An Energizing Reminder: The Power of Community
Takeaways from ASU+GSV Summit 2024
Cambium is always thrilled to connect with our peers at ASU+GSV Summit, and this year was no exception. The Summit was saturated with thought-provoking conversations about what the edtech community is doing and can do to make a greater impact in today's ever-evolving education landscape, especially now in a world of accelerating AI and ML!
5 Key Takeaways from the Cambium Team
Our Shared Responsibility: I was so grateful to connect with the edtech community during the Summit. Knowing that this group of experts continues to partner with educators to address K-12’s existential challenges — student proficiency and well-being, teacher support and well-being, and equitable access to opportunity — reminds me that we’re all in this together. And spending time with so many talented, passionate professionals for a few days at ASU+GSV is a reminder that, no, Cambium is not in this alone.
Practical Innovation: Today, striking the right balance between innovation and serving our communities has never been more important. Heather Shalstad, VP of Marketing at Learning A-Z, experienced countless conversations where edtech experts were looking for ways to solve some of our biggest problems, while also ensuring the solution is scalable and accessible to our communities. There may not be a clear road ahead, but luckily we have some of the greatest minds working towards a solution.
Power of Proximity: When reflecting on her time at the conference, Kemi Akinsanya-Rose, Cambium's COO, noted that something that made this year's Summit particularly unique was the wide variety of perspectives that came together during the event. In addition, she wondered… If we can all get 10% more proximate to our customers to really understand their needs, what might that mean in terms of outcomes and impact?
Progress as the Path: Aaron Ingold, President at Learning A-Z, felt particularly inspired by the diverse perspectives at the Summit. While there is still more work to do, it was encouraging to see the amount of progress we've made.
HI + AI = Impact: Dr. Liz Brooke, Chief Learning Officer at Lexia, mentioned that the conversations at the Summit surrounding surrounding human intelligence and how the edtech community can incorporate AI and other up-and-coming technologies were particularly impactful as we all continue to navigate striking the balance of technology with the human element.
Speaker Spotlights: Cambium’s Thought Leaders in Conversation
Outside of the connections we made at the Summit, the Cambium team also took the stage with fellow industry experts to talk about some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in education.
For the second year in a row, Kemi had the pleasure of presenting this year's Power of Women Awards to 15 honorees for their remarkable work in education. Through their efforts, these female leaders are ensuring that all people have equal access to the future.
Ashley joined other industry leaders for the Inflection Points for K-12 Software Adoption panel to discuss the upswing of software adoption in K-12 schools, what that means for vendors, and the impact it could have on student outcomes.
During Walking the Tightrope: Sustaining Diversity in the Workforce, Cambium Chief People Officer Melissa Yates May took the stage to discuss the importance of upholding a diverse and inclusive work environment against shifting social, educational, and political landscapes.
Dr. Brooke shared her expertise on the Science of Reading during the Science of Reading in the 21st Century Classroom: Getting Our Students on Grade Level panel. Liz and other panelists spoke about some of the best practices on how to build a Science of Reading-based literacy program and successfully onboard staff while boosting student reading rates.
I was thrilled to participate in Marketing Programs That Actually Work, where I joined other industry experts on a panel to talk about discovering your purpose, leaning into it, and finding love — yes love! — in your brand.
To round out the Summit, Ashley took the stage once again with other female industry leaders for Barbies, Beyonce, Swifties… The Women's Revolution is Here. Ashley and her fellow panelists spoke about their experiences as women in edtech and the importance of paving the way for future generations.
These are just a few of our experiences and takeaways from the event; it's difficult to put the amount of knowledge and insight shared into words, but as always, it was great connecting with so many of you at the Summit! We can't wait to return in 2025.