Changing the Odds Remix

18/07/2024

There is a need to create “a new education architecture that leverages the full complement of community resources needed to empower and support learners for life, work, and civic engagement.” This can only be achieved through community players understanding the importance of both the individual and collective nature of youth thriving.

Karen J Pittman and Merita Irby will lead the second Centering Youth Thriving webinar, “Starting with Goals: Helping Systems Understand Their Role in Supporting Ecosystem Health and Equity.” They’ll explore the importance of centering youth thriving and how ecosystems play a critical role in centering youth thriving. Register here https://bit.ly/4cGXFTZ for August 6 at 12 pm ET/9 am PT.

20/06/2024

From now through September Knowledge to Power Catalysts will be hosting a webinar series focused on centering youth thriving. The series will highlight specific topics and themes central to ensuring thriving learning ecosystems and feature organizations and individuals who are innovators in this work.

In the first webinar, “Learning Ecosystems: An Introduction with Examples,” Knowledge to Power Catalysts will be joined by Dr. Tom Akiva from the University of Pittsburgh and Tyler Samstag from as they explore core principles of learning ecosystems and what it takes to support healthy, thriving learning ecosystems. Register here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4cqMT3z for July 2 at 12 pm ET/9 am PT.

21/05/2024

In part two of Karen J Pittman's reflection on our half-day session with NEA Leadership, she shares how community schools are one way to improve the quality, variety, availability, and relevance of learning during the day in the school building - to ensure students don’t have to “leave to learn”. She goes over the purpose of community schools and their mission to transform traditional public schools into neighborhood hubs that mobilize students, staff, families, and community members to reimagine education and co-construct a shared vision for their school and community that supports the whole child. Read her latest post here...

Part two of a two-part reflection on a half-day session with NEA Leadership Community schools are public schools that provide services and support that fit each neighborhood’s needs, created and run by educators, local community members, families, and students working together to transform the tea...

07/05/2024

08/04/2024

An idea more than a year in the making came to fruition with a two-day whirlwind of incredible people and minds focused on the future of learning and development. On April 1 & 2, the - Knowledge to Power Catalysts team hosted the Centering Youth Thriving convening that brought together leaders from the education and youth development fields to consider how we transition from systems to ecosystems and how we actualize a new infrastructure for our nation’s public education.

Facilitated by Merita Irby, , and , the event featured presentations from leaders from American Institutes for Research, Coalition for Community Schools, Education Reimagined , Providence After School Alliance, Remake Learning,University of Pittsburgh School of Education, XQ America, and more. A powerful panel of change makers with Jane Quinn, Michele Cahill, Hal Smith, and Peter McWalters. A small groups led by , Jane Quinn on Coalition for Community Schools on Holistic Indigenous Learning, Camp Fire, FabNewport, , Marsha Semmel on Libraries and Museums, The National Urban League, and Rock Tree Sky.

While the thank yous are too numerous to share here, please know that our gratitude for attendees, the CYT Crew, and all who wanted to join us but are eager for the work ahead is immense.

Stay tuned for more on the work ahead. This is just the beginning!

14/03/2024

Virtual 2024 Colorado Collaborative Youth Summit is open for registration. https://collaborativeyouthsummit.sched.com/

The Collaborative Youth Summit will bring together young people from across Colorado to gather for a one-day virtual conference. The goal is to connect and inspire ALL youth to embrace their unique leadership by providing an open and inclusive space to further expand their knowledge and skills, and to create and lead the changes they want to see in their community.

What can you expect at the summit?
There will be a kick off with youth keynote and a day full of youth-led sessions on topics such as substance misuse prevention, mental health, community change making, creative expression, and more! Participating youth will get to meet young people from across the state who are working on a diverse range of issues. Come ready to learn, engage, connect, and have fun!

The Collaborative Youth Summit will be held virtually on Saturday, April 6th, 2024. Registration for young people (ages 13- 24) is free! Register here https://collaborativeyouthsummit.sched.com/ Register by March 22nd and receive a free water bottle mailed to you!

