Transform Educational Consulting Limited

I was so touched by everyone who came out to launch 🚀 my new book with me! Hey educator friends- Are you a teacher hoping to move from the front of the classroom to a student empowering guide on the side? My new book might help provide some guidance 🙂 www.transform school.com/whereistheteacher

The book is finally here! I'm a published author!

*Me doing silly happy dance in pajamas*

In the age of AI, what's the role of the teacher??

A HUGE thank you to the courageous educators who are re-imagining their classrooms from teacher-led to STUDENT-CENTERED environments through 12 shifts.

You are my heroes.

Just in time for the 2024-2025 school year.

Get your hands on a copy:

Amazon 👉🏼: tinyurl.com/12shiftspreorder
Routledge 👉🏼: https://www.routledge.com/Where-Is-the-Teacher-The-12-Shifts-for-Student-Centered-Environments/Wagner/p/book/9781032484716

Linda Dattle Amici Betsy Orenos Sheila Edith Rob Riordan Luna Rey Kate Hummel Denise Brimmer-Rosenblum Mr. K's Classroom Lawrence Gopez Ortiguerra Marilen Avila Tran Marc Shulman Sara Lev Mike Strong Zoe Randall Isla Kerr Danny Bauer Law Rence Brett Carrier Evelyn McCulloch Houming Jiang Ben Wagner

I am sooooo excited, and I just can’t hide it!!

Three years ago I embarked on an adventure to capture the stories of educators who were re-inventing what learning could look like when we put STUDENTS at the center.

I started a podcast to host regular guests, put together a framework to share key shifts in practice, and begin blogging fervously.

Fast forward three years to today.

That three year collection of stories has turned into a book for other courageous educators hoping to empower their learners as well.

And my book launches 🚀 in August!! Whoopee!!!

If you are a forward thinking educator or know one who might benefit, I would love to see you at one of the launch parties. You can RSVP by scanning the QR code.

Finally, a HUGE thank you to everyone who provided love, support and encouragement throughout the entire journey. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Transform Educational Consulting Limited Betsy Orenos Sheila Edith Linda Dattle Amici Sara Lev Zoe Randall Danny Bauer Rob Riordan Jennifer Villalpando Denise Brimmer-Rosenblum Marc Shulman

I want to take a moment to celebrate US. A year and a half ago Lawrence quit his full time job to join me in the uncertain freelance/entrepreneurship space. While we certainly have a long way to go, Tuesday brought a tear to my eye to see how far we have come.

Lawrence led a Forest 🌳 Bathing Workshop on one side of Hong Kong and I was busy leading a project- based workshop on the other side of town. I am proud of US for following our hearts. Just thought I would share in case it helps inspires others. ❤️

Every podcast episode I record ends with the same line:

"Remember, every journey to transformative learning experiences starts with a single 👣 step, what will your first step be?"

Three nights ago, the aspiring student-centered practitioners above from KTEC High School took their first steps.

They designed a 3 day active learning experience. Their hands show the pieces coming together.

Instead of sitting through final exams next week, their students will participate in project-based experiences that have them:
Demonstrating physical, social and emotional health concepts learned in 1st semester by creating drug awareness campaigns and infographics for their local community (Health Class)

Demonstrating understanding of sound waves, frequency, data collection, model making and 1st semester physical science concepts by building their own radios (Science Class)

Demonstrating understanding of the social, economic, geographic, cultural and political components that allowed for civilisation and nation building by designing a blueprint for their own (History Class)

They will be assessed on the SAME standards as final exams would within their subject.

Except this time, their students will be ACTIVE agentic learners; not passive recipients.

What gave these teachers the confidence to take these first 👣 steps?

I attribute their newfound confidence to three things:

1. Making the planning process dead easy
2. Designing around content/skills they already taught
3. Having a cohort to support them

#1: We made the process of planning dead easy by using a simple 5-step planning process, a short time frame, and the support of Chat GPT. I teach you that process for free - -> https://transformschool.com/2023/12/13/chatgptcopilot/

#2: Although it's nice to have students learn mandated content/skills through the project, designing around content/skills we already taught is far more manageable for first timers. First time PBLers can shift their focus on facilitating and supporting project teams, rather than teaching content from the front of the classroom.

#3: It's infinitely harder to try new things alone. Having colleagues to offer feedback, fresh ideas, and collegial support builds our confidence to create more active experiences.

