Welcome to PIE!

Posted by P.I.E. | August 31, 2010

Mary Welsh Schlueter, PIE Founder and Chief Executive

Nothing jolts you more than seeing a car accident.  As paramedics treat and transport the injured, the police huddle and take down all the witnesses’ statements.  Not surprisingly, everyone’s stories are never quite identical. Witnesses and participants personalize that moment of impact with a singular point of view and perspective.

P.I.E. offers a “witness” perspective to educational innovation.  We give dynamism a face.  Our organization offers short, easy-to-read profiles of thought leaders creating new opportunities and realities for every stakeholder involved in creating and sustaining a healthy education infrastructure.  Just who are those stakeholders?  Unless you are a castaway on a remote island, a healthy education system affects you!

Whether you own property, are a parent of public, private, parochial, homeschool/pre-k/e-school children, serve as an employee or business employer, work as a teacher, professor, administrator, hold a union memberships, serve in government, or work in countless other areas, infrastructure quality dictates regional and national economic opportunity.

Join us as we discuss topics such as local, state, and federal budgets, taxpayer leverage, teacher development, technology tools, student testing, union and non-union negotiations, political party strategies, construction and multi-use architecture plans, “green” recyclable initiatives, career-ready initiatives, pre-K comparatives, kindergarten readiness, achievement gaps, disadvantaged and gifted programs, 2-year, 4-year college, and graduate programs, candidate pools and curriculum gaps, economic development initiatives, intra-community activism, etc.  You get the point:  P.I.E. topic opportunities are endless.

But don’t worry; we won’t be boring or wonky.  We want all stakeholders to join our discussion.  The Editorial Board doesn’t always agree on our weekly profile, but we do agree on the energy, vision and results our essayists exemplify.

As a business leader, many ask why I founded P.I.E.  The answer is simple:  Educational development affects our global competitive standing.   The height of our educational “bar” dictates our economic standing and national security.

Bluntly, who wants to hire “average” USA, when they can hire “excellent” from India, China and Vietnam?  America can only maintain its “can-do” entrepreneurial culture by providing achievement-driven tools to create bankable, competitive and global dreams.   Research indicates the United States’ educational K-12 systems are not creating or enforcing curriculums demanding competitive rigor, and that bodes poorly for America’s future.  And yes, as a parent of young children, I have parental “skin in the game.”

P.I.E. will highlight those educational “think big” entrepreneurs.  Many of our essayists are well-known, wide-ranging public figures; others, not as much.  However, they all have a strong voice supporting the educational future of our country.  Read their words and talk us up!   We have a staff of social media experts — feel free to contact us using all the major avenues…  I’ll be tweeting and writing other essays in the future, and I’ll be looking for your feedback.

And remember, P.I.E. is a nonprofit, so if you like this site, donate to our organization.  Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law within IRS guidelines.

P.I.E. Launch-Local Press Release-8/27/10

Posted by P.I.E. | August 31, 2010

Contact: Mary Schlueter – President/CEO – (513) 378-8370

Sandra Guile – Communications Director – (513) 284-3114

Press Release

EMBARGOED Until Thurs. Sept. 2

New Non-Profit Launches National Website

Group encourages conversation about education, offers innovative ideas

Cincinnati, Ohio –  Fri. Aug. 27, 2010:  Seeking ways to innovate the country’s education system, a group of local ‘edu-preneurs’ are launching a nationwide web site, www.piemedia.org Thurs. Sept. 2.

Partnership for Innovation in Education, or P.I.E., based in Cincinnati, is identifying individuals, or ‘edu-preneurs’, who leverage their business knowledge and expertise to create dynamic educational opportunities positively impacting wide stakeholder communities.  Using compelling profiles of innovation practiced by educators, business executives, nonprofit leaders and government representatives, featured P.I.E. commentators discuss strategies for developing accelerated achievement, career readiness, critical thinking, financial literacy, economic development and tax revenue savings.

“The purpose of P.I.E. is to generate excitement and buzz about how people are using education and innovation to provide a competitive, value-added opportunity for students. These days it’s difficult to talk about the quality of education as the current system continues to suffer financial, technology and employment challenges. So, we thought why not offer a way for people to share ideas on how to significantly improve the situation.  There is never the perfect, one-size-fits-all solution for schools stuck in academic and financial hardship.  However, we believe P.I.E offers practical knowledge pathways, with the reader able to choose his or her own direction,” said Mary Welsh Schlueter, founder and CEO of P.I.E.

The website features blogs, daily national news feeds on educational innovation, and video of the profiled commentator, when available. Users are invited to share ideas and solutions as it relates to their regional area. P.I.E also will serve as a consultant to groups interested in finding best practice innovation-based solutions.  In the near future, P.I.E wishes to become the national aggregator of educational innovation information, with satellite offices offering regional updates.

“We are excited about this new endeavor and very passionate about injecting innovation, creativity and dynamism into the education system,” Schlueter said. “We provide smart talk about education because educational rigor and success determines the opportunities we offer our nation’s children and ourselves.  With an educational sector operating both effectively and inclusively, we guarantee our relevance in the competitive economic marketplace.”

P.I.E. is a registered non-profit organization and is planning future fundraising events and activities. More information about P.I.E. is available on the website, www.piemedia.org, or contacting Mary Welsh Schlueter, (513) 378-8370.

EMBARGOED Until Thurs. Sept. 2

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