Education By Design

Share your thoughtsIn Indiana, a bold experiment is reshaping how students learn. Through the i-Lab, more than 150 leaders have joined forces to design a statewide apprenticeship model — one that connects high schools, employers, and higher education in new ways. At the center of this work is a breakthrough partnership with IU Health, which not only trains students but guarantees them employment upon graduation.But the real story goes beyond jobs. As Mel Coryell explains, applied learning experiences become identity work. When students step into real workplaces, they don’t just practice skills — they discover who they are, what they care about, and what they are capable of. They learn to see themselves in new futures.At the core are the ABCs of learning: Agency, Belonging, and Connectedness. Apprenticeships give students the chance to feel seen, to belong in professional spaces, and to build agency over their own paths.This episode invites educators, leaders, and parents to see apprenticeships not as an alternative to school, but as a powerful extension of it — a design for opportunity, growth, and human flourishing.Discover more about i-Lab Indiana Listen to a recording of Mel and other key players speak on a panel at SxSW Edu earlier this year: Scaling Apprenticeship Statewide: Lessons from IndianaFollow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsJoin me as I dive into the future of education with Jenny Gillett, the lead architect of the International Baccalaureate's groundbreaking Systems Transformation pilot. In this episode, Jenny reveals how she and United World College communities co-create a two-year, transdisciplinary learning journey—tackling global challenges from biodiversity to river pollution—through systems thinking, design sprints, and challenge-based assessment. You’ll hear:How students apply real-world problem solving under time pressureWhy only three deeply reflective artifacts can tell a richer learning story than any examThe role of Principled Action, Systems Thinking, and Just Futures in empowering learner agencyStrategies for training teachers in IB Approaches to Teaching and co-creative facilitationInsights on fairness, neuro-diversity, and scalable peer-powered professional developmentPerfect for educators, school leaders, and innovators, this conversation showcases the power of collaborative innovation, accountable assessment, and community-driven change. Tune in and discover how to transform your classroom into a living lab of student-centered, systems-led learning.To learn more about the pilot, visit Systems Transformation Pathway: Leadership for Just Futures or Leadership for just and sustainable futures A future-facing model for educationHere is a video featuring the student experience (YouTube)You might also like to look at two curriculum overview documents: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Subject Brief: Systems transformation – Leadership for change and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Subject Brief: Systems transformation – Leadership for just futuresFollow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsWhat does it take to shift a school system from standardization to innovation? In this thought-provoking episode of Education by Design, host Phil Evans is joined by Dr. Jared DuPree for a conversation that challenges the boundaries of what public education can be.Together, they explore the promise of challenge-based learning—an approach that connects students with real-world problems and invites them to design solutions through collaboration, creativity, and purpose. Dr. DuPree shares insights from his journey as a classroom teacher, district leader, and now national director for one of the most forward-thinking education initiatives in the country. At the heart of this conversation is a question that matters to every school leader, policymaker, and parent: Are we preparing students to navigate the world—or to change it?This episode is part one of a special two-part series on education models that foster deep, authentic learning in a rapidly evolving world.About the Founders: Jimmy Iovine and Dr. DreThis bold educational vision was sparked by legendary music producer Jimmy Iovine and hip-hop icon and entrepreneur Andre Young, better known as Dr. Dre. Their combined success in music, business, and cultural innovation led them to a realization: future-ready creators need to think beyond silos. They need to speak the shared language of design, technology, and entrepreneurship. And they need to learn it young.The Iovine and Young Center: Bringing Innovation to Public SchoolsFounded as an extension of the Iovine and Young Academy at the University of Southern California, the Iovine and Young Center (IYC) brings this revolutionary approach to high school students—particularly those from underserved communities. The IYC model blends challenge-based learning, design thinking, and integrated technology education to transform how students engage with the world. With active programs in Los Angeles and Atlanta, and expansions underway, the IYC is redefining what public education can look like when innovation meets equity.Follow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsWhen Markus Reneau asked his eighth-grade teacher if she thought he should apply for the one of the most rigorous educational programmes available to