Creative Praxis

Throughout our conversation with Sarah Pottle and Jess Boeke, we unravel the richness of regenerative education and its potential impact on our communities, teachers, students, and the broader educational landscape. We discuss themes of interconnection and interdependence, bringing to light the human aspects often lost in our industrialized education system. From this conversation, you will see that regenerative education is not just a theoretical concept, but a practical tool that has the potential to reenergize classrooms, increase student engagement, and inspire educators.

Join us as we traverse the landscape of regenerative education with Dr. Kevin House, an education futures architect at Education in Motion. Dr. House introduces us to the concepts of critical literacy, multiliteracies, and eco-literacy, which he brings together in the innovative Human Literacies Framework and the Green School Literacies Framework. These regenerative approaches to education develop fluency, build upon strengths, and offer a vision of education that echoes the wisdom of Indigenous knowledge systems. This unique model cultivates interdisciplinary awareness and empowers students with a sense of agency, paving the way for hyper-personalization in schooling. We further delve into the realm of digital literacy within a regenerative education context and explore the ongoing ability for digital self-regeneration throughout life. It is a fascinating conversation rich with insights and fresh perspectives.

Have you ever considered how caring for yourself could be a revolutionary act? Danielle Denichaud, a professional dancer turned chronic disease recovery coach, and Ph.D. candidate at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education helps us unearth the importance of self-care as an ethical project and a key component of regenerative education. We dig into the importance of somatic awareness in education and the need for bravery and action in our pursuit of wellness. Through this episode, we shed light on the significant connections between performing arts, social justice, education, and embodied learning, and how these intersections can influence our personal and societal wellness. Our conversation also steers towards the impact of permaculture principles and Indigenous teachings and the role creativity plays in navigating our way out of this current moment. Join us in challenging our perceptions and beliefs about wellness and self-care to reimagine an approach to education that is radically regenerative.

Get ready for a fascinating conversation with Jos Eussen, a social entrepreneur who passionately champions a radical transformation of our formal education system. Jos guides us through his concept of OPEDUCA, which focuses on transdisciplinary, whole-student learning. He brings a fresh perspective on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), emphasizing the need for continuous critical thought and empowering young people to be entrepreneurial and take ownership of their future. Our discussion extends to the concept of regenerative education and its crucial role in reconnecting young people with the world and different cultures. We discuss the urgent need to break away from the traditional system of teaching and instead, foster interconnectedness and learning with everybody. Prepare to be inspired and challenged as we rethink education and sustainability together. As Jos says, let's not just evolve; let's revolutionize education.

What would happen if we reimagined our education system, integrating emotional intelligence and interculturality into the curriculum? Antonio Gutiérrez dared to take up this quest with Celei Regenerative Education, a company offering unique study abroad programs focused on education for regenerative cultures. 

Celei’s programs foster critical thinking through experiential learning, creating an innovative approach to education that challenges conventional systems. In our conversation, we explore the significant gap in our current education system and how it neglects essential skills such as emotional intelligence, interculturality, service learning, and community building. Antonio passionately explains how Celei nurtures these skills, leveraging the unique opportunity presented by studying abroad to push students out of their comfort zones and broaden their worldviews.

Why is the concept of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) more crucial now than ever before? Join us as we explore the world of ESD with our esteemed guests Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl. They offer rich insight into the history of ESD and the contemporary urgency of implementing ESD in the wake of the pandemic. Our conversation provides a broader perspective on the importance of ESD and regeneration in the current global context.

We journey into the intersection of education, sustainability, and Indigenous perspectives through the global initiative #IndigenousESD. Our guests elaborate on how ESD aligns with Indigenous worldviews, and how it can help shift the focus of education. We also explore the importance of understanding and including traditional practices in our educational systems and beyond. 

What if our educational systems could be reimagined to center Indigenous knowledge? What happens when we question established norms through queering? In this compelling conversation with Dr. Alex Wilson, from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Treaty 5 territory, we discuss how Indigenous land-based education can help to deconstruct colonial institutions. We also discuss the concept of ‘rewilding’ - a term used in neoliberal discourse that has implications for land, ecosystems, Indigenous languages, and the commodification of nature. We discuss the impact of severing knowledge transmission, colonial economics, and spiritual connections that inform our understanding of being human. And we talk about the critical importance of Indigenous sovereignty that re-centres Indigenous worldviews and the benefits for all of us if we do. 

We are joined by regenerative curriculum development expert Zouheir Al-Ghreiwati who is on a mission to revolutionize education. With his curriculum development company (re)genÜrate, Zouheir has created an impressive implementation framework for regenerative education and innovative pedagogical approaches to ignite curiosity and promote interconnection. He breaks down his methodology, where inclusivity, transdisciplinarity, and practicality are key. We chat about the significance of tracking emotional, social, neurological, and physiological changes at different grade levels and the transformative power of self-reflection. Adding to this, Zouheir enlightens us on how we can incorporate principles of holism along with Indigenous ways of knowing and being into our educational systems with profound effects. Zuheir’s optimism and hope in the face of challenges is a testament to his dedication to the transformative potential of regenerative education. 

In our discussion with Elizabeth Weinberg, a queer essayist and science communicator, we examine our relationship with the Earth through a queer, anti-racist, and feminist lens. Liz breaks down the ahistorical way environmentalism is often taught, which leads to the justification of oppressive systems like genocide and environmental racism. She argues for the necessity of recognizing the real history of humanity's relationship with the Earth to meaningfully respond to the ecological crises we face. Our conversation then moves into the connections between social activism, queerness, and environmental justice. Liz discusses navigating the challenges and potential in climate communication and emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between acknowledging the severity of the situation and finding joy in stories that inspire us to contribute to making a livable world.

Guest Inge Rozendal, a renowned expert in assessment and didactics from the Netherlands, helps us unearth the transformative nature of regenerative education. How does it move beyond solving problems to create systemic changes and meaningful impact? Discover the importance of fostering regenerative assessment practices and how technology such as AI can play a crucial role in education. We think through some of the potential benefits and drawbacks of technology use in the educational sphere, from global knowledge sharing to the risks of privacy and bias. And Inge prompts us to contemplate the critical importance of teaching students to use AI responsibly and the potential of AI to enrich learning experiences.

In this episode, we are honoured to host Dr. Judy Halbert and Dr. Linda Kader, co-directors of the Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIIE) and leaders of the Transformative Educational Leadership Program at the University of British Columbia. Our conversation takes us into the world of regenerative education and the transformative power of the Spirals of Inquiry. We explore the potent themes of transformation, personal growth, and discovering one's identity and purpose. Within the conversation Judy and Linda’s commitment to equity in education shines through as they share their vision - every learner graduating with dignity, purpose, and options, along with an ignited curiosity about the world. Through compelling anecdotes of individuals who have evolved within the network, Dr. Halbert and Dr. Kaser bring to light the transformative and regenerative potential of inquiry-based education. 

Educational psychologist Linda van der Linden, founder of the Sharing-Caring Foundation, takes us on a fascinating journey from her humble beginnings as an allotment gardener to an advocate for regenerative education. This episode explores Linda's innovative approach toward education, highlighting the importance of non-cognitive factors in learning and promoting student wellness through a holistic, interconnected perspective. Linda challenges the traditional understanding of knowledge acquisition and emphasizes the need for creativity in teaching. We discuss the profound impact of AI in revolutionizing education and delve into the concept of embodied knowledge, which spotlights our unique human abilities to be creative, collaborate, and care for one another.