Blog
How a Small School System Created Big Impacts in Learner-Centered Education
Co-authored by Stacy Penson, Director of Elementary Level at The Innovative School, and Catina Hancock, Partner at Learner-Centered Collaborative The Innovative School’s journey from a Reggio-inspired preschool to a thriving two months-5th grade program exemplifies the power of small systems to drive big changes in education. Our story is one of growth, challenges, and triumphs…
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The Power of Student Voice: My Journey on the D11 District Accountability Committee
By Carissa Rickard, Student in Colorado Springs School District 11 My name is Carissa Rickard, I’m 16 years old, and I serve as the student representative on the district accountability committee (DAC) for Colorado Springs School District 11 As a student representative, my role is to provide a crucial perspective on how district policies…
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Prioritizing Educator Belonging for Successful Learner-Centered Instruction
By Dr. Jennifer Karnopp, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, San Diego State University, and Dr. Peter Bjorklund Jr., Lecturer and Research Assistant, UC San Diego Within the education landscape, it is widely agreed upon that supporting student growth and well-being is at the heart of learner-centered instruction, yet we often overlook the well-being of…
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Discovering AI Together: Lessons from a Learner-Centered Classroom
Guest blog post by Carissa Solomon Carissa Solomon is a Senior Lead Educator at Embark Education in Denver, CO. Today, AI seems to be part of almost every conversation in education. Some people are excited by its possibilities, while others are anxious that it may usher in more cheating. Do you know what’s missing…
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Bringing Student Wonders to Life: An Interview from an Innovation Cohort
Learner-Centered Collaborative has partnered with South Allegheny and Duquesne City School Districts in Pennsylvania to host an Innovation Cohort in 2023-2024. Each cohort evolves with the needs and interests of the participants, but typically includes: Self-paced, online courses that forward and strengthen learner-centered practices Virtual Communities of Practice sessions In-person sessions to discuss learnings,…
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Great Teachers Make Innovative Solutions Possible
Guest Author: Dr. Cory Steiner, Superintendent of Northern Cass School District (ND), Learner-Centered Collaborative Advisory Council member Northern Cass is a mentor school district in the 2023-24 Learner-Centered Connections program Several years ago Northern Cass School District in North Dakota acknowledged that despite traditional markers indicating things were “good” across the district they wanted…
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Growth Through Connections
By: Dr. Leighangela Brady, Superintendent, National School District (CA) Dr. Brady shares a first-hand perspective from the Fall 2023 Learner-Centered Connections in-person convening in San Diego, CA where the cohort visited four innovative public schools and Illumina, a biotech company. Hearing directly from a student ambassador panel at Bostonia Global High School in the…
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All Goals Are Not Created Equal
Guest blog post by Erik Burmeister Erik Burmeister is the Founder and Principal of Solutionary Advisors, a member of the Learner-Centered Collaborative Advisory Council, and the former Superintendent of Menlo Park City School District in California. Take any course. Ask any expert. Read any book. When it comes to curating a portrait…
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Designing Units with Student Choice, Real-World Problem Solving, and Technology Integration
By: Vince Fabella, Math Teacher & Technology Lead at Laguna Beach Unified School District Student engagement and technology integration are crucial components of effective teaching and learning, helping to promote interactive, dynamic, and creative problem-solving approaches that empower learners. Although the use of educational technology has increased significantly in recent years, there may be…
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Can AI Solve the Uniquely Human Challenges Facing Educators Today?
Author: Dr. Beth Holland, Partner, The Learning Accelerator Conversations in the education sector have converged in the past several weeks around three seemingly unrelated topics: pandemic recovery, educator shortages, and ChatGPT. Evidence suggests that schools continue to exist in a state of pandemic recovery, with students struggling academically and social-emotionally. At the same…
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Unlocking Leadership Potential with Coaching
Dr. Bryanna Norton has been an educator for the last 19 years and is currently a Middle School Principal at Hidden Valley Middle School located in Escondido, California. Prior to her principal position she worked for the San Diego County Office of Education as a Coordinator of Human Resources coaching and mentoring administrators, and…
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Inspiration from a Learner-Centered Classroom: 4 Ideas To Try This Year
High-impact practices and examples that foster agency and empower learners to flex their strengths and pursue their interests.
Spark Online Academy: Designing a Learner-Centered Online Public School
Colorado public school Spark Online Academy took the best of pandemic online learning and created a learner-centered, online school steeped in personal connection and engaging learning experiences. Read their story.
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The Role of Reading in Learner-Centered Education
Literacy is at the heart of learner-centered education. Uncover how reading supports four critical components of the learner-centered education and contributes to student success.
A Question of Trust: The Arcadia Unified Better Together Project
Arcadia Unified School District Superintendent, David Vanasdall, was visiting classrooms and noticed that every student in a kindergarten classroom had produced the exact same piece of artwork. It struck him in that moment how the learning experiences in many cases were at odds with the aspirations that they shared as a community.
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5 Reasons Every Learner Needs Project-Based Learning in Their Life
Real-world learning translates into real-world knowledge and skills. How can this type of contextual learning benefit your child?