As the Executive Director, Christina Oliver leads the Classroom, Inc. team to bring literacy and leadership skills to middle school youth across the United States through Read to Lead learning games and curricula. Prior to joining Classroom, Inc., Christina contributed her talents to key education reform organizations including The Urban Assembly and ReadWorks.org, where she led program and curriculum development efforts that offered rigorous and impactful learning experiences for students. Christina also taught at J.H.S. 56 in Manhattan and at Bronx Preparatory Charter School. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a B.A. in History and Secondary Education and holds a Master’s degree in Education Policy and Public Management from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, daughters, and their puppy Mae.

Where did you grow up? How did your upbringing influence your career?

I’m the product of a loving family and strong community, and I know first hand that education changes lives. I’m from Buffalo, New York., a product of a strong public school system, and tight-knit community, however, Buffalo was also a depressed, rust belt city. Neither of my parents graduated from a four-year college, but they both understood that having that four-year degree opened up so many doors. I was also lucky to have great teachers and mentors who helped me see my own potential and importantly offered a window into other opportunities beyond my hometown, which was essential to my success.

What do you see as the biggest challenge in your market?

In K-12 education, I see two major challenges. One is how we currently approach testing. Students need to be able to demonstrate mastery, but our current high-stakes mentality has impacted instruction and in some cases has taken the joy out of learning – drill and kill will not make future readers and leaders. That’s why I find it so important to give students the opportunity to apply their learning with content, and scenarios that test their judgment, force them to communicate their ideas and be creative – often taking them beyond the curriculum, to life skills and life experiences. A great education is about the authentic learning experience and being able to apply those things. Reading and writing are foundational skills upon which all other learning is built, AND decision-making, critical thinking, communication, and creativity are also critical. If we thought about the skills students will need to be successful, to adapt in an ever-changing economy, our systems wouldn’t be set up this way.

Secondly, in education, we spend a lot of time talking about the fanciest, most amazing technology tools available. Without considering equity and access, edTech has the potential to increase the achievement gap.These issues aren’t going anywhere and have only been exacerbated with COVID-19. While it has been amazing to see schools, and communities and industry step up to get tech and WIFI to so many communities, the issue of access has been brought to a new light across the country in our neediest communities.

EdTech resources can offer pathways to new experiences, and new ideas for students, but edTech designers need to understand that ultimately, tech is just a tool. Teachers – and the authentic connection they have with students, to demonstrate, practice and facilitate learning should never be replaced. We intentionally designed Read to Lead with teachers in mind. Offering them tools to engage youth deeply, and to meet students where they are, and build upon their literacy and leadership skills – with both low and high-tech in mind.

How do you continue to educate yourself?

I regularly attend conferences and events focused on reimagining education. I’m always eager for opportunities to connect with people doing incredible work. I completed the NY Senior Leaders Fellowship this past year where I was part of a cohort of education and nonprofit leaders looking to take our leadership and impact to the next level. In addition, I participated in the StartEd Hyper Accelerator in February where I had the chance to meet other edtech entrepreneurs and founders. It was an intense 5-day experience where I met with over 25 edtech mentors to pressure test our value proposition and go to market strategy.

What role do partnerships and relationships play in your career?

Education is an inspiring field to work in because I am surrounded by passionate, dedicated people. Both Classroom, Inc. as an organization and Read to Lead as a set of teacher tools are the result of partnerships. As a nonprofit organization, we’re lucky to have wonderful donors and partner organizations that help us expand our reach and impact. Relationships with educators, administrators and other content providers in education allow us to make Read to Lead the best product for teaching literacy and leadership to middle school youth.

True or false? Hard work solves almost anything. Tell us why you feel this way.

TRUE – Hard work, persistence and the continued determination to learn from failure are the core to solving problems. The greatest most impactful minds often failed thousands of times before they “solved” the problem they were tackling.

What achievement are you most proud of?

My role in designing Read to Lead. I work with an amazing team, and we have developed an incredible platform designed for teachers to help them revolutionize literacy and career readiness for middle school youth. Middle school is already a tough time for students. As a former educator and parent of two middle-school-aged children, I know that middle school is a pivotal moment. Read to Lead gives students a chance to have a positive experience with literacy, but more importantly, it allows for youth to build agency by showing them what it’s like to be the boss. It’s an amazing feeling to know that we’re helping students become confident readers and leaders at one of the most important developmental moments in their lives.

Students really respond to being the boss. Most middle schoolers have never had the chance to make big decisions. Read to Lead allows students to encounter challenges in a safe virtual workplace and translate those skills to their school, community, and their future in high school and beyond. We designed Read to Lead using diverse characters and stories that reflect communities across the U.S. This allows students to recognize themselves in the characters and truly see themselves as the boss. It’s powerful to know that I’ve had a small part in changing the lives of young people.

What’s next in your career?

In July 2019, after 5 years as Chief Program Officer, I was unanimously selected by our board to take on the role of Executive Director. Our previous leader had been with Classroom, Inc. for seven years, and was a true visionary who set the stage for Classroom, Inc. to impact even more youth nationwide. There is no other place I would rather be and I’m dedicated to expanding our reach and impact nationwide. Last year we inspired over 25,767 readers and leaders in classrooms across the country. Students read over 320 million words through Read to Lead. With COVID-19 we were well prepared to expand our support to educators through professional development as they had to quickly transition to distance learning. We’ve launched several new initiatives to support educators, and most recently announced our Words of Encouragement campaign to help keep students motivated while they learn from home.

What advice do you have for our readers?

I love the quote, “If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.” I truly believe that teamwork does make the dream work. If you have an idea, make sure you test that idea with your target market and then make sure you have the right talent and team. There is nothing more important.