#410 The Disconnection Crisis (Jacob Adams pt.2)

What happens after we name the problem—but still aren't sure what to do about it? In Part 2 of this conversation on Teach Me, Teacher, I continue my discussion with Jacob Adams, founder and executive director of Inner Spark Learning Lab, moving from diagnosis into action. If Part 1 unpacked the Disconnection Crisis in education, this episode is about what it actually looks like to respond to it inside real schools, with real constraints. We go deeper into the practical side of building connection—not as a buzzword, but as a design principle. Jacob shares concrete ways schools can begin shifting culture, from rethinking daily structures and adult-student interactions to creating spaces where student voice isn't just heard, but shapes the experience of learning. This isn't about adding another initiative. It's about fundamentally reworking how schools operate so that connection becomes the foundation, not the afterthought. We also wrestle with the tension educators feel every day: how do you prioritize relationships and relevance in systems still driven by compliance, testing, and outcomes? What can teachers and leaders actually do tomorrow, even if the larger system hasn't changed yet? If you found yourself nodding along in Part 1, this episode gives you a place to start. It's honest about the challenges, but grounded in real examples of what's possible when schools commit to going deeper instead of just doing more. Because if disconnection is the root issue, then the work ahead isn't just to understand it—it's to rebuild something better in its place.