Bright Spots Newsletter

Bright Spots is a weekly newsletter from Katie Martin featuring learner-centered inspiration and examples from the field. Each week, subscribers can expect to receive:

A bright spot. Change can be challenging, but it gets easier when we look to one another to see what’s working and what’s possible. Each week, Katie shares a proven practice or example from the field in an effort to make learner-centered practices both visible and actionable.
A resource roundup. Katie features a small selection of articles, blog posts, and other resources that have inspired her and pushed her thinking about learner-centered education, in the hopes that they do the same for you!

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Podcasts

Episode 47: Centering Humanity in the Age of AI—Connection, Curiosity, and Courage (with Michelle Culver)

By loading this video, you agree to the privacy policy of Youtube.Always load Youtube videos on this site.Load VideoListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsWatch on YouTube Episode Summary: Michelle Culver, Founder of The Rithm Project and longtime educator, joins host Katie Martin to explore what it means to be deeply human in an era…

Podcasts

Episode 46: Future-Ready Learning in the Age of AI (with Babak Mostaghimi)

By loading this video, you agree to the privacy policy of Youtube.Always load Youtube videos on this site.Load VideoListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsWatch on YouTube Episode Summary: Dr. Babak Mostaghimi, founding partner at Learner Studio and former Assistant Superintendent in Gwinnett County Public Schools, joins Katie Martin to share his journey as an…

Big Moves

Reframe Discipline

School-Centered discipline systems often prioritize control and compliance over connection and development. In learner-centered environments, we see every behavior as an opportunity for deeper learning– about self, others and community. Discipline isn’t about punishment, it’s about repairing harm, restoring relationships and building the skills learners need to thrive both inside and outside of school.…

BlogWebinars

Webinar Recording: Bridging Systems to Transform Student Learning: Lessons From SoCal LiNK

In this webinar, five education leaders share lessons from their experience with SoCal LiNK, a Southern California regional network focused on advancing learner-centered education through collaboration, research, and community building. The webinar panel includes representatives from K–12 schools, higher education, and learner-centered organizations, specifically: Devin Vodicka (LCC Co-CEO), Dr. Alan J. Daly and David…

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Blog

The Power of Why: How Assessment Philosophies Drive Calibration for Meaningful Change

“This feels overwhelming.” “We are moving towards something tangible and realistic.” “This is amazing – we got this.” These reflections, shared by educators, capture the spectrum of emotions that surface when rethinking assessment and grading practices. One names the challenge of stepping into something new, another lifts up the promise of what’s possible, and…

Blog

Big Moves at West Pk-8: The Power of Distributed Leadership in the School Redesign Process

Colorado Springs is changing fast. Like many communities across the country, it is being shaped by new demographics, emerging opportunities, and the need for creativity and critical thinking like never before. District 11 knew that West PK–8 Campus, one of its oldest schools, couldn’t simply layer new programs on top of old structures to…

Blog

Measuring Impact: How Surveys Promote Learner-Centered Change

Measuring what matters and listening to learners, educators and community members are cornerstones of our work at Learner-Centered Collaborative, and in any learner-centered ecosystem. From feedback surveys in our workshops and sessions to more robust, research-backed survey processes with partners to measure specific outcomes, we have been leveraging surveys for years to help schools…