“Disruption in education doesn’t mean chaos. It means creating better systems that actually serve students.” – Michael Horn

In this episode of Evolution Stories, host Christian Talbot welcomes back Michael Horn, renowned author, speaker, and leading thinker in education innovation. Horn was the very first guest in Middle States’ live conversations nearly three years ago, and he returns to discuss his influential work on school reinvention and systemic change. He shares insights from his book From Reopen to Reinvent and beyond, highlighting why schools often get stuck in outdated practices and how leaders can design better systems for students. Drawing on years of research and collaboration, Horn emphasizes the need for schools to embrace disruption, adopt flexible models, and put students at the center of learning. The conversation underscores his belief that innovation is not optional—it’s essential for the future of education.