BRIGHT SPOTS

Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration

June 6, 2024

Dear Educator,

We are in the final week of school in my house and by the next Bright Spots, we will have TWO high schoolers! Regardless of where you are, the end of the year brings lots of change and as George Couros reminds us in The Innovator’s Mindset, “Change is an opportunity to do something amazing!”

As you (hopefully) slow down this summer and think about all that is possible ahead, consider what changes you are facing and how they can afford you an opportunity to evolve your mindset or practices. If you need some inspiration, my bright spot this week will push your thinking about school and how we can structure experiences for learners to thrive.

With Gratitude,

BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK

Change Moves at the Speed of Trust

I had the opportunity to connect with Meg Parry and Miguel Gonzalez about their journeys in education, what they learned leading Embark (a learner-centered microschool), and what’s possible in education. Although we agreed that structures at Embark shouldn’t be copied and pasted, it is a model to explore and be inspired by to create something that works for your context.

One of the the core principles at Embark that I think can be applicable in any context is the idea of “radical trust” where Meg shared that “trust is given not earned.” Yes, young adolescents who are in 6th through 8th grade are trusted just for being part of the community.

As part of their education, they run a coffee shop and learn out in the community. Meg and Miguel acknowledge that they make mistakes and take time to learn and meet high expectations, but this is the purpose of the school and the learners always rise to the challenge.

This is a significant shift from how many schools operate where students are not trusted and punitive rules exist to keep them in line. By the nature of their development, young adolescents often push back against this, and power struggles become one of the most common outcomes.

If what we desire are rich environments where learners can learn to make good choices and work through their struggles, then giving unconditional trust is a powerful place to begin.

In what ways has radical trust shown up in your context? Share your story here.

RESOURCE ROUNDUP

Explore the resources below to learn more about Embark and will deepen your practice on providing learner-centered choice to the students you serve.

1. Podcast: Empowering Learners Through Real World Challenges. Meg Parry and Miguel Gonzalez dive into the key elements of Embark’s model, including how the school is physically embedded in a coffee and bicycle shop, how learning experiences are designed around solving real business challenges, and how they hold learners to professional standards for their work. Listen here.

2. Blog: Discovering AI Together: Lessons from a Learner-Centered Classroom. Carissa Solomon discusses the importance of including learners' opinions and experiences in conversations about AI in education. Rather than restricting AI's use without discussion, she used it as an opportunity to learn and grow in collaboration with her learners. Read more.

3. Strategy: Bringing Students to the Table for School Decisions. Inviting students to participate in school or district-wide decisions by being on the board, a part of a student government, or on an ongoing advisory council gives them a direct way to influence decisions that affect them and their peers. Explore here.

LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!

What are your learner-centered Bright Spots?

Share your #LCBrightSpots on social media!

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