YOUR STUDENTS PARTICIPATE BUT THEY DON’T OWN THEIR LEARNING
What if through 12 simple shifts in practice you could change that? And transform your room from a 'sit and get' environment, to a space that buzzed with activity, projects, hands-on work, and meaning. Where students didn't...
- Wait for your instructions
- Fill in pre-created worksheets
- Complete the bare minimum amount of work
- Ask what they need to do to ‘get an A’
Means more work for you right? Not exactly…
Because when students feel empowered, they’re the ones doing most of the work.
You are merely preparing the environment that supports that independence.
This book shows you how.
YOUR STUDENTS ARE PARTICIPATING… BUT THEY’RE NOT OWNING THEIR LEARNING
Students are doing what’s asked of them.
- They complete assignments.
- Follow instructions.
- Meet deadlines.
- Prepare for assessments.
On paper, it’s working.
But you feel it.
The energy isn’t there.
The curiosity is limited.
The learning feels… contained.
Your students wait for direction. They rely on you to drive everything.
And your classroom—despite your best efforts—still revolves around the teacher.
And if you’re honest? You’re exhausted.
Because no matter how much you design, plan, scaffold, and support…
You are still doing most of the thinking.
WANT STUDENTS TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN THEIR LEARNING?
Take initiative without being told
WHAT’S MISSING ISN’T MORE STRATEGIES —
IT’S A SHIFT IN DESIGN
Twenty years ago, I faced this exact challenge while teaching at the most famous project-based learning school in the world- High Tech High.
I was surrounded by student-centered classrooms, and educators who facilitated learning from the sidelines.
But no one showed me how to actually build an environment where students could own their learning.
So I experimented.
- Failed.
- Adjusted.
- Repeated.
For years.
Until patterns started to emerge. And after working with over 2,000 educators in implementing those patterns, I’ve narrowed it to 12 shifts and a book that articulates what they look like in practice:
THE 12 SHIFTS FOR STUDENT-CENTERED ENVIRONMENTS
The 12 shifts framework that evolved isn’t a checklist.
Or a set of activities.
Or another initiative.
It’s a clear, practical pathway to move your classroom from:
Teacher-designed→ Co-designed learning
Teacher questions → Student-generated inquiry
Teacher audience → Authentic, public audience
Content coverage → Real-world application
This is the shift from:
Passive → Active
Compliance → Ownership
School-based → Real-world connected learning
Each shift builds on what you’re already doing.
So you’re not starting over.
You’re redesigning what already exists.
The shifts have already transformed 100s of international classrooms around the world…
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN REAL CLASSROOMS
This isn’t a theory. It’s already happening inside of real classrooms.
Shift #11: Public Audience Beyond the Teacher
Students in Linda Amici’s history classroom created public exhibitions—sharing not just final work, but their process.
The result?
Higher quality work. Greater pride. Real accountability.
Shift #12: From Isolated Tasks – – – -> Real World Impact
In Alfie Chung’s Design classroom, students partnered with community members to solve real local challenges to public access issues.
Learning didn’t stay in the classroom.
It mattered.
Shift #10: From Teacher Assessed – – – -> Peer and Self- Assessed Learning
In Dave Nguyen’s math classroom, students created their own tutorials and games for peers to learn the content.
Engagement increased.
Understanding deepened.
Test scores improved.
Across these classrooms, something shifts:
Students didn’t just complete work.
They created, contributed, and cared.
And your role? You become…
- A designer of experiences
- A facilitator of learning
- A guide—not the driver
| Get Shifty w/ THE BOOK AND WORKBOOK | Get Shiftier w/ THE COURSE | Get Shiftiest w/ COACHING | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Getting started with the shifts | Building and applying each shift regularly within your context | Full implementation with support |
| Includes | Book Reflective Questions Workbook: 12 Shifts Scorecard + Goal Setting | Everything in Shifty Mini-Courses (Modules around your chosen shift) AI Coach (PD Plan + Review) | Everything in 'Shiftier' plus 1:1 Call with Kyle to build out a personalised plan together |
| Outcome | Begin understanding and applying the shifts | Build a structured plan for transformation | Implement with clarity and feedback |
| Price | $59 USD | $95 USD | $195 USD |
| Action | [Get Shifty] | [Get Shiftier] | [Get Shiftiest] |
WHAT THIS WILL DO FOR YOU
When you begin applying these shifts, you’ll notice:
- Students take more responsibility—without constant prompting
- Conversations become deeper and more meaningful
- Learning continues even when you’re not leading it
And perhaps most importantly…
You stop carrying the entire weight of the classroom.
