Empowering Place-Based Education: Collaboration and Innovation at the Boggs School
Professional Learning Coach Kate Gessford recently spent three days with the James and Grace Lee Boggs School in Detroit, MI, partnering with their teachers and school leaders on refining their place-based science and social studies curricula. The culminating teacher workshop was a vibrant, hands-on dive into place-based education in which Kate learned alongside the Boggs School teachers. With two main goals—co-designing a curriculum framework for the year and helping teachers personalize unit plans—the workshop focused on making learning both effective and meaningful. It kicked off with some connection-building activities before diving into reviewing the school’s updated scope and sequence. This gave teachers a chance to align their unique teaching approaches with the community’s broader vision for education.
A big focus of the workshop was understanding and communicating the essence of place-based education. Teachers worked on crafting an “elevator pitch” to explain how this approach connects students to their local community while linking it to larger global contexts. These pitches weren’t just for practice; they helped solidify what makes this approach so impactful and gave educators tools to share the concept with others. It was an energizing way to explore the heart of what they do and why it matters. You can watch Boggs School principal Julia Putnam share an example of students connecting with their neighborhood.
Another highlight was exploring how technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), could support lesson planning. Teachers brainstormed ways AI could handle some of the heavy lifting in planning, freeing up time for the human side of teaching—like building relationships and adapting to students’ individual needs. These discussions sparked excitement about balancing innovation with the personal touch that makes learning truly special.
The day wrapped up with creative planning sessions, where teachers added their own “special sauce” to the curriculum. They left with personalized lesson plans and fresh ideas to bring their passions into the classroom. The workshop ended on a high note, with a joyful closing that celebrated the collective energy and creativity in the room. This collaborative day reflected the Boggs School’s deep commitment to empowering teachers and making learning meaningful for every student and exemplified the ways Place Network partnerships are reciprocal relationships that also provide inspiration for other schools across the country.
