Getting Unstuck #123: "Opening Up" Education

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Today on Getting Unstuck

Continuing our serious on reimagining U.S. K-12 education, in this episode, we welcome Ben Owens. Ben worked as an engineer for 20 years before becoming a science and math teacher in rural Appalachia. He co-authored Open Up, Education! in 2018 and founded the non-profit, “Open Way Learning” a year later.  The mission of “Open Way Learning” is to help schools develop, sustain, and scale cultures of innovation that better prepare students for the realities of the 4th Industrial Revolution – the digital revolution – especially students historically furthest from opportunity.

The “Open Way Learning” model

The “Open Way Learning” model

The Essential Points

We need to put the student’s needs before content. Content should be covered in terms of student interest and needs.

We need to equip students with the 21st century skills they will need once they leave the classroom.

Engage students by having them – regardless of their grade – solve problems that are important to the local community.

Authentic teaching and learning occurs when there is strong alignment between what the school or district says it’s about — it’s why, it mission – and what it’s actually doing.

Collaboration is a skill that usually has to be taught.

We truly innovate and improve by freely opening up and sharing our ideas and knowledge with one another.

Just because I have positional authority doesn't mean I have all the answers. involving others in the co-development of an idea reduces the need for buy-in later. It’s the cornerstone for shared leadership.

Connect with Ben

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“This book is timely.“

It is needed as educational leaders work through new distance learning approaches for all students. Educators must balance educating students, while keeping staff and students healthy. There is fear on the part of many teachers to remain healthy as they go back to school. Their why is to inspire and ensure that students thrive emotionally, socially and academically.

— Patrick Sweeney, Leadership Coach / Retired Superintendent

Jeff Ikler