With more than 30 years in public education, Mike has witnessed first-hand the many constraints that most students and educators experience. Things like:
Tight schedules
Rule-bound student handbooks
Standardized assessments
Graduation requirements
Age-set class levels
Curriculum standards
Extensive research shows:
Student motivation for school typically drops at the end of elementary school
Motivation for learning continues to wane through much of high school
Students’ lack of autonomy can affect their well-being and mental health
Structures Set by Others May Hinder Student Learning and Motivation
Free to Learn
Learning InspirED believes there is another way—a way to support students to lead their own learning. A way where students are truly free to learn.
We believe that when students feel free to learn, rather than being pinned down by constraints set by others, they will:
Explore curiosities
Ask questions freely
Dive deep into topics of choice
Pursue experts/resources of interest
Develop passions
Meet Mike
As a 30-year public education professional and advocate, Mike develops and supports authentic student agency across school districts. He has studied, supported, and led student learning from various perspectives, including: teacher, school leader, district innovator, superintendent, university researcher, and most recently, a not-for-profit consultant to school systems across the country. His expertise spans from research and evaluation to strategic planning and personalized coaching and consulting.
Mike now leads Learning InspirED, a forward-thinking education consulting agency committed to learning and supporting the development of student agency. With a focus on moving away from constraints and moving toward possibilities, he helps school districts create the best conditions for students to lead their own learning. Mike currently works with districts across the United States from Colorado to Virginia and from Florida to Vermont in this game-changing work.