What if the conversation that matters most at parent-teacher conferences wasn't between you and the parents—but between the student and their parents?

In this episode I walk you through one of the most transformative shifts you can make in your classroom: student-led conferences.

Picture this—students presenting their own work, their growth, their challenges to their parents while you blend into the background. Parents stay 30 minutes past their scheduled time, not because they have to, but because they can't stop listening. This is what happens when you empower young people to own their learning story.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to shift from sharing test scores to building portfolios that give students concrete evidence of their growth and achievements
• Why reflecting on growth rather than performance unlocks deeper learning conversations and student agency
• How to prepare parents for a completely different conference experience—including the exact language and ground rules that set the tone
• Practical ways to implement student-led conferences at any level, from formal presentations to informal peer exhibitions, without overhauling your entire system

Listen now to learn the three simple shifts that transform your students into confident presentors of their own learning.

Get the Student-Led Conference Prep Form for FREE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10mRNbkBf7XELRio0eGbn-2l6mvVkAWqr/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=102614656534010700761&rtpof=true&sd=true

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

How do you get students so engaged that they ask for extra paper, and don't want class to end?

In this episode I sit down with Vince, founder of Press Start Studios and curator for Games for Change Hong Kong, to explore how game design principles transform student engagement, creativity, and intrinsic motivation. Discover how thinking like a game designer shifts your entire approach to curriculum—and why the best teachers are actually already doing this without realizing it.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why game-based learning is about intrinsic motivation and agency, not gamification gimmicks like badges and leaderboards
• How to apply game design thinking to any subject—from reefs and rainforests to your existing project-based learning
• How game design and project-based learning work together: structuring your curriculum as interconnected quests, levels, and challenges that build toward meaningful real-world outcomes
• Practical ways to sprinkle game mechanics into your curriculum without it feeling forced or artificial
• How students become so engaged they ask for extra sheets of paper because their story won't fit—and want to come back before school even starts

Listen now to unlock the game design principles that turn learning into an adventure your students won't want to leave!

Connect with Vince: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentsiu/ (LinkedIn)

Learn more about Press Start Academy: https://www.pressstartacademy.com/en/

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

Take the 12 Shifts Scorecard: www.transformschool.com/12shiftsscorecard

Vince's Bio:

At Press Start Studios, Vince produces innovative, inspiring, interactive learning products. Through Press Start Academy, he brings them to life through immersive, impactful, in-person learning experiences.

In an adjacent, not-for-profit role, Vince serves as the Founding and Lead Curator for Games for Change Hong Kong, Asia's first local chapter of an inspiring global movement that spotlights the power of games to drive change—and the change the game industry is leading. He believes Asia is ready to lead the conversation on both top-down and bottom-up impact through immersive mediums and has many exciting stories of experimentation and innovation to share. Through G4CHK, Vince aims to help push these boundaries even further.

Vince is deeply passionate about and committed to social impact and change, and he strives to support meaningful causes wherever possible—both through his organizations and in his personal capacity.

What if student-centered learning meant your students were running the coolest business venture at school—and made £5,000 in a weekend?

Join me as we sit down with Ed Moore, an award-winning primary teacher and author of "100 Ideas for Primary Teachers for Greener Schools," to explore how environmental education becomes the catalyst for project-based learning, youth empowerment, and community engagement—whether you're teaching internationally or in your own backyard.

Discover how one teacher's passion for gardening transformed an entire school culture—and caught the attention of Dr. Jane Goodall and King Charles.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to embed environmental projects directly into your curriculum (not as an afterthought club) so every child benefits
• Practical, implementable ideas you can start tomorrow—from energy audits to student-led businesses that teach real-world skills like marketing, sales, and finance
• Why starting small in your own classroom creates a domino effect that eventually transforms your entire school
• How to leverage community experts and local businesses to amplify student learning and build genuine connections beyond the classroom

Unlock 100 practical project-based ideas for creating greener schools—and learn how to empower your students to become changemakers.

Get the Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/100-Ideas-Primary-Teachers-Greener/dp/1801997845

Take the 12 Shifts Scorecard: www.transformschool.com/12shiftsscorecard

Get the 12 Shifts Book: 'Where is the Teacher: 12 Shifts for Student-Centered Environments.'

Ed's Bio: Ed is a primary school teacher with experience in Early Years, Key Stage 1 and 2. Ed is passionate and enthusiastic about the environment, learning outdoors, gardening and young enterprise. Ed has integrated all these topics into the school curriculum encouraging children to lead and have a voice in these subjects by becoming experts themselves. This has been accomplished by each class making a pledge across the school each term to help people, animals or the environment. These qualities and subjects help drive and inspire innovative projects engaging children, staff and volunteers across the school and the wider community to join together.

In a previous school, Eco Schools was at the heart of the life of the school. Ed wanted every child to leave with a real awareness of the local, national and global environment and how each one can make a real difference to the quality of the environment for everyone. Eco work was integrated into the curriculum and there was a real enthusiasm across the school for all of Ed's eco work. Ed also recognised that it has financial rewards too.