Have you taken your first 👣 steps into project-based learning? If not, I bet it's because one of things listed above is missing.

My mission as a PBL coach is to provide you with these things. With these three circumstances in place, you will have the confidence to transform your classroom from a didactic, teacher-led space, to an active, student-led place of wonder.

I have developed three pathways in the upcoming months to help you take your first 👣 steps...

Pathway #1: The Self-Paced Design Certificate Course. (40% off) (Ongoing) In three short modules, you will design a student-centered, active experience around your curriculum. Earn 12 professional development hours and a certificate. Learn more here - - -> https://projectbasedlearning.teachable.com/p/projectbasedlearning1?coupon_code=30%25-OFF&product_id=2039146

Pathway #2: The Cohort Based Design Certificate Course (Feb-March): Through four short, interactive 70 minute workshops spread over four weeks, you will design a project-based experience with the support of a cohort. Earn 16 professional development hours and a certificate. Learn more here - - -> https://transformschool.com/pbl1-5

Pathway #3: Go at it alone. Assemble the pieces from my free podcast, blog, project samples (www.transformschool.com), and other resources from the internet and design on your own. (Not recommended)

Which pathway will you choose? I really hope it's #1 or #2. Finally, if you need a nudge in the right direction, here's a testimonial from Stacey Duchrow, the blonde haired coordinator pictured above:

"This is by far the most simple and easy to understand project-based training I have ever taken. It's also one of the best PDs I've taken in my life."

Here's to taking your👣 first steps.

2023: Expanded my business, wrote a book, traveled to 5 new countries, trained 500+ teachers, won two tennis tournaments, was best man at my brothers wedding

2024: I will publish my 2nd book + get bestseller status, speak on Keynote stages, win a singles tennis title, buy property, hire new consulting team members, become conversational in Chinese, have more free time, earn more money yet work less, take more trips with Lawrence and family, and invest.

Happy New Year 🥳!

p.s. The picture is the sunset in Alisha’s compliments of Law Rence.

As 2023 comes to a close I want to share an accomplishment I am pretty proud of achieving.

This year I spent over 150+ hours writing ✍️ my second book- “The 12 Shifts for Student-Centered Environments.

It features...

📝50+ case studies of teachers transforming classrooms with impactful learning experiences.
🏫40+ schools providing the space, schedule and environments for these experiences to flourish.
⚙️12 key shifts for teachers to make to give more ownership and empowerment ti their students.
💡100 + simple ideas for teachers to implement in their classrooms tomorrow to put students at the center.

Writing is damn HARD. Sometimes I would rather have cleaned the fridge than tried to get my ideas out on paper. But as is the case with anything worthwhile in life, sometimes you need to just do it, no matter how painful it might feel at the time. It also helps to think of the educators the book will impact when I get too absorbed in how I am feeling.

I am by NO means at the finish line. The manuscript needs to be edited, formatted, marketed, and pitched in collaboration with the publisher. But I have achieved my first big milestone- writing the manuscript and sending to my publisher. That feels damn good.

Happy holidays everyone!

Transform Educational Consulting Limited Betsy Orenos Sheila Edith Sara Lev Kristin Nicole Damberger

Off to Taiwan for 5 days to work support 2 forward thinking schools design student centered experiences and environments!

Transform Educational Consulting Limited

It’s not often we take the time to celebrate who I believe are some of the greatest heroes of our society.

As I’ve been out of the classroom now for around 5 years, sometimes I forget about the dedication, altruism and selflessness of these heroes.

I’m of course referring to our teachers.

These 6 heroes pictured below are in the process of making their classroom fully student centered.

🙌🏼 Providing opportunities for their students to pursue their own questions, interests, projects and wonderings.

🙌🏼 Allowing them to form groups with peers that share their curiosity.

🙌🏼 Build authentic products to demonstrate their learning.

I watched one of these teachers sit on the floor beside her learners and let an extroverted boy lead the class in discussion.

Another, take a seat at her desk and give full control to student groups to propose changes in class rules to better incorporate technology and AI.

Despite the mountain of challenges that come with reaching learners of multiple backgrounds, abilities, languages, and needs, these 6 courageous educators are ALWAYS looking for ways to grow.

Despite what the media may portray, these selfless STUDENt- centered heroes are everywhere.

