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Goldman Group presents innovative, ‘edupreneuer’ components to PreK-12 educational frameworks

“After 61 years, I think I’m finally getting my head around education,” said Richard Goldman, founder of The Goldman Group. “Hopefully, I can continue learning.”

Now 81, Goldman has absolutely learned more than enough.

The former EHHS faculty member and three associates from his team touted the virtues of The Goldman Group – 10 individuals who designed, implemented, grew, funded and eventually sold six, state-of-the-art educational organizations – during a day-long presentation in the theatre-style classroom on the third floor of Crawford Hall.

“We’ve developed a model for personalized learning,” said Goldman, who believes this array of educational organizations serving over 100,000 students (many of whom are Black and Brown) is his greatest professional accomplishment. “I’m an educator first and foremost.”

“Richard has always been ahead of his time,” said James Hannon, Ph.D., dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services. “In the 70’s, he was a leader on the Kent Campus working to recruit more males into early childhood education. Some 50 years later only about 3% of early childhood educators are males.”

The Sagemont School, a K-12 institution he started was among the first to put laptops in the hands of students. The University of Miami Online High School, one of two online institutions he started, was among the first in the country to receive accreditation. The other career-oriented, virtual school, Smart Horizons Career Online Education – supported by Amazon, Walmart, and McDonald’s – has awarded more than 20,000 high school diplomas to working adults.

Some might refer to the self-proclaimed, serial social entrepreneur as the quintessential ‘edupreneuer’ (education entrepreneur). However, Merriam-Webster includes no listing for such a title but an AI-powered Google search boils it down to “an educator who uses their skills and knowledge to create their own business in the education sector.” The only thing missing? A proud portrait of Goldman. 

Saddle up for success

Goldman finds strong links between bicycling and business. He has numerous pictures of himself astride a two-wheeler in different parts of the country.

“Long distance bicycling is like entrepreneurship in that both require setting goals, problem solving, navigating obstacles in the road, and never losing focus,” said Goldman, who’s fond of quoting celebrities like Larry David, Truman Capote, Warren Buffett, and Michelangelo to convey his messaging. “Fall in love with the problem, not the solution.”

Over the years, he’s undertaken numerous long-distance rides at various ages:

• Los Angeles to Boston - 65
• New Orleans to Minneapolis - 66
• Fort Lauderdale to Pittsburgh - 70
• Chicago to Pittsburgh - 72
• Boston to Philadelphia - 73
• Circled Lake Michigan - 74
• Astoria Oregon to Los Angeles - 75
• Katy Trail in Missouri - 77
• Fort Lauderdale to Key West, Fla. - 80

Grants come and grants go. Then what?

The night before the presentation, Goldman dined with EHHS faculty at a downtown Kent restaurant. Rick Ferdig, Ph.D., the Summit Professor of Learning Technologies, and professor of Educational Technology in the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies, expressed frustration about grant-sponsored, cutting-edge products and services that risk getting shelved once funding runs out.

Case in point: In 2014, the Ed Tech program was awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to build an application for informal science learning in national, state, and local parks.

“We built this really useful app, and it was freely available,” said Ferdig. “Once the grant funding ran out, we no longer had the resources to maintain it.”

at Kent State could be in a similar predicament. Focused on developing immersive, educational experiences in the realm of extended reality, artificial intelligence, and related technologies, xRI has received generous funding from the NSF, the Jaffe Foundation, and the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.

Assistant Professor Adam Lockwood, Ph.D., voiced the same concern the next day during Goldman’s presentation.

“We can absolutely help with that,” said Chris Curran, a close colleague of the Goldman team. “Our team can match educational technology with interested investors.” Curran and Adam Newman, another founder of Tyton Partners, joined Goldman’s presentation via Zoom to detail how their company’s strategic consulting and expertise is transforming the education landscape.

After lunch, Goldman’s son Evan, CEO of the Early Education Group, held a virtual discussion detailing how he helps generate revenue for start-up and post start-up education companies.

“I’ve had clients for 15 years but every five years about half of my roster changes,” said Evan Goldman. “So even if I don’t have a direct client relationship, I very much keep that group warm and engaged in case they see opportunities, or I find opportunities where they’re going to need me.”

A meet and greet with tomorrow’s educators

Goldman’s last day at Kent State ended by dining with several undergraduate education students outside the teaching kitchen in the Design Innovation Hub. After getting well-acquainted, the group feasted on grilled salmon, crab cakes, Ohio sweet corn risotto, and peach melba parfait prepared by Chef Andrew Eith, associate lecturer in the Hospitality and Event Management program.

What’s left on Goldman’s bucket list?

“If I could just get the attention of those lexicographers at Merriam-Webster,” he said. “One of those pictures of me peddling cross-country is ready and waiting.”