What happens when you walk into a classroom and can't find the teacher? 

For Kyle Wagner, this moment sparked a fundamental shift in his understanding of what learning could look like. 

In this episode, Kyle shares powerful examples of schools that have transformed from traditional teaching models to student-centered environments - including one that went from requiring SWAT team interventions to becoming a place where students eagerly showcase their learning. 

Drawing from his experience working with schools worldwide, Kyle offers practical steps for teachers looking to make this shift, emphasizing that meaningful change can start with small adjustments rather than complete classroom overhauls.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

• Powerful examples of schools that have transformed from traditional teaching models to student-centered environments
• How one school went from requiring SWAT team interventions to becoming a place where students eagerly showcase their learning
• Practical steps for teachers to make small shifts towards more student-centered learning experiences
• The importance of empowering both students and teachers with agency in the learning process
• Examples of how departments and teachers can work collaboratively to identify and implement shifts to student-centered learning
• Kyle's advice for education leaders on including teachers in the design of school transformation visions

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Get you copy of Kyle’s newest book Where Is the Teacher?: The 12 Shifts for Student-Centered Environments
• Connect with Kyle on X and LinkedIn or send him an email at [email protected]
• Visit www.transformschool.com to learn more about Kyle’s work and check out his podcast
• Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination Meet
• Learn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.
• Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.
• Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here.

GUEST BIO:

Kyle Wagner is the founder and  [Co] Learning Experience Designer for Transform Educational Consulting Limited, an organization that empowers forward thinking schools and educators to create self- directed globally, socially and emotionally aware citizens through project-based experiences and student-centred environments. Kyle fell in love with project-based learning as a teacher at High Tech High, where he witnessed students publish best-selling books, create their own social enterprises, and even influence policy change through real- world projects. He has taken this passion global, founding innovative micro-schools, authoring 2 books – ‘Where is the Teacher’ and ‘Power of Simple,’ and helping over 1,000 educators design 1000 + transformative learning experiences, and the student-centered environments to support them. 

Kyle holds a M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership with a thesis that focuses on developing democratic classrooms and distributed leadership models. When not writing or teaching, he is performing with his original band, participating in karaoke contests and traveling the world with his partner. He currently resides in Hong Kong where he spends time developing learner-centred schools of the future while helping other school leaders build theirs.

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MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:

In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth. 

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

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