Connect
Podcasts

Episode 40: The Power of Joy in Learning with Dr. George Philhower

Katie Martin
Authentic LearningReal-World LearningCulture

By loading this video, you agree to the privacy policy of Youtube.

Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube

Episode Summary:

Dr. George Philhower, Superintendent of Eastern Hancock Schools in Indiana, shares his journey as an educator and leader dedicated to creating school environments where students wake up excited to learn each day.

George reflects on his early struggles as a student, how they shaped his passion for education, and his path from special education teacher to superintendent. He discusses how his district prioritizes student engagement, personalized learning, and strong community connections to ensure all students feel valued and prepared for life beyond high school.

Key topics covered include:

  • 🎓 Meeting individually with every junior and senior to support career exploration and post-graduation planning
  • 🏫 Creating a learner-centered culture through four core promises: Joy, Connection, Growth, and Success
  • 🤝 Building strong community partnerships to provide real-world learning experiences
  • 🛠️ Developing career-connected pathways, including hands-on programs in healthcare and construction
  • 📊 Rethinking traditional measures of success to focus on student well-being, engagement, and long-term outcomes
  • 🎉 Hosting “Joy Jam,” a professional learning conference centered on creating joyful, engaging schools

Related Resources:

  • Blog: Building Community Partnerships: A Strategy for Sustaining Learner-Centered Education
    When we forge partnerships with our local community, we expand learning and assessment beyond the classroom. These connections tap into an organic network of resources that provide real-world contexts where students can develop and demonstrate lasting competencies.
  • Course: Promote Anytime, Anywhere Learning
    Explore ways to connect learners with the local and global community through learning experiences that happen both in and outside of the classroom. Create opportunities for real-world learning experiences with community members through mentorships, internships, and community-based projects
  • Strategy: Connect Learners to Mentors
    While your school might not yet have a formal internship or mentorship program, there are still many ways to ensure learners get connected with local community members and with work-based learning experiences. Discover some of these strategies using the link above.

How About Another?

Related Posts
Blog
Celebrating Bright Spots in Learner-Centered Education: Looking Ahead to What’s Possible
As the school year winds down, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible progress made in the journey toward learner-centered education. Across classrooms, schools, and districts, we witnessed bold steps, powerful moments of growth, and inspiring examples of what’s possible when we center learners by design. Learner Agency in Action This school…
Big Moves
Physical Space Design
Overview Physical spaces, when designed with intention, can enable the Learning Model to be fully embraced by a school, shaping the learning environment to align with the Portrait of a Learner. The guiding principle is that form drives function and that both influence and reflect a school’s culture. Thoughtful care for physical space demonstrates…
Big Moves
Capstone Projects
Overview A capstone project is a culminating project, usually done in a learner’s final year at a school or in a program, that allows them to apply the knowledge and skills they’ve gained throughout a course, program, or educational experience. Typically, it is comprehensive, often interdisciplinary, and requires learners to engage in critical thinking,…

It’s Your Journey

Explore More Topics

Blog
Celebrating Bright Spots in Learner-Centered Education: Looking Ahead to What’s Possible
As the school year winds down, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible progress made in the journey toward learner-centered education. Across classrooms, schools, and districts, we witnessed bold steps, powerful moments of growth, and inspiring examples of what’s possible when we center learners by design. Learner Agency in Action This school…
Blog
It’s Time for a Change Management Model Built for Learner-Centered Education
How often have we heard learners (adults included) ask, “Why do I need to know this?” It’s a question as old as formal education itself, and one we should never stop thoughtfully addressing. The likelihood of achieving our desired outcome diminishes when the “why” is unclear in any context. This is just as true…
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…
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, you agree with it. Privacy Policy