top of page

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
31 views
0 comments


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
10 views
0 comments


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
29 views
0 comments


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
35 views
0 comments


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
11 views
0 comments


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
20 views
0 comments


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
18 views
0 comments


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
13 views
0 comments


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
52 views
0 comments


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
51 views
1 comment


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
26 views
0 comments


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
29 views
0 comments


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
24 views
0 comments


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
54 views
0 comments


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
24 views
0 comments


What Matters, What's Possible
In our final story from our Assessment for Learning Convening in Aurora, CO, we share a provocation from Maria Kaimana of Envision...

Convening Storytelling Team
Aug 7, 20244 min read
33 views
0 comments


Tell Me About New Legacy Charter School
Today, we share with you Maria's thoughtful poem about her visit to New Legacy Charter School. As we bring our stories from the Aurora...

Convening Storytelling Team
Jul 23, 20242 min read
17 views
0 comments


Letter to Past Self
Dear Amanda, The time seems to be moving far too slowly as you anticipate graduation, college acceptances, and life to begin. You are...

Convening Storytelling Team
Jun 18, 20243 min read
30 views
0 comments


Stuck in the Split Space
Below you can read Hannah Griffith's poem Stuck in the Split Space in her own hand from her journal. Click on any image to enlarge. A...

Convening Storytelling Team
Jun 12, 20242 min read
25 views
0 comments


Focusing on the "WHY"
In this week’s AFL Stories from Aurora, there is a focus on WHY–why educators do the work they do, why the Assessment for Learning...

Convening Storytelling Team
Jun 5, 20244 min read
38 views
0 comments
bottom of page