Learning Unboxed

Christian Martinez knows firsthand what it’s like to be a young immigrant in America: The language barrier, financial stress, feeling alone and hopeless. That’s why he does what he does today. Christian is the founder and community innovator for The Camino Program and he’s our guest on the show today.

Christian tells us  about the Camino program, not just what it does, but how it makes its participants feel. The program offers support in professional development, mental health, peer support, and career navigation for teens transitioning into adulthood. While it’s only four months long, it’s just the jumpstart of creating a lifelong network.

The most important impact of the program is one that’s hard to measure, but is foundational to success: Hope. The Camino is literally “a path forward” for youth who have finally found a place where they can connect.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How immigrant youth experience disconnection
• The critical importance of hope
• Meeting youth where they are at– especially when they’re not at school

Resources:

• Learn more at CaminoProgram.org
• Follow the Camino Program on Instagram: @CaminoProgram

Produced by NOVA Media

In 2015, Norris School District came to Johnna Noll with a learner-centered educational consultant’s dream request. The tiny school district’s residential population consisted of a treatment center for kids, and it asked Johnna to help it transform into a learner-centered, trauma-invested, constantly evolving program. Of course, she said yes.  

Johnna joins the show today to tell us about what the school district has built. It uses a very clear learning design process: Profile, Plan, Pathway, Progress, and Proof. Students create their own unique learning paths based on their hobbies, talents, and interests. Then it’s up to the learning specialists to make sure academic competencies are tied into it.

The foundation of the entire learning environment is students and staff deeply learning about each other, building agency and confidence. From there students are connected to resources in the community to learn about what they are specifically interested in. 

We also talk about how truly empowering students and staff goes hand-in-hand with scaling up. Authentic success stories for students and communities, plus a healthy workplace for educators, is necessary to sustain the growth rate needed to one day benefit all students across the state, country, and world.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Building student and staff profiles 
• Tying academic competencies in with community-based learning
• Changing job descriptions and workplace policies to support learner-centered education

Resources:

• Learn more at NorrisAcademyWI.org

Produced by NOVA Media

How do you even begin to create systems change in education? Our guest today is Rob Collins. He manages the Innovative Learning Network in the Kentucky Department of Education. Rob gives us a peek into what systems change looks like right now for the state of Kentucky.  

We dive into the teaching initiatives that the Kentucky Department of Education is undertaking in this area. Rob tells us about how the Innovative Learning Network provides institutional support and learning opportunities for school leaders and teachers. For example the network has brought in PBLWorks, a community organization, to successfully train a third of Kentocuky teachers on project-based learning.

We also cover efforts to change assessment and accountability. For example, two districts in Kentucky now release accountability dashboards along with state test scores to show there’s more to education achievement than standardized exams. Also, at the state level, there’s now a Kentucky United We Learn Council that includes legislators in exploratory discussions.

Changing systems happens across different levels and through different dynamics. Rob’s stories are excellent examples we can all learn from as we try to change the education system around us.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• What diverse stakeholders want out of the education system
• Providing organizational structure while encouraging free-form growth among leaders in education innovation 
• The importance of connecting innovative educators so they don’t feel like they are on an island

Resources:

• Learn more at Kentucky’s Innovative Learning Network 

Produced by NOVA Media

It’s time to get free from oppression, both inside the classroom and out: internalized oppression, interpersonal oppression, ideological oppression, institutional oppression. That’s what Dr. Michelle Sadrena Pledger is here to talk with us about today.

Michelle is the Founder of Living for Liberation and is also the Director of Liberation at the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. Her specialty is liberatory project-based learning. That’s when young people experience a learning environment that’s culturally responsive and centered in knowing and improving the world around them. 

We talk about how to incorporate equity stances, identity, belonging, place, dialogue, and democratization in teaching practices— even if you have to stick to a standardized curriculum. 

And there’s absolutely no expectation of being perfect! So please enjoy this episode with Michelle and enjoy liberatory learning.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Michelle’s Notice, Name, Navigate framework
• The importance of student agency and action in liberatory learning
• How liberatory learning leads to deeper learning

Resources:

• Learn more at LivingForLiberation.com
• Read: Three Steps to Success with The Human Experience GPS
• Read LIBERATE! Pocket-Sized Paradigms for Liberatory Learning
• Podcast: Unapologetic & Uninterrupted with Dr. Michelle Sadrena Pledger (Available on all platforms)

Produced by NOVA Media

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City is the nation's first and the city's largest youth mentoring organization. Chief Program and Innovation Officer Michael Coughlin joins us today to tell us about their newest iteration of mentoring: their workplace mentorship program.

Starting sophomore year, students are paired with corporate professionals who act as their career mentors through high school graduation, and sometimes all the way through college. These one-on-one mentorships are closely supported by a program manager from Big Brothers Big Sisters to make sure they have the foundation needed for a successful mentoring relationship.

Michael takes us through the research that led them to create this program, and lessons learned along the way. If you’re looking to start or grow a community-based mentorship program, don’t miss this episode!

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• The need for mentor relationships to be long-term and resource-oriented
• Paying attention to students’ and families’ perceptions about a program
• How to convince corporations to join a mentorship program

Resources:

• Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City
• Follow Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City on Instagram @BBBSNYC

Produced by NOVA Media

Steve Heath calls himself a “professional confuser.” In a world where kids are defined by grades, test scores, attendance, and behavior, Steve’s organization asks them what they want to do and then helps them do it.

