Make the City the Text
Winsome, perplexing, invigorating and inspiring are all words to describe Larry Rosenstock, founder of High Tech High (HTH).
The captivating carpenter, inquisitive attorney, and quixotic reformer had a dream to start a school where learning is an extension of place, where students learn with head, heart and hand to deepen their understanding of where they live, where they come from and where they want to go in life--place as palette, city as text.
The Getting Smart team recently accompanied a large group from Kansas City (#KCgreatSchools) to visit High Tech High. We recorded a great conversation with Rosenstock as well as art teacher Jeff Robin (below) and school director Kaleb Rashad, who has helped infuse design thinking and lean startup into the HTH DNA. What isn’t captured in this podcast or blog are the student voices, the incredible projects and deeper learning outcomes that are overwhelmingly visible on campus. If you ever get a chance, be sure to visit a High Tech campus.
"Fall in love with everybody," Imagine if that was your first charge from a new boss, the very first day on a new job–that was the case for Kaleb (below). Larry gave him those five words of advice and you better believe he is doing it. Good thing he is bold, vibrant and passionate, so this doesn’t appear to be a hard feat for Kaleb. His passion and dedication to learning is contagious. A long-time educator and coach, Kaleb tries to stick to these three commitments as a leader and in working with teachers at HTH: give permission, give protection, reduce policies.
High Tech High remains one of the most important schools in the world. It demonstrates the incredible work that young people can do with a little encouragement and support.
For more, see:
- Professional Learning that Transforms: Meet High Tech High Graduate School of Education
- Quick Start Guide to Place-Based Education
- Innovation, Empowerment and Positive Change in San Diego Schools
- 100 High Schools Worth Visiting