NuVuX: Can you tell us the backstory of how The Fessenden School began to work with NuVuX?
Curt: We learned about NuVu High School before NuVuX even existed—and I like to think that we helped to create an environment where NuVuX could become what it is today. At the time, I was the head of our middle school at Fessenden, and there was a parent who came in who knew my background with educational technology and said to me, ‘I've discovered this amazing place that you've got to go check out.’ So I took a field trip over to visit and just fell in love with the hands-on teaching and learning and everything that was happening there.
NuVuX: So what happened next?
Curt: I spoke to co-founders Saeed, Saba and David about the possibility of partnering and I was originally thinking this would mean bringing students to the NuVu the school in Cambridge—which is the format they were doing at the time with another school. I discussed it with our head of school and he said, ‘I've got an even better idea, how about we build our own space inspired by the teachings at NuVu, and keep them on staff to help us?’ And so our partnership—and eventually our own Ciongoli Center for Innovation—was born.
NuVuX: How did you go about establishing this new space and innovative way of teaching?
Curt: We started as a part of the first NuVu Innovation Camp for Educators—and that was simply a mind blowing experience. At the time, it was five full days and two of my colleagues from Fessy attended with me. We had to go through the experience as a student, and it was a bootcamp for laser cutting, graphic design, coding and so much more. I saw firsthand the value in teaching students this incredibly hands-on way, where they're actually building and making and testing and iterating as opposed to just theorizing about things.
NuVuX: What has this type of learning brought to the Fessy as far as the ability to provide these skills to your students?
Curt: I think it's really stretched our students to think creatively and problem solve. Those are probably the two top skills. A close third is learning to be collaborative, to think iteratively as opposed to linearly. And we've really seen a change in the way our teachers approach teaching and learning. Our goal is to see this type of teaching and learning expand into all of our classrooms.
NuVuX: If you were talking to someone at another school and they were interested in adopting this type of teaching and learning, how would you help them explain to those above them that this is a good choice?
Curt: That's a really good question and a tough one to answer. At this time, the head of school at Fessenden had a Montessori background, so I didn't have much of a problem convincing him. My advice would be to find whatever sparks you have and light those fires. If you get people at your school passionate about this way of learning, and thereby get your students actually excited and can demonstrate this to the powers that be, that's a great way of igniting that spark.
One of the things that I found is that we've sent probably over 50 teachers to NuVuX’s Innovation Camp for Educators, and almost like clockwork, they come back just with literal light bulbs going off and they've been changed. So I think if you can, try to experience NuVuX first hand, and show the results and the passion of those who have been impacted by this new way of teaching and learning —this would be my number one suggestion.
