Mind by Design Jana Parker

In this episode of the Mind by Design podcast, host Jana Parker sits down with Michael Prater, the visionary behind Tessellations High School. Michael shares his story from traditional education spaces to the forefront of educational innovation at this unique school in Cupertino, CA, revealing the philosophy and mechanics behind a high school experience designed to nurture gifted minds and foster intrinsic motivation.

Tessellations High School is breaking the mold with a project-based curriculum that respects the dignity of young learners, encourages deep, interdisciplinary learning, and prepares students to tackle the world's most pressing problems with creativity and confidence. 

Michael passionately discusses the school's commitment to creating a learning environment where students are encouraged to explore their interests deeply, fostering a sense of curiosity and resilience that extends beyond the classroom. His vision for a holistic educational experience that prepares students to face the complexities of the modern world with creativity, empathy, and a problem-solving mindset is a testament to Tessellations High School's innovative approach to education. 

Listen to the fascinating story of the future of education as Tessellations is reimagining the high school experience to cultivate capable, creative, and wise young minds ready to make a positive impact on the world.

Learn more about Tessellations High School 

https://tessellations.school

Join Jana as she welcomes April Rehrig, a Special Education Advocate, IEP trainer, Parent Coach, and the visionary behind Rise Educational Advocacy. April's passion for empowering families as they work to understand the often overwhelming world of IEPs and 504 plans shines through as she shares her journey from a school psychologist and teacher to an advocate for educational equity. 

Rise Educational Advocacy stands out as a beacon of hope for families nationwide, offering a suite of accessible services designed to demystify the IEP process and equip parents with the tools they need to advocate effectively for their children.

April's approach is refreshingly collaborative, focusing on coaching parents to understand and navigate the system rather than fostering adversarial relationships with educational institutions. Her offerings, from free resources and workshops to personalized coaching, are tailored to meet families where they are, ensuring that support is not only available but also equitable. 

April's work is a testament to her belief that every family deserves to have the knowledge and confidence to secure the best possible educational outcomes for their children, regardless of their location or financial situation.

You’ll also appreciate April’s insights into the evolving landscape of IEP meetings, the importance of early and informed advocacy, and the transformative power of approaching educational challenges with a mindset geared towards collaboration and understanding. April's dedication to making a difference, one family at a time, is not only inspiring but also a call to action for anyone involved in the world of special education.

For more information on how Rise Educational Advocacy can help your family, visit https://www.riseeducationaladvocacy.com/. Be sure to check out the DIY IEP workshops for LEPs, parents, and teachers interested in making IEPs easier.

Follow April and Rise Educational Advocacy on social media at @RiseEdAdvocacy. 

Join Jana for this episode of the Mind by Design Podcast as she welcomes Harmony King of the Key Collective. Listen as Harmony shares how this innovative organization is changing lives by offering first-class, personalized support services that cater to clients with a wide range of needs, including neurodiversity, mental health challenges, and addiction recovery. 

The Key Collective offers distinct services, focusing on mentorship, parent-coaching, and companion support to help clients ages 13+ build structure and routine while mastering life skills in their daily lives. You’ll hear firsthand how the Key Collective's services are tailored to foster independence, develop passions, and integrate practical skills into the lives of those they serve.

The dedicated mentors and companions at the heart of the Key Collective, whose educational backgrounds and personal experiences uniquely qualify them to offer meaningful support, coordinate with other professionals to provide holistic, client-centered support in this unique program. 

This is an impactful episode if you're a parent seeking support for your unique child, a young adult navigating the challenges of independence, or a professional looking for innovative care solutions. The Key Collective's mission to provide meaningful, real-world assistance is changing lives and creating brighter futures.



Connect with Key Collective

Website: keycollective.com

Email: harmony@keycollective.com

In this episode of the Mind by Design Podcast, Jana is joined by Tricia Minarik, a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional clinical counselor, and the visionary behind the DBT Center of Silicon Valley. 

Tricia welcomes you into her world of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a life-changing approach designed to help adolescents and adults navigate the complexities of high-risk behaviors and emotional dysregulation. You’ll learn all about DBT, how it differs from traditional therapy, and why it might be the key to overcoming challenges related to self-harm, depression, interpersonal difficulties, and more.

Tricia provides hypothetical scenarios illustrating how DBT techniques are applied in real-life situations, offering hope and practical solutions for those struggling with high-risk behaviors. Learn about the critical role of family in the adolescent DBT program, fostering a supportive environment that encourages growth and learning for both teens and their parents.

Discover how the DBT Center of Silicon Valley strives to make therapy accessible, including its approach to scheduling, virtual and in-person sessions, and financial considerations.

If you're a parent looking for support for your teen, an adult navigating your own emotional challenges, or a professional seeking to broaden your therapeutic toolkit, Tricia's insights offer a wealth of knowledge and hope.

Visit dbtcentersv.com to learn more about how Tricia and her team can guide you to emotional well-being and resilience.

Website: https://www.dbtcentersv.com/

Join Jana as she sits down with Polly Fry, an innovative educational therapist and the founder of Kaleidoscope Educational Therapy. Polly shares her transformative journey from concerned parent to pioneering educational therapist offering a unique approach to addressing dyslexia and other learning differences through individualized, evidence-based interventions.

You’ll learn about the inception of Polly's practice, its mission, and the symbolism behind its vibrant name. She’ll share her perspectives on the importance of emphasizing intervention in the elementary grades and how she tailors her approach using structured literacy programs like Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Lindamood-Bell, and Barton Reading.

Listen as Polly talks about the significance of networking with clinicians, the value of comprehensive assessments, and the collaborative spirit of Kaleidoscope Educational Therapy in ensuring the best outcomes for children.

This episode is a must-list for parents, educators, and anyone interested in the field of educational therapy to gain valuable insights into the specialized world of learning interventions and the transformative power of personalized education. 

Visit kaleidoscopeet.com or reach out to info@kaleidoscopeet.com for more information or to inquire about Polly’s services.

In today's episode, Jana reviews Imagination Lab school. Jana shares her perspective about ILS, asmall but growing independent school, in its first few years of conception. The Head of School is Chris Bezsylko.  ILS is located at the Cubberley Community Center within the Palo Alto School District.  This year they moved into a part of the center where they have access to one very large learning room that has a stage, about the size of a school gym/auditorium, and they have several smaller rooms and their own private bathrooms.



This episode is designed to provide information about these schools so that they can make more informed decisions when considering the best educational setting for their child, whether they have unique learning needs or not. For more information or to access our services please do not hesitate to reach out at www.themindbydesign.com and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @themindbydesign.