Today, the Getting Smart team is going to learn about a school that is taking student-centered learning global! Rebecca Amis is the co-founder of MUSE School in Calabasas, California. MUSE is a small student-centered P-12 school with a robust sustainability agenda, a great Seed-to-Table program, a vegan kitchen, and climate action integrated across the curriculum. Rebecca and her team are also launching a new initiative called MUSE Global that will provide access to the key elements of the MUSE School model to communities around the world.

Tune in to learn more about MUSE School, what the learning experience is like from P-12, the progress and impact that co-founders Rebecca Amis and Suzy Amis Cameron have made through MUSE School and MUSE Global, and how they are setting a new course for education around the world.

The Getting Smart team really appreciates the thoughtful way that MUSE teachers are weaving learning standards and student passions into community-connected projects, and cannot wait to share today's episode with you all!

Key Takeaways:

[:12] About today's episode with Rebecca Amis.

[:47] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Rebecca Amis to the podcast.

[:52] When and why did Rebecca initially get interested in early childhood learning?

[3:50] Rebecca shares the history of her career.

[6:15] Fastforwarding to MUSE, Rebecca tells the origin story of the school.

[10:10] What the learning experience is like in elementary school at MUSE.

[11:50] What the learning experience is like in middle and high school at MUSE.

[13:10] Where to pre-order Tom's new book, The Power of Place!

[14:12] Rebecca shares the influences that Elliot Washer of Big Picture Learning had on MUSE.

[15:19] Rebecca speaks about MUSE's Seed-to-Table program and how it fits into the life of the school.

[17:40] Rebecca elaborates on how MUSE is a plant-based school and what that means for kids on campus and the environment.

[21:15] How public schools across Los Angeles are following MUSE's lead.

[21:54] Rebecca's strategies for sharing what she learned at MUSE with the world and how she's supporting others doing similar work.

[23:00] Rebecca speaks about MUSE Global and what they're doing to influence schools around the world.

[28:14] Where to go online and learn more about MUSE.

[28:35] Tom thanks Rebecca for joining the podcast.

Mentioned in This Episode:

MUSE School

MUSE Global

Martin Hoffman — NYU

Reggio Emilia Approach

Early Head Start

UPrep

The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, by Tom Vander Ark, Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennon

Big Picture Learning

Forks Over Knives (Film, 2011)

Rebecca's Email: Rebecca@MUSEGlobal.org

For Another Great Episode on Place-Based Learning, Check-Out:

Getting Smart Ep. 237: "Giving the Gift of Place with Teton Science Schools"

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