Allie Wong, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Learner-Centered Collaborative, shares her journey from being a student in a project-based learning environment to becoming a teacher, school leader, and advocate for learner-centered education.

Allie reflects on how attending High Tech High transformed her confidence and identity as a learner, inspiring her to pursue a career in education. She discusses her experiences co-designing projects with students, fostering deep engagement, and empowering learners to take ownership of their education. Her journey led her to leadership roles where she championed teachers, protected their time, and cultivated a strong culture of collaboration and improvement science.

Key topics covered include:

• 🦸 The impact of project-based learning on student confidence and agency
• 🔄 Co-designing projects with students to enhance engagement and ownership
• 🤝 Supporting teachers through collaborative planning and professional learning communities
• 🧠 Implementing Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) to foster learner engagement in math
• 🚀 Leading school transformation by prioritizing culture, teacher empowerment, and student voice
• 🔍 Lessons for school leaders in navigating change without waiting for full buy-in