Homeschooling, charter schools, boarding schools, traditional schools, private schools, and more are all familiar modes of schooling. But the fastest growing segment of K–12 education is also one of the newest and least familiar: microschools. What's behind the microschooling movement? What might it enable? What should we watch out for as it emerges? Don Soifer, the CEO of the National Microschooling Center, joined me to share more. Don has been advocating for microschools well before the pandemic, and prior to his role in that movement served on the DC Public Charter School Board from 2008 to 2018. As always, you can listen to the conversation above (or in your favorite podcast player), watch it on YouTube below, or read the transcript.
Michael, I did enjoy listening to Don Soifer conversation with you. I agree, small learning environments is where it is at. In our Substack essays postings Hank Pennypacker posted a piece- The Struggles of Education -Never Let a Good Crisis go to Waste addressing the issues of small learning environments but also the need to apply true learning measures that are longitudinal that show growth and fluency. My next posting this coming week is about Brain Based teaching and generative learning. I recently visited in Seattle the Morningside Academy founded by Kent Johnson more than 20 years ago. They are so confident and successful that they offer a guarantee. They use a generative approach to teaching and learning in a small and individualized environment using precision teaching practices to measure performance and learning over time as well as direct instruction in small groups of learners. It is a small learning environment that also uses peer teaching that facilitates cooperative and prosocial behavior. It was such a jewel to admire! Take a look at Morningside Academy in Seattle. As always, thank you for your great leadership and guidance. We believe that education is our future to reverse the evolutionary decline of our Culture. Our Substack is Prosocial Behavior - Weaving the Culture. Thanks! Francisco Perez.
Amazing. Thanks for letting me know. Love that they are so confident and successful that they offer a guarantee. Maybe I could interview them at some point so I and others could learn more. Thanks.
Michael, I did enjoy listening to Don Soifer conversation with you. I agree, small learning environments is where it is at. In our Substack essays postings Hank Pennypacker posted a piece- The Struggles of Education -Never Let a Good Crisis go to Waste addressing the issues of small learning environments but also the need to apply true learning measures that are longitudinal that show growth and fluency. My next posting this coming week is about Brain Based teaching and generative learning. I recently visited in Seattle the Morningside Academy founded by Kent Johnson more than 20 years ago. They are so confident and successful that they offer a guarantee. They use a generative approach to teaching and learning in a small and individualized environment using precision teaching practices to measure performance and learning over time as well as direct instruction in small groups of learners. It is a small learning environment that also uses peer teaching that facilitates cooperative and prosocial behavior. It was such a jewel to admire! Take a look at Morningside Academy in Seattle. As always, thank you for your great leadership and guidance. We believe that education is our future to reverse the evolutionary decline of our Culture. Our Substack is Prosocial Behavior - Weaving the Culture. Thanks! Francisco Perez.
Amazing. Thanks for letting me know. Love that they are so confident and successful that they offer a guarantee. Maybe I could interview them at some point so I and others could learn more. Thanks.
I know Kent and I will be in Seattle next week. If you wish I can introduce you to Kent. Thanks again for your work. Francisco.
Sounds good! If he's interested
If ok with you I can ask him. Let me know. Thanks! Francisco