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openwaylearning.bsky.social
Open Way Learning
@openwaylearning.bsky.social
20 followers 3 following 74 posts
We co-design innovative school cultures

Every learner can change their world. Innovative schools are making that happen today.
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openwaylearning.bsky.social
What if "alternative" schools are the future? Jeff Petty shows how Methow Valley transformed learning & NC's #TogetherWeLearn initiative is doing the same! When schools ask students what they care about, everything changes (via #EducationReimagined) bit.ly/3JRJwKu #Stuvoice #ReimagineLearning
From Margins to Models: How Alternative Schools Can Lead the Way to Student Engagement
Together We Learn is designed to leverage what we learn from kids who were “failing everything” in one setting and are now thriving in another. It’s about what happens when we ask students what they’r...
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November 21, 2025 at 6:51 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Konnoak Middle’s journey toward deeper, real-world learning was recently featured by @wsfcs!
Teachers designed new PBL units now coming to life across classrooms.
📖 Read the story: bit.ly/3JXw7Aq

#PBL #DeeperLearning #WSFCS #OpenWayLearning
Client Challenge
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November 13, 2025 at 5:05 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
One year post #HurricaneHelene, Western NC is redefining education! Check out how the #WNCResilienceProject is transforming schools into hubs of belonging & renewal in Wes Davis's article on community-driven recovery: bit.ly/4osJ7x6

@gettingsmart.bsky.social #LearnerCentered #wnc
One Year After Helene: WNC Schools Anchor Recovery in Resilience
Explore the Western North Carolina Resilience Project, aimed at rebuilding stronger schools after Hurricane Helene.
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November 6, 2025 at 4:39 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
At Resilience on the River, #WNC educators quite literally went with the flow, exploring how #placebased learning, collaboration across disciplines, and reflection on the French Broad River can strengthen resilience in schools.

#WNCResilienceProject #OpenWayLearning #OWL
November 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Last week in Marshall, NC, Wes Davis shadowed a teacher whose classroom is the community! From mobile murals to making bricks for art projects, students are creating meaningful work. This is the #WNCResilienceProject in action! #CommunityPartnerships #OWL #MadisonCounty
October 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
At North Buncombe Middle School, belonging starts with listening! Students are sharing their thoughts on what they love and want to change and are turning conversation into community! Join the WNC Resilience Network: bit.ly/3VUvXMK #WNCResilienceProject #StuVoice #Belonging #OWL
October 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Learn how mini-grants foster collaboration & creativity in classrooms in this clip from NC State College of Education featuring Syna Sharma, a Middle Grades Educator & OWL Board Member. Her passion for #experientiallearning is truly inspiring! bit.ly/46okzNG

#LearnerCentered #K12
Creating Engaging Classrooms Through Mini-grants: Syna Sharma
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September 22, 2025 at 4:54 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
How can we foster a collaborative classroom that boosts teacher retention and student success? Check out this article from @the74.bsky.social on schools piloting team teaching models! Learn more: bit.ly/4gqZpmE
#CultureofCollaboration #WhatSchoolCouldBe
Team Teaching Model Aims to Help Michigan Schools Retain Teachers
Districts hope the team approach will attract and retain talented teachers and make the profession more sustainable.
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September 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Opportunity Alert! Applications are OPEN for Transcend’s Rural Career-Connected Collaborative! Join a 15-month program focused on career-connected learning for #ruralschools. Running Jan 2026 - June 2027. Fully funded! Learn more & apply by 10/20: bit.ly/3V2lePT
Rural Career-Connected Collaborative - Transcend Education
Your Community. Your Vision. Your Career-Connected Learning Future. Launching January 2026, the Rural Career-Connected Collaborative is a 15-month, fully funded cohort program for rural communities re...
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September 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
How can we make math more engaging for students? By connecting it to real-life activities like cooking, engineering, or art! Check out this @hthgse.bsky.social article by Marco Aquinde for 4 ways to bring #PBL into math classrooms: bit.ly/47tzBUG
#MathInTheRealWorld #EngagedLearners
PBL in a Math Class: A Journey to the Starting Line
You can bring PBL principles into any math class immediately with four simple strategies—no large project required.
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September 4, 2025 at 3:39 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Teens are turning their love for music into #realworldskills at the All City Orchestra Summer Academy, exploring paths in performance, teaching, and more: bit.ly/4mBWycW

@Chalkbeat #MusicEducation #YouthEmpowerment #CreativeArts #WhatSchoolCouldBe #RethinkHighschool
Backstage or first chair: Music programs aim to give students flexible career options
To keep up with a growing emphasis on workforce development, music education programs are helping students explore the industry and improve their broader career skills. But federal funding cuts make t...
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August 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
How can we empower youth to lead change in their communities? This article from #EducationReimagined by Chidi Asoluka explores how programs like NewComm uplift marginalized youth as leaders of their futures. Here's how they’re creating impactful community projects: bit.ly/3HQfw0k
From “At-Risk Youth” to Architects of Change: A CEO’s Case for Trusting Young Leaders
Three years ago, NewComm started with a simple but radical premise: what if we created spaces where historically marginalized young people weren’t just heard, but were centered as the primary architec...
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August 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
🚨 Attention NC Educators! Free #professionallearning opportunities are here!
Apply for the NCSSM Launch Cohort or Lift Virtual Cohort by Aug 22!
👉 Launch Cohort: bit.ly/3V1GhBW
👉 Lift Cohort: bit.ly/3HuSSum

