This episode features a conversation with leaders and learners from Lindsay Unified School District in CA. We had a wonderful conversation with Barry Sommer, Director of Advancement; Amalia Lopez, Curriculum and Instruction Specialist; and Lewis Cha, learner. Our conversation included a snapshot of learning in Lindsay through the lenses of both the learner and leader, the importance…

Episode 17 takes us to Henry County, GA and a conversation with Bethlehem Elementary School principal, Dr. Jessalyn Askew and teacher, Tiffany Early. Our conversation focused on the personalized learning efforts in Bethlehem Elementary and many interesting facets of learning and leadership: alternative assessments to demonstrate learning; shifting mindsets of learners, teachers and parents; providing…

Episode 16 takes us to Taylor County School District in KY and a conversation with superintendent, Roger Cook and learners, Weston Young, Lexi Raikes, and Lauren Williams. We talked about the competency-based learning model available in the Taylor County Schools, how it started, how learners have benefited and how the lives of Taylor County learners have…

In this episode, we are speaking with Andrew Frishman, Co-Executive Director of Big Picture Learning, an organization that supports a network of schools rethinking an education system that inspires and awakens the possibilities of an engaged population of learners, from Pre-K through higher education. Joining Andrew are Naseem Haamid and Terrence Freeman, learners at Fannie Lou Hamer…

In this special Bonus Episode, we are processing some of the ideas from our first eleven episodes – a sort of opportunity to rest along the way and think about the conversations we’ve had on the podcast. Our panel had a free form conversation to share takeaways and ask questions to better understand what it…

In Episode 14, we have an engaging conversation with Sonya Wrisley, Neel Pujar and Stacey Lamb from Design39Campus in CA. There were lots of takeaways as we listened to the story of designing a school to creating the conditions for intentional conversations about what to give up from the old school-centered model. Sonya was previously…

Episode 12 takes us to New York City, Portfolio School and Co-Founder/CEO, Babur Habib. Babur is a tech entrepreneur who co-founded Kno Inc, an ed-tech company which set out to reimagine how students consume content. The company was acquired by Intel Corporation where Babur spent time implementing technology solutions in classrooms globally. His previous experience includes…

We’re back at Portfolio School this episode, having a conversation with Dr. Shira Leibowitz, Founding Lower School Director; Nancy Otero, Founding Director of Project Based Learning; and Lucas, a learner at Portfolio School. Dr. Leibowitz  has led independent schools in the greater New York City area for 20 years prior to joining Portfolio, serving as Department Head…

Episode 11 takes us to Salem City Schools in Virgina and a conversation with superintendent, Dr. Alan Seibert and learner, Alayna Johnson. We talked about the complexities of bringing a learner-centered mindset to a system at scale, how internships and externships break down the walls of learning, and how learner-centered environments put less focus on grades…

Episode 10 takes us to the Mesa County School District 51 in Colorado and a conversation with superintendent, Steve Schultz, about the district’s work on performance-based learning. Among other things, we learn how Mesa County is engaging community to design the “what” and “why” of system transformation, the importance of providing the space and time…