Deeper Insights: Advocating Hope and Innovation in Learning
Citizen Schools staff Brian O’Neil, Adrienne Porter, and Andrew Marcus at the Deeper Learning Conference in San Diego.
Walking onto the vibrant campus of the High Tech Schools, the venue for the Deeper Learning 2024 Conference in San Diego, felt like crossing into a domain where the future of education is both envisioned and actively forged. There was a tangible buzz of anticipation in the air, a collective keenness among us—educators, leaders, and advocates for transformative change—to dive into and spur innovation across the educational spectrum. As the Director of Learning Design at Citizen Schools, my attendance, alongside my colleagues Adrienne Porter, Director of Educator Development, and Brian O’Neil, Director of AmeriCorps Fellowship, was more than just an opportunity to learn together, it embodied a compelling call to action. Surrounded by a community of educators and innovators all committed to making significant changes, it immediately felt like we were exactly where we were meant to be.
The conference kicked off under the bright San Diego sun, with attendees gathering outside to enjoy the fantastic weather and music from DJ and musician Kofi B. It was in this vibrant atmosphere that Dr. Dena Simmons took the stage, inspiring the audience with her urgent call for integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) with racial justice and healing efforts in education. Her powerful story and inspiring statement, "If teachers don't have hope, they shouldn’t be in the classroom," resonated deeply, serving as a compelling call to action for educators to cultivate hope and drive the change they wish to see within the educational system. This declaration served not merely as a remark but as a compelling charge to all educators present—to foster hope in the face of challenges and to embody the change and hope we aspire to see in the educational landscape.
Dr. Dena Simmons kicks off the Deeper Learning Conference.
In the first session of the conference, Adrienne and Brian had the chance to attend a workshop hosted by Community Share, an organization that’s all about bridging the gap between communities and schools to create real-world learning opportunities. They were particularly inspired by the people behind Community Share—Josh Schachter and Rebecca Oravec. Their dedication to fostering community engagement in education resonated deeply with our mission at Citizen Schools. Later, at a social event organized by PBL Works, I had the pleasure of meeting the Community Share team myself. The connection was instant; their approach to education—leveraging community assets and stories to enrich the learning experience—aligns perfectly with our belief in the transformative power of real-world learning.
In my initial session, "The Magic In We," led by Danish educator Trine Agerbak, I was immersed in a discussion about the foundational strength of diversity in a project-based learning (PBL) classroom. Trine shared her experiences from a classroom where students hailed from 19 different countries, each bringing unique languages, experiences, and cultural insights. This diversity wasn't seen as a challenge but as a rich resource that enhanced the learning environment for everyone. The session was a powerful reminder of the potential within PBL to not just educate but to foster understanding and respect among diverse groups of students.
“It’s clear that the journey toward more equitable, relevant, and engaging learning experiences is a collaborative one, requiring the dedication and creativity of educators willing to challenge the status quo.”
Adrienne Porter, Director of Educator Development at Citizen Schools, leads an activity around experience-based learning.
On day two, we were immersed in Deep Dives, an all-day opportunity to build a smaller community and deeply explore a particular topic. I was in a deep dive called Neuro-Educators, Curators, and Artists: Visionary Teachers Challenging Their Realities led by leaders from the COSMO Schools from Colombia. I was struck by their heartful approach to education, emphasizing holistic learning with a strong focus on social and emotional learning skills. Learning about COSMO's efforts to lead the first Latin America DL conference later this year was truly inspiring, showcasing the universal appeal and applicability of deep, meaningful educational practices.
Adrienne and Brian were profoundly inspired by their experience in the "Becoming: A Transformational Leadership Experience Like No Other" workshop, led by Alcine Mumby and Dr. Sabrina "Bri" Moore. This session aimed at transforming educational leadership towards equity, not only provided strategies and concrete frameworks to enact change, but also created a space for the candid confrontation of difficult truths. Under the expert guidance of the facilitators, Adrienne and Brian were deeply influenced, emerging equipped and motivated to advocate for transformative leadership and champion more inclusive learning communities.
At the heart of our drive for educational evolution, our "Re-Visioning Experience-Based Learning" workshop embodied Citizen Schools' ambition to innovate education. Moving past traditional project-based learning, we adopted experience-based learning (EBL), focusing on creativity, real-world challenges, community interaction, and strong mentorship. The workshop introduced a unique design tool to scrutinize and innovate educational programs, fostering a collaborative space where educators exchanged insights and tackled how EBL could revolutionize education. This convergence of passionate educators became a microcosm of the conference's spirit, with the feedback echoing a collective excitement for EBL's role in sculpting groundbreaking educational experiences.
Kofi B., with his mesmerizing closing keynote, shared his journey through music and education, highlighting the importance of nurturing creativity and resilience in our students. Both keynotes underscored a profound dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and social justice—themes that permeated the conference and fueled discussions around how we, as educators, can live a good, just life and facilitate the same for our students.
Adrienne and Andrew represent Citizen Schools with their workshop “Re-Visioning Experience-Based Learning”.
This conference, with its blend of inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, and meaningful connections, has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of education. It's clear that the journey toward more equitable, relevant, and engaging learning experiences is a collaborative one, requiring the dedication and creativity of educators willing to challenge the status quo. As we look towards the future, two questions linger in my mind: How can we further dismantle the barriers to inclusive, experience-based education in our schools? And in what ways can we, as a community of educators, continue to foster a culture of innovation, empathy, and social justice in our classrooms?
I invite you to share this post, talk about Deeper Learning, and join our Learning Network. Let's collectively envision and work towards an educational paradigm where every student's experience is valued, where learning is a journey of discovery, and where hope is not just an aspiration but a foundation for teaching and learning. In sharing our experiences and questions, we not only spread the word about the transformative potential of deeper, experience-based learning but also invite a broader community to join us in this exciting venture. Together, let's shape an educational future that is innovative, equitable, and deeply human.