Our favorite host is going Hollywood, but it’s for the best of causes: education reform.
From StreetInsider.com (my emphasis added):
Viacom To Host Get Schooled Conference and Documentary Premiere at Paramount Pictures Lot
August 27, 2009 11:47 AM EDTHOLLYWOOD, Calif., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) will join other corporations and nonprofit organizations, as well as education thought leaders, policymakers and concerned entertainment industry professionals at the Paramount Pictures lot in Hollywood to formally launch the Get Schooled initiative and engage students, families and community members in efforts to reform the nation’s public schools and provide American youth with a world-class education.
The back-to-school event on Sept. 8 will kick off with an afternoon conference featuring presentations by Bill Gates, Viacom President and CEO Philippe Dauman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Tony Miller, filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, author and political columnist Arianna Huffington, New York City Department of Education Chancellor Joel Klein and Los Angeles area high school athletic director Stephen Minix. Stephen Colbert, host of the popular television show The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the conference.
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Stephen’s efforts on behalf of students and the educators who serve them are well-known for regular readers of this site, but they’re no less commendable for being familiar. We particularly like Stephen’s partnership with DonorsChoose.org (check our archive of DonorsChoose.org-related posts here), which has resulted in some great segments on The Colbert Report, like this one from his Persian Gulf-themed promotions:
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| DonorsChoose.org Donations | ||||
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Bravo to everyone participating in the upcoming conference, and let’s hope it yields some real world improvement for everyone wanting a better education.
I can’t believe the variety of people they have participating during the conference. As an educator and all around education enthusiast, I would love to hear what many of them have to say…I hope parts will be made available to view online at some point. Such a good cause!
Now, this is me just dreaming here, but if Stephen is going to be in California–what are the chances he might appear on the Tonight Show with Conan?! Ah, a girl can dream….
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Can I join your dream and add The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson to your dream list?
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Absolutely!! And a guest spot on The Office!
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Oh man, a guest spot on The Office would be too good for reality!
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I wonder if Stephen will tout the Stephen and Melinda Gates Foundation during his emceeing duties. ;) (I actually had to read this twice to realize it was about the *real* foundation, not “Stephen’s” fake one! lol!)
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It figures that Stephen is finally coming to my side of the country and the function doesn’t appear to be open to the public…sad :(
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right there with ya.
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I’m starting to worry about the partnership of the Gates foundation and donor’s choose. The gates foundation has come under criticism lately for pushing for unproven teaching facilities/techniques.
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I think Donors Choose is wonderful, and I’ve supported projects myself. If it weren’t for Stephen’s support, I would not have known about the organization.
As a teacher of students with learning disabilitiesr, it’s not the special events, but the relationships I build with my students that make learning (including special events) possible.
I share your concern about GF’s involvement in Donor’s Choose. It would be off-topic for me to elaborate.
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Wow, so awesome! I second the calls for his appearance on Conan/Craig/the Office. =D
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I “third” them, especially Craig (although I’d be sound asleep by that time)!
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Once again, what a giving gesture and indication of a fine human being. This is supposed to be Stephen’s vacation, and the emceeing of this event occurs during the last week of it, I believe. He could have chosen to be out there fishing or doing anything more relaxing for sure. Quite an amazing individual. Besides this, of course, I also certainly support his choice of causes.
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