Stuart Ralston2015 Rising Alumni

Stuart Ralston photo

Stuart Ralston creates and manages global professional development content and programs for teachers and education leaders at one of the world’s most innovative companies, Apple Inc. His department helps teachers and school leaders integrate technology into the classroom to advance learning and build equity. Every year these programs help tens of thousands of educators create more student-centered, authentic learning environments. Stuart formerly taught social studies at Southwest High School in Minneapolis and lead district-level professional development for learning technology integration. He currently is a member of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation’s Innovation Council and helps the organization distribute over $150,000 in grants to local public school teachers.

Employer

Professional Development Education Content Manager,
Apple Inc.

CEHD Degree

M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction

What professor(s) or course(s) were most influential during your time in the College of Education & Human Development (CEHD)?

Some professors helped build the foundation of my educational principles, while others helped set my career direction. For example, JB Mayo instilled the value of approaching students holistically. Maia Sheppard crafted masterful and experiential lessons on Fred Newmann's authentic education theory. Richard Rodgerson's lessons on accordances continue to influence how I approach learning environment design. Finally, Richard Paige explained the vast influence of culture in education. The platform created by these experiences has helped me make meaningful contributions to the direction of education at local and international institutions.

What skills are important to succeed as an emerging professional today?

The most important skill to get started today is being able to express the value you bring no matter who your audience is.

When you have 30 minutes of free time, what do you do?

I use those 30 minutes to plan trips, such as this road trip to a 700,000 year old lake where I did three of my favorite things, camping, photography, and road biking. You can see some of the photos here http://tinyurl.com/nouukda.

If you could have coffee with anyone from history, who would it be?

John Dewey, of course.

What's a "fun fact" about you?

I'm one of the founders of the Dance Shanty https://www.facebook.com/thedanceshanty/