Thinking Outside the Box
This episode features Brad Masterson, co-founder and principal of Summit West Independent School in Okotoks, Alberta. With degrees in Kinesiology and Education from the University of Calgary, Brad reflects on his path into teaching, including his experience as a mature student and the motivations that led him to pursue education as a career.
The conversation explores his early career challenges, particularly his struggle to fit within the traditional public system, and how that led him to teach in an alternative education system with a “self-directed learning” approach through Green Learning Academy. The history, functionality, and demise of this school are covered. Brad describes his departure from Green Learning and the lessons learned from this experience. We cover the next chapter of his life, the birth of Summit West Independent School.
Brad takes the listener through the creation of Summit West Independent School, highlighting the realities of starting a school: the effort, setbacks, and importance of strong relationships with his partner Tracy, with parents, and government stakeholders. From past lessons, we covered how they have established a vision for this school.
There is insight into how the school operates. We cover curriculum design and teaching philosophy. Daily functions and expectations for students, families, and staff are also discussed. Financial considerations, along with other attributes, are covered for all members of this institution.
The central theme throughout this episode is education and or innovation in education. How new ideas are explored, tested, and refined or discarded. More importantly, the focus of Summit West is about personal growth and self-discovery, not just academics.
This interview will appeal to anyone interested in education as a career or for information in this field. Specifically, this episode caters to an audience who wants to know more about alternative education methods and self-directed learning. Entrepreneurs and an audience who want to hear a good business story will enjoy this episode, as Brad shares many hard lessons learned from establishing Summit West. Above all, and more importantly, it is about life lessons; becoming a better version of ourselves and about giving back and making the world a better place, which is what leaders do, and what Brad and Summit West stand for.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-masterson-89452498/
https://www.instagram.com/swis.education/#
https://www.facebook.com/SWISYYC/#