Author: Randy Ziegenfuss, Ed.D.

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Today we are speaking with Nathan Strenge and Sam Neisen. Nathan and Sam will be launching Exploration High School in the fall of 2021 – a learner-centered environment designed to empower youth to contribute to a healthier, more equitable society.  

Nathan’s drive to transform education and open Exploration High School comes through his belief that all people deserve to learn in an environment that adapts to their unique gifts and needs. He has a decade of experience as a teacher leader and is now a Senior Learning Designer at Fielding International, where he helps schools and districts around the world (including Salisbury) to transform to a learner-centered paradigm through integrated design.

Education is in Sam’s blood; both of his parents were k-12 public school teachers and the drive to put kids first to solve the problems of today and tomorrow motivates Sam to launch Exploration High School.  Sam’s background is in teaching high school humanities, having taught both internationally and locally.  Sam’s experiences as an educator led him to opportunities such as being an Open Way Learning Fellow and winning the WCCO Educator of the Week Award.  

Here is what we are thinking about?

• What might be if you built a learning environment from scratch in your community?

Resources

• Exploration High School
• A conversation with Sam and Nathan – Education Reimagined
• Defining and Measuring Student-Centered Outcomes from Education Evolving
• Articulating the Change: What do we mean by a learner-centered paradigm?

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In this episode, we are speaking with students who took the QUESTion Class when they were in high school and have formed a Youth Advisory Council to support the creation of a new subject field in education. The QUESTion class is a semester-long course designed by the Open Future Institute to support learners in the exploration of big life questions in five areas: Choice, Purpose, Fearlessness, Interconnectedness and The Bigger Picture. We’re also joined by the Founder and President of the Open Future Institute, Gerard Senehi. The Student Ambassadors speaking with us today include Katery Castelan,  Charlos Do, and Tyreik Skelton.

Gerard is Founder and President of the Open Future Institute, about his work with the QUESTion Project.

Katery  is an ambassador for the QUESTion Project and a self-made fashion designer. She has a keen passion for writing and philosophy. Her mission is to use her platforms in order to give a voice and pave a way for the youth of tomorrow. 

Besides being a QUESTion Project Ambassador, Charlos is a personal trainer and aspiring fitness influencer.  His goal is to not just get people into shape but to inspire them to use fitness to help them find a new purpose 

Aside from being a QUESTion Project ambassador, Tyreik has many interests, but his favorite one is making music. He loves being able to assist people in any way that he can, including helping them speak their truths.

Here’s what we are thinking:

• How might inquiry, like that found in the QUESTion class, support your learner-centered transformation work?

Resources

• Open Future Institute
• QUESTion Class
• TLTalkRadio Season 6: Episode 32 – Interview with Gerard on the QUESTion Project

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In this bonus episode, we are speaking with Adam Aronson, founding lead teacher at the Chelsea Opportunity Academy (COA) in Chelsea, MA, about the academy’s outdoor experience course. 

The Chelsea Opportunity Academy (COA) is a competency based, alternative high school in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Chelsea Opportunity Academy offers an engaging and supportive learning environment for young adults seeking a new educational experience. At COA, every day is a new day. The school is built on strong relationships that help learners overcome obstacles and grow stronger. COA students develop and practice the specific skills they need to be successful, valued community members.  It offers flexible hours for its students and a curriculum that is driven by students, for students. 

Here’s what we’re thinking about:

1. How might your school or district benefit from taking learners beyond the classroom walls?

Resources

• If you are interested in learning more about COA’s design process, their outdoor experience course—or just want to say hello—reach out to Adam at aronsona@chelseaschools.com.
• Chelsea Opportunity Academy
• Zaretta Hammond’s Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain 
• Appalachian Mountain Club  

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In this episode, we’re learning with Corey Mohn and Erin Jacobson. Corey is the Executive Director of the Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), a nationally recognized, innovative high school program. Students fast forward into their future and are fully immersed in a professional culture, solving real world problems, using industry standard tools and mentored by actual employers, all while receiving high school and college credit. CAPS is an example of how business, community and public education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of tomorrow, especially in high skill, high demand jobs. 

Erin Jacobson is a junior at Blue Valley CAPS. Last semester she was in Technology Solutions and is in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship class this semester.

Here is a question we are pondering:

• What are your school’s or district’s core values, and how do they support your transformation to a learner-centered environment?

