DeepSummary
In this episode, Jason Calacanis interviews Dr. Justin Terry, the superintendent of the Forney Independent School District in Texas and the mastermind behind the OC project. The OC is a unique 350,000 square foot educational facility that combines career training, college courses, and community involvement under one roof. The first floor is open to the public and features retail spaces, restaurants, and businesses that partner with the school to provide hands-on learning experiences for students.
Dr. Terry explains how the OC aims to bridge the gap between education and the workforce by teaching entrepreneurial and 'future-ready' skills alongside traditional academic subjects. Students have the opportunity to intern with local businesses, run their own pop-up shops, and earn money through various entrepreneurial endeavors within the facility. The goal is to prepare students for the changing job market and instill an entrepreneurial mindset that will serve them well in the future.
The episode highlights the OC's unique approach to education, which aims to level the playing field for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds by providing equal access to valuable career experiences and connections. Jason is impressed by the innovative concept and believes it could become a model for transforming education across the United States.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The OC is a 350,000 square foot educational facility that combines career training, college courses, and community involvement under one roof.
- The first floor is open to the public and features retail spaces, restaurants, and businesses that partner with the school to provide hands-on learning experiences for students.
- Students have the opportunity to intern with local businesses, run their own pop-up shops, and earn money through various entrepreneurial endeavors within the facility.
- The OC aims to bridge the gap between education and the workforce by teaching entrepreneurial and 'future-ready' skills alongside traditional academic subjects.
- The facility's goal is to level the playing field for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds by providing equal access to valuable career experiences and connections.
- The OC's unique approach to education involves integrating local businesses and promoting entrepreneurship to better prepare students for the changing job market.
- The project has garnered interest from other school districts and organizations as a potential model for transforming education across the United States.
- The OC's environment teaches students real-world responsibilities and consequences, reflecting the realities of the professional world and preparing them for future success.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We have really three different types of spaces that we have. Some are, we've actually created our own businesses inside of our school district that are either our kids help design and run with. Our goal being that we have pop ups in the future, that they've really, you know, started an incubator for that. Hopefully they begin to grow into our community. And then we have. We have lease spaces that some of our local businesses, you know, engage in. And then we have sponsored spaces as well that some of our partners just want to be a part, you know, and they need to grow their workforce as well.“ by Justin Terry
- “We're providing workforce, we're building workforce, but we're also creating daytime traffic for these guys. So it really is a great partnership when it comes to the business and how we function together.“ by Justin Terry
- “What you've done could change education in the United States and make us more competitive.“ by Jason Calacanis
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Episode Information
This Week in Startups
Jason Calacanis
5/16/24
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Todays show:
Dr. Justin Terry joins Jason to discuss the future of work, education, and the unique impact of Opportunity Central (The OC). They explore how the school incorporates entrepreneurship (9:03), addresses community needs (22:00), and more!
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Timestamps (0:00) The OC’s Dr. Justin Terry joins Jason
(1:38) The OC, leveling the playing field in education, and the future of job availability
(7:42) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST
(9:03) Exploration of the unique educational facility and its impact on local businesses
(15:15) Incorporating entrepreneurship and future ready skills in education
(20:13) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.
(21:32) Addressing community needs through the educational facility
(31:00) Considering expansions and potential partnerships for the facility
(37:42) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist
(39:03) The impact of the new educational model on students and equalizing opportunities
(51:56) The role of entrepreneurship in public education
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Check out The OC: https://www.theoc.net
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Follow Dr. Justin Terry:
X: https://twitter.com/justinwterry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-terry-133761aa
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
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(7:42) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST
(20:13) Northwest Registered Agent - For just $39 plus state fees, Northwest will handle your complete business identity. Visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today.
(37:42) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist
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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
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