About This Episode
In this episode of Edu Unlocked, host Ashish Fernando sits down with Devon Winsor, Associate Director of Online Course Development at Stanford University, to explore the evolution of learning—across age, systems, and technology. From her early days as a Teach for America educator in underserved schools to building cutting-edge executive education programs at Stanford, Devon shares how her career has been shaped by equity, innovation, and empathy.
Topics we cover:
1. The difference between teaching children vs. adult learners
2. Why online learning needs a reset
3. The untapped power (and limitations) of AI in education
4. Her journey from K-12 to Stanford's Graduate School of Business
5. How educators can pivot into higher ed and course development
6. The future of prompt engineering and learning design.
If you're passionate about education, transformation, or the intersection of tech and learning—this one's for you. Subscribe to Edu Unlocked for more stories from the changemakers shaping the future of education.
Host & Guest
Devon Winsor
GuestAssociate Director of Online Course Development, Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Devon Winsor serves as the Associate Director of Online Course Development at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business (GSB), where she leads the design and delivery of high-quality online learning experiences for global learners. Drawing on her extensive experience in instructional design, curriculum development, and educational leadership, she advances Stanford GSB’s online education initiatives and digital pedagogy strategy. Winsor holds a Master of Arts in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership Studies from Stanford University, an OSSE Certification in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Davidson College.
Prior to her current role, Winsor contributed across multiple educational positions at Stanford University, including as a Learning Experience Designer for the Virtual Exchange in Global Health and as an Assistant Curriculum Designer for the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP). Earlier in her career, she taught elementary education with District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), developing curricula, integrating technology into instruction, and serving as a Building Representative with the Washington Teachers Union, advocating for educators and students alike.
Winsor’s journey from classroom teaching to higher education innovation reflects her commitment to educational access and equity. Having witnessed firsthand the barriers many students face and the transformative impact of scholarships, she continues to champion student opportunity and support Davidson College students through mentorship and engagement.
Key Achievements:
1. Leads online course development and design strategy at Stanford GSB.
2. Designed and supported global learning experiences in public health and education.
3. Former elementary school teacher and union representative advocating for equity in education.
4. Combines expertise in curriculum design, instructional innovation, and educational technology.
5. Actively supports Davidson College students through scholarship and mentorship initiatives.
Ashish Fernando
HostFounder & CEO, EDMO
Ashish Fernando is the visionary founder and CEO of EDMO, a revolutionary educational technology platform that's transforming how people learn and grow. With over 15 years of experience in education and technology, Ashish has dedicated his career to making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. Before founding EDMO, Ashish held leadership positions at several prominent EdTech companies and worked as an educational consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Master's in Computer Science from MIT. Ashish is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and has been featured in publications such as EdTech Magazine, Learning & Development Today, and TechCrunch. He's passionate about the intersection of technology and human potential, believing that the right tools can unlock extraordinary learning outcomes for everyone. Under his leadership, EDMO has grown to serve over 100,000 learners globally and has partnerships with leading educational institutions and corporations. Ashish continues to drive innovation in personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and educational analytics.
Key Achievements:
1. Founded EDMO in 2019, now serving 100,000+ learners globally
2. Named 'EdTech Innovator of the Year' by Learning Technology Awards 2023
3. Featured speaker at Global Education Summit 2024
4. Published researcher in educational technology and learning analytics
5. Advisor to multiple EdTech startups and educational initiatives
Show Notes
- 1 01:29 Guest Introduction: Devon Winser from Stanford University is introduced as the Associate Director of Online Course Development for the Executive Education Program.
- 2 02:59 Devon’s Journey Begins: Devon discusses joining Teach for America right after college and how it sparked her long-term commitment to education.
- 3 04:52 Teaching in Underserved Communities: Devon reflects on her time teaching first grade in Washington, DC, the challenges of under-resourced schools, and being one of the only white teachers in an all-Black student community.
- 4 09:00 Transition to Higher Ed: Devon explains how teaching during COVID and her positive experience with online instruction led her to pursue a master's degree at Stanford and ultimately a role in higher education.
- 5 13:04 Why Education Innovation Is Slow: She shares candid views on why educational systems are slow to innovate — citing the high stakes for students when new methods fail.
- 6 16:24 Why Teachers Leave: Devon discusses the high churn in K12 education, citing poor pay, lack of flexibility, emotional burnout, and unstable leadership.
- 7 20:00 Adult Learners vs. Kids: She contrasts her experience teaching children with her current role in executive education, emphasizing how adult learners are self-motivated and demand relevance.
Key Quotes
"One of the things I really loved about education is that every day matters. If you show up and do a great job, you change lives."
"Education is slow to change because when it fails, kids suffer. There is real harm in innovation done poorly."
"What I love about adult learners is that they are here by choice. They’re motivated, they’re curious, and they hold us accountable to deliver real value."
Resources
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