Microschools and Community: Rethinking Education Together with David Richards

What happens when you mix creativity with the freedom and flexibility of micro schools?

 

In this enlightening episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett dive into the world of micro schools with special guest David Richards, founder and CEO of ChangeMakeredU. David breaks down what micro schools are—intimate learning environments with 5 to 150 students—and explains how their structure harkens back to the one-room schoolhouse model. He discusses the rapid growth of micro schools in response to rising parental demand for flexible, creativity-driven education, highlighting that 60% of micro schools use self-directed learning models. Throughout the episode, David shares real-world examples of micro schools focused on the arts, STEAM, neuroscience, and social-emotional learning, illustrating how these small, community-centered schools empower teachers to build the creative learning experiences they've always dreamed of.

 

Listeners will gain insights into launching a micro school, including the business and operational steps, potential funding models, and the importance of tailoring offerings to the needs and values of local communities. David details how the micro school model creates space for true creativity, collaborative multi-age learning, and active parent involvement—environments that traditional schools often struggle to provide. The hosts express their excitement about the potential of micro schools to usher in a revolution in education, and David shares his most creative educational experience—designing a new school model with students using design thinking principles. If you're an educator, parent, or community leader interested in fostering creativity and reimagining learning, this episode offers a roadmap to getting started and highlights the resources available through ChangeMakeredU.

  About the Guest

David Richards is the founder and CEO of ChangeMakeredU, an innovative national network of affiliate micro schools and an incubator supporting aspiring school founders. With over 25 years of leadership in education reform—as a teacher, principal, executive, and board member—David has opened multiple charter and micro schools across the United States. Known for his expertise in launching educational ventures, David is passionate about transforming learning environments to center creativity, student empowerment, and community-driven values. Through ChangeMakeredU, he aims to catalyze a new paradigm for education, helping teachers and families break free from the constraints of traditional schooling and design learning spaces that truly reflect their visions and needs.

 

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