EdCast The Presidential Advisor Posted February 6, 2013 By Matt Weber Jon Schnur is cofounder of America Achieves – a nonprofit dedicated to helping communities build high-quality educational systems – and helps to shape the organization's overall strategy and work. He also cofounded New Leaders for New Schools and served as its CEO from 2000 until last year. He was a senior advisor to President Obama’s presidential transition team and to U.S. Secretary Arne Duncan. On February 5, Askwith Forums presented "A Conversation with Jon Schnur" at Harvard Graduate School of Education. In this EdCast, Schnur reflects on his own education story while sharing personal insights into President Obama's education policies over time.About the Harvard EdCast The Harvard EdCast is a weekly series of podcasts, available on the Harvard University iTunes U page, that features a 15-20 minute conversation with thought leaders in the field of education from across the country and around the world. Hosted by Matt Weber, the Harvard EdCast is a space for educational discourse and openness, focusing on the myriad issues and current events related to the field. EdCast An education podcast that keeps the focus simple: what makes a difference for learners, educators, parents, and communities Explore All Articles Related Articles EdCast Equality or Equity? Jeff Duncan-Andrade discusses why schools need to be equity-focused and how equality hasn't produced the results needed EdCast Parental Rights or Politics? The history of parental rights movements, the political agendas at play, and how these movements impact educators and students. EdCast Healthy Identity Development Psychologist and author Jennifer Bryan talks to Senior Lecturer Richard Weissbourd about issues of gender and heteronormativity in schools.