61 – Interdisciplinary Magic in Middle Level Land (w Preston Hickert)

A story about the permission, vulnerability and challenge inherent in creating an interdisciplinary middle school program. Preston Hickert is a teacher from Kansas City and he joins Natalie to share his story of “playing the mud” to learn with his students.

Show Notes:

• Despite originally pursuing journalism and film, Preston ended up bringing a passion for storytelling to the classroom as a teacher. (6:10)
• Exploring the magic of the middle years. (11:30)
• High Tech High was the inciting incident for an interdisciplinary approach to middle school that develops human skills. (17:05)
• Are we rescuing kids from challenge? (24:00)
• Playing the mud and embracing co-creation and uncertainty. (26:10)
• What evidence might capture the story of student learning? (32:30)
• New challenges emerging several years into the project. (40:35)
• Educators need to learn by doing and embrace vulnerability to model authentic learning. (43:34)
• The purpose of education. (51:50)

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Email: hello@educrushpod.com