Ben Owens worked as an engineer for 20 years before becoming a STEM teacher for 11 years at a wall-to-wall PBL school in rural Appalachia. He founded the non-profit, Open Way Learning, and now works to help schools create the cultural conditions for localized, learner-centered innovation. Ben is also the co-author of Open Up, Education!    Show Highlights Ben explains why "Culture eats strategy for breakfast"  How a tiny school in rural Appalachia became one of the most innovative schools on the planet  Ben shows you how to leverage the talents and skills of your community How to flip the script and harness innovation with “open way learning”  Ben shares a perfect embodiment of living a shared vision from students in Cambodia Learn how to teach true problem solving and critical thinking students will mimic for the rest of their lives How to find that true North and be a difference maker   “Recognize that there are a lot of educators who have operated in the system.  They have seen stories like this and just realized that the mountain they perceive they would have to climb in order to create that type of culture is so huge. They're often left with where do I even begin? And I think that's a pragmatic reality. My response is begin somewhere. The saying, ‘the best time to plant a tree was, 20 years ago and the second best time is today’. So let's start planting that tree today.”   Full Transcript 243: Ben Owens Transcript   Ben’s Resources & Contact Info Ben's Book LinkedIn Twitter   Looking for more? Read The Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap Join “The Mastermind” Read the latest on the blog   Show Sponsors ORGANIZED BINDER Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE) You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/   SANEBOX Suffer from email overload? Bring Sane-ity back to your email inbox.  Click here for a free 14-day trial to Sanebox and get a $25 credit, by visiting sanebox.com/blbs   Copyright © 2020 Better Leaders Better Schools