We envision education ecosystems where all learners know who they are, thrive in community and actively engage in the world as their best selves.
“Learner-Centered Collaborative has created a learning environment for site leaders and their teams to plan with intent, focus keenly on how improvement efforts align and support instructional areas of focus, and find common points of interest with other sites to ensure quality collaboration.”
“Having a clear and aligned Framework for the Future has been so positive for our district—and the true payoff is walking through classes and seeing our learning model in action with students and teachers as we reimagine learning.”
“I used to think I had to design all of the instruction, but if it’s learner centered, there’s no reason why students cannot be part of that process as well.”
“Learner-Centered Collaborative has been instrumental in the transformative journey that we are on in Santa Ana Unified School District….We’ve taken a multi-pronged approach to the work, with Learner-Centered Collaborative serving as thought partners for district leadership, supporting and facilitating principals meetings as well as instructional learning walks at school sites across the district.”
“Materials provided were very engaging and relevant, and there were plenty of opportunities given to engage in meaningful ways, both alone and in small groups, to brainstorm and explore how they can be used in our own classroom environments.”
“I am really enjoying our sessions! You do a nice job of breaking things up so it moves quickly enough to keep everyone’s attention. You seem to be genuinely excited about the work, which is infectious.”
District teams will be admitted on a rolling basis. Join this unique opportunity.
Learner-centered is taking hold across the country. See who’s leading the way and how they’re doing it.
From whole-learner outcomes to the learning experiences that support them to the enabling conditions for success.
Our 5-minute diagnostic will help you choose the next chapter that’s right for your education journey.
Achieving systemic coherence requires:
1. Awareness of systems that are misaligned
2. Acknowledging what ways we play an active role in creating this misalignment
3. Taking action to re-align our policies, messaging, and practices to our vision, mission, and values.
Once we are aware of and acknowledge the part we play in misaligned systems, we must engage in a learner-centered solution-finding process.
We must include all members of the educational community in discussions about system design and alignment to ensure changes reflect a broad consensus and meet the diverse needs of the community.
Making decisions without the people it directly affects at the table is antithetical to building a learner-centered community.
Do you agree? In what ways are you ensuring all stakeholders are at the table in your learning community?
Achieving systemic coherence requires:
1. Awareness of systems that are misaligned
2. Acknowledging what ways we play an active role in creating this misalignment
3. Taking action to re-align our policies, messaging, and practices to our vision, mission, and values.
Once we are aware of and acknowledge the part we play in misaligned systems, we must engage in a learner-centered solution-finding process.
We must include all members of the educational community in discussions about system design and alignment to ensure changes reflect a broad consensus and meet the diverse needs of the community.
Making decisions without the people it directly affects at the table is antithetical to building a learner-centered community.
Do you agree? In what ways are you ensuring all stakeholders are at the table in your learning community?
From California to Pennsylvania, a dynamic week with our learner-centered partners!
Del Mar Union School District held a community forum for input into "Destination 2028" priority actions, the district`s five-year plan for learner-centered implementation.
Hampton Township School District`s middle school engaged in a Portrait of a Talbot lesson to kick off the school year. HTSD teachers developed an interactive lesson to explore the Portrait competencies: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, empathy, learner’s mindset, and perseverance. Students worked through five stations to (1) help them better understand the competencies (2) define their own proficiency of each competency and (3) identify two competencies they would like to focus on this year. These students will each build a portfolio of evidence and/or reflection showing their growth toward these competencies this year.
@lamont_district focused on leadership development this week, exploring story of self, story of us, and story of now.
@santaanausd held their first Leadership Academy session, making personal connections to the graduate profile and shaping their story of self. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Perez shared her call to action for SAUSD.
To every learner-centered educator out there, we see you and celebrate the progress you made this week on your journey to ensuring every student knows who they are, thrives in community, and actively engages in the world as their best selves!
From California to Pennsylvania, a dynamic week with our learner-centered partners!
Del Mar Union School District held a community forum for input into "Destination 2028" priority actions, the district`s five-year plan for learner-centered implementation.
Hampton Township School District`s middle school engaged in a Portrait of a Talbot lesson to kick off the school year. HTSD teachers developed an interactive lesson to explore the Portrait competencies: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, empathy, learner’s mindset, and perseverance. Students worked through five stations to (1) help them better understand the competencies (2) define their own proficiency of each competency and (3) identify two competencies they would like to focus on this year. These students will each build a portfolio of evidence and/or reflection showing their growth toward these competencies this year.
@lamont_district focused on leadership development this week, exploring story of self, story of us, and story of now.
@santaanausd held their first Leadership Academy session, making personal connections to the graduate profile and shaping their story of self. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Perez shared her call to action for SAUSD.
To every learner-centered educator out there, we see you and celebrate the progress you made this week on your journey to ensuring every student knows who they are, thrives in community, and actively engages in the world as their best selves!
🚨 Learner-Centered Collaborative is looking for a new Director of Strategic Partnerships to join our growing team!
This opportunity is worth exploring if you:
🛠️ Are known for leveraging resources to creatively solve problems.
đź“ť Plan ahead and find alternative paths, when needed, to get to the finish line.
🤝 Enjoy building authentic relationships across lines of difference, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, gender identity, citizenship status, or other identities.
🗣️ Are an expert communicator and can easily navigate complex conversations and keep them productive.
🎯 Have a passion for meeting ALL learners (students, parents, teachers, leaders, support staff) where they are, finding their unique strengths and talents and co-creating support opportunities to accomplish their goals.
⚓️ Understand that an industrial model of education is a thing of the past and willingly embrace and navigate the messy middle of change to support educators as they shift to learner-centered models; anchoring the work in core values, learner-centered beliefs, and high levels of collaboration.
Joining our team means collaborating with colleagues who are passionate about our mission and are inspired by our vision of what education can be. We bring our authentic selves to our work and pursue our goals together as a community.
If you or someone you know is interested, check out the full job posting on our careers page!
🚨 Learner-Centered Collaborative is looking for a new Director of Strategic Partnerships to join our growing team!
This opportunity is worth exploring if you:
🛠️ Are known for leveraging resources to creatively solve problems.
đź“ť Plan ahead and find alternative paths, when needed, to get to the finish line.
🤝 Enjoy building authentic relationships across lines of difference, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, gender identity, citizenship status, or other identities.
🗣️ Are an expert communicator and can easily navigate complex conversations and keep them productive.
🎯 Have a passion for meeting ALL learners (students, parents, teachers, leaders, support staff) where they are, finding their unique strengths and talents and co-creating support opportunities to accomplish their goals.
⚓️ Understand that an industrial model of education is a thing of the past and willingly embrace and navigate the messy middle of change to support educators as they shift to learner-centered models; anchoring the work in core values, learner-centered beliefs, and high levels of collaboration.
Joining our team means collaborating with colleagues who are passionate about our mission and are inspired by our vision of what education can be. We bring our authentic selves to our work and pursue our goals together as a community.
If you or someone you know is interested, check out the full job posting on our careers page!
Calling all learner-centered educators in and around Southern California!
On October 28th, Learner-Centered Collaborative and @lagunabeachusd are hosting a one-day, in-person event for educators to evolve their learner-centered practice.
Together, we will define desired learning outcomes, design meaningful learning experiences, and create the enabling conditions to bring your vision for learning to life.
Learn more and register by visiting our Eventbrite page!
Calling all learner-centered educators in and around Southern California!
On October 28th, Learner-Centered Collaborative and @lagunabeachusd are hosting a one-day, in-person event for educators to evolve their learner-centered practice.
Together, we will define desired learning outcomes, design meaningful learning experiences, and create the enabling conditions to bring your vision for learning to life.
Learn more and register by visiting our Eventbrite page!
Earlier this week, @katiemartinedu was at Del Mar Union School District co-facilitating a community forum where admin, teachers, families, and more gathered to review and provide feedback on the district’s five-year plan.
In this week’s Bright Spots, she reflects on this experience and why there is so much power when we convene our local communities to discuss how schools and districts can best serve learners.
Earlier this week, @katiemartinedu was at Del Mar Union School District co-facilitating a community forum where admin, teachers, families, and more gathered to review and provide feedback on the district’s five-year plan.
In this week’s Bright Spots, she reflects on this experience and why there is so much power when we convene our local communities to discuss how schools and districts can best serve learners.
Being able to identify a challenge as technical or adaptive can support a leader’s orientation to the solution.
But what happens when the challenge is both technical AND adaptive?
In our collaboration with @encinitas_usd to redesign their report card, we had to take a balanced approach.
On the technical side, the IT department must be able to implement a system for educators to input scores and generate reports, while also creating an efficient process for distributing these reports to students and families. The report cards must also be carefully mapped to state standards or competency progressions, evaluate and various proficiency levels, and provide a clear, user-friendly format for presenting information.
On the adaptive side, transitioning from traditional grading systems to a competency-based model requires a fundamental reimagining of how we assess and communicate student progress. This adaptive challenge involves reconceptualizing success beyond traditional letter grades, points, or percentages, aligning instructional approaches with skill development, and educating families, learners and educators about the new system.
All of this and more was present throughout the report card redesign process.
So, how`d it go?
Learn more in our latest impact story (link in our stories).
Being able to identify a challenge as technical or adaptive can support a leader’s orientation to the solution.
But what happens when the challenge is both technical AND adaptive?
In our collaboration with @encinitas_usd to redesign their report card, we had to take a balanced approach.
On the technical side, the IT department must be able to implement a system for educators to input scores and generate reports, while also creating an efficient process for distributing these reports to students and families. The report cards must also be carefully mapped to state standards or competency progressions, evaluate and various proficiency levels, and provide a clear, user-friendly format for presenting information.
On the adaptive side, transitioning from traditional grading systems to a competency-based model requires a fundamental reimagining of how we assess and communicate student progress. This adaptive challenge involves reconceptualizing success beyond traditional letter grades, points, or percentages, aligning instructional approaches with skill development, and educating families, learners and educators about the new system.
All of this and more was present throughout the report card redesign process.
So, how`d it go?
Learn more in our latest impact story (link in our stories).
Tune-in to Episode 31 of The Learner-Centered Collaborative Podcast and gain the following insights:
🌍 Co-constructing a shared definition of global citizenship with district stakeholders
đź’¬ Emphasizing the importance of student voice in shaping educational experiences
🤝 The role of collaboration and distributed leadership in developing equitable student profiles
🧠Shifting from deficit-focused education to strength-based, equity-driven approaches
🔍 The need for systems that measure success beyond GPA, incorporating social-emotional, leadership, and extracurricular skills
Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Tune-in to Episode 31 of The Learner-Centered Collaborative Podcast and gain the following insights:
🌍 Co-constructing a shared definition of global citizenship with district stakeholders
đź’¬ Emphasizing the importance of student voice in shaping educational experiences
🤝 The role of collaboration and distributed leadership in developing equitable student profiles
🧠Shifting from deficit-focused education to strength-based, equity-driven approaches
🔍 The need for systems that measure success beyond GPA, incorporating social-emotional, leadership, and extracurricular skills
Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
What helps educators feel a sense of belonging?
In a recent study, researchers from San Diego State University and UC San Diego examined the factors that contributed to a sense of belonging among 39 educators who were new to a district.
They found the following recurring themes that contributed to these educators’ sense of belonging at school:
- Feeling valued and heard
- Feeling supported by colleagues (emotionally and/or pedagogically)
- Being supported by school leaders
- Having trust in school leadership
- Engaging in collaboration
- Socializing informally with colleagues
School leaders interested in developing a greater sense of belonging among their staff should examine the routines and structures that shape educators’ experiences at school.
Learn more on how to make this happen by visiting the link in our stories!
What helps educators feel a sense of belonging?
In a recent study, researchers from San Diego State University and UC San Diego examined the factors that contributed to a sense of belonging among 39 educators who were new to a district.
They found the following recurring themes that contributed to these educators’ sense of belonging at school:
- Feeling valued and heard
- Feeling supported by colleagues (emotionally and/or pedagogically)
- Being supported by school leaders
- Having trust in school leadership
- Engaging in collaboration
- Socializing informally with colleagues
School leaders interested in developing a greater sense of belonging among their staff should examine the routines and structures that shape educators’ experiences at school.
Learn more on how to make this happen by visiting the link in our stories!
Making the transition to learner-centered systems, structures, and practices doesn`t magically happen overnight.
In Devin Vodicka`s (@learnercenteredleadership) latest blog post, he highlights three of the most common misalignments we can look out for that will accelerate our learner-centered journey.
Read the full piece with your morning coffee by heading over to our blog!
Making the transition to learner-centered systems, structures, and practices doesn`t magically happen overnight.
In Devin Vodicka`s (@learnercenteredleadership) latest blog post, he highlights three of the most common misalignments we can look out for that will accelerate our learner-centered journey.
Read the full piece with your morning coffee by heading over to our blog!
At Learner-Centered Collaborative, one of our core values is showing up as trusted and responsible partners.
There is no stronger signal that we are upholding this value than the renewed partnerships we engage in each year.
For the 24/25 academic year, we are honored to continue our work with the following schools and districts:
@alamogordopublicschools
Bonsall Unified School District
@caissf
@compasscs
cssd11
@deer_lakes
@encinitas_usd
@eusd_learns
Greenfield Union School District
Hampton Township School District
Hawai`i State Public Charter School Commission
@lamont_district
@lindsayunified
South San Francisco Unified School District
Learn more about how we work with schools and districts to bring their learner-centered visions to life by visiting our website!
At Learner-Centered Collaborative, one of our core values is showing up as trusted and responsible partners.
There is no stronger signal that we are upholding this value than the renewed partnerships we engage in each year.
For the 24/25 academic year, we are honored to continue our work with the following schools and districts:
@alamogordopublicschools
Bonsall Unified School District
@caissf
@compasscs
cssd11
@deer_lakes
@encinitas_usd
@eusd_learns
Greenfield Union School District
Hampton Township School District
Hawai`i State Public Charter School Commission
@lamont_district
@lindsayunified
South San Francisco Unified School District
Learn more about how we work with schools and districts to bring their learner-centered visions to life by visiting our website!
We are thrilled to recognize Nicole Ottmer, Chief of Strategy and Implementation for cssd11, as our Catalyzer of the Month!
Nicole exemplifies what it means to be a visionary leader and systems thinker. Her ability to cultivate deep, trusting relationships while keeping her focus on ambitious, future-oriented goals sets her apart. Nicole invites those around her into a shared vision of what is possible, making her a thoughtful, genuine leader and an inspiring catalyst for change.
Nicole’s leadership is grounded in a profound understanding of how systems function and evolve. She brings incredible depth to her work, drawing on research-based practices that span leadership, instruction, systems change, and design thinking. Her clear and compassionate communication style combined with her optimism and intentionality ensures her team is always moving forward with purpose.
Nicole’s commitment to inclusive, research-informed practices makes her a true asset to D11, and we are honored to celebrate her as this month’s catalyzer!
We are thrilled to recognize Nicole Ottmer, Chief of Strategy and Implementation for cssd11, as our Catalyzer of the Month!
Nicole exemplifies what it means to be a visionary leader and systems thinker. Her ability to cultivate deep, trusting relationships while keeping her focus on ambitious, future-oriented goals sets her apart. Nicole invites those around her into a shared vision of what is possible, making her a thoughtful, genuine leader and an inspiring catalyst for change.
Nicole’s leadership is grounded in a profound understanding of how systems function and evolve. She brings incredible depth to her work, drawing on research-based practices that span leadership, instruction, systems change, and design thinking. Her clear and compassionate communication style combined with her optimism and intentionality ensures her team is always moving forward with purpose.
Nicole’s commitment to inclusive, research-informed practices makes her a true asset to D11, and we are honored to celebrate her as this month’s catalyzer!
Does educator well-being really have an impact on instructional practice?
Find out what researchers from San Diego State University and University of California San Diego have to say in our latest blog post!
Does educator well-being really have an impact on instructional practice?
Find out what researchers from San Diego State University and University of California San Diego have to say in our latest blog post!
For @katiemartinedu, knowing each kid`s name is non-negotiable when it comes to creating a sense of belonging from day one. How did things go during Back-to-School Night at her own kids` school? Find out in this week`s edition of Bright Spots!
đź”— (link in our stories)
For @katiemartinedu, knowing each kid`s name is non-negotiable when it comes to creating a sense of belonging from day one. How did things go during Back-to-School Night at her own kids` school? Find out in this week`s edition of Bright Spots!
đź”— (link in our stories)
The Learner-Centered Collaborative Podcast is back with Season 5!
Our first episode features Dr. Rebekah Kim (@kentschools415) who discusses her journey as an educator and leader committed to advancing equitable practices in education. She shares how her background as a second-generation immigrant from South Korea shaped her understanding of equity and informed her dedication to learner-centered, inclusive practices.
Rebekah reflects on her experiences as a classroom teacher in a diverse school district and her time as an elementary principal, which reinforced her belief in the importance of seeing students’ strengths beyond traditional academic measures. As a district leader and parent, she strives to ensure schools focus on the whole child, valuing socioeconomic, gender, and linguistic diversity as assets in learning.
