A Brief History of IDEA

Dana Bennis, Chris Balme, and Melia Dicker met at the 2003 International Democratic Education Conference in Troy, New York. They dreamt together about building a national organization that could catalyze meaningful educational change based on democratic values and human rights. They were inspired by Israeli educator Yaacov Hecht and the work of the Institute for Democratic Education (IDE) based in the Kibbutzim College of Education in Tel Aviv. Dana, Chris and Melia maintained their commitment to democratic education through the years that followed, while pursuing other educational projects across the country.

In March 2009, The Bay and Paul Foundations funded a four-day vision and planning session that led to the creation of a first Board of Directors and a clearer strategy. With the support of two-year funding commitments from The Bay and Paul Foundations and the New Visions Foundation the dream that was IDEA moved forward.

IDEA would direct its message to the general public, believing that the only way to effect widespread change was to collaborate with all parties who are involved in education, from students to policymakers, in a variety of settings, including public schools. IDEA would be an action and research based organization that would learn from the failures of previous educational change efforts, while utilizing new technologies and pragmatic leadership to develop the resources, credibility, and strategy needed to systemically change our nation’s paradigms about learning and teaching.

The work of IDEA is further guided by a commitment to remain humble and open in dialogue with others, to be full of genuine regard for all people, to think big and "speak truth to power with love" (West, 1993), and to infuse this work with a spirit of humor, fun, and positivity.

In February 2010, Dana and the Board of Directors recruited Scott Nine to serve as IDEA’s first Executive Director. Scott joined the IDEA staff in July 2010. Dana now serves as Director of Research and Programs, and Melia is Director of Communications. IDEA launched publicly in May 2010.