Education Reimagined

This Town Hall is a must-attend for anyone passionate about reimagining how young people prepare for the future of work. Featuring insights from Built for More: The Role of OST in Preparing Youth for the Future of Work, panelists Byron K. Sanders, Chris Street, and Bobbi Macdonald will explore how Out-of-School Time programs unlock new pathways to career readiness and lifelong success. Join us on April 11th. We hope to see you there! #OST #FutureOfWork #CareerReadiness #EducationInnovation #YouthEmpowerment #NewPathways

“Education R&D isn’t out of reach; it is in learning environments where young people and adults are already showing us what’s possible when we trust their wisdom, support their innovation, and commit to continuous improvement in service of each young person’s unique journey.” In a recent article, Sarah Bishop-Root and Leslie Colwell of Transcend explore the importance of state-level R&D to drive meaningful change for learners. Grounded in their recent report in partnership with Alliance for Learning Innovation (ALI) this article elevates what’s possible when states embrace innovation in education. https://lnkd.in/gvKZSK4k

In Newport, Rhode Island, FabNewport is reimagining what learning can look like by creating an environment where young people explore, create, and shape their own pathways. “Here, you get to choose what you want to learn and how you want to learn it,” says Xavier, an 8th grader. Through community collaboration and learner-centered design, they’re igniting a transformation that goes beyond the classroom. Read more about how their approach is paving the way for a deeper, more connected way of learning. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gaiH4pHZ

Intentional state education R&D efforts require supporting conditions and infrastructure that enable innovation and inform evidence-based, system-wide transformation. This is a critical moment for states to prioritize R&D to remain competitive and prepare all young people for success aligned with evolving economic and societal needs. Read the report by Sarah Bishop-Root and Leslie Colwell of Transcend in partnership with the Alliance for Learning Innovation (ALI) to learn more about steps states can take: https://lnkd.in/gQDezH4g

Imagine a school where every learner has a mentor who truly knows them, where flexible schedules fit their lives, and where learning takes place in an environment designed around their needs. At Village High School, education is personalized, built on relationships, trust, and learner agency. It’s a space where learners take ownership of their journey, showing that learning can happen anywhere when the right approach is in place. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gA-AvYq4

Carol Aisha Owala, founder of Big Picture Learning Kenya, is revolutionizing education for under-resourced youth by challenging the systemic barriers within education. Through her work, Carol partners with community schools to implement a model that prioritizes personalized learning, mentorship, and learner agency. Big Picture Learning Kenya’s mission is to help learners rewrite the narratives that they’ve been told, offering a brighter future where education is about growth. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gDqJUGuK

Together, we are making great progress in our ambition to transform public education. Here’s a celebration of our collective impact and the strides we’ve made together in shaping a future where every learner thrives. Our 2024 Annual Report showcases the bold steps we've taken this year: new partnerships, learner-led initiatives, and real impact in communities across the country. The momentum is real, and the impact is palpable in the communities and educators we work with. See how we’re turning possibilities into realities. Are you ready to be a part of it? Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g4KvUf2K #LearnerCentered #EducationReimagined #EducationTransformation

Last week, I had the joy of spending two days in Memphis, TN, surrounded by incredible learner-centered changemakers at Education Reimagined’s 10th Learning Lab Training. By role, we were school and organizational leaders, #educators, #parents, #researchers, and young people. But in practice, we were learners and colleagues—deeply engaged in community. That’s what these trainings are all about: bringing together those who often operate in isolation to find connection, camaraderie, and inspiration. Over the course of our time together, we explored shared frameworks, exchanged lessons learned, and engaged in powerful conversations about what it takes to make learner-centered education a reality. A huge thank you to our incredible partners—Ginger Spickler and the team at Crosstown High, for immersing us in the lived experience of learner-centered education. At Crosstown, we witnessed: * Interdisciplinary project-based learning, from designing sustainable life on Mars to exploring the science of color to cooking healthy meals on a budget. * A dynamic student body, with learners from every corner of Memphis. * A commitment to community impact, with learners partnering with local organizations and giving back to their hometown through art, food, and community service. * A learning environment embedded in a vibrant, reclaimed vertical city—home to restaurants, nonprofits, coffee shops, apartments, and a YMCA. This experience was a powerful reminder: the future of public education is already emerging—fueled by courage, hope, and an unyielding commitment to humanity and community. In a moment when it can be hard to find solid ground, many of us found it together last week in Memphis. #LearnerCentered #EducationTransformation #CrosstownHigh

Inspired by colleagues Education Reimagined gathered for conversations to amplify student-centered learning. Crosstown High hosted us as we learned from and with their staff and students. So thankful for the genius in these spaces.

Renewed. Refreshed. Reenergized. It’s been a rough month but there’s nothing quite like being with educators, young people, researchers, and policy influencers from across the country, each carrying a fire of possibility and bringing learner-centered education to life. Throughout history, every movement has faced highs and lows, challenges and breakthroughs—yet the ones we remember are those who’ve remained bold and steadfast in their vision. This week at the Learning Lab Training, that vision and fire were HOT. Since 2017, we’ve been growing a national learning community — made up of learner-centered experts who not only know WHY education needs to be holistic, but who have felt WHAT happens when it truly is. Who hold a vision for our world to be filled with people who are kind, brave, and considerate, and who are stepping into adulthood with confidence because they're practiced in leaving places better than how they found them. We laughed, cried, celebrated, reflected, and explored in two days... and there's so much more to learn and do together. Endless gratitude to Ginger Spickler and the Crosstown High Team for partnering with Education Reimagined to bring together and rally around the future of education. (Hot tip: Need an event space and design partner? Crosstown's where it's at!) A handful of my favorite quotes from the group: -“We share a similar purpose for education, but we’re each removing obstacles in creative and valid ways within our communities. We don’t let perceived barriers stop us. How we solve the issues we each face is a creative endeavor.” -“Learner-centered education means saying no to some things to say yes to humans and community.” -“When I first started this work, I got excited about my students’ projects. Today, I’m excited about the learning.” -“What works to communicate learner-centered education? Start by finding common ground. There is always common ground if you listen for it.” -“This is what it looks and feels like when a community comes together.” -“This is an oasis and something is brewing.”