What if students could earn school credit, get paid, and build a house—all in one semester? Aaron Frumin, founder of unCommon Construction, is making that a reality. Based in New Orleans, unCommon Construction is a nonprofit apprenticeship program that places high school students on job sites, where they learn hands-on construction skills while developing the soft skills they need to succeed in life and work. From teamwork and communication to resilience and professional attitude, students walk away with much more than a paycheck—they leave equipped to take on life’s challenges and seize new opportunities. Aaron’s journey started far from the job site. After dropping out of college and joining the Red Cross post-Katrina, he discovered a calling to serve. That calling eventually led him from the classroom to the construction site, and finally to founding unCommon. The organization blends education with real-world experience. Aaron shares how a need to leave a positive “thumbprint” on the world drives his work. He pitches unCommon to Spencer Sherman, principal consultant at Education First, and together they explore the ins and outs of how unCommon’s new community center can serve as an innovation hub and expand the organization’s reach. They dig into the importance of user-centered design, creating sustainable funding models, and what it takes to truly prepare young people for college, careers, and life. Episode Highlights: 01:57 Aaron's Journey: Volunteering After Hurricane Katrina  07:25 The Birth of unCommon Construction 10:11 A Day in the Life of a UCC Student 14:29 Impact Stories: Transforming Lives Through Construction 18:50 Expanding the Vision: The unCommon Community Center 20:01 Mentorship and Pitch Improvement 27:19 Key Takeaways  Links & Resources: Aaron Frumin unCommon Construction Spencer Sherman Education First About the Host, Nicole Jarbo:Nicole Jarbo is the host of Pitch Playground and the CEO of 4.0. An entrepreneur and 4.0 alumni herself, Nicole took a side hustle from $0 to $500k per year and founded a fintech startup that empowered Gen Z with their finances. She's passionate about sharing the inspiring stories of the 4.0 community and believes in work that makes the world more livable, creative, sustainable, and fun. About 4.0:4.0 is a hub for education innovators and social entrepreneurs reimagining the future of learning. Through mentorship, funding, and community support, we empower bold thinkers to turn their dreams into reality. To date, 4.0 has helped spark and invest in over 1,800 ideas, and our alumni have impacted over 10M students and families. We envision a future where our education system meets the needs of every family and improves life outcomes for all. We Want to Hear From You!Whether you're an educator, entrepreneur, or just passionate about changing education, reach out to share your story, ideas, or feedback. Visit us at pitchplayground.com, leave us a review and subscribe to Pitch Playground wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to Vote! At the end of this season one of these entrepreneurs will receive $50,000 towards their idea.  We want to hear from you, yes YOU, to cast your vote for the idea you think should receive the cash. Sign up for our newsletter at 4pt0.org to stay tuned on when voting will open. 

What if education wasn’t about compliance but about discovery? jacob adams, founder of Inner Spark Learning Lab, believes students should have the power to question, explore, and create—not just memorize and obey. In this episode of Pitch Playground, jacob shares his journey from being labelled a “troublemaker” in school to reimagining learning environments that prioritize student agency and self-actualization. jacob’s first teaching job was at a majority-Black elementary school in Brooklyn, where he quickly realized how rigid discipline policies and top-down control stripped students of autonomy. Witnessing kindergarteners being forced into silence, he began to question the foundations of education. His experiences led him to launch Inner Spark Learning Lab (formerly STEM to the Future), an initiative that engages students in hands-on, community-driven learning projects designed to foster critical thinking, self-awareness, and social impact. If jacob wins the $50,000, the funds will support a Dreamweaver position—a dedicated team member responsible for learning about students, their families, and the broader school community to ensure programming meets real needs. He sits down with Niloy Gangopadhyay, Vice President at Teach for America, to refine his pitch and tackle key questions:  What role do community facilitators, or “Dreamweavers,” play in ensuring students feel seen and heard? How can jacob provide measurable outcomes that school leaders and funders will recognize? Tune in to hear jacob’s vision for student-centered education.  