High Agency Learning Environments. A Conversation with Tyler Thigpen.

We talk with Tyler Thigpen about building student agency through self-directed learning, and why kids thrive when they have purpose, strong relationships, and real choices. We dig into practical frameworks for families and educators who want to move beyond compliance without losing rigor or essential skills.

• Tyler’s origin story and the mission to help kids flourish
• Why boredom and drudgery persist in conventional classrooms
• A clear definition of agency as skill, will, and goals
• The DRIP pathway: desire, resourcefulness, initiative, persistence
• Adult formation and unlearning control to become guides
• How to think about a national “floor” plus deep personalization
• Mastery transcripts as a portfolio and competency-based alternative to grades
• Moving from external validation to intrinsic motivation in learners and adults
• Freedom levels, consequences, and gradual release of autonomy
• Helping kids “make deals with themselves” to build integrity and ownership

About our guest
Tyler grew up in Georgia and has worked in innovative district, private, and charter schools, as well as statewide and national nonprofits. Tyler is co-founder and CEO of The Forest School: An Acton Academy in Trilith, The Forest School Online, and the Institute for Self-Directed Learning. He is Academic Director at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and a Guest Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Connect with Tyler
Institute for Self Directed Learning
The Forest School
@weareforestschool on Instagram
@tylerthigpen on Instagram
The Playbook for Self-directed Learning

About the podcast
The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.

Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being.

Got a burning question?
We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!

Important links:
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