Dear Friends,

As we shared in an earlier issue, we are excited to be launching a national community of practice—Pioneer Lab—made up of pioneer practitioners digging deeply into what it takes and means to bring learner-centered education to life. Back in May, we hosted the first of many trainings that we are offering to those interested in joining the Lab. The trainings are designed to equip pioneers with common lenses and “shared language” so that they can enter the Lab able to talk, learn, and collaborate across their many different models.

Two weeks ago, we hosted the second of these trainings with 62 pioneers in Washington, DC. This group of pioneers came from all across the country, representing a whole array of learning environments and organizations: 2Revolutions; Alamo Heights ISD (TX); Charleston County School District (SC); Collective Shift—LRNG; Colorado Education Association; Denver Public Schools (CO); Design39Campus (CA); Education Evolving; Furr High School (TX); Griptape; Institute for Personalized Learning; Institute for Habits of Mind; Iowa BIG; Lindsay USD (CA); MC2 Charter School (NH); Mesa County Valley School District 51 (CO); Mt. Vernon Presbyterian School (GA); Remake Learning (PA); RI-CAN; RSU 2 (ME); Springhouse Community School (VA); Summit Public Schools (CA & WA); Teton Science Schools (WA); and Transcend.

As we experienced in Denver and have seen with all of the pioneers we encounter, this group came together with an incredible, shared commitment to making
learner-centered education available to ALL kids. We left the convening energized and eager to continue our work together!

We hope you enjoy this issue of Pioneering, which has great perspectives, tools, and profiles from a diversity of learner-centered pioneers, including a founding member of Design39Campus in San Diego, ReSchool Colorado, Education Evolving, Boston Day and Evening Academy, and more.

Warm wishes,

Kelly

P.S. If you are interested in learning more about Pioneer Lab and what it means to be a part of this growing national community of practice, we’d love to hear from you. Our next training will be offered in January 2017 in Atlanta, GA.