In this session, we will share the journey of transforming school culture at two alternative sites, a juvenile detention center and a mental health facility, by centering learning on curiosity, student agency, and critical thinking. In settings where students often feel powerless, we have discovered that shifting ownership of learning from teacher to student builds engagement, resilience, and ultimately, hope.Participants will: (1) explore practical ways to increase student agency and curiosity in any classroom; (2) examine structures that shift thinking and problem-solving to students; and (3) consider how student agency, curiosity, and critical thinking serve as a foundation for hope, especially for vulnerable learners.Through reflection protocols, real examples from our sites, and collaborative discussion, we will model the strategies we use with students. Although our work is rooted in alternative settings, these practices readily transfer to traditional schools and can strengthen culture, engagement, and student thinking in any learning environment.
