My Nonprofit Reviews

I have partnered with the Innovative Schools Network for the past 5 years. "Transformation" has become an overused term in education, primarily because we all want to do "it." The ISN has been an innovative leader in assisting schools and school districts in developing "zones of innovation" where learning is different; learning is engaging; learning is rooted in curiosity; a place were kids do most of the work as the teachers advise and guide the learner based on their strengths and interests. They have provided strategic planning services that helped develop the foundation upon which we could build our vision of how we want education to be different...they opened the door to see things "differently" and provided the leadership and services to help us redefine education in our district.

They provide onsite and remote consultation through video coaching. Many of their coaches are current teachers and leaders within project based or inquiry based schools. They are very adept at bridging the fine line between a schools district's central control of a school building and the building having the autonomy to truly innovate and do things differently. This is hard and risky work for many school systems because we have prided ourselves in the past of the "one size fits all" model assuming a uniform delivery model would be fair and adequate for the success of all learners. Now however, more districts have come to realize that they must begin offering different learning models and opportunities for students based more on strengths and interests than the legacy curricula intended to serve all students. ISN brings exciting, fresh ideas and enthusiasm to those who seek a different way of educating students for the future.

The Innovative Schools Network focuses on creating zones of innovation within existing school districts that create specific model schools through teacher empowerment and commitment to a unique school design. Such schools provide unique learning environments for students to follow their passions, become more engaged through integrated content and projects. ISN has assisted many districts in designing schools that foster more student engagement, ownership and levels of maturity and personal responsibility.

I have particpated in several ISN sponsored programs and have been impressed with the knowledge and expertise of their staff and collaborating partners. There focus on "transforming education one school at a time" recognizes the importance of offering different learning models within the general public school system. One size doesn't fit all!!

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