Still stuck playing classroom referee, solving every issue yourself, and wishing your students would step up?

In this episode, I sit down with my colleague and veteran Montessori educator/ adolescent expert Meg Broz, who shares the single structure that transformed her classroom into a thriving student-led community: weekly student-run councils.

Meg outlines how a simple shift—from teacher-driven management to peer-led community circles—created more ownership, accountability, and connection among her students than any behavior chart or classroom contract ever could.

You'll learn:

• What a student-run council looks like—and why it's so much more than a glorified circle time
• A step-by-step structure you can embed into advisory, homeroom, or morning meeting
• How weekly councils support executive functioning, self-regulation, and community-building
• Tips for training student leaders to take the reins (and what to do when issues arise)
• Why this approach aligns with restorative practices, student voice, and real-world leadership

Whether you're teaching in an IB, PYP, or project-based setting, this episode offers a powerful, transferable model for giving students shared responsibility—without chaos or loss of control.

👣 Ready to shift from manager to mentor? Start small, start now—with your own version of student-led council.

Get the 12 Shifts Book: https://www.amazon.com/Where-Teacher-Kyle-Wagner/dp/1032484713/

Take the 12 Shifts Scorecard and identify areas for growth: https://transformschool.com/12shiftsscorecard/

Meg's Bio: Meg is the Humanities Adolescent Guide for the inaugural International Montessori School of Hong Kong, and an experienced middle school educator with a certificate in Montessori Adolescent Education. She has a passion for history, writing, and social justice, and imparts these loves on to my students. In her 15+ years as an educator, she has gotten deeply involved in DEI work, presented at multiple Montessori education conferences, and co-directed a conference in Chicago. Meg recently completed a Graduate Certificate, and Masters of Science degree is in progress from the International Institute of Restorative Practices. Meg brings restorative practices and student led councils into spaces to help people better communicate and understand each other, to restore harms, and to find a way to move forward compassionately and equitably.

In her current role as Humanities Guide and past role as Junior High Coordinator, Meg uses her organizational skills to keep the program running smoothly, including G-Suite skills, communication, and project planning.Additionally, Meg has a past life as a theater technician, including carpentry, welding, painting, sewing, and stage management. I'm also 1/3 of the doo-wop rock band Midnight Moxie. These experiences make their way into her work in creative ways.

Tired of students constantly asking "What do I do next?" or aimlessly bouncing between tasks during work time?

In this episode, I unpack one of the most common frustrations educators face when trying to promote student agency—learners who simply don't know how to manage themselves. I share a practical tool that changed everything for our classroom: the Self-Direction Rubric. It's a simple, structured approach that helps students develop essential executive functioning skills—from time management to self-monitoring—without you needing to hover.

Learn how our Montessori middle school students went from floundering in our 90-minute "work cycle" unstructured time—getting distracted, procrastinating, and relying on us for constant direction, to tracking their growth, identifying their own learning habits, and setting meaningful goals.

You'll learn:

• Why most students aren't ready for full autonomy—and how to meet them where they are
• The 5 self-direction domains that matter more than completing a to-do list
• How rubrics help students monitor impulse control, goal setting, planning, and reflection
• A simple weekly routine that builds self-directed behaviors over time
• How this shift moves the student-teacher relationship from compliance to coaching

Whether you're running PBL, giving open project blocks, or managing a flexible classroom schedule, this tool helps you scaffold student agency without sacrificing structure.

👣 Agency doesn't happen overnight. But with the right framework, it can start today.

Get the self-direction rubrics for Free: Self-Direction Rubrics

Get the 12 Shifts Book with more ideas for self-direction: 'Where is the the Teacher: 12 Shifts for Student-Centered Environments.'

Tired of watching student teams burn out mid-project? Or seeing the same student take charge while others fade into the background?

In this episode, I share a simple but powerful strategy that reinvigorated our year-long student-run business: rotating roles. You'll hear how a single shift—letting students try on new responsibilities—rebalanced workloads, re-energized participation, and fostered deeper collaboration and skill growth.

Through the story of our Montessori middle school café project, you'll hear how rotating a fatigued marketing manager into product development not only reignited his excitement, but sparked new momentum across the entire team.

You'll learn:

• Why rotating roles prevents burnout, apathy, and imbalance in student teams

• 4 simple, flexible roles you can apply to any PBL experience

• How role rotation supports fairer assessment, stronger collaboration, and broader skill-building

• Quick examples for applying this in an urban garden, student podcast, or playground redesign

• Why this small shift keeps projects moving forward—without constant teacher intervention

Whether you're guiding 6th graders through their first group inquiry or facilitating interdisciplinary projects with high schoolers, this episode will equip you with one of the easiest changes you can make… that delivers outsized results.

👣 Start small, start now—and keep the momentum going.

Get the 12 Shifts Book: 12 Shifts for Student-Centered Environments

Have you provided students freedom and choice only to watch them fail miserably at exerting it?

Make bad decisions. Poorly manage their time. Produce sloppy, unpolished work.

That was me last week when I let students pitch their student generated business plan to a panel of investors.

