What does it really take to lead a student-centered shift, especially in exam-driven environments? In this conversation, I sit down with Rikke (pronounced like reggae), an international school leader who is transforming her 600-student campus in Portugal to align with her bold vision: "Together, we educate for change."

Rikke shares the small but intentional moves that created momentum for whole-school innovation, from restructuring timetables to redefining the role of middle leaders. Her story proves that student-centered change doesn’t require perfection. It takes persistence, clear purpose, and the courage to start.

You’ll hear how she:

• Built teacher buy-in by anchoring everything in a powerful “why”
• Designed low-stakes spaces for teachers to experiment with projects
• Structured time for interdisciplinary, SDG-driven experiences without compromising academic outcomes

This episode is a must-listen for curriculum leaders, coordinators, and change agents looking for realistic and replicable strategies to move from good intentions to genuine transformation.

Bio: An actionist creating social change through education, Nordic leadership, and a focus on asking why, connecting ideas, and driving impact.

Get the 12 Shifts Book: https://www.amazon.com/Where-Teacher-Kyle-Wagner/dp/1032484713

Take The 12 Shifts Scorecard to Identity Areas for Growth: https://transformschool.com/12shiftsscorecard/

Why do most student teams fail, and what can you do to change it?

In this re-published episode, I sit down with Kristin Damburger, Associate Division Head at Avenues, to explore the common pitfalls that prevent student teams from thriving. Kristin shares three simple shifts you can make in your classroom to turn disengaged or unproductive teams into high-functioning, collaborative groups. From redefining roles to giving students the tools to take ownership of their learning, these shifts will help foster deeper collaboration and student agency.

You’ll learn:

• Why most student teams fail and how to avoid those traps

• How giving students a voice in their team roles leads to greater ownership and success

• Simple collaborative structures for project work

• Why feedback loops, rather than grading, are key to accountability in group work

Kristin's Bio: Kristin Damberger is a Learning Coach at the International School Nido de Aguilas in Santiago, Chile. She has spent the last 12 years of her 15 year career in education working overseas in international schools in China, Brazil, and now Chile. She started her career teaching 6th grade English and Social Studies at a Title I school in California, where she began her experimentation with inquiry and PBL. Soon after starting a masters degree in global studies in education, she wanted to pursue a life overseas and moved to Beijing. Over the course of her international career Kristin has served in many roles, including teacher, facilitator, curriculum coordinator, Associate Division Head, and now Learning Coach. In all of these roles Kristin has had the opportunity to continue in her pursuit to redefine the traditional structures of "school" and continue to deepen and expand her work in inquiry, PBL, and design thinking.

Feel like curiosity is getting lost in content coverage, deadlines, or disengaged classrooms? What if our own vulnerability was the key to unlocking it?

In this episode, I speak with Austin Levinson, Director of Learning at Megaminds and long-time champion of student agency, curiosity, and connection. From macro photography projects to travel blogs and AI-powered adventures, Austin shares how he models curiosity based learning alongside his students, and why doing so flips the traditional dynamic in transformative ways.

You’ll learn:

• Why “getting messy” and showing your own struggle inspires student risk-taking
• How co-designing projects creates ownership, purpose, and curiosity
• How to bring parents and administrators along when you don’t have all the answers
• How AI can be used to scaffold—not shortcut—critical thinking and real-world inquiry

Trade control for connection, and rediscover curiosity as your classroom’s driving force

Learn more about Megaminds: www.gomegaminds.com

Connect with Austin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austin-levinson-innovator

Get the 12 Shifts Book: https://www.amazon.com/Where-Teacher-Kyle-Wagner/dp/1032484713

Austin's Bio: From a young age, Austin was a soccer referee, running alongside the students on the field, not standing in the center calling the shots. His early teaching roles in Oakland and Richmond, California taught him the power of connection, voice, and risk-taking in learning.Later, while designing STEM and gifted programs in international schools, he focused on deeper learning through questioning, critical thinking, and real-world purpose. Whether leading workshops for parents on constructivism and board games or offering enrichment classes in ikebana, macro photography, and juggling, he kept learning joyful and human.

Back on the school soccer field, he noticed that values like empathy and leadership were best taught through shared experience, not lectures. He brought this mindset into his PBL work, discovering that students take bigger risks when they see their teacher right there with them, learning too. In one project, students used AI tools to co-design film imagery and lead their own discussions. They selected the materials, chose the protocols, and reflected on their facilitation moves—building voice, confidence, and metacognition in the process.

Now as Director of Learning at MegaMinds, Austin is scaling that same spirit of agency and curiosity. Through immersive 3D environments and AI-powered challenges, he’s helping tens of thousands of students think critically, take ownership, and find meaning in their learning.