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Our learning blog


My Story of Learning
You can download a PDF of Beth's story of learning below. Storyteller Beth Blankenship Educator Beth Blankenship is an English teacher at...
Convening Storytelling Team
Dec 18, 20241 min read
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Oakland As and Ls: Chapter II
I met another Lily . She was ready to shine. We were invited to watch her defend  her work as a senior. When we arrived in the session,...
Convening Storytelling Team
Dec 11, 20245 min read
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Oakland As and Ls
She  was sitting at  the back of the Spinnaker Room at the Waterfront Hotel, in Oakland, California, observing, making notes, and perhaps...
Convening Storytelling Team
Dec 3, 20244 min read
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The Rose That Grew from Concrete
This week, we are continuing our exploration of former Oakland superintendent, Dr. Marcus Foster, through two very creative explorations...
Convening Storytelling Team
Nov 20, 20249 min read
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Matching Students’ Desires for Social Change
It was an honor to participate in a two-day conference to discuss Assessments for Learning at Jack London Square Waterfront in Oakland,...
Convening Storytelling Team
Nov 7, 20244 min read
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Surpassing Worth, Priceless
It is our first connector or ice breaker activity of the convening. We are asked to get up and find a partner, not at your table, to talk...
Convening Storytelling Team
Oct 30, 20243 min read
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Equity Through Collective Liberation
This is a story about Collective liberation that emphasizes the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression and the necessity of...
Convening Storytelling Team
Oct 23, 20244 min read
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A Look Back at an Innovative Educator: Dr. Marcus Foster
Rita Harvey Partner, Systems Transformation, Center for Innovation in Education During our convening in Oakland, we had the honor of...
Convening Storytelling Team
Oct 17, 20246 min read
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Approaches to Designing Quality Performance Assessment Systems
As part of the Assessment for Learning May 2024 convening in Oakland, California, we had site visits to two schools (Envision Academy...
Convening Storytelling Team
Oct 11, 20243 min read
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Oakland Rising
Many recognize the phoenix as a mythical bird, one that goes through death, rebirth, and renewal. In a similar manner, my history in...
Convening Storytelling Team
Oct 9, 20243 min read
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Public learning in Capstone Learning and Teaching
This May, several teachers from all over the country squeezed into an Oakland classroom that was packed with students, family members,...
Convening Storytelling Team
Sep 25, 20244 min read
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Student Growth in Oakland
Nopal Storyteller Jessica Bernal-Mejia Mentor Teacher Born and raised in Tucson. Az a Mother of two intelligent little people, partner to...
Convening Storytelling Team
Sep 18, 20243 min read
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Building Belonging at Arise High School
What does it mean to feel like you belong? It can be hard to define and even harder to measure. Yet, all humans feel the need to belong–...
Convening Storytelling Team
Sep 12, 20243 min read
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The Power of Student Defenses
In May 2024, the Assessment for Learning Community gathered in Oakland, California, to continue our exploration of the question: How do...
Convening Storytelling Team
Sep 4, 20244 min read
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Poems from Oakland
In May 2024, the Assessment for Learning Community gathered in Oakland, California, to continue our exploration of the question: How do...
Convening Storytelling Team
Sep 4, 20242 min read
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