Mary Fuentes, Miller Woodall, Moritz Martin, Natalie Fiacco, Phillip Adams, Ruby Burnett, Sam Hodges, Thomas Fennelly, Weber Whelan, Will Jackson, William Nix
The iD Connection is the official newsletter of Innovation Diploma program, serving as a vital communication channel. This newsletter aims to foster a stronger sense of community among iD students, parents, faculty, and stakeholders by providing updates, insightful articles, and highlights of the program and student accomplishments. Through the iD Connection, readers gain insights into projects, partnerships, and experiences that shape the iD program. It serves as a platform to celebrate students' achievements, share important announcements, and showcase the transformative work within the iD community.
We would love to hear from you! Send questions or comments to:
innovationdiploma@mountvernonschool.org
People often ask if an actual diploma is issued as part of Innovation Diploma. The answer is yes. Above, Davis Garrison, Class of 23, proudly displays his Mount Vernon Diploma and his iD Diploma as presented to him on May 20 at graduation. Innovation Diploma students also have an additional transcript, known as the Innovation Portfolio, that tells colleges the story of the rich work and unique partnerships that students have cultivated over their years in iD:
Welcome, iD Class of 2027
In the iD Live Event Planning course, freshmen use all the project management and graphic design skills they have acquired over the year. Earlier in Mod 3, Emily Wilcox and Larisa Pender-Healy guided them as they planned a senior dinner for the outgoing class of 2023. They built off of those skills by hosting an event to welcome the incoming class of 2027 in the event, "Creating the Cohort," on May 23.
While students went upstairs to bond as a new cohort, parents heard from current iD students.
"This year, I learned, if someone you're working with isn't doing what they need to be, talk to them, and help them understand the work rather than just do it for them."
Freshman Feedback
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Innovation Diploma | The iD Connection
We are excited to announce the publication of "Activate Agency: Empower Your Students to Own Their Learning," written by Innovation Diploma leaders and published by Mount Vernon Ventures, the consulting arm of The Mount Vernon School. This book provides a comprehensive roadmap for educators and schools seeking to onboard students into a program similar to Innovation Diploma.
Drawing from years of experience, the authors share practical strategies, insights, and a curricular framework to show teachers how to empower students to become agents of change and tackle complex unknowns through design thinking. Activate Agency" is a must-read for educators and will be featured in the upcoming Activate Agency conference presented by Mount Vernon Ventures this summer for visiting educators and school leaders.
iD Leadership Team
The iD Leadership Team plays a crucial role in spreading the culture of iD and shaping the future of the program. Comprised of highly invested junior and senior iD students, these leaders are entrusted with making pivotal decisions that contribute to the program's success. They embody the core values of iD and serve as program ambassadors, inspiring their peers and leaving the program even better than they found it.
“From August to now, I have grown tremendously in my writing, presentations, research skills, grammar, and communication. We had so many projects where it was important to write, use grammar correctly, to research complicated topics, etc. By doing these projects, I have grown so much.”
-iD Freshman
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Innovation Diploma | The iD Connection
mod 4
Innovation Diploma in motion
May is always a momentous month in the iD program, filled with exciting advancements and achievements for each class. As seniors prepare to graduate, they reflect on their transformative journey in iD, while juniors step into leadership roles, guiding Design Briefs with notable partners such as Method Design, Komodo Sauce, RBD Properties, Olive Garden, Altitude Learning, Boosterthon, and Geodis Americas.
Sophomores honed their project management skills, knowing they are on the cusp of taking the reins in the professional partnerships that define our program.
Meanwhile, freshmen demonstrated remarkable maturity as they hosted a welcome evening for the incoming iD freshmen, taking the opportunity to impart the essence of iD culture—where work that truly matters takes precedence over compliance and grades.
Sharing their accomplishments represents a pivotal step for these freshmen. Additionally, 8th graders actively participated in the welcome event by connecting with their peers, and receiving valuable insights from experienced iD students. This progressive journey through the program showcases the growth, skills, knowledge, and impactful work accomplished by each student.
“The professionalism you showed in doing this work was amazing. This interaction was better than some colleges and professionals we have worked with.”
-Tyler Enstice, VP of implementation at Geodis, iD Mod 4 Design Brief
partner to rising seniors Cadyn Dawson and Landon Brice
What do you get when you cross sophomores, biomedical engineering, frogs, scientific studies and storytelling?
The answer is Chalk Talks, a technique that demonstrates thinking, writing, and talking about experiment design. Led by Larisa Pender-Healey Wilson, along with the collaboration of Ms. Fancher and Mr. Harris, this remarkable technique transformed sophomore's mod 4 curriculum. The method, derived from PH's advanced STEM research class (and her own graduate classes), introduces a unique layer of communication of scientific research. Through Chalk Talks, students engage in the design of biomedical engineering solutions for authentic problems in the field while receiving guidance from weekly meetings with esteemed biomedical engineers. The culmination of this experience showcases the student's ability to explain the complexities of their experiment designs on the whiteboard to an audience comprised of scientists, administrators, teachers, and other students. This impressive approach not only enriches scientific understanding but also develops communication skills, preparing iD students for high-stakes future endeavors in the scientific community.
If you are confused about where frogs fit in, ask an iD sophomore!
Innovation Diploma | The iD Connection
iD Teaching Team
Krista Fancher
Alan Harris
Kevin Huitt
Emily Wilcox
We would like to express our utmost excitement and congratulations to Larisa Pender-Healey Wilson on her new role as the Director of Education for Acton Academy at Serenbe. Larisa has impacted the iD science program while at Mount Vernon by elevating the program to the quintessential hands-on practical application of science that it is today. Her dedication, high standards, and insistence that every iD student can actively "do science" have been invaluable. While the iD community will miss Larisa, we are delighted to share that this spring, she has personally onboarded Alan Harris to continue her work. Alan will teach exclusively in iD this year, teaching chemistry and biology. Alan already has a strong relationship with many Upper School students as a physics tutor and is thrilled to join iD and lead the rich project-based work in science. The students and faculty eagerly look forward to working with Alan this year!
iD Science Transitions | Alan Harris new Lead Science Teacher
Kevin Huitt Joins iD as Lead Humanities Teacher
We are delighted to announce that Kevin Huitt will join The Mount Vernon School as the Innovation Diploma Humanities Lead Teacher. Kevin brings a wealth of experience from over 24 years of dedicated service to education. As a Level 2 Google Certified Educator and a leader in academic strategy at The Brandon Hall School, he has demonstrated a commitment to integrating technology and progressive methodologies into the classroom. His extensive background in curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and driving school academic missions align perfectly with the ethos of the iD program.
Kevin's unique approach to teaching combines principles from Understanding by Design and Design Thinking, ensuring students can grasp and retain complex concepts effectively. His passion for these pedagogical influences and his dedication to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment has repeatedly proven to bring out the best in his students. At Brandon Hall, Kevin received the President's Faculty Mission Award for his stellar contributions. Beyond academics, Kevin is an experienced coach, leading various sports teams to victories and fostering a spirit of teamwork among students. As he takes the helm of the iD Humanities, we are confident that his leadership will continue to inspire our students and transform their learning experience in exciting ways.
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