Learner-Centered Innovation

06/28/2025

06/09/2025

Feeling incredibly grateful to work alongside the most amazing team and partners! After spending 4 inspiring days together—reconnecting, laughing, and planning—we are re-energized and ready to support the creation of learner-centered ecosystems across the country. Learner-Centered Collaborative

Together, we’re committed to helping all learners:

✨ Know who they are

🤝 Thrive in community

🌍 Actively engage in the world as their best selves

The future is learner-centered 🚀

05/22/2025

Closing out the year with the incredible leaders of the North County Superintendent Consortium has been a true joy. Over the past year, we’ve gathered in schools, built community, visited classrooms, and engaged in deep dialogue about teaching, learning, and how we collectively measure what matters.

It’s been especially powerful for to collaborate with Michael Fullan—whose work has deeply shaped my own journey—and his inspiring team.

Grateful to the San Diego County Office of Education and all the courageous, humble, and visionary leaders who are paving the way for what’s possible in public education.

Here’s to the work ahead!

05/17/2025

🎙️ Just dropped: one of my favorite episodes yet!

In this convo with two thoughtful, reflective, and honest high school seniors—Lexi and Reese from Avonworth HS— I explore what’s possible when learners lead the way.

From researching AI and human flourishing to reimagining high school with purpose, they share powerful insights on:

✨ Learner agency & personalized learning
🤖 AI, ethics & real-world relevance
🧠 Human connection in a tech-driven world
💬 Advice every educator should hear

🎧 Listen in and be inspired by what school can be when it centers learners: https://hubs.ly/Q03mWm-x0



Learner-Centered Collaborative Avonworth School District

04/13/2025

ASU+GSV was jam packed this year. My favorite by far was the school visits and I loved seeing people’s view of what’s possible expand as they explore the Encinitas Union Farm Lab. Many thanks to Andrée Grey and the EUSD team for an inspiring visit!

We also had great convening about regional innovation, a Collective Shift session exploring human-centered AI tools, and of course, grateful for opportunities to connect with amazing friends and leaders.

Learner-Centered Collaborative

04/02/2025

Excited to join & at

03/24/2025

This week was filled with powerful conversations, inspiring school visits, and celebrations of learning—all reinforcing the power of collaboration and learner-centered education.

🔹 I had the privilege of facilitating the North County Superintendents Consortium at Cal State San Marcos (my alma mater) with Michael Fullan & team, where we engaged in deep conversations about educational change, staying motivated in challenging contexts, and leveraging our networks to drive impact. A powerful panel discussion reinforced the importance of the Portrait of a Learner competencies and the essential skills needed for success in higher education. As we walked the campus, we explored ways to strengthen connections between K-12, families, students, and industry to create better bridges for the future.

🔹 Visiting incredible schools with the Bellflower Unified Team this week was another highlight, each offering unique and inspiring models of learning:
✅ Design 39 – I loved hearing directly from students and teachers about their joy of learning and collaboration.
✅ VIDA – A great reminder that learning is about the people, not the building—this school’s model resonated deeply.
✅ Mission Vista – Our student tour guides were amazing, leading us through classrooms filled with learner agency and a growth mindset, particularly around grading practices.
✅ Casita – A model of excellence, reinforcing its philosophy across every classroom we visited.
✅ High Tech High – A powerful example of learner agency, trust, and project-based learning, where students lead classrooms, teachers lead schools, and directors lead systems.

Across campuses, I saw passionate educators, innovative design labs, and inspiring learning environments that sparked so many ideas for the future of education.

🔹 We ended the week with a celebration of learning in Escondido Union School District, where a cross-district cohort of educators reflected on their year of growth. Through goal-driven courses and collaboration, they deepened their expertise—and had fun doing it!

01/25/2025

The team had an incredible visit to . They taught us about their yearlong projects and how they connect to their ancestors, the land, and their passions to lead today. It was such an amazing day being immersed in their community and the power of place based education rooted in the past, present and future.

12/19/2024

In our final podcast episode of the year, Katie Martin reflects on her "10 Reflections on Change in Education" from 2019. Revisiting these themes, Katie shares what remains relevant and what has evolved.

Katie emphasizes the need for systemic shifts rather than incremental additions to outdated models and highlights the widening achievement gaps exacerbated by the pandemic. She champions the importance of people over programs, the value of learner feedback, and the necessity of celebrating successes and shared goals.

To get her full reflections, tune in to The Learner-Centered Collaborative Podcast!

https://hubs.ly/Q0309GTd0

08/12/2024

I am so excited to launch this new Learner-Centered framework! Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

"Well, they can do that because _________, and we could never do that here because __________."

How do you typically fill in the blanks when you hear about an innovative district or school that centers learners by design?

At Learner-Centered Collaborative, we are committed to showing you a clear path from "we could never" to "we're well on our way" by supporting the creation of an integrated education ecosystem.

Within this ecosystem are five key pillars:

🤝 Culture—The beliefs and interactions that energize individuals and teams to contribute to a thriving community.

🧪 Enabling Conditions—The conditions necessary to support the development of whole-learner outcomes.

🏫 School Design—The structures needed to support learner-centered practices.

🦉 Learning Model—Clearly defined expectations of teaching and learning to support professional learning, evaluation, curriculum, and resource allocation.

🎯 Whole-Learner Outcomes—The knowledge, skills, and mindsets critical for learners to thrive in life, work, and citizenship.

We believe in starting from your strengths and interests to find your ideal entry point into this work. While the process is not linear and can be messy, our learners are worth it. The future of education is ours to create!

🔗 Learn more about our ecosystem approach: https://hubs.ly/Q02KX7Fg0