Slide Deck for SXSWedu 2016 proposal from Institute of Play, Joe Shoemaker School, and Compass Montessori in Colorado.

1. Student-Centered Learning: 3 Whole-School Models

2. There are many ways that teachers put students at the center of learning.
But how do you design an entire school where inquiry,
discovery and play form a core instructional model that
ensures high achievement for all students?

3. The Studio
School
Aurora, 6-8
Joe Shoemaker
School
Denver, ECE-5
Compass
Montessori
Golden, PreK-12
Game-like Learning
Games, game-design
and play provide
authentic ways for
students to develop the
skills they need to
confidently face
challenges, design
solutions, and shape a
successful future.
Expeditionary Learning
Hands-on instruction
engages children’s
innate spirit of
adventure and love of
nature, in order to spark
curiosity, encourage
teamwork, and build
character.
Montessori
A close-knit community
dedicated to nurturing
the whole child with
opportunities for
student-driven inquiry
and exploration,
including a working
village of occupations
that feed a micro-
economy.
Meet 3 Colorado schools that are
obsessed with authentic learning contexts.

4. Student-centered learning environments
that value inquiry, discovery and play
Instructional models designed to meet the
specific needs of the populations they
serve
Leaders who built systems, structures,
and communities that can sustain
success over time
Explore what these schools have in
common, and what we can learn from

5. Executive coach whose expertise in organizational
design and leadership spans 20 years and 5 countries
Led design and implementation of Colorado’s Pilot
Schools
Wright Way Award for innovative leadership and Aurora
Public Schools Principal of the Year
Recognized by the National Association of Secondary
School Principals and MetLife for work transforming
schools
Meet the moderator…
Jane Shirley, Catapult Leadership

6. Jackson
Westenskow
The Studio School &
Institute of Play
Christine
Fleming
Joe Shoemaker
Expeditionary School
Seth
Webb
Compass Montessori
School Design Team Lead
Jackson leads the school design
team for Institute of Play in
Colorado. He has taught English
and Spanish and was Assistant
Principal at William Smith High
School, an Expeditionary Learning
School in Aurora, Colorado. He
earned a Master’s Degree in
Educational Leadership at Regis
University and was a Fellow with
Get Smart Schools Leadership
Program.
Principal
Chris Fleming is the lead school
designer and principal of Joe
Shoemaker School, one of Denver’s
newest innovation schools. Chris
specializes in instructional
leadership at the elementary level
and strategic leadership at all
levels. Chris also supports
innovative school leaders as an
executive coach with Catapult
Leadership. Chris served as a
principal in Aurora, CO where she
was named Elementary Principal of
the Year in 2009.
Principal
Seth has worked in public charter
Montessori schools for 16 years as
a Lead Teacher, Department Chair,
Instructional Leader, Consultant,
Dean of Students, and Principal.
He is a Montessori credentialed
teacher known for his ability to
provide dynamic and innovative
school leadership. Seth
has presented at national and
international education
conferences, and enjoys blogging
about Montessori education at
Finding Our Center – Reaching
Out.
Meet the panelists…