him, she looked him in the eye and said, “No.” Her reason? “It won’t be fun.” In a room full of Black and Hispanic students, the message was clear—academic challenge wasn’t for them.But Markus had other plans. In this episode of Education by Design, we follow Markus’s extraordinary journey from a marginalized school community in New Orleans to Yale University, Howard Law School, and Georgetown University. His path isn’t just one of academic success—it’s a story of clarity, conviction, and choosing to use opportunity in service of others.Throughout our conversation, Markus reflects on how his high school education gave him more than just knowledge—it gave him a worldview shaped by critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, and the moral imperative to give back. From his early experiences in classrooms with ESL peers, to studying African American Studies and education policy, to his current work advancing economic justice through law, Markus embodies what it means to lead with empathy and purpose.This episode invites listeners to consider what happens when we limit student potential—consciously or not—and how much power educators hold in helping students see beyond the boundaries others place on them. It’s a challenge to every teacher, policymaker, and school leader: what might change if we chose to see our students not for where they are, but for who they could become?Markus’s story is not one of exception—it’s one of design. A design that asks us to look again at the structures we take for granted and to ask, what are we really preparing our students for? And, can every student engage in ways that advance them on their own journey? Who are we to stand in their way?In this Episode, I share excerpts from Markus' 2019 address to the IB Global Conference in New Orleans in 2019. You can watch his full address, here.Follow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsWhy do so many education reforms fall short of their promise? In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Joshua Glazer of George Washington University unpacks what it really takes to improve schools — not through shortcuts or silver bullets, but through the slow, steady work of building coherent, community-anchored systems.Drawing on years of research into efforts like Tennessee’s iZone and ASD, Josh helps us understand why education is both a political and professional enterprise — and why lasting change demands more than test scores or talent pipelines. It requires trust. Context. And above all, the capacity to learn over time.This episode is an invitation to look beneath the surface of school reform, to consider what it means to design improvement intentionally, and to imagine the kind of public education that honors both the expertise of educators and the voices of the communities they serve.Whether you're a school leader, a parent, or someone who simply believes in the power of education, this conversation will stay with you.Follow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsIn this episode of Education by Design, we explore how innovative assessment can transform learning engagement and outcomes. Join me as I chat with my friend Dr. Andy Scahill, a professor at the University of Colorado, Denver, as he shares his radical approach to assessment that moves beyond traditional tests and term papers. In an effort to disrupt behaviors cultivated by compliance, Andy empowers students to demonstrate their creativity, critical thinking, and real-world application of knowledge through immersive projects. The result? Students going further than expected and the agency to bring their own meaning and purpose to their final projects.With the support of his institution, Andy’s approach challenges the rigid systems often found in higher education, affirming the innovative values of the University of Colorado. As he conducts community centered scholarship as the founder and Artistic Director of Rainbow Cult, we dive into how assessment can be a tool for growth, encouraging students to engage deeply and apply their learning in authentic ways.This conversation is a must-listen for educators in both K-12 and higher education. Discover how shifting what we measure can inspire students to take ownership of their education, activate their agency, and prepare for the complexities of the modern world. This is what learning and teaching informed by assessment, looks like.Tune in to rethink what we measure, how we measure it, and why it matters.Catch Andy's play at the Denver Fringe Festival (2025), info hereFollow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsWhat does it mean to build a classroom where students learn with AI instead of just from it? In this bonus episode, Dr. John Spencer presents ideas to explore how human-centered teaching strategies can help students reflect more deeply, think more critically, and engage more creatively—even as AI tools become part of everyday learning. We talk about project-based learning, prompt engineering, and what happens when we treat AI as a creative companion, not a shortcut.This is a practical, reflective listen for anyone thinking about how to keep learning meaningful in an age of machine-generated answers.Follow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsWhat if the best learning isn’t the most polished—but the most meaningful?In this inspiring episode, Dr. John Spencer—educator, author, and host of The Creative Classroom—sat down with Phil to explore how project-based learning, design thinking, and creative risk-taking help students master academic content and build the core competencies they need for life. From the messy middle of learning to the power of student voice, John shares practical insights and stories that challenge the myth of perfection and reframe what success really looks like in school.John and Phil talk about what makes learning stick, why unfinished work still matters, and how teachers can give students—and themselves—permission to be messy, curious, and adventurous in an age of AI.Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or parent, this episode will leave you rethinking how creativity, reflection, and deep learning come together to shape empowered learners.And, be sure to check out John's books including; Launch, Vintage Innovation, and, The A.i. Roadmap, and explore his sketch videos on YouTube.Follow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsIn this episode of Education by Design, Trevor MacKenzie explores the transformative power of curiosity in the classroom. Learn how inquiry-based learning fosters self-directed students who take ownership of their education. Discover practical strategies for nurturing curiosity, developing question competence, and creating environments where students are not just taught, but encouraged to think critically and independently. Tune in for insights on how we can prepare the next generation of lifelong learners to thrive in an ever-changing world.Visit the EduByDesign BlogFollow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsIn this episode of Education by Design, host Phil Evans speaks with Dr. John Falino, principal of Dobbs Ferry High School, about the transformative power of systems thinking in schools. Designed for education leaders seeking practical strategies to empower teachers, this episode explores how shared vision, teacher agency, and systematic design can raise expectations and engagement for all students. Learn how to build a culture of equity, align professional development with real outcomes, and create inclusive pathways that allow every learner to thrive. If you're a principal, district leader, or school change agent ready to lead with purpose, this is your blueprint.Check out the Education by Design BlogFollow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsDiscover how to transform school culture, boost student agency, and advance equity in this episode of the Education by Design Podcast featuring researcher Dr. Heather Michael. Phil Evans explores Michael’s groundbreaking use of spatial theory to reveal why many learners view school as irrelevant—and how educators, principals, and district leaders can disrupt limiting narratives, redesign course‑selection processes, and create inclusive, student‑centered learning spaces. Packed with actionable strategies for advanced coursework, and whole‑school reform, this conversation highlights practical steps to help every student construct and own an authentic academic story. Tune in to gain research‑backed insights, real‑world examples, and fresh inspiration to cultivate belonging, relevance, and equitable access to rigorous learning in your school community.You may also like to check out the Education by Design Blog Follow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughts"Igniting Joy in Learning” dives deep into the strategies education leaders crave: practical ways to spark teacher inspiration, student engagement, and inquiry‑based learning that lasts. In this episode, veteran IB educator and professional‑development facilitator Richard Hood reveals how shifting from content delivery to joy‑centered, student‑agency‑driven classrooms transforms outcomes—especially in today’s media‑saturated world. Listeners will discover actionable tips for nurturing curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, building supportive teacher communities, and weaving social‑justice and media‑literacy skills into everyday lessons. Whether you’re a principal, instructional coach, or classroom innovator, this conversation offers high‑impact insights on professional learning, rigorous yet joyful pedagogy, and sustainable teacher motivation. Tune in to “Igniting Joy in Learning” and equip yourself with research‑backed approaches that empower teachers to inspire students—and fuel a culture of lifelong learning.Follow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.

Share your thoughtsFIRST THREE EPISODES MAY 5, 2025Education by Design is a podcast for educators, school leaders, and changemakers who believe that learning should be more than compliant—it should be empowering. Hosted by educator and storyteller Phil Evans, this series explores how schools can be redesigned from the inside out, featuring conversations and reflections that challenge outdated systems and celebrate bold ideas. Each episode highlights real stories, research-informed practices, and actionable insights to help listeners connect purpose to practice, rethink assessment, spark student curiosity, and build inclusive environments where all learners thrive.Check out the Education by Design Blog The first three full episodes - Monday May 5, 2025Follow the EduByDesign Blog to explore the podcast topics, further.And please let Phil know what resonates with you, in the comments.