Steve is executive director and co-founder of FabNewport. FabNewport provides underserved youth with the opportunity to learn how to code, sew, design, prototype, run CNC machines, and imagine new possibilities. In the 10 years, he’s served more than 20,000 middle and high school students, maintained long-term relationships with 3 school districts, and trained hundreds of educators to be better engaged.

Join us as we discuss how to develop ecosystems of personalized learning by connecting home bases, learning hubs, and field sites.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How to scale up an organization while still providing an individualized approach for each learner.
• The concept of ecosystems of learning and the role of community in education.
• The importance of building a lasting mentorship team around each kid.

Resources:

• Learn more about FabNewport.
• Follow FabNewport on Instagram: @fabnewport.
• Watch Education Reimagined’s Big Idea video. 

Produced by NOVA Media

Students often face the double burden of experiencing trauma then feeling isolated and powerless. Educators don’t always know when to step in and what tools to offer. Jenna Edwards’ new book, “Aggressive Optimism,” seeks to fix that.

“Aggressive Optimism” is a novel based on Jenna’s own experience with a devastating accident and resulting PTSD. The coming-of-age book is written for high school students. Jenna describes it as an “emotional resonance of Girl Interrupted with the empowering essence of Legally Blonde.” The goal is for students to connect with the characters while learning mental health tools embedded in the story.

In this episode we cover toxic positivity, resilience, solidarity, and healing. If you or your students have faced PTSD or other mental health issues, you have a friend in this book and in this podcast.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• What aggressive optimism is and why it is the opposite of toxic positivity
• The concept of proactive resilience and trying different tools
• Some common misconceptions about PTSD

Resources:

• Read the book: Aggressive Optimism 
• Reach out to Jenna to brainstorm how to get this book in your school: [email protected] 
• Follow Jenna on Instagram: @jennaedwardsofficial

Produced by NOVA Media

Fred Rogers was an incredible learning scientist before the term even existed. That’s the basis of Ryan Rydzewski’s and Gregg Behr’s new book, “When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids.” Today they join the show to share what they learned while writing the book.

Fred engineered every aspect of Mr. Rogers' neighborhood to help kids develop tools for learning. He combined familiarity with mystery to create a magical learning environment. He deeply listened to children through their letters to him, reflecting their stories back to them in his episodes. He taught kids to be curious about the world by starting with what they were familiar with in their own lives. Perhaps most importantly, he just kept showing up. Kids and adults knew that they could count on Mr. Rogers.

Ryan and Gregg share the research that now backs up Fred Roger’s teaching style. They also spotlight his emphasis on “neighborhood” and inclusion. If you’ve ever watched Mr. Rogers put on his sweater and tie his shoes, you’re going to love this episode.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• Research on curiosity and learning 
• The role community plays in education
• How Mr. Rogers’ took on big topics like race and disability

Resources:

• Read Ryan and Gregg’s book: “When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids”

Produced by NOVA Media

Today we’re joined by Quamid Francis, the former Executive Director of City Year New York. His program places and supports Student Success Coaches in 17 New York City public schools. The Student Success Coaches’ number one priority is to build trusting relationships with students. Based on these trusting relationships, student attendance increases, behavioral incidences decrease, and entire families get connected to services they need.

Chances are you’ve heard of City Year and the way they help students, families, and schools. After all, they have locations all across the US. But what you may not know is how much they focus on the Student Success Coaches in addition to their students. Through “Life After City Year,” coaches are connected with resources they need for their post-City Year career. 

Join us as we discuss how City Year supports and engages the entire community, including their coach alum, knowing that a healthy, involved community is essential for student success.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How social, emotional, and academic skill development are inextricably linked.
• The concept of “Whole School, Whole Child” as well as “Community Schools.”
• City Year New York’s effort to help Student Success Coaches with their post-City Year career.

Resources:

• Learn more about City Year New York. 
• To learn more about City Year in general go to CityYear.org.
• Read City Year New York’s “The Power of Student Success Coaches in Schools” playbook, developed with support from the Lego Foundation.
• Follow City Year on Instagram: @CityYear

Produced by NOVA Media

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we are thrilled to welcome Ellen Erlanger and Kathy Meyer, co-directors of professional learning at the Partnerships for Authentic Learning and Leadership. They bring a wealth of experience and insights into the transformative power of authentic learning—a pedagogical approach that bridges academic content with real-world applications, preparing students for success beyond the classroom.

Ellen and Kathy delve into the essentials of authentic learning, emphasizing its role in making education irresistible and impactful. They share compelling examples from their work, showcasing how projects with real-world significance not only enhance student engagement but also address current challenges in education, such as student mental health. The conversation explores the importance of leadership support and systemic changes to sustain these practices, offering hope and practical advice for educators looking to make a difference.

Join us to discover how authentic learning can transform educational experiences, fostering a generation of learners equipped to tackle real-world problems with creativity and resilience. Ellen and Kathy's stories and strategies inspire a reimagined approach to teaching and learning, highlighting the crucial steps toward a more engaging, relevant, and fulfilling education for all students.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• The concept and importance of authentic learning in today's educational landscape.
• Practical examples of authentic learning in action and its positive impacts on students.
• Strategies for overcoming challenges and implementing authentic learning, including the role of leadership and systemic change.

Resources:

• Learn more at partnershipsforall.org
• Follow Partnerships for Authentic Learning & Leadership on YouTube

Produced by NOVA Media