Experiential learning and the power of meaningful reflection

Reflections on enhancing student growth through intentional reflection and meaningful experiences

All-School SL, Community Engm't, Inspire Citizens Team, Professional Development, Student LeadershipLeeAnne LavenderMarch 20, 2025Experiential Learning, Transformative Learning, Global Citizenship, Sustainability Education, Social Emotional Learning, Community Engagement, Service Learning

Revitalizing Service Learning at Lincoln Community School: A Collaborative Story Unfolds

More than a curriculum enhancement—this is a shift in mindset

From Empathy to Impact: How Inspire Citizens Helped Shape Lasting Change at International College Beirut

Service learning gains traction as a powerful force for student leadership and community change

Professional Development, All-School SL, SL for M+S Learners, Student Leadership, Community Engm'tLeeAnne LavenderMarch 7, 2025Service Learning, Global Citizenship, Student Leadership, Community Engagement, Transformative Learning

Reimagining Service Learning: Lincoln School’s Transformative Journey with Inspire Citizens

How to use service learning as a way of building a lasting, school-wide culture of action and empathy

All-School SL, SL for Early Learners, SL for M+S Learners, Professional Development, Community Engm'tLeeAnne LavenderMarch 7, 2025Changemakers, Transformative Learning, Service Learning, Community Engagement, Global Citizenship, Sustainability Education, Student Leadership, Experiential Learning, Holistic Education, International Education

Promoting a Service Mindset Through Community Learning and Engagement

In a progressive move towards redefining the purpose and impact of service learning, Singapore American School (SAS) is embarking on a profound transformation.

All-School SL, Student LeadershipLeeAnne LavenderJanuary 15, 2025Service Learning, Community Engagement, Global Citizenship, Student Leadership, International Education

Empowering Student Leadership at Shanghai American School

All-School SL, Community Engm'tLeeAnne LavenderDecember 13, 2024Student Leadership, Global Citizenship, Sustainability Education, Changemakers, School Identity, Service Learning, Transformative Learning, Secondary School, Community Partnerships, Community Engagement

Redefining Success: How An Enduring Partnership Helped KIS Jeju Revitalize Its Schoolwide Learning Objectives

At Korea International School's Jeju Campus (KIS Jeju), a metamorphic journey has been underway to revitalize the school's SLOs. And Inspire Citizens is on board to help.

All-School SL, Community Engm'tLeeAnne LavenderOctober 25, 2024Schoolwide Learning Objectives, SLOs, International Education, Community Engagement, School Identity, Student Leadership

Spotlight on Scott Jamieson: Empowering Global Citizenship in Education

The sheer energy of Scott’s classroom presence took on a new form as he moved forward into the emerging world of Inspire Citizens five years ago. Anyone who has experienced his brand of spirited banter, humor and drive for excellence can attest to the fact that Scott is at the top of his professional game in-person or virtually.

Professional Development, All-School SL, Inspire Citizens TeamLeeAnne LavenderSeptember 10, 2024Social Emotional Learning, Wellbeing, Inclusion, DEIJ, Empathy to Impact, Global Citizenship, Changemakers, Diversity, Interdisciplinary

Building a Culture of Service

The transformation towards a service learning curriculum at the SFS British School began with the establishment of six core values: courage, communication, collaboration, responsibility, respect, and reflection. These values form the bedrock of the school's culture and curriculum.

Community Engm't, Student Leadership, SL for M+S Learners, All-School SLLeeAnne LavenderSeptember 4, 2024Middle Years Programme, Middle School, Student Leadership, SDGs, Community Partnerships

Inspiring Global Citizenship: A Journey towards Whole-School Service Learning

In January 2022, Sara Gregson took on the role of Service Learning Coordinator at the International School of Kigali (ISK) in Rwanda, excited to transform the school's approach to service learning. Working with Inspire Citizens, she has embarked on a journey to reshape the school's culture and foster a community of educators committed to service learning.

All-School SLLeeAnne LavenderDecember 19, 2023Community Partnerships, Changemakers, Empathy to Impact, Inclusion, Interdisciplinary

Transformative Partnerships & Redefining the PYP Experience

In a dynamic collaboration between the International School of Prague (ISP) and Inspire Citizens, Primary Years Program (PYP) Coordinator Ashley Eames reflects on the positive impact of partnering with Aaron Moniz, co-founder of Inspire Citizens, in reshaping the primary years' units of inquiry at ISP.

