Learning Unboxed

Play is powerful. Not only is it critical to the individual development of children, but it can create schoolwide cultures of inclusion, celebration, and healthy conflict resolution. No one knows this better than our guest on the show today, Elizabeth Cushing, CEO of Playworks. For almost 30 years, Playworks has worked to give kids a safe, healthy, inclusive recess experience. They partner with schools, starting with a Great Recess Framework evaluation. Then they place Playworks staff at the schools for recess, implementing the basics: Rock, paper, scissors as a conflict resolution tool; high fives; and positive language coming from adults. Plus, they train near-peer mentors as Junior Coaches, allowing kids to shine as leaders at their school.Beyond discussing the importance of play, both for kids and adults, we also dive into Playworks’ approach to sharing its practices with other organizations. Often nonprofits hesitate to share their “secret sauce” with other nonprofits, not wanting to risk their piece of the funding pie. Elizabeth explains how, for the sake of helping as many kids as possible, Playworks moved past this.In fact, you can check out Playworks’ free YouTube resources after you listen to the show!To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:How recess can set the tone for the whole dayThe basics norms Playworks establishes for recesses Why Playworks now makes its practices available to other organizationsResources:Watch hundreds of instructional game videos on the Playworks YouTube channelTake the Recess Checkup at RecessLab.orgProduced by NOVA Media

Tom Thorpe, co-founder of the REDI Lab at Colorado Academy, dives into the evolution of a unique educational model designed to enhance student autonomy. He shares the journey of creating a community-focused learning environment where over 100 students each year chart their own paths. Key topics include fostering self-empathy and self-discovery, the critical balance of teacher and student agency, and the value of process over product in learning. Tom's insights merge real-world experience with innovative pedagogy to inspire future educators.

If a student misses even a single building block in their math education, they will struggle in future lessons. In math, every concept builds on itself. That’s why developing an excellent math curriculum is so critical… and so difficult.Today our guests are Tammy and Marc Goldberg, education innovators with Mathnasium. They’ve helped the company revamp its curriculum to help both instructors and students. Every concept is broken down into sequential pieces. Instructors assess where the student needs to (re)start, and each student gets all the time and individualized attention they need until they master that building block. But that kind of individualization can be hard to come by in traditional education systems. We discuss the challenges of creating math curriculums in schools. But Tammy and Marc do have some suggestions for a path forward: Get rid of timed number fact tests. Treat math like we treat reading in the early grades. Use precise language when teaching concepts. Tune in for this tough, but important conversation.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:How math concepts build on themselvesThe emotional and social stigmas attached to struggling in mathKey changes that could make a big difference in math curriculumsResources:Learn more at Mathnasium.com/Mathnasium-MethodProduced by NOVA Media

Christian Martinez knows firsthand what it’s like to be a young immigrant in America: The language barrier, financial stress, feeling alone and hopeless. That’s why he does what he does today. Christian is the founder and community innovator for The Camino Program and he’s our guest on the show today.Christian tells us  about the Camino program, not just what it does, but how it makes its participants feel. The program offers support in professional development, mental health, peer support, and career navigation for teens transitioning into adulthood. While it’s only four months long, it’s just the jumpstart of creating a lifelong network.The most important impact of the program is one that’s hard to measure, but is foundational to success: Hope. The Camino is literally “a path forward” for youth who have finally found a place where they can connect.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:How immigrant youth experience disconnectionThe critical importance of hopeMeeting youth where they are at– especially when they’re not at schoolResources:Learn more at CaminoProgram.orgFollow the Camino Program on Instagram: @CaminoProgramProduced by NOVA Media