They are 💯 dedicated to their craft and have a heart for elevating the voices of our young people.

What do they need from us edu-leaders?

The freedom to try new ideas and take bold risks; the support from us when things don’t go as planned; and the removal of the barriers (tests, rigid schedules, limited planning time, etc) that stand in the way.

To all my selfless learner centred educators- this post is for you.

To all my non educator friends- how might you honor one of these unsung heroes today??

Transform Educational Consulting Limited Betsy Orenos Sheila Edith Amanda Jeanne Ford Christine Ishii Chris Bush Anthony Conwright Stacey Lopaz Cara Hetrick Kate Hummel Cady Staff Marc Shulman

Kick off workshop to transform 30 classroom teachers into trans-disciplinary project facilitators.

This school year they will mentor Secondary
Girls Teams in designing their own projects to benefit local non-profits, and give back to the Hong Kong community. From advancing mothers’ health to helping new refugees access much needed resources.

I’m pondering…

What if the #1 purpose of school was to develop thoughtful global citizens?

Transform Educational Consulting Limited

I trust you have a few weeks left in your Summer Vacation, but if you are anything like I used to be, I imagine you have already begin thinking about that first week of school.

They say there is "no second chance to make a first impression," and first weeks of school are so important in setting the tone for the entire year. They are an opportunity to establish relationships, build routines, ground learning, and lay the foundation for our learner-centered environment.

I wonder how you might go about establishing that foundation?

You could take route #1 pictured above and do this from the front of the classroom; or you could take route #2, and lay the foundation from the side, through a hands-on project.

Here are five ideas:

1. Design Challenge BootCamp: Lead students through a number of mini- challenges (spaghetti tower build, bridge build, egg drop challenge, etc.). Use the challenges to co-develop a rubric for collaboration.

2. Class Contract/Constitution: Work with the class to devise a classroom constitution. Divide them into two houses/teams, and have them go through the same process democracies go through in transforming a bill into a law. Teams can ratify, amend and send bills back to each house, and you as president can have final say. Once laws are in final form, have an artistic student develop the final version.

Hear about 3 more project ideas to lay the foundations for a Learner-Centered Environment in the 2023-2024 school year!

5 Project Ideas to Start the 2023-2024 School Year: And Build a Learner-Centered Environment - Transform Educational Consulting Limited I trust you have a few weeks left in your Summer Vacation, but if you are anything like I used to be, I imagine you have already begin thinking about that first week of school. They say there is "no second chance to make a first impression," and first weeks of…

That’s my band performing in the Finals of the ‘Battle of the Bands’ contest in Hong Kong.

I’m that crazy guy in the Hawaiian shirt playing tambourine in front of the keyboard in the middle. We played our hearts ❤️ out during our 30 minute set.

After the other three bands finished their performances we felt pretty good about our chances. They sounded great, but with our unique style we expected 1st or 2nd place for sure.

At promptly 10:30 p.m., the results came.

The 6 foot 1 organizer leaned over the front stage mic and said, “And the winner is..”

She paused for effect. ‘”Whit’s End.” After the sound of audience applause and my heart sinking to the floor, she announced the other runner ups. I anticipated hearing our name next, or at least 3rd. Nope. We weren’t called until last.

Out of four bands in the finals, we finished dead last.

I immediately wanted to know why?

Was our mix off? Was our compilation of originals too random? Were we not engaging enough? Were transitions between songs too long? Was it our instrumentation? Stage Presence?

All these question would remain unanswered. Because the organizer stepped off stage the minute she finished the announcement. The house music came on and that was it.

Isn’t this the same way we often assess performance in school?

Award students a final grade, and then ask students to move on.

Highly effective project-based assessment rarely, if EVER awards a grade. Instead, it offers specific feedback and insights according to co-constructed criteria; allowing learners to know exactly where they went right, and where they went wrong.

And while there may be surprises in the quality of work students produce, there shouldn’t be surprises around how the work will be evaluated.

Check out my blog for 5 mistakes to avoid when assessing project-based work:

What I Learned about Effective Project Assessment from Losing Battle of the Bands 🎶 - Transform Educational Consulting Limited That's my band performing in the Finals of the 'Battle of the Bands' contest in Hong Kong. I'm that crazy guy in the Hawaiian shirt playing tambourine in front of the keyboard in the middle. We played our hearts ❤️ out during our 30 minute set. After the other three bands…