How microschool teachers can benefit from professional development
Jan 21, 2025
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Coi Morefield, founder of The Lab School of Memphis and Microschool Masters, shares her insights on professional development for microschool educators. She discusses the strengths of microschools and the crucial need for tailored training to support teachers making the transition from traditional classrooms. Coi introduces her initiative that offers self-paced, online courses, emphasizing the importance of adapting teaching practices. The conversation highlights innovative recruitment strategies, compliance training, and the potential future of microschools.
Coi Morefield's Microschool Masters program addresses the crucial need for professional development resources tailored to micro school educators transitioning from traditional teaching environments.
The micro schooling movement is appealing to teachers seeking greater autonomy and opportunities for innovation, highlighting the importance of hiring individuals who align with the school's values.
Deep dives
Growth and Success of the Lab School of Memphis
The Lab School of Memphis has experienced significant growth, now serving 70 students in a micro school model that emphasizes project-based and experience-based learning. The school offers personalized support through one-on-one and small group instruction, allowing for tailored educational experiences. In addition to being a state-recognized private school in Tennessee, it supports homeschooling families by providing structure and partnerships that facilitate brave educational choices. This flexibility has met the diverse needs of the community, showcasing the strengths of micro schooling in catering to different learning styles.
Emergence of MicroSchool Masters
Koi Moorfield identified a critical need for professional development resources in the micro schooling sector after experiencing challenges in training new hires at the Lab School of Memphis. This realization resulted in the creation of MicroSchool Masters, an organization aimed at supporting educators transitioning from traditional classroom settings to innovative micro school environments. The program focuses on equipping teachers with the necessary mindsets and practical skills to thrive in learner-centered settings. By offering structured onboarding and professional development, the initiative addresses common pitfalls that micro school founders face when scaling their operations.
Recruitment Trends in Micro Schools
The micro schooling movement is attracting educators from conventional classrooms seeking a more fulfilling and less stressful teaching environment, characterized by smaller class sizes and greater autonomy. Teachers are drawn to the entrepreneurial opportunities within micro schools, as many aspire to start their own educational projects. The importance of hiring individuals who align with the values and culture of a micro school is emphasized, as these qualities are crucial for sustaining a positive learning environment. As more founders emerge, the focus on proper recruitment and training is vital to ensure the effectiveness and growth of these new educational models.
Our guest today is Coi Morefield, founder of The Lab School of Memphis in Tennessee whose newest endeavor is Microschool Masters, a masterclass program for innovative schools and spaces that provides professional development resources for microschool teachers and leaders.
*** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
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