David S. Gran
InThinking Site Author • Apple Distinguished Educator • National Board Certified Teacher
Currently based in Santiago, Chile | Empowering students at the intersection of storytelling, art, and technology.
WHO I AM
FROM IMAGINATION TO IMPACT
I'm passionate about engaging students in meaningful projects that connect their lived experiences and imagination to real-world impact. I aim to empower students to explore, create, and reflect through inquiry-driven learning while equipping them with the tools to communicate, collaborate, and contribute with confidence. I want their learning to spark engagement with the world beyond the classroom; so they grow as empathetic thinkers, problem-solvers, and changemakers. In addition, I aim to share this passion with teachers and students though my academic writing projects.
WHAT I DO
I MAKE THINGS
& CHANGE THINGS
As AI reshapes what’s possible in classrooms, it also challenges us to rethink what students truly need to learn. When tools can generate summaries and reports in seconds, education must shift toward deeper, more human skills: empathy, creativity, and problem-solving. These skills are at the heart of my art & film classes. In developing programs like the Innovation Institute and Changemakers, my wife Kim and I have focused on designing learning experiences that ask students to grapple with real-world questions and projects that require them to think critically, connect ideas across disciplines, and create with purpose. The goal is not just to prepare students for the future, but to empower them to shape it.
RESUMÉ
Find my complete resume here.
Highlights
Changemakers PBL Program
Founding Member
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Innovation Institute
Founding Member
InThinking DP Film
Site Author
National Board Certified Teacher
Art Education EAYA
Apple Distinguished Educator
Apple Asia, Class of 2008
Learning 2
Founding Committee Member
International Baccalaureate
IB Film Curriculum Committee
IB Film Examiner
Shanghai Student Film Festival
Co-Founder, Director
Experience
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International School Nido de Aguilas
IB Film & Changemaker Teacher
Interdisciplinary Department Head
Shanghai American School
IB Film & Art Teacher
Technology Coach
K-12 Art Dept Coordinator
Huntington Union Free School District
High School Film, Art & Theater Teacher
Drama Director
Interim K-12 District Arts Director
Harlem School for the Arts
Film & Arts Teacher
Education
Harvard Business School Online
Certificate in School Management & Leadership
2025
Teachers College, Columbia University
MA in Art Education
2001
School of Visual Arts
Continuing Education Classes in Studio Art
2000
Institute for Shipboard Education
Semester at Sea
1994
Binghamton University
BA in Anthropology and Film
1994
Leadership
International School Nido de Aguilas
Interdisciplinary Department Head
Shanghai American School
K-12 Art Dept Coordinator
Huntington Union Free School District
Interim District K-12 Art Director
Shanghai Student Film Festival
Founding Director
Presentations
2021: Shanghai American School: Gamification for the Classroom
Professional Development presentation for faculty on enhancing student engagement in the classroom through games.
2017: DreamWorks Filmmakers’ Night: Tim Burton Exhibition Panel
Guest Speaker for DreamWorks event celebrating the work of Tim Burton at his Art Exhibition in Shanghai.
2016: EARCOS Teachers Conference: Collaboration in Art Education
An exploration of possible projects and opportunities for art teachers using 21st century skills and tools
2016: EARCOS Teachers Conference: Music for Tone Deaf Film Teachers
Strategies and suggestions for approaching music in a film course for film teachers with no expertise in film. Created and presented with Film Composer Rolf Becker.
2010: EARCOS Plenary Session: The Shanghai Student Film Festival
Presentation to full conference about how films & film festivals engage students in their learning and provide authentic audiences. Presented to all participants of the conference.
2009: Apple Education Leadership Summit
Instruction on techniques in Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express for classroom use.
2008: Learning 2 Conference Host
Organized and Co-Hosted 3 pre-conference sessions for the Learning 2.0 Conference in Second Life with Chris Smith. Guests included Ewen McIntosh, David Warlick, and Alan Levine.
Publications
InThikning DP Film
Site Author
Davis Publications
School Arts Magazine: Media Arts Columnist
School Arts Magazine: Contributing Editor
School Arts Magazine: Guest Editor
Media Arts: Chapter Author
Exploring Visual Design (upcoming): Chapter Author
Routledge Press
Makers, Crafters, Educators: Working for Change
Maker Space: Chapter Author
The Carrot Revolution
Author, Award Winning Blog
WHERE TO FIND ME
WHERE AM I?
After having taught in both Shanghai and New York, I am currently working at the International School Nido de Aguilas in Santiago, Chile.
You can reach me at:
