Episode Details

This conversation explores why meaningful change in schools is so difficult in a world shaped by AI, climate change, and growing uncertainty. It asks what schools need to change, what they should protect, and what must remain deeply human. Lee Fertig is Head of School at The Nueva School in the San Francisco Bay Area and has nearly 40 years of experience in education across several countries. Jeff Lippman is Director of Halcyon London International School and an experienced international school leader focused on student-centered learning, wellbeing, leadership, and meaningful change.

About Jeff Lippman

Jeff Lippman is the Director of Halcyon London International School and an experienced international school leader who has worked across the United States, France, Spain, and Brazil. Over his career, he has served in a range of senior leadership roles, including as the founding Head of School at Avenues Silicon Valley.

Jeff is passionate about rethinking what school can look like for students and teachers. His work focuses on student-centered learning, wellbeing, leadership development, and helping schools turn innovative ideas into meaningful and sustainable change. He also works with school leaders through coaching, consulting, and professional learning.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-lippman-35b68676/ 

About Lee Fertig

Lee Fertig is the Head of The Nueva School in the San Francisco Bay Area and an experienced educator with nearly 40 years in teaching and school leadership.

His career has taken him across the United States and international schools in Ethiopia, Brazil, Spain, and Belgium, including leadership roles at the International School of Brussels, Graded School in São Paulo, and the American School of Barcelona. Lee also works with the Principals’ Training Center and supports schools around the world in areas such as governance, innovation, student support, fundraising, and continuous school improvement.

He is passionate about helping schools grow, adapt, and create better learning experiences for students.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leefertig/ 

Resources

https://www.halcyonschool.com/about-us/directors-welcome 

Halcyon Strategic Framework - https://www.canva.com/design/DAHMEEgZcNs/l3tUVOAA2F-VoZGoUflvcw/view?utm_content=DAHMEEgZcNs&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hcdb9fe1767 

https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2025/01/trends-shaping-education-2025_3069cbd2.html 

https://jeffreylippman.substack.com/

https://medium.com/@jefflippman

https://www.nuevaschool.org/about/leadership 

https://www.nuevaschool.org/about/strategic-framework 

https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-digital-education-outlook-2026_062a7394-en.html 

John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: