Episode Summary:

Stephanie Malia Krauss, educator, social worker, author, and advocate for whole-child development, joins Katie Martin to discuss how schools can help young people thrive in a rapidly changing world by “rehumaning” education. Drawing from her experiences as a former high school dropout, educator, school leader, researcher, and mother of two, Stephanie reflects on her evolving work—from preparing students for the future to caring for the whole child to now focusing on repairing and reclaiming the human conditions that help people flourish.

Stephanie shares insights from her latest work, How We Thrive, which explores what humans have needed across 300,000 years of history to learn, grow, and live meaningful lives. She argues that many modern school structures were designed for an industrial era and often prioritize productivity, compliance, and preparation for future challenges at the expense of the very human experiences that support learning and well-being. Through the concept of “rehumaning,” she challenges educators to design schools that protect and promote the conditions that help both students and adults thrive.

Key topics covered include:

• 🌱 Rehumaning schools by prioritizing the human needs that support learning, health, and well-being
• 🧠 Understanding how sleep, movement, nutrition, and regulation directly impact student success
• 🎮 Reclaiming play, wonder, creativity, and curiosity as essential components of learning at every age
• 💻 Using technology thoughtfully to amplify human connection rather than replace it
• 🏕️ Learning from youth development and camp models that treat behavior as communication and prioritize whole-person development
• 🚸 Rethinking middle and high school structures, schedules, and expectations to better align with adolescent development

Related Resources:

• Podcast Episode 47: Centering Humanity in the Age of AI
  “With over two decades of experience spanning classrooms, Teach For America leadership, and social innovation, Michelle shares how her own learning journey—from high school leadership programs to teaching in Compton and parenting her daughters—has shaped her commitment to fostering connection, curiosity, and belonging in education.”
• Blog: What Learners Really Experience: Reflections from the LiftOff Design Sprint
  “How often do adults interpret student behavior as disinterest, irresponsibility, or lack of motivation, without ever seeing the load they are already carrying?”
• Publication: School Redesign Playbook
  “This Playbook draws on Learner-Centered Collaborative’s work with schools and districts nationwide, highlighting communities that have redesigned school and learning in ways that reflect their unique contexts and aspirations.”