Dreams of Education Podcast

In this special guest episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly Tenkely and Kyle Gamba explore innovative approaches to education, emphasizing learner-centered, community-based, and experiential learning models. They discuss their journeys, the importance of relationships, and a bold vision for transforming education in Colorado over the next decade. Anastasis Academy - https://anastasisacademy.com La...

Today’s episode opens with a bittersweet moment: Kelly’s calendar reminds her that this would have been graduation day for Anastasis Academy. From there, she and Michelle travel through the rituals that once bookended each school year—and the community those rituals made possible. Together they revisit: Graduation as a community celebration , where every student speaks, and families stay for each...

In this thoughtful episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive into the nuanced dance between setting high expectations and honoring the individual learning journey of each student. They explore what it means to foster independence, cultivate student agency, and create classroom environments where learners are seen, stretched, and supported. Through stories and reflections, they unpack the la...

In this episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dig into the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in education. Together, they unpack the ethical, emotional, and pedagogical implications of emerging technologies, questioning what’s lost when human connection is replaced by automation. Through a candid and layered conversation, they explore how AI often mirrors outdated systems rath...

In this episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive into the heart of inquiry-based education. They explore how learning comes alive through experience—especially when rooted in community, historical context, and real-world application. From math in everyday life to creative expression through art, the conversation highlights the power of interdisciplinary learning. Kelly and Michelle discuss...

In this episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly and Michelle dive into the essential skill of critical thinking—why it’s vital for kids and how traditional school structures often fail to cultivate it. They share personal stories of standout teachers who nurtured deep thinking and explore how inquiry-based learning fosters curiosity, cognitive dissonance, and better questioning. From childhood exper...

In this episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin explore the evolution of adult learning communities, reflecting on their experiences with early online educator networks, including Twitter, blogging, and EdChats. They discuss how these spaces created opportunities for collaboration, professional growth, and innovation in education. Kelly and Michelle examine how the lands...

In this episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly and Michelle explore the joy of learning and how it flourished at Anastasis Academy. They reflect on how many students arrived burdened with anxiety and defeat but transformed when learning became joyful again. They discuss the pitfalls of traditional education’s focus on test scores and compliance, the importance of emotional safety, and the power of...

In this episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin explore the concept of stakeholders in education, emphasizing the importance of recognizing students as primary stakeholders. They discuss the implications of viewing education through a business lens, the impact of testing and curriculum on learning, and the necessity of addressing students' basic needs. The conversation highlights the importanc...

In this episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive into the world of professional development (PD) in education, sharing candid reflections on their worst PD experiences and the lessons learned along the way. They explore the transformative potential of personalized and meaningful training, highlighting the benefits of Ed Camps, where educators collaborate to shape their own learning experie...

In this episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly and Michelle dive into a thought-provoking article titled “What Do We Keep Getting Wrong in Education Policy?” Inspired by a repost of the article on Bluesky, they explore the success story of Nathan Hale High School and how its innovative small-school model unraveled due to systemic missteps and a lack of understanding of the deeper factors at play.  ...

In this episode of the Dreams of Education podcast, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin explore the transformative power of reimagining assessment and grading practices. They dive into how traditional systems often fail to reflect a truly learner-centered approach and share how Anastasis Academy developed an innovative assessment model that prioritizes growth, reflection, and the journey of learnin...

In this episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive deep into what it means to create a learner-centered environment. They explore the disconnect between schools’ claims of being student-centered and the systemic practices prioritizing efficiency, standardization, and outcomes over humanity and individuality. From pushing developmentally inappropriate standards to relying on rigid, one-size-f...

In this episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin explore the complexities of math education and the role of technology in classrooms. They discuss how inquiry-based learning, manipulatives, and real-world connections can transform math into a relevant, engaging subject. By redefining math, encouraging growth mindsets, and embracing mistakes, educators can help students overcome anxiety and see...

In this week’s episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive deep into the heart of how Anastasis Academy approached the way kids learn to read.   They share stories of moving away from traditional, one-size-fits-all approaches and embracing reading as a personal, joyful, and integrated part of a child’s learning journey. From overcoming the limitations of excerpt-based t...

In this episode, Kelly and Michelle explore how Anastasis Academy approaches accommodations with a deeply personalized philosophy, treating every student as an individual learner. They discuss the flexibility they have as a private school not bound by traditional IEP (Individualized Education Plan) laws and highlight the role of the Department of Education in protecting student rights. The Departm...

In this week’s episode of the Dreams of Education podcast, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive into the impact of field trips and service learning on education. Sharing their experiences at Anastasis Academy, they explore how a strong commitment to community-focused, experiential learning and service partnerships shaped their students’ understanding of the world and their role within it. Kelly...

In this episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive into the origins and evolution of inquiry-based learning at Anastasis Academy. Kelly shares her frustration with the one-size-fits-all curriculum model, recounting how rigid boxed curriculums ignore students’ unique complexities. This led her to envision the Learning Genome Project and start Anastasis Academy, committe...

In this episode of “Dreams of Education,” Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive deep into the hidden curriculum that defines school culture. They explore how small, intentional actions can shape an environment where students feel a sense of belonging and trust. From teaching empathy through Pixar movies to innovative approaches like Detox Week and “ice-blocking” at the park, Kelly and Michelle d...

In this week’s episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly and Michelle dive deep into two of Anastasis Academy’s most beloved rituals—Identity Day and Storyline. They discuss how these traditions evolved from simple ideas into transformative learning experiences that honor student identity, foster community, and empower self-expression. From showcasing personal interests to exploring metaphors of growt...

In this episode, Michelle and Kelly reflect on the early days of Anastasis Academy, where we began with zero funding, zero curriculum, and zero furniture. We share stories from that first year—our challenges, successes, and even some of Kelly's best terrible ideas. We discuss how constraints acted as creative abundance, shaping the intentional, learner-centered culture that defines Anastasis today...

Welcome to the very first episode of Dreams of Education! In this episode, we dive into why we decided to start a podcast now, 14 years after launching Anastasis Academy. We share the story of how we met, how our paths crossed in unexpected ways, and the journey that led us to create a school together in 2011. It’s the beginning of many reflections on education, innovation, and everything we’ve le...