Passion-Based Learning with Derek McCoy

In this episode, award-winning principal and author Derek McCoy shares his passion for working with middle school students and reflects on his new role as Director of Learning and Innovation at Grady County Schools in Georgia. As a long-time school leader, McCoy reflects on numerous topics with the sole purpose of creating a culture of innovation and passion-based learning. This approach includes elements of design thinking, personalized learning, global competence, student empowerment and strategies to create more student-centered learning opportunities. Derek also offers tips on how to create more collaborative learning spaces, including a previous project in which lockers were removed to make room for a "genius bar" and maker space area to promote technology, creativity and hands-on learning. You can find more big ideas in Derek's book, The Revolution: It's Time To Empower Change In Our Schools, that was written with Darren Ellwein, a middle school principal in South Dakota. Twitter: @mccoyderek. Website: www.mccoyderek.com.

Sign Up Here for the Reimagine Schools Newsletter.

About Dr. Greg Goins

As the Founder/Host of the Reimagine Schools Podcast, Dr. Greg Goins has emerged as one of the nation's leading voices on visionary leadership and the path to transforming our schools. He currently serves as the Director of the Educational Leadership Program at Georgetown College (KY) and previously spent 15 years as a school district superintendent in Illinois. Dr. Goins is a passionate keynote speaker and is available to speak at your next education conference or school PD day. To book Dr. Goins, please send inquiries to drgreggoins@gmail.com.  Twitter: @DrGregGoins. Website: www.reimagineschools.net.

Become A Supporter: You can now help keep the conversation going by supporting the Reimagine Schools Podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes. Thanks for your support! anchor.fm/greg-goins/support

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/greg-goins/support

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.