The Student-Centered Shift: Empowered International Schools and Classrooms Through Project-Based Learning

Feel like project-based learning sounds powerful—but totally unrealistic in your packed curriculum and schedule? What if one small shift could open the door? In this episode, I talk with international educator, VIS Dean of Academic Affairs and social scientist Tristan Reynolds, who shares how he replaced a single unit test with a project—and saw student ownership, engagement, and reflection skyrocket. From rural Texas classrooms to interdisciplinary teaching in Taipei, Tristan walks us through the simple mindset and planning shifts that helped PBL work within, not outside of, school structures. It's a refreshing look at how real change happens—not through an overhaul, but through intentional, evidence-based experimentation. You'll learn: How one teacher redesigned a single assessment and sparked student agency What student data revealed about deeper learning and engagement How interdisciplinary collaboration builds momentum for school-wide change Why project-based learning can fit within your constraints—not fight against them Ready to see how one small step can unlock student-centered learning in your setting? This episode shows you the shift in action. Connect with Tristan: Instagram, LinkedIn Data Studies Around Benefits of PBL on Learning: Wide Scale Studies Tristan's Bio: Tristan Reynolds is an educator and writer who focuses on international best practices in education and the impacts of globalization on education. As an experienced international educator, he understand the importance of creating schools which support celebrating different cultures, and which cultivate a cosmopolitan attitude in students. Tristan's work helps build a clearer picture of how to help students and teachers move beyond local limits to education. He holds an M.S.Ed. from Johns Hopkins University, American and British teaching & administration licensures, and is a 2021 Teach For America alum.

You want your students to take action but how do you actually empower them to lead real change? In this episode, I speak with Arlian Ecker, a 19-year-old environmental changemaker and co-founder of Plastic Free Boy, who has reached over 1.5 million students across 350 schools through film, storytelling, and action-based learning. From citizen science on the Great Barrier Reef to student-led plastic audits and five-year sustainability campaigns, Arlian shares what truly ignites youth agency and how educators can help nurture it. If you've ever wondered how to move from structured lessons to real student-led action, this conversation offers a powerful starting point. You'll learn: Why storytelling, not frameworks, is the spark that sustains youth-driven work How students build resilience, empathy, and global citizenship through project ownership How to support changemaking without needing to be the expert What makes peer-to-peer learning more powerful than adult-led initiatives Learn to shift from guiding student action to growing student changemakers. Connect with Arlian: Linkedin (@arlian-ecker), Instagram (@plasticfreeboy), Learn more about Arlian's Work: www.plasticfreeboy.com Arlian's Bio: Arlian Ecker, a 19-year-old Australian-Austrian changemaker and co-founder of Plastic Free Boy, has spent eight years leading youth-driven sustainability efforts—from protecting the Great Barrier Reef to advocating for global waterway conservation. Alongside his mother, award-winning underwater filmmaker Karin Ecker, Arlian has reached over 1.5 million students in 350+ schools through films, workshops, and interactive programs that empower youth to take environmental action. Their "Generation NOW" initiative and upcoming Global Solutions School Academy promote student-led, real-world learning and cross-border collaboration. This May and June, Arlian joins the International Commission for the Danube River to lead the world's largest youth-driven citizen science water quality survey.

You've handed over choice, but you're still doing the heavy lifting. Many well-intentioned student-led experiences fall flat—not because students can't lead, but because they lack the structure, tools, and guidance to own the process. So how do we support self-directed learning without taking control back? In this episode, Laurence Myers, K–12 Service Learning and Self-Directed Projects Coordinator at the American School of Dubai, shares how his school builds true student ownership through purposeful systems, mentorship, and process design. From process journals to stakeholder mapping, Laurence breaks down the simple but powerful tools that make student-led learning sustainable—for both teachers and students. You'll learn: What self-directed learning really looks like when students are supported the right way Tools that help students stay organized, reflective, and purpose-driven How to move from managing learning to mentoring it—without losing clarity Why your role as facilitator is more powerful than ever 🎧 Listen now and explore how facilitator mode can unlock more ownership, confidence, and real-world learning. Connect with Laurence: LinkedIn, Website Get the Free Self-Directed Project Process Guide: Project Process Guide Laurence's Bio: Laurence works at the intersection of service learning, global citizenship, and sustainability, using his 30+ years in international education—including over a decade in leadership roles—to support student-centered, authentic learning for positive change. His hybrid role spans thought leadership, instructional coaching, and systems thinking facilitation, all aimed at shifting educational culture and driving sustainable institutional and curricular transformation. A frequent presenter and facilitator, Laurence leads workshops on sustainability, service learning, and co-created learning design. Outside of education, he coaches student athletes, champions environmental initiatives, and enjoys time outdoors with his family.

