Open Way Learning
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openwaylearning.bsky.social
Open Way Learning
@openwaylearning.bsky.social
We co-design innovative school cultures

Every learner can change their world. Innovative schools are making that happen today.
At Resilience on the River, #WNC educators quite literally went with the flow, exploring how #placebased learning, collaboration across disciplines, and reflection on the French Broad River can strengthen resilience in schools.

#WNCResilienceProject #OpenWayLearning #OWL
November 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Last week in Marshall, NC, Wes Davis shadowed a teacher whose classroom is the community! From mobile murals to making bricks for art projects, students are creating meaningful work. This is the #WNCResilienceProject in action! #CommunityPartnerships #OWL #MadisonCounty
October 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
At North Buncombe Middle School, belonging starts with listening! Students are sharing their thoughts on what they love and want to change and are turning conversation into community! Join the WNC Resilience Network: bit.ly/3VUvXMK #WNCResilienceProject #StuVoice #Belonging #OWL
October 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Thrilled to have facilitated a #strategicplanning workshop at North Cedar Elementary in Cedar Falls! Huge thanks to Dr. Nolan for sharing his insights. Excited to see the team embark on their 5-Year Strategic Plan! #EducationalLeadership #SystemsChange #OpenWayLearning
August 11, 2025 at 3:17 PM
OWL is excited to support Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public School in #reimaginingeducation in NC! Huge thanks to everyone who participated in our design sprint for #experientiallearning. Looking forward to amazing experiences at the new ECPPS Micro School, Aviation Academy, and beyond!
August 6, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Last week, we had an inspiring day with the #WNCResilienceProject! Educators from Asheville City Schools, Haywood, Madison, Jackson, and Henderson County came together to #reimagine what's possible for #education in #WNC. Big thanks to all who made it a success! bit.ly/4lQnJQN
July 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Last week #OWL co-founder Ben Owens participated in the 2025 Hot Springs Teacher Institute, where educators from NC collaborated on #communitybasedlearning projects inspired by #WilmaDykeman’s legacy & past #CBL projects continue to inspire new educators! bit.ly/4o1i2Rz
July 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Ten years ago Greg Whiteley and Ted Dintersmith featured Samantha, Brian and Scout in their film, “Most Likely to Succeed.” #WhatSchoolCouldBe will bring these three back for a “Where are they now?” conversation on YouTube Live. To register go to: bit.ly/4kvs36O
July 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Wes Davis interviewed Asheville teachers & a non-profit leader about their transformative projects funded by the #WNCResilienceProject. From outdoor science to student-run childcare, they're reshaping recovery into learning: bit.ly/43CUYAA
#SEL #PlaceBasedLearning
June 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
OWL is proud to support Fielding International for the FLEx Summer Bootcamp, July 22–24 in Sun Prairie, WI! K–8 educator teams will dive into:
Co-teaching strategies, #SpatialDesign for #studentagency & #DesignThinking protocols.

Learn more & register: bit.ly/4dSYN8
June 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Two days, two innovative schools, & one van full of committed educators sparked immediate change at North Cedar Elementary! After visiting Minnesota New Country School & Gatewood Elementary, teachers began #outdoorlearning the NEXT DAY! Have you seen "one degree" shifts in your school?
April 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Shoutout to #BartramAcademy in #WNC! Their Food Economics Project had students analyzing Huddle House vs. homemade pancakes, then plan a meal on a $10 budget. One student said, "I can save and spend money; I feel like I can survive with what we learned." Great job!

#PBL #StudentVoice #StuVoice
April 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Jimmy McCue & Wes Davis of OWL along w/ Mike Strong of Blue Dot Education will be at #DL25 in San Diego April 2-4th! Their workshop on empathetic leadership aims to transform how teachers & leaders co-create meaningful learning experiences. Learn more: bit.ly/4jY0cwM
@hthgse
March 26, 2025 at 4:47 PM
@engineerteacher.bsky.social just wrapped up two incredible days at Santo Domingo School, where teachers & students co-designed 'How-To Guides' for all the tech tools in their #makerspace. Watching students take the lead learning by doing & then supporting their peers was truly inspiring! #STEM
March 13, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Reflecting on the #WNCResilienceProject, we witnessed the power of community! Educators & leaders came together to tackle challenges post-Hurricane Helene. Grateful for all who participated in shaping solutions for resilience & healing! #SparkNC #EducationReimagined #WNCStrong
February 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Kicking off 2025 with our friends at North Cedar Elementary in Cedar Falls, IA! 🎉 Ben Owens & Jimmy McCue teamed up with educators for some authentic learning, tackling "How Might We" challenges & enjoying the town's famous crab rangoon pizza! #Education #Collaboration
January 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Open Way Learning, SparkNC and Education Reimagined will be co-hosting a transformative 2-Day Resilience-Building Workshop for educators and stakeholders in WNC this January.
Learn more: [email protected]
Support teachers: donorbox.org/the-wnc-resi...
#WNCResilience
December 30, 2024 at 5:34 PM
OWL will be co-hosting a Resilience-Building Workshop for educators in #WNC alongside SparkNC & Education Reimagined. Let's #ReimagineEducation as a catalyst for resilience, healing & innovation!
Learn more: [email protected]
Support teachers: bit.ly/3ZyaD1X
December 20, 2024 at 3:57 PM
How can we redefine attendance as a skill rather than just a checklist? Let’s empower students to thrive, not just show up. Read more in this article by Matthew Riggan (via Next Generation Learning Challenges) bit.ly/49HTtSU #LearnerCentered #ReimagineLearning
December 16, 2024 at 5:13 PM
Open Way Learning is excited to share that alongside SparkNC & Education Reimagined, we will be co-hosting a 2-Day Resilience-Building Workshop in January for educators & stakeholders in WNC.
More info: [email protected]
Support teachers: bit.ly/3ZyaD1X
December 13, 2024 at 5:17 PM
How do we empower teachers as co-designers? By fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection! At Konnoak Middle School, OWL hosted a hands-on workshop where teachers used improv to share their project designs-sparking laughter, joy & #radicalcollaboration!
#PowerofUs
December 11, 2024 at 4:08 PM
We joined NC math teachers on their #experientiallearning journey! OWL Fellow Margaret Borden & Wes Davis led an inspiring session at the #NCCTM conference. A highlight? Transforming a “Design a Zoo” unit into a main-course #PBL experience!
#MathEducation
December 5, 2024 at 4:16 PM
Support the WNC Resilience Project! Join us in creating a network of educators, students, and leaders focused on long-term transformation! donorbox.org/the-wnc-resi...
#GivingTuesday #WNCResilience #EmpowerStudents #CommunityRecovery
December 4, 2024 at 12:16 AM