Today's conversation is with Kris Swett, who wrote the following: “My passion is for the alternative. Making sure schools can better serve different students' needs, my life's work is to create alternative educational models. Conventional schooling is falling by the wayside and technology, and a global community becomes our new reality. We cannot teach the students of the future with the ways of the past." Though Kris has held a number of roles in education today’s episode is going to focus a great deal on his time as the principal at South Valley High School, which became, under his leadership, Big Picture Ukiah. It is a remarkable story, listeners, worthy of your time. Kris has a masters in education from Cal State Chico with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction and School Leadership. His bachelors is in political science with an emphasis in international relations and economics, also from Cal State Chico. Kris writes, “I am a Northern California native and the son of an elementary school teacher and union leader. I am described as restless and always full of new ideas. My path to becoming a principal was not a straight journey. I began my adult life as a Bartender and Manager of a Michelin rated restaurant in rural Northern California. I then became a high school teacher, teaching mostly social studies with a smattering of English, math, independent study, and physical education. I love being with students and challenging them to think. They showed their appreciation for me by selecting me as the 2007 Teacher of the Year.” Robert Landau, who first introduced me to Kris as together they launched what is called IMPACT, a project that exists at the cutting edge of what school could be and what could be school, wrote the following about Kris for this episode. “In August 2020, I, along with many others, believed that the worldwide pandemic might spark a global transformation in education. While this didn't fully materialize, I designed a framework for the future called IMPACT. While searching for thought partners, a trusted friend, Scott Paulin, recommended I meet Kris Swett. The rest, as they say, is history. Kris is a dynamic, passionate, and determined change agent. It has been wonderful to find someone so committed to leaving theory behind, rolling up his sleeves, and getting in the trenches to make schools better and more equitable for all students. It is an honor to pass my baton to Kris Swett.” Editing for these episodes is provided by the talented Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from the vast catalog of pianist, Michael Sloan. Please leave us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Listeners, Real World Learning is a Kansas City-based initiative, incubated at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, in partnership with the community, that works to prepare its region, students, and employers for the future. Through immersive experiences like projects and internships with leading employer partners, students get a head start on achieving their career goals at an early age. I learned about Real World Learning through its facilitator at the Kauffman Foundation, educator in residence, Bill Nicely. Eventually, after being knocked out by what Real World Learning is doing in the Kansas City area, I asked Bill to name someone to be a guest on this show. He named Sarah Renfrow, who teaches at Ray-Pec High School and works as a consultant for the Kauffman Foundation. Bill Nicely wrote the following about Sarah for today’s episode. "True 'Master Teachers' are an amazing gift. And even knowing this, to say that Sara Refrow is a Master Teacher is to make a significant understatement. Sarah is or course, a master teacher, one of the best I've observed. She is also a master teacher of teachers. The best I’ve observed. Her understanding of how to strategically integrate Client Connected Projects into core content high school courses is amazing, but it is her ability to help teachers do the same that is her true talent. When done well integrated Client Connected Projects are synonymous with Competency Based Learning and can very quickly become over complicated and burdensome for teachers. Sarah's real skill lies in simplifying the process to manageable pieces while conveying a low pressure, 'just try it' disposition. The result for teachers is they not only learn a new and better way to engage students, they also find themselves equally engaged themselves especially as they transition from teacher to facilitator of learning. All the while, Sarah, in a whispering kind of way, checks for understanding and moves to the next step in the process. Before you know it, teachers are implementing with fidelity and students are not only learning content, they are discovering new things about themselves and the world around them. It is this approach and her talent that has helped to catalyze the Kansas City’s Real World Learning Collaborative. Some day, when we step back and ask ourselves, 'how did this initiative take hold to benefit so many students,' one response will surely be; 'we had Sarah Renfrow.'" Editing for this show is provided by the talented Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from the master pianist, Michael Sloan.

Andrew Culberson lives and works in New Brunswick, which is one of the 10 (and three territories) provinces that make up Canada. Andrew is a learning specialist for the New Brunswick Department of Education, with a focus on school counseling, mental health and high school change. He has been working in leadership roles in schools and in education and early childhood development over the past 18 years. In many ways Andrew embodies and thrives on what we at What School Could Be care deeply about, which is the building of caring and connected communities. Andrew’s resume is long, and deep. A careful reading suggests he is a coalition builder, a counselor with strong listening and empathy skills, a motivational leader who understands that moving change forward starts with building lasting relationships with the educators, parents and greater communities that will actually carry out that change. Andrew has a BS in Science and Biology, a BA in Education and a Masters in Education Counseling from the University of New Brunswick. Robert Landau, a previous guest on this show and a What School Could Be consultant and coach working with Andrew wrote the following for this episode: “In his role as a Comprehensive and Developmental School Counselor within Education Support Services for the Province of New Brunswick schools, Andrew Culbertson embodies the essence of a champion, advocate, and facilitator for educational innovation and transformation. The foundation of his impactful work is aptly encapsulated in the word ʻsupport.ʻ Andrew's fervent belief is that every student is entitled to an educational experience that nurtures their potential and fosters a sense of inclusion and success. Having had the privilege to collaborate with him on an innovative alternative education project that introduced micro-courses to high school students, I witnessed firsthand the profound respect and admiration he commands. Andrew's unique combination of strengths—ideation, maximizing, strategic planning, and connectedness—makes him a dynamic force of nature in educational support and development.” Kimberly Bauer, the former Director of Learning and Achievement for the New Brunswick Education and Early Childhood Development, English speaking sector has called Andrew a highly committed visionary, a relationship builder, a networker, a results oriented and future focused leader. Those are some pretty awesome accolades. Editing provided by the talented, Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from the vast catalog of master pianist, Michael Sloan.