Educators rarely realize that the answers to their challenges are often inside their own building. Rarely do we give ourselves the permission to do so. The richest, most sustainable solutions I have experienced in schools have come from the experts inside them. This book provides the opportunity to look inside for answers.Tori Stephens-Shauger, Executive Director and Principal, ACE Leadership High School This book redefines education not as in preparation for standards or externally defined outcomes but, rather an engaging process of participation for students as full members of a community, co-owned, and co-designed by students and adults. With great stories and effective exercise, veteran educator Tim Kubik changes the discourse and practice in education away from standardization and testing toward more democratic, future-oriented, and human-centered.Yong Zhao, Foundation Distinguished Professor, School of Education, University of Kansas Education has begun to move into a new paradigm in which processparticipation in the act of learningbecomes more critical than traditional outcomes. In a field of thought as fresh as this one, its not easy to describe this shift in thinking, let alone offer teachers the tools to carry it out in the classroom. But this book does both. Drawing upon his deep experience with project based learning, inquiry, and coaching teachers, Tim Kubik provides the discrete steps that teachers can take to put the participator journey into action. This book helps pioneer what will ultimately be at the center of educational thought.Thom Markham, PBL pioneer and founder of PBL Global This timely and important work from Tim Kubik cuts through educational hype and delivers meaningful and actionable information for educators, administrators, trainers, and policy makers.Jared Polis, Member of Congress and Ranking Member of the Early Childhood Education and Kindergarten Through 12th Grade Subcommittee Todays learners arrive at school ready to create, to connect, to contributeto participate! We respond by implementing prescribed content and assessments at the expense of students meaningful participation. The same is true for todays teachers! In this book you wont find a blueprint for transitioning from a preparatory mindset to a participatory mindset. Instead, Tim Kubik invites you to participate in learning from stories from across the country that will help you think about what that transition might look like in your learning community. Its an invitation you dont want to miss!Mary Jo Scalzo, Executive Director of High AIMS, and 41-year career as a teacher, principal, curriculum director, and superintendent