Earlier this week we announced that Bryan Setser would be joining Matchbook Learning as our Chief Design Officer. Bryan will be leading our efforts on how we scale our methodology and technology platform Spark to turnaround, transform and reinvent more schools through a unique Accelerator we are building. Bryan represents a rare and emerging class of education leaders who are deeply disrupting the status of quo of public education, challenging the stereotypes of how much, how fast and how deep children can learn with new paradigms of learning models and strategies that can best be described as "next generation" in aspiration. Bryan is the perfect individual to see how our methodology for completely transforming the performance of students, teachers and entire schools becomes more replicable to new markets and new generations of children in need. I sat down with Bryan to talk about his new role and his upcoming hopes and opportunities.
What led you to Matchbook Learning?
My core belief in education is grounded in James Comer’s quote that, “no significant learning can occur without a significant relationship”. I’ve spent over two decades designing and building experiences that uplift the human condition, and I was blown away by what I saw going on at Matchbook when I first visited the schools in 2014.
Since that time, I’ve had the opportunity to serve on the board and ultimately as the board chair over the course of the last year. The closer I got to the team and the work, the more I wanted to help change the odds for students, teachers, and communities across the United States with this team.
What most attracted you to this position? What do you think will be the biggest challenge of serving as Chief Design Officer?
I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the most innovative leaders, inspiring teachers, and compelling students in the country during my career. Through it all I’ve learned that great design is about courage, empathy, transparency, and humility. Many of the solutions we seek exist in the organizations we serve, but we have to empower those who do the work on the front lines to help us build the story. This opportunity represented two very clear things for me in terms of the role. First, I’d get a chance to really go deep in Newark and Detroit to understand what type of experiences work for our kids and teachers in the Matchbook model as well as those that we can scrap or shift. Second, I get a chance to scale the most promising lessons to other states, districts, and schools through our Matchbook Accelerator that I’ll be leading in 2016. In essence, by going deep in our already promising proof points, I’ll get the chance every day to learn, lead, and leverage what is possible for all schools seeking to have a transformative experience for their kids and communities.
What are the keys to accomplishing a school turnaround or transformation?
You have to understand what people like, question, and wonder about in terms of their experience. Then, you have to roll up your sleeves with them to help them define it in their context and see the potential in strategies they may not have previously considered. Finally, you have to accelerate best practice, develop a culture of innovation, and be relentless in terms of celebrating results. The great stuff of any turnaround is built on a foundation of winning the heart, challenging the status quo, and having the courage and conviction to expect and deliver more than others think is possible. Together you can figure out most anything, but it starts with clear outcomes, measures, and supports that are tethered to significant, trusting relationships.
What are your goals for this next year? What are your expectations a year from now and how will you be different?
My goals for this coming year include:
Deepening the proof points and results related to our work in Newark and Detroit. Launching the Matchbook Accelerator with a few national partners. Applying the lessons learned through both goals to continuously improve the Matchbook model to reach more kids and build better lives for schools across the country.
I expect in a year from now, I’ll have exceeded my goals but not without learning a lot about the cost of that success. Everyone wants to be a part of something special, and finding the way to right size that experience each year for more and more people to take part is always the challenge of transformation. Simply put, you cannot just personalize the experience for students, you have to do it for adults too. And, that does not mean each single experience has to be radically different, but it does mean taking the time to learn which elements of the experience ring true to many and which elements are challenging to sustain in terms of folks continuing to choose Matchbook as a place to learn, work, and grow.
Why should gifted educators consider working for a Matchbook school?
Our most valuable resource will always be our people. Personally, I’ll do everything in my power to shape our culture as an industry standard for healthy work life styles, compassionate and creative solutions for families, and a growth oriented mindset that allows for our team members to not just advance within our organization but ultimately deepen their personal platform and footprint in the education space. Part of my role will be to help enhance the Matchbook experience, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Lastly, what do you like to do in your spare time? Offer a glimpse of who you are or what you are like outside of the working day.
I love experiences. Whether they involve travel with my family, playing tour guide with my friends, feeding giraffes, progressive dinners, weekend bucket list stadiums with my kids, hiking, tennis, or golf – If I’ve never tried it or would like to savor it again- I’m all in. When I’m in town point me to the nearest karaoke or dance spot (preferably both), show me a beautiful river walk, or take me to the dinner spot everyone has to see to believe. It is a short life, I think you should make all of your experiences a wow experience if you can.