What if creating a student-centered classroom wasn't about adding more—but about holding space for what's already there? In this episode, I speak with movement and mindfulness educator Lawrence about what it means to create environments that center curiosity, personal exploration, and connection. From yoga studios and sound healing sessions to forest clearings and public parks, Lawrence shows us how to design space that invites—not directs—growth. As educators, we're challenged to do the same in our classrooms. This episode offers a chance to step back, reimagine your role, and embrace a different kind of presence that empowers learners to shape their own path. How the space you create becomes a "third teacher" What it means to hold space for student-led exploration and feedback How to cultivate purpose and trust without micromanaging Why real personalization begins with pausing, not planning Learn more about how to shift from controlling the learning environment to co-creating it with your students. Connect with Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/body.nature.mind_lawrence/ Learn more about his work: https://bodynaturemind.com/ Lawrence's bio: Lawrence is a full-time wellness coach who left a government office job to pursue his passion for movement, mindfulness, and personal growth. His approach to wellness centers on the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit—drawing on practices like animal flow, yoga, breathwork, sound healing, and forest bathing to help others reconnect with themselves and their environment. He believes that nature, rest, and embodied awareness are essential to recharging and realigning in today's fast-paced world. He has led wellness experiences for global brands like Cathay Pacific, The Fullerton Hotel, Lululemon, and Loro Piana, as well as local NGOs such as St. James' Settlement and Heep Hong Society. His work has been featured on BBC's People Fixing the World, RTHK, and the South China Morning Post. Lawrence holds certifications across multiple disciplines, including Animal Flow (Level 3 & Regional Leader), Yoga Therapy, Breathwork, Sound Healing, and Forest Bathing Facilitation.

They say you can tell a lot about what a school values by looking at its timetable. What does yours say? If you're trying to create more time for student-driven projects, real-world connections, and deeper learning, but your current schedule feels rigid and confining, this episode will show you a better way. It's part two of our special monthly series on Building Student-Centered Schools. In this episode, I walk you through a hands-on exercise to design your dream student-centered schedule. No spreadsheets, no software, just a whiteboard, post-its, and the values that matter most to your learners. You'll learn how to: Align your daily schedule to your program's core values Create longer, deeper learning blocks for true personalization Involve students, staff, and parents as co-designers of time Think beyond traditional periods to open up authentic learning pathways If you're launching or reimagining a student-centered program, this episode will help you move from rigid to responsive, and design a schedule that actually supports the learning you want to see. Watch the Video On Youtube: Take the 12 Shifts Scorecard: www.transformschool.com/12shiftsscorecard

In this conversation with Natalie Harvey, Secondary Principal at Beijing City International School, she shares her passion for fostering student voice and engagement. Natalie discusses how her school navigates the balance between curriculum demands and empowering student agency. Key topics include creating personalized learning experiences within the IB framework, the importance of building trust among teachers, and co-developing a vision for success. Her insights on redefining learning highlight how BCIS makes voice and choice an integral part of student life.

In this engaging discussion, Ryan Murfield, Coordinator of the PRAXIS Program at the International School of Kuala Lumpur, shares his insights on effective interdisciplinary project planning. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on real-world problems to boost student engagement. Listeners will find valuable tips on building milestone checkpoints for team alignment and creating assessments that genuinely reflect student learning, all while reducing stress for educators. Ryan's experience brings a fresh perspective to collaborative teaching and fostering student agency.

In this discussion with Daniel Rosenberg, Head of Asia at Otis, the focus is on transforming student learning through data transparency. He reveals how hidden progress data can hinder student ownership of their education. The conversation dives into how AI tools can personalize learning and empower students by giving them access to their own data. Rosenberg shares real-life examples of students using this data to set goals, highlighting a shift from traditional assessment methods to student-centered learning environments that foster agency and collaboration.

Raina Grove, an instructional coach at Chiang Mai International School, specializes in fostering student-centered shifts through trust and teacher agency. She candidly discusses why many change initiatives fail due to overwhelm and lack of clarity among teachers. Raina shares insights on empowering educators to transform their classrooms into vibrant, student-driven environments. Tune in for practical strategies that build collaborative school cultures, support meaningful growth, and maintain enthusiasm in educational reform.

Ever been handed a blank sheet of paper to design your dream school—but felt totally overwhelmed by where to begin? You're not alone. This episode kicks off a special monthly series airing in the final week of each month on Building Student-Centered Schools Building Student-Centered Schools, where I take you behind the scenes of a real program I'm helping launch in Hong Kong. Each month, we'll unpack a core design element—from staffing to space to schedule—starting with "S." In this first episode, we explore the power of story—and how engaging your stakeholders early on can turn uncertainty into clarity. I share how we co-created a shared vision with students, parents, and staff to lay the foundation for a truly student-centered experience. You'll learn how to: 🔹 Gather authentic input from your community to build ownership 🔹 Create clear value statements that guide every design decision 🔹 Use "vision visits" and focus groups to surface what your community truly cares about 🔹 Develop a simple, powerful school mission rooted in real-world relevance If you're launching or reimagining a student-centered program, this episode will give you the clarity and momentum to move forward—with your people at the center. Take the 12 Shifts Scorecard: www.transformschool.com/12shiftsscorecard Get the 12 Shifts Book: https://www.amazon.com/Where-Teacher-Shifts-Student-Centered-Environments/dp/1032484713