SL for Early Learners, All-School SLLeeAnne LavenderDecember 11, 2023PYP, Primary Years Programme, Changemakers, Com, Global Citizenship, Interdisciplinary

Cultivating Wellness and Authentic Connection: A Teacher's Journey with "Inside Out"

Britta McCarthy, the Director of Learning at the American International School of Jeddah, recently had a transformative experience at the NESA (Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools) fall leadership conference. Britta immersed herself in a two-day Inside Out workshop, led by Ivy Yan, a facilitator with Inspire Citizens. The workshop centered on the intersections of wellness, nature, and cultivating meaningful learning experiences for both educators and students.

Community Engm't, All-School SLLeeAnne LavenderNovember 27, 2023Wellbeing, Changemakers

Sustainability Education Starts in Pre-K as Students Learn About Food Waste

At the American Embassy School (AES) in New Delhi, a remarkable transformation has been taking place within the Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. Led by dedicated educators and in collaboration with Inspire Citizens, this innovative food waste project has not only changed the way young children think about waste but also fostered a deep sense of empathy and responsibility toward the environment.

SL for Early Learners, All-School SLLeeAnne LavenderOctober 14, 2023Empathy to Impact, Elementary School, Primary Years Programme, PYP, Global Citizenship

Student Leadership Series Impacts 115 Youth

Inspire Citizens partnered with AISA (the Association of International Schools in Africa) in September to facilitate a 3-part student leadership series that involved 115 student leaders from dozens of AISA schools.

Student Leadership, SDGs, All-School SLLeeAnne LavenderSeptember 29, 2023Inclusion, Global Citizenship, Empathy to Impact

Bringing international mindedness to the PYP Exhibition

2023 marked the rebirth of the Primary Years Program (PYP) Exhibition at the Canadian International School of Beijing (CIS). After three years of Covid restrictions, the grade 5 students were able to host an exhibition on campus that could be shared with parents, community members and other schools. And did CIS ever run with this opportunity!

All-School SL, SL for Early Learners, SDGsLeeAnne LavenderSeptember 12, 2023Global Citizenship, Empathy to Impact, Primary Years Programme, PYP, Changemakers, International Baccalaureate, IB

A Year 2 Reflection: Empathy to Impact

When Kevin David came to the American Embassy School of New Delhi (AES) in August of 2021, he took on a service learning role with the high school. The timing coincided with the second year of a partnership between AES and Inspire Citizens. In his role, Kevin has a unique vantage point to see how the partnership is growing, and how teaching and learning are being impacted.

All-School SL, SL for M+S Learners, Community Engm'tLeeAnne LavenderMay 4, 2023Empathy to Impact, Global Citizenship

Grade 5 Art Attacks: a response to the SDGs

Grade 5 students at the International School of Prague (ISP) were recently immersed in understanding and creating art for activism. Their “Art Attacks” were vibrant and demonstrated a deep understanding of how students can channel their creativity to create positive change.

SL for M+S Learners, All-School SL, SDGsLeeAnne LavenderMay 3, 2023Changemakers, Primary Years Programme, PYP, SDGs, Global Citizenship, International Baccalaureate, IB

Art Festival features art for impact

The Peterson Schools in Mexico kickstarted their ASOMEX Arts Festival in March, reviving a pre-Covid event with a hybrid approach. Two Inspire Citizens facilitators were thrilled to lead the online portion of the conference.

Eco-Media, All-School SLLeeAnne LavenderMarch 9, 2023Global Citizenship, Empathy to Impact, Inclusion, Changemakers

Innovations with time and space: rethinking approaches to education

Maddy Hewitt, the director of NESA (Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools), has a vision for transforming education, and she has partnered with Inspire Citizens to offer NESA leaders and educators the chance to participate in innovating throughout the region.

GCC, All-School SLLeeAnne LavenderMarch 9, 2023Global Citizenship, Wellbeing

Innovating Whole School PD as a Hub for Community Learning

There is a buzz at Seoul Foreign School (SFS) in South Korea about a new hub for learning. Called “The Gate”, this is an approach to professional development that encompasses the entire community and is an inclusive way of imagining lifelong learning.

Community Engm't, GCC, All-School SLLeeAnne LavenderMarch 7, 2023Empathy to Impact, Global Citizenship, Community Partnerships

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