Real stakes and real people. And they were terribly unprepared.

But what if I told you their failure was NOT their fault...but ours?!

In this episode I share why student agency fails and 5 ways to fix it.

You learn:

• The three common mistakes aspiring student-centered practitioners make when giving students more autonomy and choice
• The simple shift to ensure success
• Simple facilitator moves to guide the process
• A dead easy framework to use every time you give students a new project based experience, open-ended task, or challenge

Transform failed attempts at student agency into student empowerment.

Feel like you're the only one pushing for more student-driven, hands-on learning in a system built for tradition?

For many of us international educators, shifting toward student-centered, project-based learning feels like an uphill battle, especially when the system is slow to evolve.

In this powerful episode, I speak with Steve from Bradbury International School, who turned a single underused structure on campus- what became "The Shed"- into a proof of concept for student-led, hands-on, tech infused, interdisciplinary learning. What started as a pilot space quickly became a catalyst for broader school-wide change.

You'll learn:

• How to create momentum for active learning through visible wins, not policy
• Why student-designed spaces inspire deeper ownership and innovation
• How to align design thinking, sustainability, and curriculum into one bold vision
• What's required to lead change from within, when others aren't quite ready

If you're trying to push student-centered learning beyond your classroom, this story of grassroots transformation will give you the spark—and strategy—you've been missing.

Take the 12 Shifts Scorecard: www.transformschool.com/12shiftsscorecard

Get the 12 Shifts Book: https://www.amazon.com/Where-Teacher-Kyle-Wagner/dp/1032484713

Steve's Bio: Steve is a dedicated EdTech Teacher with over 20 years of experience in Primary education. His journey has equipped him with a passion for teaching and learning, allowing me to develop and nurture learners of all ages as we explore the exciting world of educational technologies. The Shed at Bradbury School is a space for adults and children to learn new skills and explore new technologies that can be taken back to the classroom to enhance daily learning. From 3D design to practical maker sessions; cooking and sewing to VR design and coding, we love to try new ways to bring a practical aspect to the way we learn. I am always eager to connect with like-minded professionals and explore new opportunities. Let's connect and see how we can make teaching and learning more exciting!

I'm re-airing this episode based on popular demand and a recent study that shows a sharp decline in pupil's happiness in secondary school due to a lack of agency.

Are you trying to build more student agency, but feel boxed in by curriculum coverage?

What if you didn't have to choose between voice and academic rigor?

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Harvey, secondary principal at Beijing City International School (BCIS), to explore how her team is shifting culture around student agency while still honoring the demands of a rigorous curriculum. From co-creating a three-year vision to redefining personalization in the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, Natalie shares the intentional moves that are making voice and choice a lived experience—not just a buzzword.

You'll hear how BCIS is navigating real challenges while building a culture where students know themselves deeply, make meaningful decisions, and drive their own learning.

• How BCIS reframed student agency through the lens of "jaggedness"
• What voice and choice look like in IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) classrooms
• How leadership created a shared language and clear expectations around agency
• Why building trust—and giving teachers choice—is key to sustainable change

Ready to hear how these shifts are playing out in practice and what they might look like in your setting?

Connect with Natalie: [email protected]

Link to the Pupil Happiness Study: Pupil Happiness Study by Grade Level

Get the 12 Shifts Book: On Amazon

Natalie's Bio: Natalie is the current Secondary Principal of BCIS and was born in Hanover, Jamaica. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Language Education: English, from the University of the West Indies, a Master of Arts in Education from Wake Forrest University, a Certificate of International School Leadership from the Principal's Training Center, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in International School Leadership with Wilkes University.

Before BCIS, Natalie worked in various capacities in Jamaica, the United States of America, Venezuela, and Mexico. She was a Middle School Deputy Principal and Principal at the American School of Tampico for seven years. She has been an educator for 25 years and has a wealth of experience in teaching and leading. Natalie believes that forming solid interpersonal relationships leads to a positive school culture, functional collaborative structures, and exceptional outcomes for students and teachers.

In addition, Natalie is passionate about partnering with parents, promoting student voice, and fostering a sense of belonging and a focus on successful learning outcomes within the BCIS community.

Tired of students asking, "What did I get?" after every assignment? What if they asked, "How did I grow?" instead?

In this solo episode, I share a powerful reflection conversation with one of my students after his seventh real-world presentation of the day during Exhibition. Rather than assigning a grade, we walk through a rubric he co-created, debating scores, celebrating growth, and co-constructing the path forward. This isn't just assessment—it's transformation.

You'll learn:

• Why co-created rubrics lead to more authentic assessment

• How self-assessment builds ownership, metacognition, and accountability

• Five clear steps to make self-assessment part of your class culture

• How to use assessment to support reflection, not just justify scores

If you're ready to replace grading battles with growth conversations, this episode gives you the tools to get started.

Get the 12 Shifts for Student-Centered Environments Book (chapter 10): https://www.amazon.com/Where-Teacher-Kyle-Wagner/dp/1032484713

Do you ever feel like your students rely on you for every next move? What if you could shift from being the sole driver to creating a classroom where students lead with confidence?

