In 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.
Together, 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.
The 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.
Key Moments
03:25 Starting a career in ESL teaching
07:06 Building a school for English learners
10:32 Supporting immigrant students through challenges
13:11 Career journey and leadership growth
16:23 Focusing on six key skills
21:30 Supporting schools with specialized coaching
23:40 Creating equitable student pathways
28:18 Project-based learning in schools
29:37 Reflecting on education and civic growth
Why You’ll Love This Episode
This 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.
You will also gain insight into how global experiences can shape local leadership, and how initiatives like Portrait of a Graduate can help districts move beyond compliance-driven models toward meaningful, student-centered learning.
Connect with Dr. Alison Hanks-Sloan | Director Of Curriculum & Instruction, Salinas Union High School District
Connect with Fran Kenton and Autonome
About Autonome
Autonome is the podcast where district leaders share practical, scalable ways to build students’ foundational life skills—wellbeing, identity and purpose, relationships, and executive function—so they can manage life today and be ready for what’s next.
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