141. Getting Students Excited About Learning with Choice with Tanya King

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There’s little worse than being told what you have to do, when you have to do it, and how. And especially when kids are involved, they’re pretty good at digging in their heels and refusing. Ask any parent or teacher!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But we’re still telling kids what they have to learn, how they have to learn it, and when. We’re doing a disservice to them and, frankly, to the teachers who have to follow the prescribed curriculum.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thank goodness teachers like Tanya King exist. Teachers who are using data and proven strategies to break the mold and truly get students excited about learning. Tanya, an award-winning 6th grade teacher in Washington state, champions the idea of letting go of control and letting students lead their own learning. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And what she’s doing works! With kids regularly making two school years’ of progress while in her care, they’re no longer missing school or checking out mentally because they’re bored or uninspired. She takes inspiration to the next level.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Listen in to find out how Tanya is doing it differently!</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">About Tanya King:</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tanya King, also known as Mrs. KB, is a 6th-grade teacher in the Edmonds School District. She is in her 22nd year of teaching, holds a BA in Elementary Ed, Special Education K-12, a Masters in Integrating Technology, and is National Board Certified. It is her mission to empower students to become lifelong learners and instill within them a belief they can reach any goal he/she sets for him/herself. By teaching students to believe in themselves and take ownership of their learning, her students know they can tackle any task. Students come to school because they have to; Mrs. KB has created a learner-driven class and kids come because they want