She almost gave up on education

Andrea Fife – VP of Learning at OpenEd – was once on the verge of becoming another casualty of a rigid education system. Five years ago, as a passionate 5th-grade teacher trying to meet the diverse needs of her students, she found herself suffocating within the confines of traditional schooling.

"I was so burned out," Andrea shared in our recent podcast conversation. "I considered leaving education entirely."

Andrea's story is not unique. Our education system often pushes out its most creative and passionate students and educators simply because they don't fit a predetermined mold.

As a student, Andrea had experienced firsthand the shortcomings of traditional education.

"School was always very easy for me until I graduated from high school," she recalls.

Then came college, where she lost a full-ride scholarship and found herself completely disengaged.

"I just stopped going," Andrea admits.

"It wasn't serving me. It wasn't engaging."

These experiences led Andrea to an ‘a-ha’ moment: the problem wasn't with the students or teachers who didn't "fit in" – it was with a system that failed to adapt to individual needs and passions.

Today, Andrea is at the forefront of the open education revolution. Her goal? To ensure that no matter the learner's goal, she has a way to help them achieve it.

In our latest podcast episode, she shares the remarkable turn of events that took her from college dropout to educational innovator and advocate. She also reveals the unconventional approach that reignited her passion for learning, ultimately leading her to OpenEd.

"If I could give any piece of my experience to all parents," Andrea says, "it would be to see what I get to see."

Her role at OpenEd has given her a unique perspective:

"Because I have access to thousands of families and their weekly learning logs, the variety I've seen has changed my entire perspective on education."

This exposure to hundreds – if not thousands – of different learning approaches has reinforced her belief in the power of personalized, open education.

Curious about how Andrea's journey could change your perspective on education?

Tune in to the full episode to discover:

• Why the most creative minds often struggle in traditional education (and how to change that)

• The unexpected connection between music and academic success

• How one student's "crazy" idea became a groundbreaking high school elective

• What burnt-out teachers and struggling students have in common (and how to fix it)

– Isaac

Help us share the message! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Andrea Fife has touched the lives of more students in the OpenEd program than perhaps anyone else. If she's helped you or your family in your learning journey, please consider leaving a review on our podcast. This will help more families discover personalized learning opportunities and start their own educational transformation.

How to leave a review (it's easiest on mobile apps):

For Apple Podcasts:

• Click the link to the podcast (it'll open in the app if you have it downloaded)

• Scroll down and click the 5 stars to rate

• Optionally, tap "Write a Review" to share your thoughts

For Spotify:

1. Go to the podcast page 

2. Tap the three dots (...) next to "Follow"

3. Select "Rate show"

4. Make sure you've listened to a few episodes first (Spotify requires this for reviews)

If you write a review, include a guest or topic you want featured!

Exciting Opportunity for Utah Families: Makerspace Openings! 🪛 

OpenEd's exclusive Makerspace program at Thanksgiving Point has some course openings! Picture a blend of science lab, woodshop, computer lab, and art studio all in one hands-on educational experience.

Available courses:

• Makerspace Advanced (grades 9-12): Thursday 1-3 PM

• Makerspace Foundations (grades 6-8): Thursday 10 AM-12 PM

• Makerspace Junior (grades 4-5): Wednesday 10 AM-12 PM

Key details:

• Located at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah

• $65 materials fee (accessible at no cost from Technology Allowance)

• Weekly class attendance is expected

• Multiple experienced instructors in a collaborative environment

To register, add Makerspace to your Schedule Builder under Technology - Engineering or Exploring Technology.