Difference Making
Our challenges and opportunities are shared and it’s never been easier, or more important to make a difference.
From hundreds of school visits and thousands of conversations with students, parents, preachers, policy-makers and the like — making a difference has emerged as the most important way for us to transform learning experiences for young people and build a better future for all. We look forward to continuing to share these experiences with you through our blog and an upcoming book.
How I Went From Underemployed Waitress to the top 1% of Millennials in 3 Months
By: Lauren Holliday. A story that exemplifies the entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, and do-it-yourself spirit of GenDIY. Or more simply put, the GenDIY imperative of getting your S*!% together.
Build Your Brand: How a Positive Social Media Presence can Lead to a Career
By: Haley Osborne. Social media is an ever-changing entity, but we’re finding there are a few things about it that stay constant. Here's how to not only create the best personal brand possible via social media, but how to use it to boost your career as well.
Young Greek Transforms From Unemployed to Full-Scale Web Developer
By: Melinda Barlow. How one student took what he noticed in a demanding job market then bridged the gap between the skills he had and the skills needed to become a full-scale web-designer.
Harnessing Uncertainty as a Learning Tool
When it comes to how we learn, rarely is something more impactful than navigating uncertainty. Deeper Learning happens when people are in situations where they must simultaneously learn, apply thinking, and reflect.
Success Takes Agency, Identity, and Competency
Young adult success requires agency, an integrated identity, and competencies. Drawing on research from many fields, theory and practice to identify building blocks for life success, The University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research developed a framework for youth development.
Rethinking Assessment to Meet the Demands of the 21st Century Workforce
With innovative teaching models and new assessment capabilities brought about by technology, students and teachers will have greater access to information about levels of understanding, remediation can decrease, and personalized learning at scale will become reality.
Choosing to Leave Private School for a Self-Directed Journey
By: Colleen Broderick. Not many students consider leaving elite academies to pursue their own learning experience. Nick Bain, a high school junior at Colorado Academy, left school last semester to test the efficacy of agency of his own education.
How I Paved my Unique Path with Career Path High
By: Eleanore “Ellie” Northrop. How Ellie's decision to take control of her secondary journey led to a personalized high school experience, two job offers before graduation, and the beginning of her career.
Your Kid Just Said He’s Not Going to College, Now What?
Your kid says he’s not going to college, what do you do? Start by asking Jr. how he thinks he’s going to make a living and if he’s got longer term aspirations. Listen before advising. If and when it makes sense, run these seven HigherEd options by Jr.
Simon’s Rock Early College: Three GenDIY Women Paving Their Own Path
By: Mickey Revenaugh. Occupying an idyllic slice of the Berkshires is an early college school where students often joke about being the country’s best educated high school dropouts.