My Problem To Solve

What Did I Learn In Three Days?

The following are core lessons that emerged from three days of rapid design thinking at the Google Innovator Academy:

• Embrace Iteration & Vulnerability:
  Innovation requires failing fast and failing often. We literally rang a bell to celebrate dead ends as progress, proving that your first prototype is never your final draft—it evolves through constant feedback. Because the most vulnerable voices often stay silent, it falls on extroverts to step up, cheer them on, and create a safe space for every voice to be heard.

• The Power of a Zero-Ego Community:
  Bold problem-solving thrives in a supportive, highly collaborative cohort. I was deeply grateful to work alongside Team DesignABILITY, where every member brought zero ego and zero jealousy. While each of us tackled different challenges centered around accessibility, our shared focus on inclusion elevated everyone's work. 

• Thinking "Glocal" for Moonshots:
  Designing solutions for global education is a Moonshot—a massive, complex effort that cannot be solved overnight. Through this process, I learned the value of going "glocal": starting with scalable initiatives that create real, immediate impact within your local school community, one person at a time, to build momentum toward global change.

• User-Centered Design Thinking: Every solution cycles back to the end user—embracing rapid failure, celebrating dead ends, and constantly revising prototypes based on authentic feedback to solve real human needs.

Bonus Highlight: Sparkcamps

On Day 2 of the academy, we had the opportunity to present 20 minute sessions on topics we are passionate about, known as Sparkcamps. One of my sessions showcased key insights and takeaways from my experience in the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program.

My Innovation

Designed using Gemini Canvas, I developed GlobeBridge LVHS. This is an app designed to bring community-connected learning directly to our school. Through this platform, students and teachers can partner with local Chicago agencies to receive on-demand challenge kits—offered both in-person and online—to tackle authentic community problems. The foundation is built, and the work is officially underway! Below is my innovation pitch made during the academy. 

Google Innovator Academy Highlights

Click on the social media posts below to view the highlights from each day.

Disclaimer - This website is not an official U.S. Department of State website. The views and information presented are the participant's own and do not represent the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program, the U.S. Department of State, or IREX.