About this Conversation
How does the culture of a school transform when the teachers, students, and staff are no longer on their phones? How does communication improve? How does the community come together? In this TEDMED Conversation, our host, Kelly Thomas, PhD, sits down with Bill Knauer, Head of The Harvey School, to find out what’s happening on campus since they’ve transitioned to a phone free environment. So far, it’s been transformational.
About Bill Knauer
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Bill Knauer is an educator and school leader with decades of experience across independent and international education. He currently serves as head of The Harvey School, where he leads a learning community centered on curiosity, creativity, and meaningful engagement.
Bill’s career spans classrooms and leadership roles in both the United States and abroad. He began his work in education teaching English and English as an Additional Language at international schools in Sudan and Germany, experiences that shaped his global perspective on learning and student development. After returning to the U.S., he taught English and worked in educational technology, later moving into senior leadership roles that bridged academics, systems, and school culture.
He has served as head of school internationally in Barcelona and held leadership positions focused on curriculum, technology, and institutional strategy at several independent schools. Across these roles, Knauer has been particularly interested in how learning environments—physical, social, and cultural—shape attention, motivation, and growth.
Throughout his career, he has emphasized building school cultures that support focus, presence, and strong human connection, preparing students not only for academic success but for thoughtful engagement with the world beyond the classroom