06/02/2024

“Too Essential to Fail: Why Our Big Bet on Public Education Needs a Bold National Response” written by Karen J Pittman and Merita Irby and commissioned by Education Reimagined is now available.
➡ https://lnkd.in/gZKUd6wd

As part of KP Catalysts - Knowledge to Power Catalysts' broader Centering Youth Thriving efforts, “Too Essential to Fail” serves as a reminder that increasing youth thriving is possible, but to get there, we must move away from high academic standards being synonymous with standardization. We know that isn’t how people learn. It’s encouraging to see innovation, organizations thinking differently about competency-based learning, and more. Yet as long as these bright spots exist only in pockets, they will further exacerbate rather than combat inequity. “Too Essential to Fail” brings together a preponderance of evidence from disparate sources that combined gives us the confidence we need to create “a new education architecture that leverages the full complement of community resources needed to empower and support learners for life, work, and civic engagement.”

➡ https://lnkd.in/gZKUd6wd

24/01/2024

In this week’s Remix, Karen J Pittman reflects on the flurry of papers she has been writing and ponders what it will take for the ideas the papers lift up to spark action. Just as action and reflection are critical elements of developmental experiences, as we shift from systems to ecosystems thinking we must make time and space for a balance of reflection and action activities.
https://bit.ly/4b084tg

24/10/2023

It’s been a big month for our conversations on Centering Youth Thriving and revisiting the foundational positive youth development research. This included Karen J Pittman keynote for this year’s National 4-H 🍀 PYD Spotlight. Read Karen’s reflection on the event and the important of intentionality in our focus on young people’s social, emotional, and cognitive development.

➡ https://bit.ly/3Qc3D4Y

16/05/2023

Katherine Plog Martinez attended UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent annual Adolescent Brian Development Symposium this month - where the nation’s top adolescent development researchers, policy experts, and practitioners discussed not just what is known about the adolescent brain and adolescent development, but the implications of the science and research. In this week’s Remix Roundup, she shares standout ah-ha moments that gave her pause to think about we most effectively leverage brain science.

➡➡https://bit.ly/3BuF6Bj

08/05/2023

is here.
Watch this youtube clip of real-life teachers and what they need/want this year.

We asked educators about the things—big and small—that make them feel appreciated for their work.

03/05/2023

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) for young people to feel safe and accepted for who they are. The Special Olympics and their Unified Schools are a prime example of inclusion for students with disabilities. Karen J Pittman’s Remix this week lifts up the power and potential of the Special Olympics' call for “respect, dignity, and recognition of humanity”.

➡➡https://bit.ly/3LS5yeg

03/05/2023

Changing the Odds Monthly Remix Round Up - https://mailchi.mp/kpcatalysts/february-remix-roundup-17040831

27/04/2023

This week’s celebrations have been done locally, nationally, and across social media – honoring and recognizing afterschool professionals and public libraries. People and places are vital to young people’s growth and development and active players in thriving learning and development ecosystems. At KP Catalysts we are honoring these afterschool professionals and libraries with one of our weekly remixes written by Katherine Plog Martinez. She reflects on the afterschool professionals and librarians she worked with in Denver and reminds us of the powerful resource – Public Libraries as Partners in Youth Development.
➡https://bit.ly/3nbSHtC

25/04/2023

Our love of and partnership with libraries goes way back! During National Library week, keep an eye out as we reshare “Public Libraries as Partners in Youth Development”! We will be putting full access to the content on our site.

24/04/2023

Afterschool providers work in a wide range of settings and a diverse range of programs. coaches, mentors, counselors, instructors, religious advisors, conductors, sensis… The list goes on. Take time today to acknowledge the Afterschool Providers in your community.
National AfterSchool Association (NAA)

24/04/2023

We are celebrating out-of-school-time professionals and recognizing their diverse backgrounds from education to social work, and from business to the arts. Each provider’s path in this career field comes with experiences in many forms. KP Catalysts is celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, and with one of our partners Colorado Afterschool Partnership Professionals, (CAP) – we are highlighting five Colorado OST professionals who journeyed their own paths into a career in the OST field.

Next week we kick off Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week!

In the OST field, a non-linear career path often celebrated. Throughout the week, CAP will highlight five Colorado OST professionals who journeyed their own paths into an OST career.