Check out the full episode wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!
The Learner-Centered Collaborative Podcast is back with Season 5!
Our first episode features Dr. Rebekah Kim (@kentschools415) who discusses her journey as an educator and leader committed to advancing equitable practices in education. She shares how her background as a second-generation immigrant from South Korea shaped her understanding of equity and informed her dedication to learner-centered, inclusive practices.
Rebekah reflects on her experiences as a classroom teacher in a diverse school district and her time as an elementary principal, which reinforced her belief in the importance of seeing students’ strengths beyond traditional academic measures. As a district leader and parent, she strives to ensure schools focus on the whole child, valuing socioeconomic, gender, and linguistic diversity as assets in learning.
Check out the full episode wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!
Join us on our next webinar on September 24th to discover best practices, tools, and strategies to implement competency-based assessments in your classroom!
Hosted by @katiemartinedu, with competency-based experts Nerel Winter (Bostonia Global) and Jeff Petty (School Foundry), this webinar will be one jam-packed hour full of practical insights on how you can take your competency-based practices to the next level no matter where you`re starting from.
Register today: http://bit.ly/CBA24
Join us on our next webinar on September 24th to discover best practices, tools, and strategies to implement competency-based assessments in your classroom!
Hosted by @katiemartinedu, with competency-based experts Nerel Winter (Bostonia Global) and Jeff Petty (School Foundry), this webinar will be one jam-packed hour full of practical insights on how you can take your competency-based practices to the next level no matter where you`re starting from.
Register today: http://bit.ly/CBA24
Mixed messages can show up in the most unexpected ways throughout a school or district.
Devin Vodicka (@learnercenteredleadership) shares one such story from his days as superintendent:
"In simple terms, a system consists of two or more interacting elements. In education, the number of interacting elements is dizzying. These elements have been designed by different stakeholders with varied priorities and values across many decades—often leading to contradictions.
For instance, as Superintendent of Vista Unified School District, our 30-building district had one painter. To streamline operations, the painter selected one color that would be used across all facilities. From a maintenance perspective, this approach made perfect sense—reducing complexity and ensuring consistency; especially when you are a one-person team.
It’s just paint though, right? Surely it wouldn’t have an impact on learning. That is until our educators, who were empowered to create learner-centered communities within their classrooms, invited their learners to co-design their classroom environments. The first thing learners wanted to do? Brighten things up.
Maintenance began receiving multiple requests for different paint colors, but given the one-color standard, all requests were denied. This standardization system was unintentionally stifling creative expression and sending the message: “We value your innovation and individuality, but only within the constraints of our operational efficiencies.”
Who would have thought decisions around paint colors would have had such a meaningful impact on the agency learners felt in their classrooms? These unexpected and nuanced examples will always show up, so we must be prepared to tackle them one at a time through a clear problem-solving framework."
Learn more about how to Unravel Mixed Messages in your system by reading Devin`s full blog post!
Mixed messages can show up in the most unexpected ways throughout a school or district.
Devin Vodicka (@learnercenteredleadership) shares one such story from his days as superintendent:
"In simple terms, a system consists of two or more interacting elements. In education, the number of interacting elements is dizzying. These elements have been designed by different stakeholders with varied priorities and values across many decades—often leading to contradictions.
For instance, as Superintendent of Vista Unified School District, our 30-building district had one painter. To streamline operations, the painter selected one color that would be used across all facilities. From a maintenance perspective, this approach made perfect sense—reducing complexity and ensuring consistency; especially when you are a one-person team.
It’s just paint though, right? Surely it wouldn’t have an impact on learning. That is until our educators, who were empowered to create learner-centered communities within their classrooms, invited their learners to co-design their classroom environments. The first thing learners wanted to do? Brighten things up.
Maintenance began receiving multiple requests for different paint colors, but given the one-color standard, all requests were denied. This standardization system was unintentionally stifling creative expression and sending the message: “We value your innovation and individuality, but only within the constraints of our operational efficiencies.”
Who would have thought decisions around paint colors would have had such a meaningful impact on the agency learners felt in their classrooms? These unexpected and nuanced examples will always show up, so we must be prepared to tackle them one at a time through a clear problem-solving framework."
Learn more about how to Unravel Mixed Messages in your system by reading Devin`s full blog post!
