Elliot Washor's TGIF 05.15.2026

Are you with me now? A J Ryder

It’s great to see so many old friends—and for those of you I’m meeting for the first time, where have you been all my life?

This was my opening remark at our Impact Campaign meeting at the Stuart Foundation. Lots of old friends showed up and I’m so glad they did. Mario DeAnda who a decade ago worked as Director of High School to College Transition for BPL was there. He is presently working at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. We had a great time catching up. At the same time, so many other people I didn’t know were there. I consider that a really good sign that there is so much interest in our future work with people from the past and new arrivals.

“Most schools don’t work, ours do.” BPL Bd member Dale Dougherty

In a nutshell, this double entendre by Dale is a new way for me to think about how to describe BPL schools. I loved it for many reasons, but mostly because it came out of the time he spent at this week’s board meeting, Impact events and the school visit. As one of the key creators of the Maker Movement and Maker Faires, Dale and I have shared lots of history over decades. Much thanks to Dale for hosting the BPL bd and school staff at DRNK his family’s winery in Sonoma County. At this event, Isaac and BPL school principals from all over the area did a wonderful job explaining the joys and struggles in doing this work in a rural context to all who attended.

 Our early morning visit to Latitude High 37.8 in Oakland, where funders and friends gathered for an incredible series of in-school and real-world interactions with students, showed not only why we do what we do, but how. Principal Lillian Hsu and LTI Coordinator Mike Cellemme created the conditions for an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

One of the many things that struck me most was the Entrepreneur Center, Coffee Shop, and Clothing Store—all built from shipping containers. They stand as powerful examples of what’s possible when people are determined to make things happen.

 On my particular Leaving to Learn at Wingler’s Aviation, there were many fascinating things to highlight and discuss. Here a graduate of MetWest is now an aircraft mechanic who opened his own hangar. He now has 2 generations of BPL interns working for him, opening pathways to Aviation careers. I didn’t know it but many of the planes that aviation mechanics in these small airports work on are old planes with old parts that are maintained. Yep, engine repair, carburetor adjustments and all the rest are still part of the work. The folks love these planes and what they do. This work is not going away.

To go along with that the FAA is strict on numerous inspections throughout the year and the logs are done by hand. As a matter of fact, I saw lots of machinery like a “molecular“ lathe that is very sophisticated in what it can do but to my surprise there wasn’t a computer in sight. Everyone on the trip had their eyes opened to the generational mentoring and the culture of the hanger.

All in all, the extended time BPL board members spent together immersed in BPL experiences and ways of knowing was invaluable. They were part of the work and not in some board or Zoom room. 

Next week, I’m in San Diego where I’ll be working on the California Secondary School Redesign initiative and following up on connections made at the many meetings that occurred this week for the Impact Campaign.

Be Well.