02:54 jacob's Early Education and Challenges 05:07 College Struggles and Overcoming Obstacles 06:17 Teach for America Experience 07:55 Questioning the System 10:13 Creating a New Teaching Approach 16:53 Inner Spark's Impact and Future Goals 18:47 Pitching to Niloy Gangopadhyay 25:57 Final Thoughts and Reflections Links:  jacob adamsInner Spark Learning Lab (formerly STEM to the Future)Niloy GangopadhyayTeach for AmericaAbout the Host, Nicole Jarbo:Nicole Jarbo is the host of Pitch Playground and the CEO of 4.0. An entrepreneur and 4.0 alumni herself, Nicole took a side hustle from $0 to $500k per year and founded a fintech startup that empowered Gen Z with their finances. She's passionate about sharing the inspiring stories of the 4.0 community and believes in work that makes the world more livable, creative, sustainable, and fun. About 4.0:4.0 is a hub for education innovators and social entrepreneurs reimagining the future of learning. Through mentorship, funding, and community support, we empower bold thinkers to turn their dreams into reality. To date, 4.0 has helped spark and invest in over 1,800 ideas, and our alumni have impacted over 10M students and families. We envision a future where our education system meets the needs of every family and improves life outcomes for all. We Want to Hear From You!Whether you're an educator, entrepreneur, or just passionate about changing education, reach out to share your story, ideas, or feedback. Visit us at pitchplayground.com, leave us a review and subscribe to Pitch Playground wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to Vote! At the end of this season one of these entrepreneurs will receive $50,000 towards their idea.  We want to hear from you, yes YOU, to cast your vote for the idea you think should receive the cash. Sign up for our newsletter at 4pt0.org to stay tuned on when voting will open. 

What if students had full autonomy over their learning? Dr. Erin Flynn, founder of the Hedge School, is reimagining education through consent-based learning. Located in Texas, the Hedge School is a microschool where students have the freedom to choose what and how they learn, creating an environment that fosters curiosity, confidence, and emotional well-being. Erin’s journey to founding the Hedge School was shaped by her experiences as a teacher, principal, and ultimately, her disillusionment with the traditional education system. She saw firsthand how rigid policies, standardized testing, and lack of student agency stifled learning.  Rather than conforming to a system she felt was failing students, Erin took a bold step: she created a school designed around student choice, inclusivity, and self-directed learning. The Hedge School’s approach is radically different from conventional education. Students decide how to engage with lessons, whether that means taking a walk, skipping an assignment that doesn’t resonate with them, or learning in a way that best suits their interests. For Erin, learning should be a collaborative process, not something imposed upon students. With an opportunity to expand the Hedge School’s model, she receives mentorship from Kelly Smith, founder of Prenda, a venture-backed microschool network. Kelly helps Erin refine her pitch and strategize on how to scale.  They explore questions like: how can Erin establish satellite Hedge Schools while ensuring each maintains its unique community-driven culture? What support do new educators need to replicate the Hedge School model successfully? How can Erin balance business objectives with her deeply held beliefs about education? Together, they dive into strategies to sustain Hedge School’s mission while expanding its reach. 02:01 Erin's Educational Journey 07:18 Challenges in the Public School System 10:11 Founding The Hedge School 11:23 What is Consent-Based Education? 13:58 The Micro School Movement 20:09 Scaling The Hedge School 27:51 Final Thoughts and Takeaways Links:  Dr. Erin Flynn Hedge School CooperativeKelly SmithPrendaAbout the Host, Nicole Jarbo:Nicole Jarbo is the host of Pitch Playground and the CEO of 4.0. An entrepreneur and 4.0 alumni herself, Nicole took a side hustle from $0 to $500k per year and founded a fintech startup that empowered Gen Z with their finances. She's passionate about sharing the inspiring stories of the 4.0 community and believes in work that makes the world more livable, creative, sustainable, and fun. About 4.0:4.0 is a hub for education innovators and social entrepreneurs reimagining the future of learning. Through mentorship, funding, and community support, we empower bold thinkers to turn their dreams into reality. To date, 4.0 has helped spark and invest in over 1,800 ideas, and our alumni have impacted over 10M students and families. We envision a future where our education system meets the needs of every family and improves life outcomes for all. We Want to Hear From You!Whether you're an educator, entrepreneur, or just passionate about changing education, reach out to share your story, ideas, or feedback. Visit us at pitchplayground.com, leave us a review and subscribe to Pitch Playground wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to Vote! At the end of this season one of these entrepreneurs will receive $50,000 towards their idea.  We want to hear from you, yes YOU, to cast your vote for the idea you think should receive the cash. Sign up for our newsletter at 4pt0.org to stay tuned on when voting will open.