OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, December 3, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- With all the wonderful resources available, do we still need teachers to stand up in front of the classroom teaching kids content? Teaching has to look different because students will need to know how to not only access the content but how to determine what is authentic, valid, relevant, and how to ask the right questions.

“This is what learning needs to be today,” says creative learning strategist Barbara Bray. “Why do we continue to separate subjects and teach by grade level when that's not what the world is like? Why are we covering the curriculum and not uncovering the learning?”

Barbara Bray, founder of Rethinking Learning, is a writer, podcaster, coach, change agent, risk-taker, instructional designer, connector, and believer in magical things happening in learning. She takes personal and professional learning deeper by empowering agency for all learners.

Barbara works closely with leadership teams to make change happen in their schools as they create innovative learner-centered environments and positive, caring cultures of learning. Barbara guides the design of coaching programs and job-embedded strategies to support teachers as they transform teaching so learners develop agency.

“Rethinking Learning is about bringing joy, creativity, and innovation into learner-centered environments,” says Barbara. “I try to demonstrate what it means to be curious and creative and model that for teachers.”

Still, much of Barbara’s philosophy is centered around students, and creating an environment for students to become self-directed and independent learners motivated through their passions.

“If it's something you love to do, then do it every day. You can use your passion as a platform to learn anything.”

Bray was inspired by her own experiences.

“I didn't do well in school. When I was in first grade, my teacher stated that I couldn't read very well. I knew I could read because I was reading to my younger sisters. Even though my parents objected, the school put me in special reading classes and labeled me a poor reader, After that, I realized to be a good student I had to be compliant and follow rules. I learned to do school just to get out of school.” recalls Bray. “It wasn’t until I attended a community college in California that my English teacher believed in me and told me that I was a good reader and writer. He encouraged me to write and share my stories. I finally realized I had a voice.”

Today, Bray has co-authored two books: "Make Learning Personal" and "How to Personalize Learning,” hosts her podcast, Conversations on Learning, co-hosts a Twitter chat #rethink_learning, and focuses on why we need to prepare students for their future today. She believes that the future is already here. Students need the skills to be more innovative and entrepreneurial to thrive in our uncertain world.

“I’ve always felt we need to start with the why. We need to identify our purpose and that usually starts with an interest or passion. Here is a quote I wrote in 2001: Go with your strengths, develop your passion, and you will discover your purpose. When kids have the opportunity to do that, they get to be curious again and become really excited about learning.”

CUTV News Radio will feature Barbara Bray in an interview with Jim Masters on December 5th at 2pm EST.

Listen to the show on BlogTalkRadio.

If you have a question for our guest, call (347) 996-3389.

For more information on Rethinking Learning, visit https://barbarabray.net

Lou Ceparano
CUTV News
(631) 850-3314
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