Episode 060: The QUESTion Class Interview with members of the Youth Advisory Council

Today we are speaking with Nathan Strenge and Sam Neisen. Nathan and Sam will be launching Exploration High School in the fall of 2021 – a learner-centered environment designed to empower youth to contribute to a healthier, more equitable society.   Nathan’s drive to transform education and open Exploration High School comes through his belief that…

In this episode, we are speaking with students who took the QUESTion Class when they were in high school and have formed a Youth Advisory Council to support the creation of a new subject field in education. The QUESTion class is a semester-long course designed by the Open Future Institute to support learners in the…

In this bonus episode, we are speaking with Adam Aronson, founding lead teacher at the Chelsea Opportunity Academy (COA) in Chelsea, MA, about the academy’s outdoor experience course.  The Chelsea Opportunity Academy (COA) is a competency based, alternative high school in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Chelsea Opportunity Academy offers an engaging and supportive learning environment for young adults…

In this episode, we’re learning with Corey Mohn and Erin Jacobson. Corey is the Executive Director of the Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), a nationally recognized, innovative high school program. Students fast forward into their future and are fully immersed in a professional culture, solving real world problems, using industry standard tools and…

In this episode we are learning with Karen Giuffre’ from Voyagers’ Community School in New Jersey. Karen began her teaching career in Harvard, Massachusetts where she taught 5th, 6th, and 8th-grade social studies. Karen developed an elementary interdisciplinary curriculum as a researcher and writer and then as a trainer and promoter of the national physical education program,…

In this episode, wee are learning with Lindsay Pinchbeck, Director of Sweet Tree Arts and Founder of Sweetland School in Hope, ME, and learners.  Sweetland School is an Arts Integrated, Project Based elementary school. Lindsay has been teaching in the arts and alternative education settings for the past 20 years. Cooper McBride is 13 years old…

In this bonus episode, we are speaking with Tom VanderArk, co-author of Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education.  Tom is an advocate for innovations in learning. As CEO of Getting Smart, Tom advises impact organizations and learning institutions on the path forward. A prolific writer and speaker, Tom has co-authored more than 50…

In this bonus episode, we are speaking with Joanne McEachen & Matthew Kane about their book, Measuring Human Return: Understand and Assess What Really Matters for Deeper Learning. Joanne is the CEO/Founder of The Learn er First, an education consultancy based in Seattle. She serves on the executive team of Karanga, the global alliance for social…

In this episode we learn the power of learner voice through a conversation with Mithil Pujar, Chairman of the Executive Student Cabinet at the San Diego County Office of Education, and Poway Unified Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, dedicated to making school better. Through partnering with district and community leaders, Mithil works to elevate learner…

In this episode, we are learning with Josh Ecker, middle school teachers involved in the launch of a learner-centered model of education, Project Wonder (a micro-school within Salisbury Middle School) and two learners, Amelia and Josh.   Josh is in his third year teaching in Salisbury. He is pursuing a doctoral degree in Mind, Brain, and…