I felt really privileged to have this conversation with such a light! Rachel is so clearly passionate about her work, and it's contagious.

Our conversation discusses the model of place-based--nay, a place-embedded micro-school, La Luz, and the ripple effects that happen when you embed students in the community.

And, true to form as folks who care about questioning the whole system, we get into a lot of other territory: a respectful process for listening for what the community needs then designing curriculum from there, working with partners and being open to wherever they are right now, getting kids outside, school funding, Montessori curriculum, failure, emergence, brain development, being really compelled by what you're doing so it feels energy, leadership that breaks rules, and so much more.

I hope that you enjoy this conversation with Rachel as much as I did! 

More about Rachel:

With over two decades’ experience as an educator, school co-founder and director, curriculum and fieldwork designer, and teacher coach, Rachel teaches for social justice and the equitable regeneration of people and planet. She is a contractor working with schools and organizations and School Designer/Guide at La Luz Micro-School in Denver. Rachel facilitated the group creation of the high school at Denver Montessori Jr./Sr. High School and served as High School Director through the graduation of the first class before transitioning into other leadership and guide roles at the school. 

Episode Links: 

• Contact Rachel: [email protected]
• La Luz 
• Building 21
• CSU Spur
• The Cloud Institute
• Reschool Colorado
• Laurie Ewert-Krocker, who deserves an immense amount of credit for the manifestation of the Montessori Farm School model in the US.

Grounded Teaching Links:

• 3/4 FUNDRAISER: Register for HERBS FOR EDUCATORS ($15) fundraiser! All funds go to East Palestine Train Derailment Victims (only 85 miles from our homes here)
  
  
• COMMUNITY: Join We Are Verbs (free/donation) and get
  •  More information on the Pokok-Ed Community Skillshare
  • More information on The Creative Act spring book club starting in March
    
    You literally have nothing to lose by checking out We Are Verbs. Come join our awesome community of educators who want a more regenerative future!
    
    
• WORK IT: Get more info on our Seasonal Sessions class coming this April: From Thick Air (eek, earlybird pricing happening through March 3. Check it out now!)
  
  
• KEYNOTES/TAILORED WORKSHOPS: you want us to come/zoom talk to your school or organization, check out our tailored keynotes and workshops. Our calendar for Spring/Summer is filling up quickly. Please reach out!

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