They bring a range of experiences to their work, and have dedicated their lives to making a positive impact on the lives of the youth they serve. And we are glad they are here!

Journey along with us, won't you? https://bit.ly/3ov3Cza National AfterSchool Association (NAA)

24/04/2023

Librarians have an impact on the young people they serve. Last summer, we interviewed Kelley Blue from Portland Public Library, a teen librarian who has made a big impact on the lives of the young people in her community. https://bit.ly/CTORemixE10

24/04/2023

Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, April 24-28, recognizes, appreciates, and advocates for the incredible afterschool professionals who are the !

20/04/2023

When we co-design systems with communities, we bring new (and the right) voices, ideas, and untapped resources to the table. centers all those impacted by our ed systems, embracing context and complexity. Let’slearn from one another, value what we each bring as stakeholders, and create schools that serve students, families and fulfill us all. Co-design The : https://newteachercenter.org/elephant

14/04/2023

NEW! The National Partnership for Student Success Hub and AASA—The School Superintendents Association are coming together for an exclusive webinar for district leaders. Join a national panel of superintendents to discuss the NPSS Hub District Toolkit and best practices for bringing more student supports to your community. bit.ly/3ZLPEWz

13/04/2023

The science of learning and development is clear: all learning is social and emotional, and relationships in and beyond school matter. shares its vision to bridge the science of learning with equity to build thriving, rigorous education. Meet the :
https://newteachercenter.org/elephant

12/04/2023

Do you remember the moment when you realized you could have a career in youth development or out-of-school time programs?
Does it sometimes still feel like you’re in a career that is vitally needed, but that most people don't understand?
Katherine Plog Martinez discusses her experience facilitating a large group of stakeholders at – the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) Convention – and the work underway to continue to elevate this workforce. ➡ http://bit.ly/3MyoZt4

07/04/2023

You are invited to join the National Partnership for Student Success Hub and AASA—The School Superintendents Association for an exciting webinar intended for district leaders featuring a panel of superintendents from across the country as we discuss our District Partnership Toolkit and best practices for bringing more student supports to your community.

When: Thursday, April 27th at 2p - 3p EDT
Register Today: https://bit.ly/3ZLPEWz

04/04/2023

Changing the Odds Monthly Remix Round Up - https://mailchi.mp/kpcatalysts/february-remix-roundup-17033571

03/04/2023

Karen J Pittman and Katherine Plog Martinez Martinez walk us through the Anchors for Equity from the New Teacher Center The Elephant in the Class(room) and show how deeply they are tied to the science of learning and development. Taken together the Anchors for Equity and the Guiding Principles for Whole Child Design (the Blue Wheel) can help not only strengthen settings in which young people spend their time but change systems so they are truly designed to support equity and excellence. Read these insightful and eye-opening comparisons to help create equity in all settings.

➡https://bit.ly/3TWDNDG

31/03/2023

We show support for trans and non-binary young folk for who they are. ! If you haven’t listened to or read our interview w/ Emet Bergman on how to build better support & acceptance in youth serving settings for young trans, non-binary & q***r folks, now is your chance.
Link here ➡https://bit.ly/3Xl2ISe

29/03/2023

Prompted by a recent Teach For America advisory board meeting, Karen J Pittman reflects on UChicago Consortium on School Research’s Cultivate Survey. She highlights the survey’s unique approach and the power it holds for lifting up student voice to fine tune learning and Cultivates 9 Considerations for Classroom Learning.
Read her latest remix here➡http://bit.ly/3G2hZ3A

28/03/2023

High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for inf...

24/03/2023

The strength of the Youth Development field would not be what it is today without the individuals who started the groundbreaking work.

For Women’s History Month, Merita Irby wrote a remix– The Founding Women of Positive Youth Development Field – as a tribute to a few of the trailblazing women who have helped lead the charge and build the foundation for the field. Merita spotlights a few powerhouse names that you may be familiar with. Read more about these incredible women that are still creating waves on behalf of children and youth.

Over the next week, as we close out Women’s History Month, please share the women in youth development who have inspired you. Share on our social pages or on your own using or . You can also send to us at [email protected] and we will spotlight them on your behalf.
http://bit.ly/3FO7QaJ