#STEMEducation #NCSSM #TeacherSupport #NCEducators
25/26 LAUNCH: New to STEM Teacher Cohort
Thank you for completing this application. You will be notified by August 31 if you are selected.
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August 14, 2025 at 5:12 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Thrilled to have facilitated a #strategicplanning workshop at North Cedar Elementary in Cedar Falls! Huge thanks to Dr. Nolan for sharing his insights. Excited to see the team embark on their 5-Year Strategic Plan! #EducationalLeadership #SystemsChange #OpenWayLearning
August 11, 2025 at 3:17 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
OWL is excited to support Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public School in #reimaginingeducation in NC! Huge thanks to everyone who participated in our design sprint for #experientiallearning. Looking forward to amazing experiences at the new ECPPS Micro School, Aviation Academy, and beyond!
August 6, 2025 at 2:09 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Last week, we had an inspiring day with the #WNCResilienceProject! Educators from Asheville City Schools, Haywood, Madison, Jackson, and Henderson County came together to #reimagine what's possible for #education in #WNC. Big thanks to all who made it a success! bit.ly/4lQnJQN
July 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Last week #OWL co-founder Ben Owens participated in the 2025 Hot Springs Teacher Institute, where educators from NC collaborated on #communitybasedlearning projects inspired by #WilmaDykeman’s legacy & past #CBL projects continue to inspire new educators! bit.ly/4o1i2Rz
July 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
As educators, how can we cultivate a culture of trust, respect, and empowerment in the classroom? In this #NextGenLearningChallenges article, Nika Hollingsworth examines the significant impact of incorporating #studentvoice: bit.ly/469hqmx
#LearnerAgency #LearnerCentered
Why Listening to Students Matters More Than "Good Intentions"
Explore how involving students in decision-making fosters a culture of participation, trust, and shared responsibility, leading to better outcomes for all.
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July 14, 2025 at 2:55 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Ten years ago Greg Whiteley and Ted Dintersmith featured Samantha, Brian and Scout in their film, “Most Likely to Succeed.” #WhatSchoolCouldBe will bring these three back for a “Where are they now?” conversation on YouTube Live. To register go to: bit.ly/4kvs36O
July 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Alabama schools are reimagining education with #CTE! Students can now opt for a workforce diploma, trading upper-level math/science for hands-on CTE classes. Learn how they’re bridging the skills gap in this @hechingerreport.org article by @arielgilreath.bsky.social : bit.ly/3TIzcWd
Alabama high school requirements now allow students to trade chemistry for carpentry
A new Alabama law will allow high school students to replace upper level math and science classes, such as Algebra 2 or chemistry, with career and technical education courses, like cosmetology or arch...
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June 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Attention District Leaders! Transform K-12 education with the #CompetencyBasedEducation Policy Map from Aurora Institute & Knowledgeworks! Get insights on state policies for #studentcenteredlearning: bit.ly/40anOWL

#EducationInnovation #K12Leadership
Aurora Institute - A New Dawn for Every Learner
The Aurora Institute drives the transformation of education systems and accelerates the advancement of breakthrough policies and practices to ensure high-quality learning for all.
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June 16, 2025 at 6:17 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Wes Davis interviewed Asheville teachers & a non-profit leader about their transformative projects funded by the #WNCResilienceProject. From outdoor science to student-run childcare, they're reshaping recovery into learning: bit.ly/43CUYAA
#SEL #PlaceBasedLearning
June 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
OWL is proud to support Fielding International for the FLEx Summer Bootcamp, July 22–24 in Sun Prairie, WI! K–8 educator teams will dive into:
Co-teaching strategies, #SpatialDesign for #studentagency & #DesignThinking protocols.

Learn more & register: bit.ly/4dSYN8
June 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
Exciting news for schools! RAND & Imagine Learning are offering "Transform Me" for 8th-10th graders to boost confidence & prepare for the future. Benefits include $500 for your school, free access, and more! Interested? 👉 bit.ly/4kGPJFJ 📧 [email protected] #Education
RAND Transform Me Project
RAND is researching how a new curriculum designed to meet the specific needs of adolescents can help 9th and 10th grade students and educators increase self-confidence, build and maintain healthy rela...
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June 2, 2025 at 4:58 PM
openwaylearning.bsky.social
@gettingsmart.bsky.social just dropped a new white paper on public microschools! Discover strategies for launching innovative, personalized learning environments. Shoutout to OWL’s Jimmy McCue for his insights!

Read more: bit.ly/4jh5X7u

#PublicMicroschools #EducationTransformation
Conclusion & Acknowledgements
Together, the strategies in this playbook form a practical roadmap for launching public microschools with purpose, clarity, and community at the center.
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May 22, 2025 at 5:17 PM