2025 Ecosystem Orientation

The Learner-Centered Ecosystem Orientation is a space for learner-centered systems builders— K-12 educators, out-of-school time professionals, researchers, and young people — who are already reimagining new ways to organize and support education. This gathering is a powerful step forward in our shared journey, offering a foundation to learn together, create connections, and deepen national partnerships with those committed to an equitable education system that fosters holistic development and life outcomes for each and every young person.

For this training, Education Reimagined is thrilled to partner with the PAST Foundation, a learning environment on the forefront of ecosystemic design for learning. The PAST team has welcomed us in exploring their ecosystem of learning; giving us the opportunity to explore their community and gain insights from stakeholders. This training is an opportunity to connect, share, and learn—not only about the PAST Foundation, but also about the diverse learner-centered efforts taking place across the country, including yours.

Overview

Purpose: The Ecosystem Orientation is for Community Leaders eager to significantly expand the horizon of what public education can fulfill; positioning leaders to 1) grow their Learner-centered ecosystems in ways that exhibit new ways to organize, support, and credential learning and 2) demonstrate this transformed system’s viability to powerfully serve learners, families, and communities. 

Outcomes: During our two days together, we will: 

• Investigate the intersection of systems transformation and providing equitable access to and experience of learner-centered ecosystems.
• Explore our communities’ readiness and existing conditions for ecosystem development in a way that shifts how we view and engage with our communities.
• Uncover ways we can individually and collectively contribute to the R&D of Learner-centered Ecosystems.
• Build the kind of relationships with one another that will allow for discovery, collaboration, and courageous conversations.

Agenda (subject to change): 
Our agenda will continue to evolve and change, but the below is intended to provide you a sense of our time together. Expect a mix of small and whole group conversations, deep discussions and uplifting celebration, and time to reflect both individually and together.

Thursday, April 10 - Virtual Orientation Kick-Off Call
 3:30-5:00pm ET

• Welcome and Introductions
• Connection
• Getting Present to Learner-Centered Ecosystems
• Building our Shared Understanding: Learning Journeys
• What to Expect During the Orientation
• Closing

Monday, April 21 - Ecosystem Orientation in Columbus, OH
6:00-8:00pm ET

• Optional reception 

Tuesday, April 22
9:00-5:00pm ET

• Welcome and Connection
• Building our Shared Understanding: Home Base, Learning Hub, Field Site
• Immersive Exploration of Columbus’s Ecosystem (60m Lunch included)
• What’s Possible in Our Communities
• Ending the Day by 5:00pm
• Group Dinner 

Wednesday, April 23 
9:00-3:00pm ET

• Welcome and Connection
• Mapping What's Possible for Our Communities
• Day in The Life of an Ecosystem Stakeholder
• Lunch
• Day in The Life of an Ecosystem Stakeholder (continued)
• Exploring our Ecosystems’ Readiness
• Closing by 4:00pm ET

Lodging, Venue, Scholarships

The Ecosystem Orientation will take place across multiple locations. More information will be shared closer to the event. 

Lodging: Education Reimagined will reserve room blocks; you do not need to book your own hotel. More info about lodging will be shared shortly. 

Scholarships: If costs present a barrier to your participation, limited scholarships are available. Education Reimagined encourages participants to cover as much of their travel and lodging as possible. To request a scholarship, please contact Sofia Teytelman (sofia@educationreimagined.org).

Steps to Indicate Interest in the Upcoming Ecosystem Orientation

Please note this Ecosystem Orientation is an invitation-only experience. Education Reimagined is committed to create space for those excited by the Ecosystem vision and who are diverse across areas of expertise, race, experiences, culture, age, and location. This better positions us to act on our commitment. 

If there are others who you think would be interested in the Ecosystem Orientation or a future training, please share their names and contact info with Alin Bennett  (alin@educationreimagined.org) or Bobbi MacDonald (bobbi@educationreimagined.org).

To indicate your interest: 

Step 1: Read core documents of this training: 

• A Transformational Vision for U.S.
• Practitioner and Ecosystem Lexicon
• Continuum for Ecosystem Development
• Read this Ecosystem Orientation page in its entirety 

Step 2: If all of the above excites you, we invite you to register below OR schedule an introductory conversation with Alin Bennett (alin@educationreimagined.org) to learn more about the Ecosystem Orientation before registering.

Step 3: After you register, you’ll receive an email with the required survey to complete. In this survey, you will provide us with important preliminary information to help us plan this event. Please complete it as soon as you receive it.