Connect Your Classrooms to Community: Co-design Purpose-Centered Learning in Middle School
- Orenda Learning is an impact-driven social enterprise founded by educators, including a United World College alum and former teacher.
- Our work advances the goals of Global Citizenship Education and Education for Sustainable Development (SDG 4, Target 4.7, Indicator 4.7.1) through Be The Change, our hybrid program in active citizenship.
- For the past seven years, we have been deeply committed to supporting schools in strengthening their programs and engaging students in their communities.
- Be part of a pioneering and forward-thinking initiative to support the co-design of a Middle School program (11 - 14 year olds) that teaches the fundamentals of community engagement, changemaking and purpose centered learning.
We confront a Triple Planetary Crisis encompassing climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, alongside pressing societal issues like widespread poverty and conflict.
The urgency is real - future generations will inherit the consequences of our current actions if positive change is not achieved.
Which leads to the question – what are we offering in our schools to support students to develop the knowledge, skills, qualities and agency to partner with their communities and take action for positive change?
Community has always been at the core of what we do. In our existing version of Be The Change, we use the word service to describe ‘The voluntary act of addressing community needs and ethically working towards sustainable solutions. A process that involves active consultation and collaboration among stakeholders, leading to reciprocal, respectful, and open-hearted partnerships’
“Going forward, I’ll carry these lessons with me in my future career and personal life, always remembering that I have both the power and the responsibility to be part of the change.” – BTC Student GEMS Wellington Qatar
We understand that language in some schools is changing. Does your school want to make a shift in language and get it right by teaching and learning alongside genuine community engagement and authentic action? Or maybe you are already using language aligned with community engagement, changemaking and purpose-centered learning and would like a custom designed program that deepens the learning and experience for your students and community?
We want to meet your needs and support your programs. We want to continue to reach youth.
We bring a proven track record in hybrid program design, decades of teaching experience, and a deep commitment to advancing solutions and systemic change.
“I have loved using the Be The Change curriculum and platform. Our students at AUPP Liger have had a lot of experience with project-based learning already, however I already see how much deeper this course is pushing their thinking. The students enjoy engaging with the online curriculum modules and are building a deeper understanding of how to make a meaningful impact in the world. The modules are really set up well from a standpoint of providing content in various ways and allow for time for reflection and thought. I love facilitating the learning in this class!” – Jeff Kane, Learning Facilitator, AUPP Liger Leadership Academy
Partner with us:
- Be part of an innovative new program design that takes the core of Be The Change (for 14 - 18 year olds) and develops a middle school program (11 - 14 year olds) that teaches the fundamentals of community engagement, changemaking and purpose centered learning.
What would we need from schools?
- A commitment to take this innovative and dynamic version of BTC on in the 2026/2027 academic year for a minimum of 20 Middle School students.
- The project will involve a small number of curriculum focus groups so we can gather your perspectives and ensure the program meets your needs and the needs of your students. We will also incorporate optional opportunities for student voice in the design cycle.
What’s in it for your school?
- A leading edge customised program that teaches the fundamentals of authentic community engagement, changemaking and purpose centered learning.
- Empowered and inspired middle school students, with the knowledge, skills, qualities and agency to partner for change in their local and global communities.
- Improved teacher confidence and support building teacher capacity in this important area, through communities of practice and the professional development that the program will include.
- The opportunity to be part of an innovative and dynamic project which will align with any school mission, vision and values related to Sustainability and Global Citizenship.
Next Steps – are you ready to be part of the change?
- Book a 30 min call with our founder and CEO Alice Whitehead to learn more and discuss.
- Or email Alice at: alicewhitehead@orendalearning.com
Deadline for commitment:
- 31st March 2026
“The most significant thing I learned from the Be The Change course is the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of local and global issues. It emphasised how individual actions can collectively drive meaningful change when aligned with the Global Goals. The course also highlighted the value of collaboration, empathy, and leveraging personal strengths to address community needs effectively.”– BTC Student, NPS International School Singapore.
Learn more about Be The Change for High School
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ORENDA
(Oren-da) An innate and sometimes mystical power present in all humans which, once evoked, enables them to consciously affect change in their lives and the world around them. (n.) Iroquois origins.
