In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore the transformative power of mentoring in education with Nataliya Starodub, the visionary founder of The Dreva Mentoring Academy. Born from the legacy of an alternative school in Minsk, Belarus, The Dreva Mentoring Academy is redefining mentoring for students aged four to sixteen. Nataliya and her team of international mentors focus on nurturing children's curiosity, agency, skills, and identity, providing a unique approach that extends beyond...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we are honored to have a conversation with Dr. Bill Daggett, a pioneer in education reform, the founder of the Successful Practices Network and the International Center for Leadership in Education, and a renowned author on education. We dive deep into the evolution of transformative education, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges and opportunities it presents in the age of artificial intelligence. Dr. Daggett shares his...

We're joined by the inspiring Audrey Wisch, founder of Curious Cardinals and a recognized figure in Forbes 30 Under 30 in Education and Youngest categories. Audrey takes us on a journey through her experiences at Stanford University, which sowed the seeds for her passion in education and led to the creation of Curious Cardinals, a mentorship platform that bridges the gap between K-12 students and college mentors. Audrey shares the philosophy and core pillars that define Curious Cardinals:...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we welcome Heather Van Benthuysen, the Executive Director of Student Voice and Engagement at Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Chicago stands out, potentially being the first district with a role dedicated to student voice and engagement. Heather illuminates CPS's journey to place students at the heart of decision-making processes, intertwining identity, community, and relationships into an innovative instructional vision. To learn more, visit:...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're exploring the profound impact of systems thinking in transformative education with Sheryl Cababa from Substantial. Sheryl is the mind behind the freshly-released book, "Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers.” A dedicated design researcher and strategist, Sheryl is at the helm of informing education product and service designs, as well as directing investment strategies. In our conversation, Sheryl unveils the close-knit relationship...

In today's episode of Learning Unboxed, we're joined by Kavita Tanna, founder of Globally Reconnect, an enterprise dedicated to transformative, inclusive education on a global scale. Kavita has a unique perspective on how language and storytelling shape education and personal growth. In our conversation, Kavita delves into the philosophy behind Globally Reconnect, highlighting the importance of "flourishing" as a more holistic and empowering term than "thriving." She emphasizes that our...

In this landmark 200th episode of Learning Unboxed, we're taking a moment to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the incredible journey of one of our most treasured contributors, Fatima Bainazar. From her initial days as a reserved intern during her freshman year of high school to the accomplished graduate that stands before us today, Fatima's growth is a testament to the transformative power of education. Fatima shares the genesis of her journey with the PAST Innovation Lab—how a mere...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we continue our deep dive with AJ Crabill in part 2 of our enlightening 2-part series focused on student-led restorative practices in schools. The series sheds light on a 24-month pilot spearheaded by AJ from June 2022 to June 2024. A noteworthy aspect of this endeavor? The initial nine months were solely dedicated to adult training. AJ firmly believes in equipping adults first so they are not just passive participants but empowered allies in the...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're delving into the realm of student-led restorative practices with AJ Crabill, the author of "Great on Their Behalf." With a firm belief that student outcomes won't shift until adult behaviors change, we explore the transformative education through a restorative lens. AJ Crabill breaks down the contrasting approaches of retributive versus restorative, showcasing how the latter focuses on repairing harm instead of simply punishing wrongdoing. Together,...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we delve deep into the realm of project-based learning (PBL) with Bryan Harms, a teacher, software engineer, and co-founder of Imagine If, a transformative educational organization based in Denmark. With a mission to reimagine education and provide engaging, personalized, and meaningful learning experiences, Imagine If has been pioneering change in the educational landscape. Join us in this inspiring conversation with Bryan as we examine the ways in which...

Welcome to the July edition of Learning Unboxed. As many of you know, we tend to take the month of July off, but we have heard from our loyal listeners that you would love content during your summer vacation. So we have crafted a set of four episodes to run during the July holiday that are all about exploring student agency. For those working to make a meaningful shift in your classrooms, schools, and communities, the most crucial place to start is making the decision to shift from a...

Welcome to the July edition of Learning Unboxed. As many of you know, we tend to take the month of July off, but we have heard from our loyal listeners that you would love content during your summer vacation. So we have crafted a set of four episodes to run during the July holiday that are all about exploring student agency. For those working to make a meaningful shift in your classrooms, schools, and communities, the most crucial place to start is making the decision to shift from a...