READY TO BUILD A STUDENT-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT
There are three ways to go deeper- from a complete book bundle to a live plan and review call. Choose the option that matches where you are.
| Get Shifty w/ THE BOOK AND WORKBOOK | Get Shiftier w/ THE COURSE | Get Shiftiest w/ COACHING | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Getting started with the shifts | Building and applying each shift regularly within your context | Full implementation with support |
| Includes | Book Reflective Questions Workbook: 12 Shifts Scorecard + Goal Setting | Everything in Shifty Mini-Courses (Modules around your chosen shift) AI Coach (PD Plan + Review) | Everything in 'Shiftier' plus 1:1 Call with Kyle to build out a personalised plan together |
| Outcome | Begin understanding and applying the shifts | Build a structured plan for transformation | Implement with clarity and feedback |
| Price | $59 USD | $95 USD | $195 USD |
| Action | [Get Shifty] | [Get Shiftier] | [Get Shiftiest] |
THIS IS FOR YOU IF…
- You believe learning should be active, not passive
- You value student voice and agency
You want to move beyond compliance-driven classrooms - You’re ready to rethink how learning is designed
THIS IS NOT FOR YOU IF…
- You want quick fixes or plug-and-play lessons
- You prefer full control over every aspect of learning
- You’re only focused on coverage and test prep
- You’re not open to shifting your approach
Because this work requires:
- Reflection
- Experimentation
- A willingness to evolve
PRAISE FOR ‘WHERE IS THE TEACHER’
“Kyle Wagner’s Where Is the Teacher? is a compelling argument for the shift towards student-centered learning, a transformation long overdue. His insights will challenge you to rethink your role as a teacher and inspire a generation of critical thinkers and problem-solvers through innovative teaching practices.”
“Kyle Wagner provides a beautiful argument for, and description of, the shift from traditional educational models to student-centered, inquiry-based, deeper learning. His approach is descriptive, not prescriptive, based on his work with schools in a wide range of settings around the world. His tone is refreshingly realistic about the challenges and always positive about the potential. The book is packed full of examples of successful projects and transformed classrooms, as well as thinking routines, protocols, and structures. It is a perfect guide for teachers on this journey.”
“One of the most practical & applicable books a teacher could have in their tool belt.”
“Kyle gives us practical advice to change education from a consumer institution to an active community of learners. Through storytelling and sharing the work of educators around the world, he lays out a pathway to making real and lasting change in our classrooms and our schools.”
“I’m not sure there is a better way of getting your message across than telling the stories of all those out there actually doing it. The way Kyle brings the stories of these educators to life is truly powerful and inspirational.”
READY TO BUILD A STUDENT-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT
There are three ways to go deeper- from a complete book bundle to a live plan and review call. Choose the option that matches where you are.
| Get Shifty w/ THE BOOK AND WORKBOOK | Get Shiftier w/ THE COURSE | Get Shiftiest w/ COACHING | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Getting started with the shifts | Building and applying each shift regularly within your context | Full implementation with support |
| Includes | Book Reflective Questions Workbook: 12 Shifts Scorecard + Goal Setting | Everything in Shifty Mini-Courses (Modules around your chosen shift) AI Coach (PD Plan + Review) | Everything in 'Shiftier' plus 1:1 Call with Kyle to build out a personalised plan together |
| Outcome | Begin understanding and applying the shifts | Build a structured plan for transformation | Implement with clarity and feedback |
| Price | $59 USD | $95 USD | $195 USD |
| Action | [Get Shifty] | [Get Shiftier] | [Get Shiftiest] |
Where is the Teacher Makes Headlines!
Podcast Interviews:
Danny and Kyle Interview
Benjamin Freud-Coconut Thinking and Kyle
Lottie Dowling and Kyle
Kyle's interview with Andrew Faulstich
Getting Smart
Voyager Article
