Learning Unboxed

302. Centering Student Agency Through Experiential Learning with Amy Besida

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Amy Besida, Chief Program Officer at Embarc, a Chicago-based organization helping schools bring learning beyond the classroom through real-world experiences, reflection, and community connection. Amy shares how Embarc grew from two teachers taking students outside their neighborhood into a full school-day model rooted in belonging, agency, and purpose. We talk about what it means to design experiences that help students understand who they are, what they value, and how they want to show up in the world. From corporate partner experiences to student reflection practices, Amy offers a thoughtful look at how schools can move beyond achievement culture and create learning that supports whole-human development. Join us to explore how experiential learning can help students feel seen, connected, and ready for what’s next. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org [http://pastfoundation.org] We unbox: * How Embarc began as a teacher-led effort at Harper High School in Chicago * Why experiential learning helps students build agency, identity, and belonging * How reflection turns real-world experiences into deeper learning * What schools can measure beyond traditional achievement data * How community and business partners can co-create meaningful student experiences * Practical ways educators can start with student interests, assets, and needs Resources: * Embarc Chicago [https://embarcchicago.org/] * Embarc’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/embarc-inc-/posts/?feedView=all] * Embarc’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/embarcchicago/?hl=en] * Embarc Impact Report [https://embarcchicago.org/post/read-embarcs-impact-report] * This American Life: Harper High School, Part One [https://www.thisamericanlife.org/487/harper-high-school-part-one] * UChicago Consortium on School Research: Student Attendance [https://consortium.uchicago.edu/resources/student-attendance] * Education Reimagined Learner-Centered Ecosystem Lab [https://education-reimagined.org/] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com/]

301. Build Student Voice Through Creativity with Betsy Potash

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Betsy Potash, former English teacher, curriculum creator, and host of the Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. We explore how teachers can move away from teacher-centered instruction and create classrooms where students have more voice, choice, and ownership over their learning. Betsy shares practical strategies that help make that shift feel possible, including project-based learning, podcasting, silent discussion, and hexagonal thinking. We also talk about why creative structures matter, how they build confidence and engagement, and what it looks like to design learning that feels relevant beyond school. Join us to explore fresh ways to spark agency, discussion, and deeper thinking in the classroom. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org [http://pastfoundation.org] We unbox: * How teachers can step out of the spotlight and create more student-centered learning * Why agency, real-world context, and authentic audience increase engagement * How hexagonal thinking helps students make connections across texts, ideas, and lived experience * Why silent discussion creates space for every learner to participate and build confidence * How contemporary, multimodal approaches can make ELA more relevant and creative  Resources: * The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast [https://pod.link/1241054855] * Toolkit for getting started with hexagonal thinking [https://sparkcreativity.kartra.com/page/hexagonalthinking] * The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nowsparkcreativity/] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com/]

300. Design Learning That Sparks Confidence with Ashley Price

In this milestone 300th episode of Learning Unboxed, we celebrate with Ashley Price, Director of Student Experiences and All Things Summer and Out-of-School Programming at the PAST Foundation. Together, we explore how immersive, student-centered learning helps young people build confidence, discover new interests, and connect classroom skills to real-world challenges in meaningful ways. We also dig into what makes these experiences work: student voice and choice, transdisciplinary design, authentic audiences, and the freedom to fail forward. Ashley shares how small shifts in practice can help educators create learning spaces that feel more engaging, relevant, and joyful for students. Join us to explore how we can make school feel a little more like summer camp and a lot more like real learning. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org [http://pastfoundation.org] We unbox: * How student voice and choice shape deeper engagement and confidence * Why real-world, transdisciplinary challenges make learning more meaningful * How authentic audiences help students grow as communicators and creators * Why failure, revision, and redesign are essential parts of learning * What educators can do to bring informal learning practices into formal classrooms Resources: * Student Experiences at PAST Foundation [https://www.pastfoundation.org/student-experiences] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com/]

299. Reimagining Reading Through Visual Design with Hillary Summerbell

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Hillary Summerbell, founder and CEO of Summerbell, a literacy technology company transforming how visual dyslexic learners experience reading. Drawing from her own struggles, Hillary shares how rethinking text layout through her positional reading arc can reduce overwhelm, improve comprehension, and build confidence. We explore how a simple shift in formatting can unlock access for millions of learners and why dyslexia is often misunderstood as a comprehension issue rather than a visual one. Hillary also walks us through the development of her technology and its potential as both a classroom tool and diagnostic support.  Join us as we rethink what reading can look like and how design can make learning more equitable for all. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org [http://pastfoundation.org] We unbox: * How visual dyslexia impacts reading and learning * The science and design behind positional reading arcs * Using technology to reduce visual clutter and increase comprehension * The importance of equitable literacy tools in classrooms * Reimagining education through creativity and learner-centered design Resources: * Summerbell Literacy Tools: [https://www.summerbell.com/] (Explore the reading and writing tools designed for visual dyslexic learners) * Summerbell Chrome Extension [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/summerbell/bpokmjdjklfmgjpjpnegpigiocbchaen?pli=1] * Summerbell Research Page [https://www.summerbell.com/study] * Johns Hopkins School of Education  [https://education.jhu.edu/] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com/]

298. Reimagining Public Education Through Microschools with ECPPS Microschool

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Keith Parker, Colina Bartlett, Tiffany Dudley, and Kelly Cowell from the ECPPS Microschool in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Together, they share the story behind launching an innovative public microschool designed to reimagine what learning can look like for today’s students. With small cohorts, flexible learning environments, and a strong emphasis on relationships and real-world experiences, the team is building a student-centered model rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and community. We explore how the district moved from listening to community needs to rapidly designing and launching a new learning environment in less than a year. The conversation highlights the role of educators as guides, the power of project-based learning, and the importance of removing bureaucratic barriers to innovation. At its heart, this microschool is about creating meaningful choices for families and ensuring public education continues to evolve for the future. Join us to explore what’s possible when a community decides to do school differently. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org [http://pastfoundation.org] We unbox: * Why districts are turning to microschools to reimagine public education and create new options for families * How student-centered learning, project-based experiences, and the “guide” model shift the role of teachers and empower learners * What it takes for a school district to remove bureaucratic barriers and experiment with new models that better prepare students for a changing world Resources: * ECPPS Microschool [https://www.ecpps.k12.nc.us/]– Learn more about the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools microschool initiative * Ascent Microschool [https://www.ascentacton.org/] – The innovative school model in Austin, Texas that inspired the ECPPS team’s design work * North Carolina School Boards Association [https://www.ncsba.org] – Learn more about the organization that hosts the annual conference where ECPPS students presented their work * Rock by Rock [https://rockbyrock.com/]– Explore the project-based science learning program used by the microschool Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com/]