Today’s guest on The DIY Learner podcast is John Spencer, a former middle school journalism and computer-programming teacher who is now a full-time professor of instructional technology in Oregon. He is passionate about seeing students embrace creativity and design thinking. His work has been featured in Kappan Magazine, Edutopia, Slate, and The Washington Post, and he had the honor of delivering a speech at the White House on the future of education. Spencer is the co-author of several education books, including Launch: Using the Design Thinking Process to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student. He is also the co-founder of two educational technology startups, Write About and Blend Education. Spencer’s goal is to make something new each day. Spencerauthor.com thelaunchcycle.com @spencerideas sketchyvideos.com

Anne Wintemute, founder of the Highlands Micro School, joins host Laura Armer in this episode of The DIY Learner podcast. Anne’s background in business start-up and development and experience as an advocate for evidence-based maternity care paved the way for her current venture, Highlands Micro School. Highlands Micro School is the product of combining private-sector innovation and evidence-based practices in education. In this episode, Anne tells Laura about what inspired her to start a micro school, and she explains the philosophy of Highlands Micro School. Listen and learn how Anne has dealt with some of the challenges along the way. By using the best available research to inform the school philosophy and practices, Highlands Micro School has attracted an eager group of families who seek a well-rounded education for their child. Anne Wintemute lives on an urban farm in Denver with her husband and 3 young daughters. www.highlandsmicroschool.com

Guests James Kendall and Lea Wakeman of the Woodland Classroom deliver forest school programs, outdoor education and practical woodland skills sessions for schools, environmental organizations and events. James and Lea are experienced forest school leaders and outdoor educators who are very passionate about the benefits of learning outside in nature. In this episode, you will hear them describe some of the activities of their Woodland Classroom, including their outdoor version of the popular video game Minecraft. Learn why James and Lea believe we should let our kids use tools we might normally be afraid to – even an axe! The Woodland Classroom website is www.woodlandclassroom.com.

Today’s guest is Steve Daar, the founder and CEO of Conversion For Good, (www.conversionforgood.com), a conversion optimization agency that works exclusively with mission-driven businesses and non-profit organizations. After learning from multiple early entrepreneurial failures, investing thousands of hours and managing over $1.3 million in online advertising spend for Fortune 500 level businesses, our guest wrote the book, Profit Hacking. Steve shares his DIY learning philosophies that got him where he is today. Steve believes that when you have a new perspective on who you are and what you are capable of, then everything changes.

Today’s guest is Everett Jordan, the Director of Education for The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding, a Division of Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, Virginia. Jordan began his career at Newport News Shipbuilding in 1973 as an apprentice ship fitter. Throughout his career, he has held increasingly responsible positions including supervisor, general foreman, superintendent, and trade director of dimensional control, ship fitters, and welders. Jordan has received a number of awards including the Newport News Shipbuilding President’s Model of Excellence Award for leadership and is a Master Shipbuilder. In this episode, Jordan talks about the apprentice model of learning and believes that at The Apprentice School, “The future is consistently in front of our students.” The Apprentice School provides high quality, comprehensive four and five-year apprentice programs for students interested in shipbuilding careers. Since 1919, these programs have produced over 9,800 graduates in support of the operational needs of Newport News Shipbuilding. If you would like to learn more about The Apprentice School, you can visit www.apprenticeschool.com

Today’s guest is Rachel Heiman, an Associate Professor of Anthropology and the Coordinator of Prior Learning in the Bachelor's Program for Adults & Transfer Students at The New School in New York City. In this episode, Rachel shares the amazing history of The New School, and she explains how the credit for prior learning program works, including specific examples of the types of learning that can be awarded prior credit. Rachel Heiman received her B.A. in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania and her M.A. and Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on the relationship between habits, sentiments, and spaces of everyday life and the volatility of cultural, political, and economic conditions. Her recently published book, Driving after Class: Anxious Times in an American Suburb (University of California Press, 2015) explores middle-class anxieties and suburban life in the United States during the economic boom of the late 1990s.

Today’s guest is Jon Grinspan. He is a curator and Jefferson Fellow at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. He is also a frequent contributor for the New York Times, focusing on history and youth issues. His article, D.I.Y. Education Before YouTube, was the inspiration for this podcast episode, describing the self-directed learning of 19th century youths and posing the question, “Is this old-fashioned culture of self-improvement making a comeback?” Learn more about his thoughts around this question as we dig a little deeper into some of the stories he shared in his article. Jon has a PhD in History from the University of Virginia, and will be publishing his first book - on young people's forgotten role in American democracy - next spring, titled The Virgin Vote.

Today’s guest is Derek Loudermilk, a former professional cyclist and scientist who now travels the world full time. After discovering a new species in 2012, Derek decided to leave science to impact people more directly. You can usually find him having adventures, learning new things, connecting with people, and teaching. Derek is a coach and hosts the Art of Adventure podcast, and his mission is to help you do something that has never been done before.

Today’s guest is Burck Smith, the CEO and founder of StraighterLine. StraighterLine solves the #1 issue facing students today – the skyrocketing cost of college – with high quality online courses that prepare students for success. Ten years before launching StraighterLine in 2009, he co-founded SMARTHINKING, the largest online tutoring provider for schools and colleges. Burck has written chapters for three books on education policy for the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). He is a member of the American Enterprise Institute's Higher Education Working Group. Prior to starting SMARTHINKING, Burck was independent consultant and journalist whose clients included the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, Computer Curriculum Corporation, the CEO Forum on Education and Technology, the Milken Exchange on Education and Technology, Teaching Matters Inc., Converge Magazine, Wired Magazine, Wired News, University Business, the National School Boards Association and more. In the early 1990's, he wrote articles on a variety of subjects including creating community telecommunication networks, electronic access to political information, telecommunications deregulation and the ability of utilities to serve as telecommunications service providers. Burck holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and a B.A. from Williams College. www.straighterline.com

Today's guest is Rainesford Alexandra. She is a writer and education activist who believes learning should be creative and synonymous with “hope” — not just something out of a textbook. She is a DIY learner who is starting to make an impact in the world of education, by example and by her writing and speeches. She was recently named to the Advisory Board for SXSWedu. After trading the Dean’s List for a gap year, Rainesford spent time out of school publishing writing with The Huffington Post, Zouch Magazine, and UnCollege.org. Combining her love of writing and background in ballet, she founded an ongoing interview series with up-and-coming artists, The Young Artist Feature, and writes a monthly column for one of the world’s most prominent dance brands, Russian Pointe. Additionally, Rainesford co-founded a community yoga studio and, meshing her passions for story-telling and social good, works in media for nonprofits. In November 2014, she spoke at TEDxYouth Kansas City, and gave a talk at TEDx Eastside Prep in Seattle in March 2015. In this episode, Rainesford talks about her gap year, her philosophies about learning, and she believes that learning is not just a “school thing” but a “life thing.” Find out how she and I have Montessori in common, and get ready to be inspired by this amazing young woman. Ultimately, Rainesford wants to leave the world—and education—a little better than she found it. You can catch her on Twitter: @Rainesford.