April 30, 2026

Dear Educator,

We are at the fourth and final design session for the Southern California Microschool Network, preparing to pitch bold new ideas (stay tuned for the models that are emerging).

As we kicked off the day, I was reminded of a quote by Oscar Wilde that I shared in the introduction of Evolving Education:

“Without structure, nothing can exist. Without chaos, nothing can evolve.”

That tension felt very real in the room. As educators design new models, they are not just imagining something different—they are building the systems and structures to support it. That work can feel messy, uncertain, even chaotic. But on the other side of that discomfort is the potential to fundamentally shift not only what learners experience, but who they can become.

What has stood out most in this work is the people behind it, and that is who I want to focus on in this week's Bright Spots.

With Gratitude,

For Educators Doing the Work

One of the most powerful moments of the day was inviting students into the process. They provided feedback on the pitches, shared their lived experiences, and offered candid advice about what school can and should be. Their insights pushed thinking, challenged assumptions, and helped ensure the models stayed grounded in what truly matters—serving students in meaningful ways.

Superintendents, principals, teachers, and students all coming together to question long-standing structures, work through the chaos, and create something new. The collaboration, the listening, the willingness to revise and iterate—this is what moving forward looks like.

What role do young learners play in your system's design? Bringing learners to the table is at the heart of our work at Learner-Centered Collaborative. We can't design for young people without them in the room. If you are ready to bring learners to the table and reimagine what school could be, reach out to our team to learn how we can support your community's vision.

Asking students their opinions about decisions that affect them in their school community is a great place to start listening to learners. However, taking it a step further puts students at the decision-making table. 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. A step even further asks learners to lead these organizations and facilitate meetings. Learn more about this Big Move.

Resources to advance your learner-centered practice

📖 Distributed Leadership in Schools: Students as Ambassadors. "While adults often take center stage in leadership conversations, students have the potential to transform school communities when they are given authentic opportunities to lead." Bring learners to the table.

📖 The 4 Elements of a Learner-Centered Experience. "Without competency-based practices in place, grades conflate academic measures and behavior. Learners don’t have a clear understanding of their own progress or next steps." Discover the four elements.

🎥 See Learning Come Alive: A National Student Exhibition Experience. "In this unique one-hour webinar, you’ll experience a student exhibition of learning firsthand, featuring learners from across the Learner-Centered Collaborative national partner network." Register for this free webinar.