Today, I'm thrilled to have Kaity Broadbent, an extraordinary educator and parent, joining us. Kaity is the head of learning at Prenda, an organization dedicated to creating micro-schools that empower students and parents alike. In this episode, we dive into Kaity's unique approach to education, the psychology of motivation, and the incredible benefits of mastery-based learning. 

Join us as we discuss how to transform the traditional learning environment into one that fosters autonomy, intrinsic motivation, and lifelong learning. Kaity shares her insights on the importance of relatedness, competency, and autonomy in education, and how Prenda’s micro-schools are revolutionizing the way kids learn. This conversation is packed with valuable takeaways for parents, educators, and anyone interested in the future of education. Don't miss out on part 2 of our conversation in the next episode!

Episode Highlights:

[00:30] - Introduction to Kaity Broadbent and Prenda’s mission.

[02:02] - Kaity's journey into homeschooling and micro-schools.

[04:33] - What is a micro-school and how does Prenda support student-centered learning?

[06:42] - The challenge of traditional classroom settings and the importance of individualized learning.

[07:59] - Explaining the "zone of proximal development" and its role in mastery-based education.

[10:03] - Real-life example of a student's excitement in mastering math through self-set goals.

[12:19] - Integrating self-determination theory into education: competence, relatedness, and autonomy.

[18:36] - The power of positive language and autonomy-supportive teaching methods.

[22:23] - The difference between controlling students and fostering self-governance.

[25:15] - Building trust and positive relationships with students and the impact on long-term influence.

Links & Resources:

Prenda Micro-Schools: https://www.prenda.com/
Social Media: @PrendaLearn
KindlED Podcast: https://www.prenda.com/kindled 

If this episode has helped you, remember to rate, follow, and share the Self-Driven Child Podcast. Your support helps us reach more people and create more content that makes a difference. 

If you have a high school aged student and would like to talk about putting a tutoring or college plan together, reach out to Ned's company, PrepMatters at www.prepmatters.com

If you have a high school aged student and would like to talk about putting a tutoring or college plan together, reach out to Ned's company, PrepMatters at www.prepmatters.com