Ira Socol is a former Chief Technology and Innovation Officer who has worked in public education in Michigan and Virginia. He was recognized by the Center for Digital Education in 2017 for its annual award to the nation’s top 30 Technologists, Transformers and Trailblazers. He is the author of numerous journal articles in national education and school architectural journals. During doctoral studies at Michigan State, he became a leading expert in the use of accessibility technology and Universal Design for Learning, developing both Toolbelt Theory, an equity lens on technology for all learners, and the Freedom Stick, a universal access tool. He has authored five books including the recently published Designed to Fail: A History of Education in the United States, Timeless Learning: How Imagination, Observation, and Zero-Based Thinking Change Schools and Education Reimagined: a Space for Risk. Ira has worked with public school educators across the nation and internationally and is known for his blogs and social media efforts on behalf of fundamental change for education. He is currently completing a new book in which he shares case studies about the amplification of learning that occurs when staff and students codesign learning spaces, curriculum, project work, and learning assessment in their school community. Mr. Socol has studied in a wide range of fields including undergraduate studio art and graduate studies in special education and assistive technologies (Michigan State University), architecture (Pratt Institute), criminal justice (serving as a New York City Police Officer) and juvenile justice and educational psychology (Grand Valley State University). He has worked in journalism, with homeless populations, in vocational rehabilitation, and in K-12 and university-level special needs services.