How this founder is spreading play-based microschooling nationally
Nov 8, 2024
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Tiffany Thenor, Co-founder and CEO of WonderHere, shares her inspiring journey from public school teacher to pioneer of play-based microschooling. She discusses the transformative power of play and project-based learning, emphasizing joy and creativity in education. Tiffany delves into WonderHere's innovative licensing model that supports new founders in establishing schools nationwide. Additionally, she highlights the rise of alternative education models post-COVID and the importance of financial accessibility through programs like Education Savings Accounts in Florida.
Tiffany Thenor emphasizes the importance of play-based and project-based learning in fostering creativity and critical thinking among students.
Wonder Here seeks to expand its innovative educational model by empowering educators through a unique licensing program to create additional microschools.
Deep dives
Overview of Wonder Here
Wonder Here is an innovative educational organization focused on creating meaningful learning experiences through play and project-based learning. Founded by Tiffany Thanore, the organization operates schools in Florida and South Carolina and serves homeschooling families in a community-oriented environment. The core mission is to experiment with alternative educational methods that prioritize joy and curiosity over standardized testing. By providing flexible learning spaces that can be in schools, homes, or nature, Wonder Here aims to inspire a sense of wonder as the foundation of education.
Unique Educational Structure and Curriculum
Wonder Here implements a unique educational structure that caters to pre-K, elementary, and middle school students through a blend of non-academic and intentional academic focus. The programs are designed to emphasize social and emotional development initially, before transitioning into more structured academics in higher grades. With an emphasis on outdoor learning, children participate in activities ranging from gardening to wilderness classes, fostering hands-on experiences. This approach not only nurtures creativity but also encourages students to engage in real-world problem-solving and critical thinking.
Challenges and Innovations in Education
The establishment of Wonder Here was a response to the constraints of traditional public schooling, marked by increasing testing and mandates that diminish student creativity. Tiffany shared personal experiences from her teaching career that led to the realization that joy and engagement were being stifled under rigid requirements. Recognizing this need for change, Wonder Here began as a creative outlet and has since sought to redefine success in education through innovative methods of monitoring progress beyond standard tests. This includes using portfolios and parent engagement to showcase authentic learning experiences and celebrate individual growth within the learning process.
Expanding Educational Freedom
Wonder Here is now focused on scaling its model to empower other educators to create similar innovative programs across the country. By offering a licensing model, Tiffany and her team are equipping entrepreneurial teachers with the resources needed to establish their own Wonder Here locations while maintaining the core principles of play-based learning. This growth not only increases access to alternative education options for families but also contributes to a broader movement advocating for educational reform. The aim is to energize more educators and parents to embrace non-traditional learning paths, thereby lowering the barriers of courage for others to pursue innovative educational endeavors.
Tiffany Thenor is the cofounder and CEO of WonderHere, a play-based microschool network and research hub touting the benefits of play, personalization, and project-based learning. A public school teacher for 15 years, Tiffany left her job in 2016 to launch the first WonderHere with a handful of children in Lakeland, Florida. Today, that location serves over 100 full-time and part-time learners each day. Through a creative licensing model, new founders are now launching their own WonderHere schools across the US.
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