Uplifting & amplifying
Education Redesign
by valuing every voice.
Hi, I'm Josie.
I love and appreciate our young people--their new perspectives, incredible talents, and varied gifts they bring. They have so much to offer!
That's why I am an advocate for learners.
💠
I help design and implement learner-centered cnvironments, systems, experiences, and instructional models for middle & high schools.
Collaborations
Looking to Build an Innovative Educational Model? I can help.
Here's how I've created & implemented new ways of learning.
Sora Schools
grades 7-12
Supported 2021-22
To provide Sora with systems and structures which could support their learner-centered mission and pedagogy, I worked with leaders and faculty to create communication systems and templates, learner-led, performance-based assessments, and orientation and training materials for faculty and learners. A large part of my work was identifying and helping to authentically express Sora's unique model.
The Learning Emporium
grades 2-6
Founded 2019
To connect youth with local mentors and professionals in order to pursue their interests, I designed, co-founded, and directed a passion-based learning center. One day a week, students and homeschoolers flexed out of their usual weekly routine to come to the Learning Emporium. They chose between STEM workshops, Forest School, or a Discovery Lab experience (in which they did a deep exploration of an interest with a coach).
LiFT Portfolio Platform
grades 4-12
Co-founded 2016
To enable more schools to create community-based and interest-driven learning opportunities for their learners, I co-designed and co-founded the project-based, personalized portfolio system LiFT. With LiFT schools can support and manage learner-centered & anytime-anywhere learning by gathering evidence and connecting and assessing it with their graduation requirements.
TN MyWays Framework
Counselors
Created 2018
To accelerate nextgen learning in schools, I helped NGLC and LiFT Learning convert the research, competencies, and principles behind the NGLC MyWays Student Success Framework into highly actionable resources, pilots, and planning tools. I also adapted the MyWays framework for the Tennessee Department of Education to help them train counselors across the state in the student success skills.
Futures Academy
grades 9-12
Co-founded 2003
For learners to begin pursuing their interests and develop relevant skills while still in high school, I co-designed and taught an interest-driven, community mentor-based program. Community experts come to provide professional seminars and learners go out for site visits, interviews, and internships. Learners develop work-based and transferable skills and demonstrate their progress through portfolios and exhibitions of learning.
The Pathways Program
grades 8-12
Co-founded 2009
To support multiple pathways to graduation, I co-designed, implemented, and coached at a self-directed, competency-based learning program. Learners pursue their interests, connect with community mentors, and gain relevant skills and experiences both in and out of the classroom. To support their flexible pathways to competency-based graduation, learners document and track anytime anywhere learning.
Need Learner-centered Culture & Instruction? Let's co-create.
I've created & led experiences to provide community and belonging.
Community Poetry Slams
ages 7-71
To give young people voice in their communities, I created and emceed monthly poetry slams. Generations connect through the spoken word to share their life experiences and find commonality. I hosted professional slam workshops, slam school lunch hours, and high school student-led elementary school workshops to foster youth voice.
Living Traditions Course
Grades 9-12
To give learners direct experience and opportunities to understand our global interconnectedness and become invested in the wellbeing of the Amazon rainforest, I co-created a competency-based, learner-designed in the field investigation class which traveled with Smithsonian anthropologists to visit with and learn from indigenous tribes up the Rio Negro in Brazil .
Rites of Passage Curriculum
grade 10
Working with Jungian Psychology professor Tom Werner, I redesigned the 10th grade Humanities curriculum to explore the development of identity and cultivate a sense of purpose. Through literature, intercultural study, writing, and reflection, learners could gain a sense of belonging in relation to their family and community.
Lens & Pens Project
grades 5-10
To help learners of multiple school districts connect and feel a sense of belonging in their communities, I co-designed a program which provided cameras to youth to document their favorite places. Learners wrote reflections as to how their images gave them a sense of belonging and created a shared photo & essay collection.
Sharing is Caring Award
Faculty
In order to acknowledge how much we give and receive from each other as colleagues, I created the Sharing is Caring award. Each full faculty meeting we take turns celebrating each other with rousing applause and standing ovations, as the Sharing is Caring plaque gets presented to and signed by the awardee.
Open Mics & Concerts
Ages 13 -
To provide rural youth with limited opportunities to gather together, experience music and the arts, I brought in bands for free rock, rap, and pop concerts. I also created monthly Open Mics so young musicians had an opportunity to "perform out", share their talents, and connect with local musicians.