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

Fostering Regenerative Thinking and Transformative Action: Exploring the Collaboration Between NESA and Inspire Citizens

A dynamic partnership converts theory into action at the hub of the regenerative schools movement

Professional Development, Student Leadership, Eco-Media, Community Engm'tLeeAnne LavenderFebruary 3, 2025Changemakers, Transformative Learning, Global Citizenship, Sustainability Education, Wellbeing, Mindfulness in Education, Community Engagement, Holistic Education, Nature-based Learning, Social Emotional Learning, Professional Development, Community Partnerships

60 Seconds to Change the World: Empowering Student Voices at Dulwich College (Singapore)

A groundbreaking collaboration is putting Year 9 students in the director’s seat through a novel educational design challenge created by Inspire Citizens and Dulwich College (Singapore).

Student Leadership, SL for M+S LearnersLeeAnne LavenderJanuary 28, 2025Student Leadership, Global Citizenship, Service Learning, Changemakers, Middle School, Social Emotional Learning, Inclusion, Experiential Learning

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

Elevating Educator Impact Through the Global Citizenship Certificate

By fostering innovation, building community, and delivering timely resources, the GCC empowers educators to lead the charge in transforming education for a better world.

Professional Development, GCCLeeAnne LavenderDecember 18, 2024Transformative Learning, Global Citizenship Certificate, Global Citizenship, International Education, Professional Development

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

From Ego to Eco: The Transformative Work of IC’s Ivy Yan

Ivy Yan is living the kind of nature-based and reflective life that makes her teaching tangible to her students.

Eco-Media, Inspire Citizens Team, SDGs, Student LeadershipLeeAnne LavenderOctober 25, 2024Experiential Learning, Holistic Education, Mindfulness in Education, Global Citizenship, Sustainability Education, Student Leadership, Transformative Learning, Nature-based Learning

From Punk Roots to Global Impact: Meet Inspire Citizens Founder Aaron Moniz

Aaron’s unconventional journey into education began at the age of nine when he discovered punk rock. The lyrics and ethos of this marginalized genre became foundational to his outlook as an emerging teen and would go on to influence his life in more sophisticated ways.

Inspire Citizens TeamLeeAnne LavenderOctober 14, 2024Empathy to Impact, Global Citizenship, Service Learning, Diversity, Interdisciplinary, DEIJ, International Education

Using Books As Mirrors, and Other Magical Middle School Approaches to DEI

Building on her commitment to student empowerment, Constance collaborated with Aaron Moniz from Inspire Citizens to develop a new capstone unit for her eighth-grade students.

Professional DevelopmentLeeAnne LavenderOctober 14, 2024Language Learning, Middle School, Inclusion, Diversity, DEIJ, Cultural Identity Development, International Education, Global Citizenship

From Inception to Reflection: How a Fast Fashion Interdisciplinary Unit Captivates Students and Teachers Alike

It's Bahnhofstrasse - reputed to be the most expensive street in the world. But teams of observant teens aren’t shopping – they’re gathering data and recording qualitative observations for a progressive educational experience.

SDGs, SL for M+S Learners, Professional DevelopmentLeeAnne LavenderSeptember 25, 2024IB, International Baccalaureate, Global Citizenship, Middle Years Programme, Service Learning, Secondary School, SDGs, Interdisciplinary

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

All Aboard: How A Unified Approach Plays a Key Role in Dramatically Improving A Language Learning Program

Jenny recalls that the parent response to the shift in Chinese language instruction was a little uncertain at first. In a context that has long respected parent expectations for a rigorous curriculum, the updates were viewed a little skeptically. “Now, I almost never receive any questions,” explains Jenny. “Parents see their kids differently - they observe their children not only learning language skills but also thinking about their responsibilities in the world.”

SDGs, SL for M+S LearnersLeeAnne LavenderMay 8, 2024Global Citizenship, Service Learning, Middle School, Interdisciplinary, SDGs, Language Learning

When are Issues “Too Big”... and When Are They Not?

It’s a moment every educator cherishes: sunshine is streaming through the windows as a fourth grader comes running into the classroom. He nearly trips over his own feet as he can’t wait to share with his teacher (and anyone else within earshot!) that, “We DID it! We’re HELPING!”

SDGs, SL for M+S LearnersLeeAnne LavenderMay 5, 2024Global Citizenship, Service Learning, International Education, Student Leadership, SDGs, Empathy to Impact

Multiplying the Care Factor in the PYP

As anyone involved in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program knows, there’s a compass built in to every activity that eventually leads to a meaningful destination: The PYP Exhibition. It’s the ultimate culminating event and a public demonstration of each student’s commitment to the PYP learner profile attributes. Progressive school educational teams lean into the PYPx as their chance to promote the best outcomes among learners who are capable of showing great empathy as they learn to engage with the world around them.

SDGsLeeAnne LavenderApril 24, 2024Empathy to Impact, Primary Years Programme, International Baccalaureate, Global Citizenship, SDGs, Wellbeing, IB

Embracing the Messy Process of Activating Empathy in Middle Years Social Studies

If you happen to walk through a certain busy intersection in the American Embassy School in New Delhi, India, you might be treated to a sight that illustrates the profound value of empathy in the educational experience of young adolescents.

Community Engm't, SL for M+S LearnersLeeAnne LavenderApril 1, 2024Empathy to Impact, Global Citizenship, Community Partnerships, Middle School

Taking the Pathway of Empathy to Empower Global Citizens

As a former classroom teacher who regularly tethered her instruction to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Middle School Principal Jennifer Ivory’s first administrative steps were informed by advanced concepts she developed from Inspire Citizens.

Community Engm't, SDGsLeeAnne LavenderApril 1, 2024Empathy to Impact, Global Citizenship, Secondary School

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

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