Micro-school commonly asked questions & pitfalls to avoid
- Part 1How to use 2hr Learning to set up a micro school
- Part 2 Micro-school commonly asked questions & pitfalls to avoid
Show Notes
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01:12Creating a positive school cultureThe culture of the school is paramount, as it sets the tone for everything else. Alpha focuses on building a mindset of limitless potential in its students. They work with them to develop the belief that they can achieve anything through hard work, effort, and collaboration.
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03:44Creating a collaborative school environment and recognizing effortBy celebrating students' dedication and hard work, rather than fixed traits like being "smart," Alpha creates an environment where all learners feel valued and motivated. This culture of effort fosters collaboration and healthy competition, empowering students to continually improve.
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07:21Leveraging extrinsic motivators to build intrinsic motivationSometimes, extrinsic rewards can serve as the initial spark needed to ignite a passion for learning. Once students experience success and momentum, they often become intrinsically motivated to continue learning and challenging themselves.
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08:15Structuring a schools daily program to maximize learning and growthAlpha's day begins with an uplifting morning launch, then they break out into the 2 Hr Learning block with built-in breaks. This structure sets the tone for the day and instills in students the belief that they are special and can achieve great things through hard work and collaboration.
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11:14Life skills development at Alpha SchoolAfter the two-hour learning block and lunch, students engage in life skill workshops focused on areas like public speaking and entrepreneurship. Days conclude with a "shout outs and character points" session where students recognize and appreciate each other's contributions and achievements.
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14:02The value of consistency and celebrating winsConsistency in starting on time, ending on time, and recognizing wins throughout the day is crucial. When students wins are recognized and acknowledged, it drives them to pursue further success as they feel valued and motivated to excel.
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17:48The need for innovation in educationPatience is crucial when working with children to foster a positive school environment. Reflect on how you can positively impact young lives as now is the time to step up and shape the future by empowering the next generation of leaders.
Quotes
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"When you're starting a school, the culture is paramount to everything else. If you've been on a sports team where everybody fits together, you can do amazing things. So the culture of learning becomes so important." - Brian Holtz
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"If I tell one kid, they're smart, another kid by default is going to think they're dumb. But, praising effort allows you to create a culture where people want to fit in, they want to try harder." - Brian Holtz
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"To build intrinsic motivation, you've got to light the fire somehow. And sometimes these extrinsic rewards do a wonderful job of providing the kindling for the fire that we see down the road." - Brian Holtz
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"Recognizing kids wins throughout the day is important. What you'll see over time is that students become addicted to the wins." - Brian Holtz
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"Education has to do something. I think we're stuck. And it's schools like Alpha that are bringing along this next generation of leaders who are going to compete at the highest level." - Brian Holtz
- Part 1How to use 2hr Learning to set up a micro school
- Part 2 Micro-school commonly asked questions & pitfalls to avoid
Up Next:
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Part 1How to use 2hr Learning to set up a micro school
Brian Holtz, Co-Founder and Curriculum Designer at Alpha, delves into building a school. The foundation of any successful school lies in its mission. Inspired by a desire to reignite the love of learning in his children, Brian established 2 Hr Learning, a school where “bored but bright” students can flourish with the right support and tools. Today, Brian discusses how to build a school.
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Part 2Micro-school commonly asked questions & pitfalls to avoid
Brian Holtz, Co-Founder and Curriculum Designer at Alpha, delves into building a school. When starting a school, one of the most important elements to consider is the culture. Ultimately, you want to create a culture and environment where students feel validated and empowered to work hard to achieve amazing things. Today, Brian discusses how to create a successful school focused on student love of learning and achievement.