In this episode, I sit down with Nicole, a passionate PE teacher and learning leader who shares her journey of transitioning from teacher-led instruction to student-led experiences. From student-designed fitness plans to peer-facilitated learning reflections, Nicole reveals practical strategies that helped her learners take charge—and the ripple effects this had across her school community.

You'll learn:

• How to structure lessons so students take the lead
• Simple routines that nurture peer coaching and reflection
• Why stepping back builds stronger student voice and trust
• How student-led initiatives can work in any subject, not just PE

Ready to stop running every part of the learning experience? This episode gives you the mindset, models, and momentum to empower students to step up and own it.

Connect with Nicole: LinkedIn

Get the 12 Shifts Book: 12 Shifts for Student-Centered Environments

Nicole's Bio: Typically, Physical Education teacher often means focusing on well known sports and lesson plan formats, but Nicole strives to introduce alternative activities and ways of learning that are accessible and help break away from traditional norms, promoting inclusivity and engagement.

Her most significant years of teaching have been in the international school settings, where she has had the privilege to meet many learners and colleagues from different cultures and backgrounds. This has taught her how important it is to adapt to global demands, as well as the unique needs of each student. Being part of a research team, participating in NEASC accreditation visits, attending conferences, publishing, and networking with companies and educators worldwide, has given her the confidence to focus on rewarding progress as opposed to perfection.

Recognizing that every individual is unique, Nicole feels passionate about designing learning experiences that foster personal development and equip students with skills that will remain relevant in the future

Do your students disengage the moment a presentation starts- or never fully show what they're capable of? What if the missing ingredient was as simple as who was watching?

In this episode, I share the powerful impact of expanding the audience beyond the teacher. You'll hear how one identity-based exhibition at our Montessori Middle School completely transformed students' confidence, participation, and ownership—including English language learners and typically shy students. You'll walk away with practical ways to invite real audiences into your classroom—no giant showcase required.

You'll learn:

• How shifting the audience empowers even your quietest students

• Easy ways to invite peers, parents, and experts into classroom learning

• Why real-world relevance boosts confidence and work quality

• How audience exposure builds identity, voice, and intrinsic motivation

• The data and stories behind why this simple shift works

Whether it's a panel discussion, peer walkthrough, or younger student visit, expanding the audience can unlock the most authentic, empowered version of your learners. Listen now and discover how one small shift can breathe life into every corner of your classroom.

Get the Book w/ more ideas for how to go from Teacher as audience - - - -> Authentic Audience:

📘 https://www.amazon.com/Where-Teacher-Kyle-Wagner/dp/1032484713 (Chapter 11)

Do you ever feel stuck trying to make learning relevant, but tied to the four walls of your classroom? What if the place students learn became the curriculum itself—full of stories, problems, and people to learn from?

In this episode, I sit down with Jen Buchanan, principal at Think Global School—one of the world's only fully traveling high schools—to explore how place-based learning transforms education. Jen shares how students immerse themselves in local contexts like Japan, Botswana, and Greece, tackling real-world issues through interdisciplinary projects with community partners. You'll hear how this approach fosters global citizenship, critical thinking, and lasting impact—and how any school can get started.

You'll learn:

• Why local and global contexts ignite deeper inquiry and empathy

• How students co-design learning through place-based, changemaker modules

• Simple ways to embed community, geography, and culture into your curriculum

• How to overcome common constraints like time, standards, and logistics

Ready to turn your surroundings into stories and your students into global problem-solvers? This episode is your first step toward place-based transformation.

Connect with Jen: (LinkedIn), (Website)

Learn more about ThinkGlobal: https://thinkglobalschool.org/think-global-school-welcomes-jen-buchanan-as-its-next-principal/

Get the 12 Shifts Book, 'Where is the Teacher?': https://www.amazon.com/Where-Teacher-Kyle-Wagner/dp/1032484713

Jen's Bio: Jen Buchanan is the principal of Think Global, the world's first traveling high school. SJen has cemented her career as a future-focused educator and leader in Australia, holding roles such as Head of Secondary at Preshil School and Head of Tay Creggan at Strathcona Girls Grammar. She also served as a consultant with Future Schools Alliance and Director of Engagement at Future Anything, supporting innovative teaching and learning nationwide. Known for her commitment to creating positive, equitable, and engaging learning environments, Jen is a passionate advocate for student agency and creative potential. Her work is grounded in a belief that education should ignite curiosity, support wellbeing, and empower all students to thrive, and she brings a deep understanding of implementing meaningful change from her "on-the-ground" experience in progressive schools.

Jen is also a dedicated lifelong learner, holding a Master of Education from The University of Melbourne and a second Master's degree from Deakin University, where her research focused on topics like student engagement ("flow") and the experiences of graduate teachers. Outside of her professional life, she is a self-confessed adventure-seeker and creative spirit. She loves to be off the grid, hiking and camping, or discovering new corners of the world. At home in Melbourne, she is a part-time artist, creating everything from wheel-thrown ceramics to quirky short films, bringing the same sense of wonder and creativity that defines her work in education to her personal projects.