NEASC Showcase 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically shifted the educational landscape, highlighting the need for flexible and personalized learning experiences. Students' ability to access course material at different times is essential as needs grow more complex. Participants will step into learners' shoes as they experience and explore a classroom model that combines teacher-curated resources and self-paced learning journeys to increase learner agency and autonomy, which increases engagement, motivation, and mastery. Participants will be able to (1) describe the principles and benefits of learner-centered instruction, (2) apply a tiered-level system to differentiate a new or current unit of study, (3) design a physical or digital progress tracker based on shared templates and samples, (4) collect practical strategies for implementing a similar model in their classrooms, and (5) access implementation support and resources for additional professional development.

Educators will explore strategies to enhance student autonomy and civic engagement in the classroom. Attendees will gain specific and immediately applicable techniques to increase student civic voice in the classroom or school. Educators will reflect on the degree to which they use practices that promote civic engagement and collaborate with peers to evaluate their own teaching practices and identify opportunities for growth. Student presenters will share their real-world learning experiences across different disciplines and grade levels that promote civic awareness. Attendees will engage with peers to discuss the opportunities and brainstorm ways to overcome potential roadblocks in using these new strategies and have time to consider how they could incorporate those ideals and get feedback from peers to refine their plan. This session is applicable to department and school leaders who seek to create a culture of student engagement in their schools.

What happens when students co-design an immersive learning experience? Hear from two student leaders about their journey in designing and leading a week-long experience for their peers focused on understanding the challenges and needs of the unhoused in Boston. Through field trips and hands-on volunteering experiences, students built empathy and understanding of the complexity of this issue and connected with existing nonprofits and advocacy groups. Students identified ways to become more involved in improving the quality of life for unhoused community members by the end of the week. Hear advice on how to incorporate these leadership opportunities in your community.