In this leadership episode of the PBL Simplified Podcast for Administrators, host Ryan Steuer sits down with David Richards — founder of Growth Public Schools, Changemaker Micro Schools, and host of the Changemaker EDU podcast. David shares his journey from corporate banking to education entrepreneurship, his “why” rooted in serving students who don’t fit the traditional model, and how micro schools are redefining education for the next decade.
The conversation dives deep into learner-centered design, micro school development, district innovation, and the leadership mindset needed to create transformative change within schools of any size.
🧭 Key Topics
- David’s Why: Leaving banking for education to serve students like his family — those who struggled in traditional systems.
- Growth Public Schools: How David founded a learner-centered public charter school focused on self-directed and project based learning.
- Rise of Micro Schools: The resurgence of small, relational, multi-age learning communities — “a redux of the one-room schoolhouse.”
- Public vs. Private Micro Schools: How districts can innovate within existing systems and use micros to reach underserved students.
- School Within a School Model: How large districts can pilot small, PBL-driven environments inside comprehensive schools.
- Lessons for Traditional Schools: What larger schools can learn from micro schools about relationships, self-direction, and personalization.
- Future of Education: A look ten years ahead — micro schools influencing 5–10% of students and reshaping how learning works across the U.S.
- Changemaker EDU Network: How David’s team helps educators launch and sustain high-quality micro schools through coaching, resources, and community.
- Staying Grounded: David’s reflections on purpose, alignment, and personal balance through meditation and family focus.
Resources and links:
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