Map Academy co-founders Josh Charpentier and Rachel Babcock reflect on the impact of the pandemic—on their students, opportunities, and challenges presented, as well as some resulting innovations. Because Map was specifically designed to re-engage marginalized students who are off track or dropped out, we wanted to know what shifts Josh and Rachel are seeing in an alternative high school model under this unprecedented strain.

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Rachel Babcock and Josh Charpentier, founders of Map Academy—a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

More about Map Academy: themapacademy.org

Follow us on Twitter:  

This podcast is a Hairpin production: hairpin.org

In this episode, co-founders Josh and Rachel talk about building the right team in the middle of a pandemic. Map Academy is an alternative school for disconnected and marginalized youth. Their model was built for disruption. Covid-19 is just that—another disruption. Map puts students at the center of every decision, including when it comes to hiring new staff—because who better to talk about what students need than the students themselves?

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Rachel Babcock and Josh Charpentier, founders of Map Academy—a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

More about Map Academy: themapacademy.org

Follow us on Twitter:  

This podcast is a Hairpin production: hairpin.org

As schools across the country are wrestling with opening during the ongoing pandemic, we catch up with Map founders Josh and Rachel as they prepare to reopen and welcome back students and staff. They share the challenges and unexpected silver linings created by the statewide mandated closure. We hear how the Map staff is doing all they can to open—and remain open—so their students can get the support they need to continue making progress.

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Rachel Babcock and Josh Charpentier, founders of Map Academy—a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

More about Map Academy: themapacademy.org

Follow us on Twitter:   

This podcast is a Hairpin production: hairpin.org

Welcome back to a special edition of Education Disruption. Over the next few weeks we'll be talking to students of Map Academy that are preparing to graduate amidst a myriad of disruption. We'll hear the stories of how these students found Map, and why Map has worked so well for them.

In today's episode, we talk to Virginia, who experienced tragedy in 10th grade but found her way back to high school and got on the road to her diploma in her 20s at Map Academy.

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Rachel Babcock and Josh Charpentier, founders of Map Academy—a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

More about Map Academy: themapacademy.org

Follow us on Twitter:   

This podcast is a Hairpin production: hairpin.org

Welcome back to a special edition of Education Disruption. Over the next few weeks, we'll be talking to students of Map Academy that are preparing to graduate amidst a myriad of disruption. We'll hear the stories of how these students found Map, and why Map has worked so well for them

Meet Gustavo. He immigrated to the US with his mother and brother from Brazil at age 15. He is incredibly hardworking, but he soon found it impossible to stay in traditional high school and work enough hours to help support his family. He reluctantly dropped out. Eventually, Gustavo — like a lot of Map's older students — made the brave decision to return to school and earn his diploma. At Map Academy, he found a web of support, a flexible schedule, teachers who truly listen, and a pathways coordinator to plan his future with.

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Rachel Babcock and Josh Charpentier, founders of Map Academy—a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

More about Map Academy: themapacademy.org

Follow us on Twitter:   

This podcast is a Hairpin production: hairpin.org

Welcome back to a special edition of Education Disruption. Over the next few weeks we'll be talking to students of Map Academy that are preparing to graduate amidst a myriad of disruption. We'll hear the stories of how these students found Map, and why Map has worked so well for them

Today we talk to Zo, who struggled to go to school every day in part because of bullying, and also because of her diabetes. Mom tried to step in and work with the school, but didn't get much help. Fortunately, they found Map Academy. 

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Rachel Babcock and Josh Charpentier, founders of Map Academy—a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

More about Map Academy: themapacademy.org

Follow us on Twitter:    twitter.com/charpentierjosh twitter.com/RachelBabcock

This podcast is a Hairpin production: hairpin.org

Welcome back to a special edition of Education Disruption. Over the next few weeks, we'll be talking to students of Map Academy that are preparing to graduate amidst a myriad of disruption. We'll hear the stories of these students found Map, and why Map has worked so well for them

Today we talk to Kayde, who despite all the barriers in front of him, is about to get his high school diploma from Map Academy

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Rachel Babcock and Josh Charpentier, founders of Map Academy—a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

More about Map Academy: themapacademy.org

Follow us on Twitter:   

This podcast is a Hairpin production: hairpin.org

Welcome back to a special edition of Education Disruption. Oer the next few weeks we'll be talking to students of Map Academy that are preparing to graduate amidst a myriad of disruption. We'll hear the stories of how these students found Map, and why Map has worked so well for them

Today we talk to Sabrina, who was cast aside as a "bad kid" at her old school, and found success at Map Academy

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Rachel Babcock and Josh Charpentier, founders of Map Academy—a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

More about Map Academy: themapacademy.org

Follow us on Twitter:

This podcast is a Hairpin production: hairpin.org

Welcome back to a special edition of Education Disruption. Over the next few weeks we'll be talking to students of Map Academy that are preparing to graduate amidst a myriad of disruption. We'll hear the stories of how these students found Map, and why Map has worked so well for them

Today, we talk to Hayden, who in previous school experiences struggled with a lack of mental health support and bullying. Now, at Map, he's about to graduate. 

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Rachel Babcock and Josh Charpentier, founders of Map Academy—a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

More about Map Academy: themapacademy.org

Follow us on Twitter:

This podcast is a Hairpin production: hairpin.org

Welcome back to a special edition of Education Disruption. Over the next few weeks, we'll be talking to the co-founders and staff of Map Academy about how they are adapting to the current Covid-19 crisis and continuing to provide the wrap-around support their students count on.

This episode was recorded just after Governor Baker announced that schools would remain closed for the rest of the school year. In today's episode, co-founders Rachel & Josh talk about how they are moving forward, continuing to support their community remotely, and what it means for the future.  

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Education Disruption is a podcast by Rachel Babcock and Josh Charpentier, founders of Map Academy—a free, public charter high school open to all Massachusetts students.

More about Map Academy: themapacademy.org

Follow us on Twitter:

This podcast is a Hairpin production: hairpin.org