Episode Summary:

Fred Hilgers, principal of Madison High School and lifelong member of the San Diego Unified community, joins Katie Martin to discuss how listening—to students, teachers, and families—has been the foundation of his leadership and the catalyst for meaningful school transformation.

With more than 30 years in education as a teacher, vice principal, principal, and district leader, Fred shares the personal experiences that shaped his values and how he’s applying them at Madison. Drawing from his work within Learner-Centered Collaborative’s Network as part of CCEE’s Secondary School Redesign Pilot, Fred explores how he has built teacher-driven professional learning, centered student voice, and is transitioning Madison to a four-by-four block schedule to expand opportunity, deepen learning, and strengthen relationships.

He reflects on the importance of treating teachers as professionals, breaking down isolation, abandoning deficit-based language, and using a Portrait of a Graduate as the North Star for all school decisions.

Key topics covered include:

Related Resources:

• Learning Series: School Design for Learner-Centered Ecosystems
  “In partnership with the Learning Policy Institute, Learner-Centered Collaborative hosted a four-part webinar series that explores how school design can create learning ecosystems where all students know who they are, thrive in community, and actively engage in the world as their best selves.”
• Blog: Scaling Learner-Centered Innovation: It Takes a Community (of Practice)
  “To foster sustainable, learner-centered change, educators and leaders need more than just isolated professional development events—they need collaborative, continuous support systems.”
• 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.”