Resources

• About the CAPS Network
• Twitter: @NetworkCAPS 
• Where students lead  film on CAPS network
• Education Reimagined article on CAPS
• Education Reimagined conversation with Cory Mohn and Ashlyn Kennedy
• Venture Dash Competition – video featuring Erin Jacobson

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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:

• Voyagers Community School
• Voyagers on Twitter: @VoyagersNJ

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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

• Thoughts from Lindsay on the Episode 57
• Sweetland School
• Education Reimagined Article on Sweetland School
• Education Reimagined Article with Lindsay Pinchbeck
• How can the arts encourage us to risks & trust the learning process? On HundrED

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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

• Better Together: How to Leverage School Networks for Smarter Personalized and Project-Based Learning
• Smart Parents: Parenting for Powerful Learning
• Smart Cities That Work for Everyone: 7 Keys to Education & Employment
• Getting Smart: How Digital Learning is Changing the World
• Teaching with Fire: Poetry that Sustains the Courage to Teach
• Teaching with Heart: Poetry that Speaks to the Courage to Teach
• Navigating the Digital Shift: Implementation Strategies for Blended and Online Learning
• Architecture for Achievement: Building Patterns for Small School Learning
• Change Leadership: A Practical Guide to Transforming Our Schools
• College Now! What Needs to Be Done to Give Urban Students a Real Path to Success
• Making the Grade: Reinventing America’s Schools
• High Schools on a Human Scale: How Small Schools Can Transform American Education
• College Now! What Needs to Be Done to Give Urban Students a Real Path to Success
• For papers authored by Tom, check out the publications page.
• For blogs written by Tom, check out his authored blogs.
• Google Expedition
• Tetonscience.org
• PlaceSchools Network – Placeschools.org
• A New You: Faster and Cheaper Alternatives to College
• Education Reimagined
• 100 podcasts you should check out
• Difference Making – The Case for Contribution: Why Schools Should Empower Difference Making
• Podcast: Emily Liebtag and Nate McClennen on the Power of Place 
• Book report: How Faster + Cheaper Alternatives Will Replace Most of HigherEd
• Podcast: Ryan Craig on Last-Mile Training as an Alternative to Higher Ed
•  Power of Place Microsite
• Podcast: Emily Liebtag and Nate McClennen on the Power of Place 
• How Faster + Cheaper Alternatives Will Replace Most of HigherEd
• Ryan Craig on Last-Mile Training as an Alternative to Higher Ed

Here is what we are thinking about:

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

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In this bonus episode, we are speaking with Joanne McEachen & Matthew Kane about their book, Measuring Human Return: Understand and Assess What Really Matters for Deeper Learning.

Joanne is the CEO/Founder of The Learn
er First, an education consultancy based in Seattle. She serves on the executive team of Karanga, the global alliance for social emotional learning and life skills, and is also co-founder of the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL) global partnership, currently active in Australia, Canada, Finland, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United States, and Uruguay. Joanne is co-author of numerous books including Measuring Human Return, the focus of our discussion today.

Matthew is the Director of Research and Writing at The Learner First where he works closely with teachers, school leaders, and other members of school communities to change students’ outcomes and share learning stories. He has partnered with diverse schools and school systems globally to develop new tools, language, and practices that help bring deeper learning to life, and he works as a senior manager with New Pedagogies for Deep Learning.

Resources:

• Measuring Human Return: Understand and Assess What Really Matters for Deeper Learning
• The Learner First
• The Learner First Tools – companion website
• Dr. Jean Clinton 
• Permission to Feel – Marc Brackett
• Dr. Dana Simmons
• Karanga

Here is what we are thinking about…

In what ways has our conversation today piqued your curiosity around learner-centered education and/or contributive learning?

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In this episode we learn the power of learner voice through a conversation with Mithil Pujar, Chairman of the Executive Student Cabinet at the San Diego County Office of Education, and Poway Unified Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, dedicated to making school better. Through partnering with district and community leaders, Mithil works to elevate learner voices in the decision making process at the school and district levels. 

As a result of our conversation, here are questions we are pondering:

1. What learner-centered aspects of Mithil’s journey might translate to your school or district?
2. How might you better know your learners and be open and responsive to their needs?

Resources:

• Mithil on Twitter – @mithilpujar

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In this episode, we are learning with David Beyer and Josh Ecker, middle school teachers involved in the launch of a learner-centered model of education, Project Wonder (a micro-school within Salisbury Middle School).  

Dave is a former software designer who has been teaching in Salisbury for 14 years. His learning philosophy is centered on meeting the students where they are, building personal connections with each student, and focusing on process over product.

Josh is in his third year teaching in Salisbury. He is pursuing a doctoral degree in Mind, Brain, and Teaching, and using what he’s learning to inform his learner-centered teaching practices. He’s written several articles for Education Reimagined and enjoys engaging with others in discussions about learner-centered education.

Here’s what we’re thinking about:

• What would your learners say about their experiences in their learning environment?

Resources

• Project Wonder Website
• Project Wonder Course Catalog
• Sample Project Wonder Newsletter 
• Josh’s Education Reimagined articles
  • 6 Strategies to Support the Development of Self-Directed Learners
  • 4 Ways to Minimize Growing Pains During Your Learner-Centered Transition 
  • How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Learner-Centered Education
• Josh’s Blog
• Josh on Twitter: @joshecker
• Instructional-design theories and models, Vol. IV: The learner-centered paradigm of education