Welcome to the July edition of Learning Unboxed. As many of you know, we tend to take the month of July off, but we have heard from our loyal listeners that you would love content during your summer vacation. So we have crafted a set of four episodes to run during the July holiday that are all about exploring student agency. For those working to make a meaningful shift in your classrooms, schools, and communities, the most crucial place to start is making the decision to shift from a...

Welcome to the July edition of Learning Unboxed. As many of you know, we tend to take the month of July off, but we have heard from our loyal listeners that you would love content during your summer vacation. So we have crafted a set of four episodes to run during the July holiday that are all about exploring student agency. For those working to make a meaningful shift in your classrooms, schools, and communities, the most crucial place to start is making the decision to shift from a...

In this fascinating episode of Learning Unboxed, we delve deep into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its profound implications for our future. Joining us is Sanjay Saigal, Executive Director for Affiliates and Research Engagement at Stanford Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering (ICME), brings us the rich history of AI, the democratization of this powerful tool, and its evolving user interface. He also sheds light on the critical role humanities play in...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we dive deep into the world of Montessori education and its transformative potential. Our special guest is Tessa Wessels, founder of Casa Bilingual Montessori. Tessa opens up about her personal journey, from her upbringing in apartheid South Africa to creating an educational environment that nurtures critical and independent thinking in the Netherlands. Join us as we explore the distinguishing features of Tessa's school, such as its all-day, all-year...

Today, we're honored to have Nick Salmon, founder and president of the Collaborative Learning Network, join us as we discuss the topic of extreme innovation in the education space. As a ninth-generation educator and self-certified 'educational furniture whisperer,' Nick is deeply committed to positively influencing the lives of 1.6 billion young people worldwide. Together, we'll delve into the heart of innovation in education, challenging traditional concepts of school and why they matter....

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Learning Unboxed" where we’re talking about zoo schools as transformative educational institutions. We're joined by four distinguished guests from the world of zoo education and conservation: Chris Edelen, a career tech teacher at Cincinnati Public Schools' Hughes STEM School and a former zookeeper at the Cincinnati Zoo, brings in over two decades of experience in the zoo and education sectors; Trene't Schill, a proud 2018 Zoo Academy alumni and...

Welcome to another episode of Learning Unboxed, where we dive into the innovative and transformative world of education. Today, we're thrilled to have Catherine Gray, the founder of Na'atik School in Mexico. Na'atik is an intercultural school that has been disrupting traditional education models by blending local and foreign learning experiences for over 12 years. In this episode, Catherine discusses the evolution and mission of Na'atik, an institution that provides subsidized English classes...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we explore the transformative power of student agency and autonomy in education. Our guest is Mike Nicholson, principal of Learning Inspired Ed, a forward-thinking education consultancy agency dedicated to supporting the development of student agency across school districts. Mike shares his passion for moving from a compliance-based education system to one where students have the freedom to make decisions about their learning. We dive into the "55...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're exploring the innovative world of self-directed learning with April Huard, the Executive Director of Clonlara School, a K-12 institution that empowers students to take charge of their own education. Starting as a small homeschooling collective, Clonlara School has expanded to multiple campuses across the United States with a mission to transform education on a global scale. April shares insights on the self-directed learning model, which allows...

We're diving into the fascinating realm of global citizenship through the lens of a fantastic program called World Savvy. Our esteemed guests are Dana Mortenson, co-founder and CEO of World Savvy, a national education nonprofit working to educate and engage youth as responsible global citizens, and KK Neimann, World Savvy's Director of Professional Learning, with an impressive 20 years of teaching experience in social studies across fifth to 12th grades. We explore the changing landscape of...

Welcome to today's episode of Learning Unboxed! In this episode, we're excited to have an incredible conversation with our guest, Michael Stone, from the Public Education Foundation, based in Tennessee. Michael has an impressive career journey, including being an Albert Einstein Educator Fellow with the National Science Foundation and spending 10 years as a high school mathematics and computer science teacher. In his current role, he's led the development of the largest school-based Fab Lab...

Dr. Trevor Soponis is the Founder and Chief Learning Officer of The Sustainable Learning Projects, a lifelong education professional with experience in leading transformative education projects. The purpose of The Sustainable Learning Projects is to provide students with meaningful work that is relevant to their lives and to provide teachers with the curriculum and support they need to make their lives easier. He is focused on having students, teachers, and schools tackle meaningful...

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're diving into the exciting world of STEM Games with Josip Torić, the Director of Sports at STEM Games. STEM Games is an international competition that allows students to showcase their knowledge, athletic abilities, and gaming skills across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Josip Torić, who has been instrumental in the growth of STEM Games in Croatia, will be sharing his insights into the competition's success and the benefits it...