# Actors as Educators Jada Pinkett Smith Leaves Acting for New Village Leadership Academy By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-03-13 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jada-pinkett-smith-new-village-leadership-academy References: [news.yahoo](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090311/ap_en_ot/people_pinkett_smith_ylt=Ai3o5j0IXpqFDIOltMtN8PJX24cA) & [nvlacademy.org](http://www.nvlacademy.org/index.cfm) Actress Jada Pinkett Smith has decided to hang up her acting career for the moment in favor of a new title--schoolmistress--at the New Village Leadership Academy, the school she opened up with husband Will Smith last fall. According to the Associated Press, the New Village Leadership Academy uses instructional methods developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology--a curriculum choice that has come with its fair share of controversy. However, Jada Pinkett Smith echoes the school's assertion that the New Village Leadership Academy is more like a Montessori school that stresses 100% mastery rather than a school of Scientology. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.1/10 - Popularity: 72% | Activity: 13% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Youth](https://www.trendhunter.com/youth) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Montessori-style Education:** Opportunity for implementing instructional methods focused on 100% mastery, similar to Montessori education. - **Alternative Curriculum Choices:** Opportunity to explore and implement non-traditional instructional methods and curriculum choices. - **Celebrity-led Education Initiatives:** Opportunity for celebrities to create and lead their own educational institutions. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Education:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for developing alternative educational models and curriculum choices. - **Entertainment:** Opportunity for celebrities to leverage their popularity and influence to create and promote educational initiatives. - **Technology:** Opportunity to leverage technology in alternative education models and curriculum development. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Artist-Collaborative Travel Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/harper-collective-1.md) - [Empathy-Building Play Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-barbie-school-of-friendship.md) - [Pilates Education Academies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nofar-method.md) - [Back-to-School Countdown Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/backtoschool-countdown.md) - [Purpose-Driven Leadership Schools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-african-school-of-governance.md) - [Bento-Inspired School Lunches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bentoinspired-school-lunches.md) - [Empowering Movie Industry Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/career-of-the-year-barbie.md) - [Celebrity Fragrance Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dior-addict-1.md) - [STEM Snack Packs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fritolay-variety-pack.md)