October 27, 2016
Eduardo Briceño serves as Co-Founder and CEO of Mindset Works, Inc. Read more about Eduardo and his work.
1 | Where did you grow up and what was it like?
I grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. It was sunny, beautiful, and unfortunately, it involved adolescence.
2 | What do you like most about where you live now?
Great tacos! San Jose History Park is very neat too.
3 | What is your favorite school memory?
When Mr. Bromley demonstrated angular momentum. It seemed like magic how the spinning wheel remained suspended in the air defying gravitational force.
4 | Which leader (alive or not, in any field) do you most admire?
Benjamin Franklin. His drive to learn throughout his life enriched his own life and enabled him to make precious contributions to society, such as public libraries, learning salons, the U.S. postal system, bifocal eyeglasses, and discoveries and inventions in electricity and printing.
5 | When was the first time you thought about working in education?
I was first inspired to work in education when I visited my wife’s second grade bilingual classroom in East Palo Alto, CA, and I got to meet her students and their families and to see her high level of passion and engagement in her work. It was more meaningful work than I had ever been exposed to.
6 | What has been your most memorable moment working in education?
Seeing the Expeditionary Learning Polaris Charter Academy students deliver the keynote at the Deeper Learning 2014 conference about their project to reduce gun violence in Chicago.
7 | What do you love about your job?
I love that I get to direct my ongoing learning in directions that help me and others become more motivated and effective learners, and that help create equal opportunity for all people and generations to come.
8 | If you had a magic wand, what’s one thing you would fix or change?
I would want all children and adults to have access to the learning resources and experiences that would enable them to pursue any path they so desire.
9 | What are you still learning to do?
Lots of things, including dressing without mixing plaid and stripes (only because my wife makes me change).
10 | What or who inspires you?
Ron Berger inspires me. His wisdom, kindness, expertise, craftsmanship, and leadership inspire me as they have so many other teachers and students to always continue to become and contribute.