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One Educator’s Journey to Authentic Learning: Building Trust, Empowering Learners
Early in my teaching career, I was fortunate to have the mentorship of my grade-level team, a seasoned group of educators ready to support and collaborate on nearly everything. As I prepared to teach 8th grade US History, I shadowed my colleague’s English classroom, where  I observed some incredible literature discussions. Intrigued by the deep…
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The Power of Student Voice: My Journey on the D11 District Accountability Committee
By Carissa Rickard, Student in Colorado Springs School District 11 My name is Carissa Rickard, I’m 16 years old, and I serve as the student representative on the district accountability committee (DAC) for Colorado Springs School District 11 As a student representative, my role is to provide a crucial perspective on how district policies…
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Slow Down to Go Fast: 6 Pillars to Prioritizing Community and Relationships
As educators, we understand that a classroom is more than just a place for academic instruction; it’s a vibrant community where every learner should feel valued and connected. The first weeks of school are essential for establishing this classroom culture, helping to smooth the transition back to school for both students and teachers. Embracing…
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Why Mindset Matters in Cultivating Learner-Centered Change
Photo courtesy of Embark Education When we introduce new structures or practices in education, we often focus solely on implementing them correctly. However, this approach misses a crucial element: the mindset behind these changes. Our underlying intentions powerfully shape how others experience our designs. The way we think about school, learning, and learners (both…
A quote graphic with Devin Vodicka's headshot. The graphic reads: "educational experiences are most meaningful when tailored to individual needs, interests, and aspirations within a real-world context where meaningful challenges and opportunities abound."
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3 Key Elements for Cultivating a Learner-Centered Culture
In our pursuit of transforming education and centering learners by design, we must get the culture right. But, where do we begin? In our work with learning communities across the nation, the Learner-Centered Collaborative team has found three key elements that must be addressed, no matter the context, for a learner-centered culture to thrive:…
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Bright Spots Collection
Compilation of learner-centered Bright Spots from classrooms, schools, and districts curated by Dr. Katie Martin.
Evolving Education
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Chapter 1: Evolving Education
Katie Martin’s second book, Evolving Education, offers a deep dive into how educators can harness new technologies, learning sciences, and pedagogy that center learners and learning.
What's Possible
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What’s Possible in Learner-Centered Education
As the world continues to evolve and change in dynamic ways, there is an increasingly urgent call to create schools that meet the needs of learners in our world today to equip them with the academic and social skills that are critical for success in work, life, and citizenship.
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School-Centered vs Learner-Centered Practices
  Educators and instructional leaders can use this table as a reflection tool to identify specific opportunities to shift from a school-centered paradigm to a learner-centered paradigm. Please complete the form below to access the resource. Thank you!  
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Learning Is a Process, Not an Event
If our vision for students is learner-centered, then our teacher development must be learner-centered, too. Katie Martin shares the key tenets of professional learning at Altitude Learning. See how our approach focuses on relevant and meaningful professional development that paves the way for a culture of learning that spans from adults to the youngest…