A Razorback on the table, a Longhorn on the mic, and a conversation that turns from tailgates to the true engine of school change: teachers learning with teachers. We sit down with Associate Professor Amber Warrington to explore how small, intentional communities of practice can transform writing assessment, student belonging, and the daily joy of teaching. Amber shares how an early love of reading became a life of teaching English, then reveals the moment she noticed a gap—student-centered writing with teacher-centered assessment. That question sparked a collaborative inquiry where educators read research, traded classroom wisdom, and designed a strength-based approach that invites students into the assessment process. The surprising outcome wasn’t just a better tool; it was a better way to learn together. That insight fuels her upcoming book, Disruption Through Design, which shows how educators can turn challenges like AI, post-pandemic shifts, and policy changes into purposeful improvements through design thinking. We dive into the Boise State Writing Project, part of the National Writing Project network, where teachers lead teachers. From the month-long summer institute to advanced strands on Indigenous Voices and democracy-building instruction, the program builds real capacity for K–12 literacy across Idaho—including rural districts through statewide workshops and campus housing. Amber also highlights the Pathway to Academic Success initiative for multilingual learners and a narrative writing project that helps middle schoolers share personal stories, build voice, and strengthen classroom community. Her throughline is simple and powerful: when educators claim agency, collaborate deeply, and keep one foot in the classroom, students feel it—in feedback that affirms, in lessons that connect, and in a stronger sense of belonging. Come for the football banter; stay for a practical roadmap to more humane assessment, richer professional development, and classrooms where young people thrive. If this conversation sparks ideas, share it with a colleague, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a review with the biggest disruption you’re ready to design.
