{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Pitch Playground","title":"Consent-Based Education: How Dr. Erin Flynn’s Hedge School Prioritizes Student Autonomy","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1852,"description":"What if students had full autonomy over their learning? Dr. Erin Flynn, founder of the Hedge School, is reimagining education through consent-based learning. Located in Texas, the Hedge School is a microschool where students have the freedom to choose what and how they learn, creating an environment that fosters curiosity, confidence, and emotional well-being. Erin’s journey to founding the Hedge School was shaped by her experiences as a teacher, principal, and ultimately, her disillusionment with the traditional education system. She saw firsthand how rigid policies, standardized testing, and lack of student agency stifled learning. Rather than conforming to a system she felt was failing students, Erin took a bold step: she created a school designed around student choice, inclusivity, and self-directed learning. The Hedge School’s approach is radically different from conventional education. Students decide how to engage with lessons, whether that means taking a walk, skipping an assignment that doesn’t resonate with them, or learning in a way that best suits their interests. For Erin, learning should be a collaborative process, not something imposed upon students.With an opportunity to expand the Hedge School’s model, she receives mentorship from Kelly Smith, founder of Prenda, a venture-backed microschool network. Kelly helps Erin refine her pitch and strategize on how to scale.  They explore questions like: how can Erin establish satellite Hedge Schools while ensuring each maintains its unique community-driven culture? What support do new educators need to replicate the Hedge School model successfully? How can Erin balance business objectives with her deeply held beliefs about education? Together, they dive into strategies to sustain Hedge School’s mission while expanding its reach.02:01 Erin's Educational Journey07:18 Challenges in the Public School System10:11 Founding The Hedge School11:23 What is Consent-Based Education?13:58 The Micro School Movement20:09...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/RHUvVCiJgJMSGBHcrSAokswObgokSFYeF2yzaGy3ask/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80M2Mx/ZmU1NGI4NDhiZDFh/NmM3NjhmMjlhYzY0/MWE2OC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}