GREG SOWDEN

Athlete, Brainstormer, Change Agent, Educator/Teacher, Foodie, Parent, Public servant, Student, Technologist, World traveler

I am an associate principal at Minnesota's largest high school. I'm passionate about research based methods to improve instructional equity. I'm also passionate about finding ways to encourage a love of learning in our students better preparing them for life after high school. I live in a suburb of Minneapolis, and I enjoy connecting with people from all professions to learn what roles exist in the world that would fit the passions of my students.

My professional goal is to create learning environments in which our students can try, fail, grow, succeed, express themselves, build applicable skills, and become life long learners. I firmly believe content to be secondary to the skills our students need to navigate the world as empathetic global citizens in whatever path they choose.

Project-Based learning for 12th grade students. We know that there are methods of instruction absolutely necessary to student learning that include strategies often demonized by educational "leaders." For example, direct instruction is a research backed practice for increased content retention and deemed necessary for students to engage in deeper understanding. That being said, I believe students' 12th grade year should be spent creating a legacy project in which they can accomplish all common core standards required through methods of engagement with community. This could look different based on student interest and potential career path. The students can accomplish all of necessary standards through close mentorship and teacher advisement. It could be a non-profit organization the student begins or a project to develop plans for a local park.

Education, Grading Practices, Leadership, Teacher Development

I help run Wayzata High School's first TED-Ed club and attended TEDWomen2018 in Palm Springs!

Woodworking!