In 2015, Norris School District came to Johnna Noll with a learner-centered educational consultant’s dream request. The tiny school district’s residential population consisted of a treatment center for kids, and it asked Johnna to help it transform into a learner-centered, trauma-invested, constantly evolving program. Of course, she said yes.  Johnna joins the show today to tell us about what the school district has built. It uses a very clear learning design process: Profile, Plan, Pathway, Progress, and Proof. Students create their own unique learning paths based on their hobbies, talents, and interests. Then it’s up to the learning specialists to make sure academic competencies are tied into it.The foundation of the entire learning environment is students and staff deeply learning about each other, building agency and confidence. From there students are connected to resources in the community to learn about what they are specifically interested in. We also talk about how truly empowering students and staff goes hand-in-hand with scaling up. Authentic success stories for students and communities, plus a healthy workplace for educators, is necessary to sustain the growth rate needed to one day benefit all students across the state, country, and world.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:Building student and staff profiles Tying academic competencies in with community-based learningChanging job descriptions and workplace policies to support learner-centered educationResources:Learn more at NorrisAcademyWI.orgProduced by NOVA Media

How do you even begin to create systems change in education? Our guest today is Rob Collins. He manages the Innovative Learning Network in the Kentucky Department of Education. Rob gives us a peek into what systems change looks like right now for the state of Kentucky.  We dive into the teaching initiatives that the Kentucky Department of Education is undertaking in this area. Rob tells us about how the Innovative Learning Network provides institutional support and learning opportunities for school leaders and teachers. For example the network has brought in PBLWorks, a community organization, to successfully train a third of Kentocuky teachers on project-based learning.We also cover efforts to change assessment and accountability. For example, two districts in Kentucky now release accountability dashboards along with state test scores to show there’s more to education achievement than standardized exams. Also, at the state level, there’s now a Kentucky United We Learn Council that includes legislators in exploratory discussions.Changing systems happens across different levels and through different dynamics. Rob’s stories are excellent examples we can all learn from as we try to change the education system around us.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:What diverse stakeholders want out of the education systemProviding organizational structure while encouraging free-form growth among leaders in education innovation The importance of connecting innovative educators so they don’t feel like they are on an islandResources:Learn more at Kentucky’s Innovative Learning Network Produced by NOVA Media

Dr. Michelle Sadrena Pledger, the Founder of Living for Liberation and Director of Liberation at High Tech High, dives deep into liberatory project-based learning. She discusses breaking free from various forms of oppression in educational settings and emphasizes the importance of equity, identity, and belonging in teaching. Michelle presents her Notice, Name, Navigate framework and shares how student agency enhances learning. With a focus on self-awareness and cultural responsiveness, she inspires educators to embrace transformative practices for inclusivity.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City is the nation's first and the city's largest youth mentoring organization. Chief Program and Innovation Officer Michael Coughlin joins us today to tell us about their newest iteration of mentoring: their workplace mentorship program.Starting sophomore year, students are paired with corporate professionals who act as their career mentors through high school graduation, and sometimes all the way through college. These one-on-one mentorships are closely supported by a program manager from Big Brothers Big Sisters to make sure they have the foundation needed for a successful mentoring relationship.Michael takes us through the research that led them to create this program, and lessons learned along the way. If you’re looking to start or grow a community-based mentorship program, don’t miss this episode!To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:The need for mentor relationships to be long-term and resource-orientedPaying attention to students’ and families’ perceptions about a programHow to convince corporations to join a mentorship programResources:Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York CityFollow Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City on Instagram @BBBSNYCProduced by NOVA Media

Join Steve Heath, the executive director and co-founder of FabNewport, a non-profit dedicated to empowering underserved youth through hands-on learning. He discusses innovative educational models that prioritize individual interests over traditional metrics. Learn about the importance of mentorship and community engagement in creating supportive learning ecosystems. Steve shares insights on blending immersive learning environments with school frameworks, emphasizing the transformative power of experiential activities to uncover children's passions.

Jenna Edwards, author of 'Aggressive Optimism,' shares her journey of overcoming PTSD and trauma. She discusses the crucial difference between aggressive optimism and toxic positivity, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in emotional healing. Jenna highlights how her novel serves as a resource for high school students, offering relatable characters and mental health tools. Educators play a pivotal role in fostering resilience, and Jenna suggests proactive strategies to support students facing challenges. Her insights aim to create a supportive environment for adolescents.