Reimagining Educator Competencies: A Workshop Series for Cultivating Learner Agency
Four in-person, full-day workshops at The Forest School, running throughout the 2025–2026 school year.
What You’ll Experience
Join us for a rare professional learning experience inside The Forest School: An Acton Academy—an internationally recognized, intentionally diverse microschool built entirely around learner agency.
These aren’t sit-and-get sessions. Each workshop is a full-day, in-person deep dive grounded in real classrooms, real students, and real practice. You’ll walk the studios, observe self-direction in action, and work alongside Institute faculty to explore how these ideas can translate into your school or district.
Built for public and private educators ready to rethink what’s possible.
Structured. Practical. Lived. And field-proven.
Guided classroom observations in a self-directed learning environment
Live interaction with learners and Guides—real conversations, not theory
Hands-on afternoon workshops led by the Institute for Self-Directed Learning
Tools you can use immediately to start shifting practice
A completion certificate aligned to research-backed adult competencies
The Workshops
Building the Mindsets and Methods That Empower Learner Agency
Forming Culture (September 22, 2025)
Executive function and self-regulation strategies
Systems for learner choice and self-governance
Conflict resolution models that build maturity, not compliance
Rituals that reinforce belonging, safety, and clarity
Montessori in Motion (October 17, 2025)
Adapting Montessori principles for today’s schools
Hands-on materials that support conceptual understanding
Mixed-age grouping and learner independence
Practical work, observation, and emergent planning
Learning Design (March 23, 2026)
Translating learning science into daily design
Curating resources for inquiry and deep exploration
Crafting authentic, challenge-based learning experiences
Structuring for agency without losing rigor
Authentic Assessment (April 20, 2026)
Reframing assessment in an AI-driven world
Tools for measuring insight, not just output
Designing performance tasks with purpose beyond the classroom
Student work that reflects actual growth
Pricing
Includes full-day immersive experience, lunch, guided Studio observations, structured workshop, learner and Guide panels, and a certificate of completion.
Cost:
1 workshop = $350
2 workshops = $650
3 workshops = $900
Full 4-workshop bundle = $1,000
(Discounts available to school teams.)
One-Day Workshop
Available Add-Ons (Optional):
Film Studio + Town Tour ($95): Explore the Trilith ecosystem
1:1 Coaching Call ($150): Strategy support before or after your session
Implementation Strategy Session ($225): 90-minute planning sprint for school teams
Why Educators Keep Coming Back
“What makes a good teacher? It's not so much about what you do, but what you inspire others to do. These workshops clearly identify the conditions needed to create independent thinkers who are ready to take on the world.” ―Christy Todd, 2024 National Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year
"Fostering motivated, independent, and creative thinkers is not just beneficial, it is essential in our increasingly interconnected world. These workshops will guide you through creating a self-directed learning environment that equips students with the agency and confidence needed to navigate any endeavor they pursue." ―Allison K. Cochran, Ed.S, Educational Technology Coach, Lambert High School, Forsyth County Public Schools
“For those seeking ways to empower children to find their voice, nurture their individuality, and motivate them to become independent thinkers and decision-makers, The Learner-Centered Educator workshop is a valuable resource. Rooted in research-based techniques, it provides a toolbox of strategies to increase student-directed learning as educational methods continue to evolve.” ―Sharon Reddick, M.Ed., Early Childhood Education; former public school administrator, Gwinnett County, Georgia
From public school teachers:
“The course material is of the highest quality, much like you would find in a Masters program in educational leadership. I found much value in it despite not currently holding a school leadership position. I feel like I can now recognize where any school is on its innovation journey- and I am also now inspired to use the tools and knowledge from Creating Pathways for Innovation to start mapping out my own innovative school concept!” ― Mike Taubmen, North Star Academy Charter School
“Caleb & Tyler took me from feeling like it was borderline impossible to truly believing in my ability to work with a team to create an innovative self directed learning environment. Their structured model of facilitating thought around first principles for what education should and could look like has been invaluable and will inform my future work in advocating for and helping to build learning environments that provide a magical experience to learners and educators alike. Thank-you both as well as the other cohort members for all your brilliant council!” ― Jamaal Thomas, Founder of Black on Black Education
From private school teachers:
Daily Flow
Get a snapshot of when and how each transformative day unfolds
8:00–8:30 | Check-In
8:30–9:00 | Welcome + Framing
9:00–12:00 | Studio Observations + Live Reflection
12:00–1:00 | Lunch (provided)
1:00–2:30 | Applied Workshop
2:30–3:00 | Learner Q&A
3:00–3:30 | Break + Connection
3:30–4:00 | Guide Panel
4:00–4:30 | Certification + Closing
