49. From Alternative to Passion and Purpose with Sara Mounsey

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today, many schools still focus on deficit learning, measuring students by a perceived lack instead acknowledging their inherent strengths. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The problem is not the students. The problem is an outdated educational system. With a renewed focus on finding personal purpose, supportive relationships, and a broader perspective of the world, we change the world we live in by changing the way we approach teaching our students. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today’s guest, Sara Mounsey of Big Picture Learning, talks about her school’s transition from content-driven to student-driven, how a human-centered approach to education creates lifelong learners, and how Leaving-to-Learn programs empower students in the “real world.” </span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">About Sara Mounsey:</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As one of two Big Picture Learning high school leaders in the Methow Valley School District, Sara Mounsey helped transform a content-driven learning model into a student-driven one, where students are actively engaged in internships and passion projects. </span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jump in the Conversation:</span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">[1:48] Defining Big Picture Learning </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">[6:05] Practicing accountability</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">[9:12] “Leaving to Learn” activities</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">[14:14] Two internship transformation stories</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">[21:41] Evolution towards engaged, high school learning</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">[29:16] Sara’s Magic Wand: D