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!

Get the latest newsletter and subscribe to future newsletters by completing the form below.

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…

Explore More Topics

BlogWebinars

Webinar Recording: How Districts Are Making Big Moves to Create Learner-Centered Systems

In this webinar, Dr. Jackie Removcik from Hampton Township School District (PA) and Alison Fieberg from Del Mar Union School District (CA), share how their districts are making bold, learner-centered shifts through distributed leadership, clarity of vision, and intentional system redesign. Both districts highlight how whole-learner outcomes, strategic coherence, and empowered educators are helping…

Blog

5 Tips for Launching Internships and Apprenticeships in Your District

Every year, thousands of students graduate high school without stepping foot into a professional work setting. In today’s rapidly changing world, this lack of exposure is not providing students with the experiences and skills they need to thrive beyond graduation. So, what if school was not separate from the “real world,” but an active…

Blog

Measuring What Matters to Enable Meaningful Learner-Centered Change in Your School or District

When we talk about measuring impact, we can look at it through multiple lenses. There’s the impact on an individual learner (young people and adults)—how they’re growing, what competencies they’re developing, and how they perceive their own progress. Then, there’s the impact on the systems (e.g. programs, schools, districts)—how they’re evolving, what conditions are…