September Coffee Hour Recap: Centering the Learner

At our most recent Coffee Hour Chat, we explored what it really means to put young people at the center of learning and to step back from the habits and pressures of “school.” The conversation reminded us that school is everywhere: in cultural rhythms, in our own memories, even in the ways kids play. For some families, a bit of structure still provides comfort and stability; for others, too much of it feels limiting. What matters most is flexibility, personalization, and the courage to choose what works for each child. Participants shared powerful stories about kids advocating for different tutors, families balancing outside requirements with self-direction, and parents finding their own voices to push back against rigid systems. Again and again, we returned to one core truth: centering the learner means honoring individuality, agency, and humanity over one-size-fits-all expectations. It was moving to hear how this practice doesn’t just shape children’s experiences, it transforms adults too. Parents and caregivers spoke about the bravery it takes to speak truth, to trust children, and to create a home base rooted in love rather than coercion.