Devin Carberry

In this episode of the Leadership Passport podcast, Kevin Fullbrook interviews Devin Carberry, the Director of Learning and Innovation at Learn Life. Devin shares his personal journey in education, discussing the impact of his own schooling experiences on his leadership philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of creating safe and engaging learning environments, overcoming fear in educational innovation, and the challenges of unlearning traditional leadership practices. Devin also reflects on the future of education, advocating for positive relationships within learning communities and offering advice for aspiring leaders.

Guest Bio

Devin is the Director of Learning and Innovation and a founding member of Learnlife. Since 2001, he has been an innovative learning advocate. Devin has worked as a classroom teacher and teacher trainer, served on public policy task forces, run after school programs, led young men’s support circles, fostered the growth of two new public schools, and written for education publications.

Along the way, he’s worked in schools with a variety of progressive pedagogies — from multiple intelligences to expeditionary learning. His teaching has been featured in Science magazine and National Public Radio, and he has served on the Arizona statewide task force on education.

He is the author of The Future Will Not Be Taught, and has written for Rethinking Schools Magazine, and authored a chapter for the book Unleashing the Power of Learner Agency.

Takeaways

• Devin's traumatic schooling experience inspired his educational journey.
• Creating safe spaces for students is a priority at Learn Life.
• Fear is a major barrier to educational innovation.
• Unlearning traditional control-based leadership is essential.
• Mentorship has played a crucial role in Devin's leadership development.
• Distributed leadership empowers team members to make decisions.
• Building trust is vital for effective leadership.
• Education should focus on relationships and collaboration.
• Mistakes in hiring can lead to valuable lessons in leadership.
• Intuition and sensing the needs of the community are key for leaders.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Innovation

02:48 Personal Journey and Educational Philosophy

06:10 Overcoming Fear in Educational Innovation

08:54 Challenges in Leadership and Unlearning Processes

11:58 Mistakes and Lessons in Leadership

15:09 Trust and Intuition in Leadership

17:57 Future of Education and Relationships

21:08 Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Host

Kevin Fullbrook is an international school leader with 25+ years of global education experience across Australia, China, and the Middle East. As host of The Leadership Passport Podcast, Kevin dives into the stories, strategies, and insights of education leaders from around the world. With a passion for inclusive leadership, student agency, and sustainable school cultures, he brings thoughtful conversations and practical takeaways for educators, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the future of learning.

Connect with him on Instagram (@kevin.fullbrook) and LinkedIn (Kevin Fullbrook)

Keywords

leadership, education, innovation, learner agency, personal journey, challenges, trust, future of education, mentorship, unlearning