Belonging is vital if our kids are to learn. They need to feel understood and safe, and that often starts with teachers. But teachers have a lot on their plates already, and new legislation has them fearful that they’ll do or say something that might jeopardize their jobs.
While this podcast episode doesn’t solve this challenge, it spotlights the need for more conversations around creating spaces for youth who don’t want to fit in a box that society created for them.
Patti Hearn is a school and educational leader in the Pacific Northwest who started a school for girls and gender non-conforming kids so they would have the opportunity to “become competent risk takers and courageous mistake makers.” In this episode, we talk about why parents and leaders might want to build their own school, why it’s so important that we listen to our youth, how to honor student rights, how the legal landscape is impacting our ability to serve all learners, and so much more.
Patti has been there and done that and she’s now using her knowledge to support other parents and educators in ensuring that more kids have access to the space and education they deserve.
Patti Hearn is passionate about education and believes in working to help individuals, families, and schools forge authentic paths. Patti was the Founding Head of Lake Washington Girls Middle School in Seattle, where, for over two decades, she offered girls and gender non-conforming kids the opportunity to become competent risk takers and courageous mistake makers. She then brought her knowledge and passion for innovative middle school programs to lead Seattle School for Boys, and she launched Verge Consulting to provide consultation and coaching to educators, school leaders, and founders of new schools, as well as school placement support for families.
Patti shares her thinking and work in feminist, anti-racist, and LGBTQ+ inclusive education, social-emotional learning, startup culture in education, creative confidence, STEAM, executive functioning, and inclusive leadership. Her conference presentations include the National Association of Independent Schools, the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, the Seattle Interactive Conference, the Teaching and Education Summit, and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciahearn/
https://twitter.com/patti_hearn
