Word association quiz. When someone pairs “School” and “Learning” who is the first learner you think of? A student? A class of students? If so, you are like the majority of people. And for good reason — the student learner is the most important point of focus for schools. However, capitalizing on the unique interests, affinities, and personalities of students … Read More
The Motivation Equation
The upcoming new ibook by Kathleen Cushman, “The Motivation Equation,” stands to expand on her pioneering work in leveraging students’ voices in shaping learning environments, pedagogical practices, and transforming how we talk about learning. And thank goodness. Often missing from our education discourse is, ironically, the most important element of our education system: the learners. In this newest endeavor (you … Read More
How Youth Learn: Ned’s GR8 8
This video needs no introduction. Just watch it and then file it under — “When Student Voices Align With Research From the Science of Learning.”
Disrupting Injustice: Principal Strategies to Advance Social Justice
The problem: Social injustice across our social landscape, with concentrations in schools where social justice is most needed. A solution: Leadership focused on targeting, disrupting, and transforming such norms into new outcomes. Teacher College Record published a paper by George Theoharis, an assistant professor in educational leadership and inclusive education at Syracuse University, titled “Disrupting Injustice: Principals Narrate the Strategies They … Read More
Year at Mission Hill, Chapter 10: The Freedom to Teach
This chapter opens with the voices of alumni, looking back on their experiences as students of Mission Hill and distilling the wisdom they gained from it. A short collection of the alumni voices below: I learned how to be a critical thinker. I learned how to play off my strengths. . . I had teachers who were here to care … Read More
Year at Mission Hill, Chapter 9: Seeing the Learning
“How do we know what students are learning?” So opens the narration of chapter 9, “Seeing the Learning.” Rather than simply reply on summative test scores to communicate whether or not students have “achieved,” the educators at Mission Hill create exhibitions in which students must present and defend their learning to a committee of teachers and peers. The complexity of … Read More
Year at Mission Hill Chapter 8: The World of Work
This chapter, “The World of Work,” offers a look at applying a school-wide theme through integrated projects. Teachers organize opportunities for authentic experiences based on the ideas and recommendations of the kids in an effort to allow students to “see their ideas actualized.” This practice for building student agency works because it helps them develop confidence in the value of their … Read More
5 Characteristics of Learner-Centered Teaching
Maryellen Weimer (whose bio includes: Penn State Professor Emeritus of Teaching and Learning and Editor-in-chief of Teaching Professor) addresses the wide spread use of the term “learner-centered” in her post, “Five Characteristics of Learner-Centered Teaching” on The Teaching Professor Blog at Faculty Focus. At the heart of her concern is this: “With widespread use comes a certain definitional looseness.” To … Read More
Gaming to re-engage boys in school
“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” -Ignacio Estrada The disengagement of boys in our education system has become such old news that — yawn — we barely register it anymore. Rather, we diagnose their need for stimulation as a hyperactive disorder and medicate it. We diagnose their disinterest in … Read More
Year at Mission Hill, Chapter 7: Behind the Scenes
Chapter 7 of this fantastic series delves into the fuel that keeps the fire going — questioning everything in relation to the whole child: Asking for help. Inquiry to inspire students’ voice. Shared inquiry about students. Building a community of curiosity, which changes teachers’ perspectives on teaching, learning, and their own empowerment as educators, empowerment they then pass on to … Read More
