EduLead 2025

This two-session workshop invites educators to reimagine their classroom practices through the powerful combination of design thinking and project-based learning. Moving beyond traditional instruction, participants will explore how intentionally designed learning experiences can transform student engagement and foster authentic belonging in school communities. The workshop bridges theory and practice, providing teachers with both conceptual frameworks and dedicated time to develop implementable units for their specific contexts. 
Session 1: Redesigning Learning: Foundations of Student-Centered Design 
In our first session, participants will explore the research-backed connections between student choice, engagement, and belonging. Through interactive activities and case studies, we'll examine how design thinking principles can be applied to curriculum development, creating learning experiences that honor diverse perspectives and learning styles. Teachers will analyze successful models that balance academic rigor with student autonomy, identifying specific strategies for implementation in their own classrooms. 

This two-session workshop invites educators to reimagine their classroom practices through the powerful combination of design thinking and project-based learning. Moving beyond traditional instruction, participants will explore how intentionally designed learning experiences can transform student engagement and foster authentic belonging in school communities. The workshop bridges theory and practice, providing teachers with both conceptual frameworks and dedicated time to develop implementable units for their specific  
Session 2: Redesigning Learning: From Concept to Classroom
Building on our foundational understanding, the second session provides structured planning time for teachers to design or redesign a  unit using project-based methodology. Participants will work collaboratively to address common challenges—from assessment design to scheduling constraints—while leveraging the collective wisdom of colleagues from diverse disciplines. Teachers will leave with a framework for a unit that incorporates authentic student choice, community connections, and real-world problem-solving.

In today's complex educational landscape, effective advocacy skills are essential for student well-being. This workshop brings parents and students together to explore how they can collaboratively navigate educational systems while building students' self-advocacy muscles. Through case studies, discussion and strategic planning exercises, participants will learn to identify when parent advocacy is appropriate and when stepping back allows students to develop crucial future-ready skills. Families will examine  communication frameworks for addressing concerns with educators, strategies for gradually transferring advocacy responsibilities to students, and techniques for productive dialogue when perspectives differ. The session emphasizes how thoughtful advocacy partnerships ultimately strengthen students' sense of belonging and agency.