{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Autonome","title":"Designing Belonging and Purpose in Education with Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2016,"description":"\nIn this episode of Autonome, host Fran Kenton sits down with Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Salinas Union High School District in California. Alison brings a powerful global perspective shaped by her early work with the Peace Corps in Ethiopia and her leadership in founding the International High School at Largo, a school designed to serve multilingual learners from over 100 countries.\n\nTogether, they explore what it truly takes to build systems where students feel seen, connected, and prepared not just for academic success, but for life beyond school. From disrupting inequitable classroom norms abroad to leading districtwide innovation, Alison shares how her experiences shaped a deep belief that belonging and purpose must sit at the center of education.\n\nThe conversation dives into how districts can move beyond traditional models by designing learning experiences that are relevant, student-centered, and grounded in real-world application. Alison also shares insights into Salinas USD’s Portrait of a Graduate work and how it is reshaping teaching, learning, and student voice across the district. \n\nKey Moments\n\n\n03:25 Starting a career in ESL teaching\n\n07:06 Building a school for English learners\n\n10:32 Supporting immigrant students through challenges\n\n13:11 Career journey and leadership growth\n\n16:23 Focusing on six key skills\n\n21:30 Supporting schools with specialized coaching\n\n23:40 Creating equitable student pathways\n\n28:18 Project-based learning in schools\n\n29:37 Reflecting on education and civic growth\n\nWhy You’ll Love This Episode\n\n\nThis episode offers a compelling look at how education systems can be intentionally designed to center belonging, relevance, and opportunity for every student. Alison shares both visionary ideas and practical strategies for shifting instruction, empowering student voice, and aligning systems to real-world outcomes.\n\nYou will also gain insight into how global experiences can shape local...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/seTJ6nScwCspveU8Z82YbH5eLfeDGipVEqgHAPCWjo0/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wMzBl/YTQ4NzQyYmUzYWIy/MDM2ODk4YmQ5N2Yz/NmU1Mi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}