Episode 058: Voyagers’ Community School Interview with Karen Giuffre’, Founding Director

In this episode we are learning with Karen Giuffre’ from Voyagers’ Community School in New Jersey. Karen began her teaching career in Harvard, Massachusetts where she taught 5th, 6th, and 8th-grade social studies. Karen developed an elementary interdisciplinary curriculum as a researcher and writer and then as a trainer and promoter of the national physical education program, Physical Best. 

Karen’s children inspired her to create a progressive learning environment that honors all children as powerful, resourceful, and competent people here and now. She founded Voyagers’ Community School in 2004 after spending 18 months composing the philosophical foundation that guides the day-to-day operations.

Karen has garnered recognition as the Keynote Speaker and Presenter at both national and local professional conferences, including, most recently, the Association for Constructivist Teaching Conference and the Progressive Education Network.

The children attending Voyagers’ Community School, from 3 months to 18 years of age, are typically developing and driven by curiosity, wonder, a sense that anything is possible, and a willingness to try and try again. They are innovative, articulate, focused, and accomplished.

Here is a question we are pondering:

  • What are the core values reflected in your learning environment, and how do those values support learner-centered transformation?

Resources:

Episode 057: Sweetland School Interview with Lindsay Pinchbeck and learners

In this episode, wee are learning with Lindsay Pinchbeck, Director of Sweet Tree Arts and Founder of Sweetland School in Hope, ME, and learners. 

Sweetland School is an Arts Integrated, Project Based elementary school. Lindsay has been teaching in the arts and alternative education settings for the past 20 years. Cooper McBride is 13 years old and a 7th grade student at Sweetland.  He is very passionate about art, dance, and acting. Izzi Stubbs is a 7th grade student at Sweetland  School. She is a passionate learner with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She loves art, theater and music. Mr. Bear has a bachelor’s degree in speed talking from Bearkly University. He now offers emotional support for teachers and students at Sweetland School (he wishes he was on payroll.) and has also been the daily host of The Bear Show for a year and counting.

Here is a question we are pondering:

  • How might the arts support the development of your learner-centered model?

Resources

Bonus Episode 17 – Interview with Tom VanderArk – Power of Place

In this bonus episode, we are speaking with Tom VanderArk, co-author of Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education

Tom is an advocate for innovations in learning. As CEO of Getting Smart, Tom advises impact organizations and learning institutions on the path forward. A prolific writer and speaker, Tom has co-authored more than 50 books, chapters, and white papers and has published thousands of articles. He writes regularly on GettingSmart.com, LinkedIn, and contributes to Forbes.

Tom served as the first Executive Director of Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and was a public school superintendent in Washington state. Tom is a board member for Education Board Partners, Director for 4.0 Schools, Digital Learning Institute, Latinx Education Collaborative, and eduInnovation and Advisor for One Stone and Teton Science Schools and Whittle School & Studios.

Resources

Here is what we are thinking about:

  • How might place-based education act as an accelerant for your school transformation efforts?