May 7, 2026

Dear Educator,

There is a lot of attention paid to polarization around ideas and values. But as my friend George Couros highlights in his new book, Forward Together, any destination in the distance is easier (and better) to reach when we work together rather than in opposition.

This truth was present at the Destination 2028 Community Feedback Sessions in Del Mar, CA, where productive conversations surfaced the successes, questions, and ideas that have emerged in this diverse community.

A particular bright spot occurred after the community forum, where families, district and school leaders, teachers, and classified staff came together to reflect on the progress they've made so far, how it aligns to their strategic plan, and what's coming in the near future as they remain anchored to their desired outcomes for students.

With Gratitude,

Working Together Works

What the Del Mar community discovered during their time together was powerful. In a room full of diverse perspectives, there was far more alignment around what they wanted for students than they may have expected.

One group’s “golden nugget” captured the sentiment of the room beautifully: "balancing student learning experiences with technology, analog lessons, and more learning in nature are all priorities."

Rather than a conversation about banning screens or debating academic priorities, the group was able to engage in a nuanced discussion about their goals. Together, they explored how intentional planning, support, and a balanced approach can ensure students are prepared to navigate the world today and every day after.

How does your community create alignment while honoring diverse perspectives? One of our core design principles at Learner-Centered Collaborative is, as you might guess, Collaboration. In practice, that means creating the time and space for all voices and experiences to be heard and integrated into each phase of our work together. Learn more about the LCC Difference here.

The Community Asset Map is a tool that helps educators identify and leverage local resources, skills, and networks to enhance their teaching practice. By mapping out community assets – from businesses to cultural organizations – educators can create more meaningful learning experiences that connect classroom content with the real world. Download the tool here.

Resources to advance your learner-centered practice

📖 Up Close: A Conversation on Learner-Centered Education with Katie Martin and Devin Vodicka. "In terms of what schools need to become: They need to become community hubs. They need to be central and permeable, so it is not just this isolated building where young people go for 7 hours and then leave, and it’s disconnected from the rest of their lives." Dig into the exclusive interview.

🎯 Provide Non-Verbal Options for Participation. "Not all learners are prepared to participate by speaking out loud. Technology can be used to provide polls or virtual chat spaces, or if you want a low-tech way for students to non-verbally participate, have them write on post-it notes, use hand signals, or write on whiteboards that they raise in the air. These opportunities provide ways for learners to engage in the thinking and share their thoughts equitably." Discover real examples of this classroom strategy.

🎥 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.