Personalized/Work-Based Learning
Since 1998, over 1000 students have had the opportunity to explore mentored and community-based learning programs at U-32, and we are truly grateful for the mentors and businesses who have dedicated their time and expertise to make these programs work! We are thrilled to be able to offer such a diversity of opportunities for students to explore their passions and curiosities, take learning into their own hands, investigate a possible future career, pursue a flexible pathway to graduation, and connect with people in the community.
PROGRAMS:
Branching Out
Community Based Learning
The Pilot Program
Changemakers
Programs at U-32
Branching Out
Branching Out has been providing opportunities for students to explore personalized learning projects for over 20 years! A year-long program for high school students; students choose one topic to pursue and work with a mentor in the community; Karen Liebermann is the Teacher Advisor and meets with students individually on a weekly basis throughout the year. Branching Out--World Language is an option for students to study world languages not offered at U-32.
Community Based Learning
A semester-long program for high school students; students choose one topic of interest and work with a mentor in the community. Students obtain experiences that engage the community as an extension of the classroom, for the purpose of career exploration, training, or genuine curiosity and interest in a subject area. Students will map out a learning plan with goals, take action steps, prove / document their learning with artifacts, and understand all skills developed using the U-32 SLO’s. Time during the semester is spent in class, with the instructor, at an internship, or with a mentor in this student driven course. George Cook is the Teacher Advisor and meets with students both in a class format and individually.
The Pilot Program
A personalized learning program for high school students that allows students to understand themselves as learners. Project plans are designed by students based on their passions and interests. In the Pilot, students gain a deeper understanding of how they learn best -- the type of embodied knowledge that they gain can be life-changing; Amy Koenigbauer is the Teacher Advisor. See the Pilot Website for more.
Changemakers: Building a Brighter Future
Changemakers offers students the opportunity to explore issues of racial justice, climate justice and social change. Students develop a group or independent project- centered on action- that makes a difference in the community. Changemakers is offered to 9-12th graders in the first semester. Karen Liebermann and Shelley Vermiliya are the teacher advisors who meet with students in a dedicated class time, with help from guest teacher Meg Allison.
Students have the option to continue their action project through Branching Out in the second semester.
"I think it's wonderful that you at U-32 are supporting students as they follow their interests and curiosity out into the community, and that you trust in their unique learning process."
-Mentor
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Hear about Work-Based Learning at U-32 from the voices of our Teacher Advisors and Principal; Karen Liebermann, George Cook, Amy Koenigbauer and Steven Delinger-Pate.
Personalized Learning Audio Interviews.mp3U-32 Work-Based Learning featured in Education Reimagined!
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Karen Liebermann, Branching Out and Changemakers, kliebermann@u32.org
George Cook, Community Based Learning, gcook@u32.org
Amy Koenigbauer, The Pilot, akoenigbauer@u32.org
Liza Semler, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, lsemler@u32.org
Have a job you would like to post? Contact the Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Liza Semler, at lsemler@u32.org
Header Artwork by Agnes Polk