Iterative Space - Embark Education - Denver, CO
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Iterative Space Residency

A residency for elevating and honoring professional educators

The application for this summer’s Residency is closed, but we have several other upcoming opportunities to engage and connect coming soon! Join our mailing list to receive updates from Embark!

 

Why Iterate?

In these times, education has been forced to change. While challenging, it also offers opportunity. Many of us are reflecting on the very core of what it means to meet the needs of all students. Change might be in the air, but the powers that be will try to pull us back to the same systems that have created inequity, marginalization, and conformity.

We believe that the path forward must be led by educators and built on the following values:

Values

Now is the time to build infrastructure and support around ideas that address systemic inequities in education to create lasting change.

When learning environments are built around the learner rather than the institution, humans thrive.

If we value educators as true professionals, surround them with others to cross-pollinate ideas, and then get out of the way, meaningful and impactful actions will emerge.

 

What is an Iterative Space Residency?

Let’s start with what it is NOT…

  • It is NOT about our agenda, ideas, or expertise

  • It is NOT about us teaching, lecturing, or coaching

  • It is NOT about requiring outcomes or prescribing expectations

 

What is it…

A five-week educator residency that serves as a design lab and space where motivated educators can build upon their ideas/passions/sparks in proximity to others doing the same.

We will provide a beautifully stocked Space, access to resources, and a stipend of up to $4,500 for your time.

We believe that a Space filled with radical trust, a commitment to your own self-care, and with respect of you as a professional will unlock your ability to iterate on innovative ideas, explorations, and actionable implementation.

 

What will be expected of me?

First, we ask you to bring your whole self. We believe there is power in proximity and while your idea or project is yours, being in proximity to and forming authentic relationships with others is a key element of the Iterative Space.

To that end, we expect only that you eat, you iterate, and you share.

  • EAT: We ask that you take a pause each day to share a provided meal, to sit, eat, and engage. That may look like talking about your work, but it also might be talking about politics, or sports or family…it is up to you. Listen, learn, connect, share, and nourish.

  • ITERATE: We ask that you move your work forward. This might mean cruising forward in a linear fashion, pivoting dramatically, scrapping an idea to collaborate with someone else, or you may take any other path that is resonant to you.

  • SHARE: We ask that you openly share your insights, discoveries, project, or process to other educators so we all can learn from and be inspired by each other. Ultimately, this may be at a conference, within your school, online or in some other relevant format that seems appropriate to you.

That’s it!

Peppered throughout your time at the Iterative Space and beyond there will be other opportunities you may choose to engage in. This could be a sponsored happy hour, a morning of mindfulness and yoga, support from a graphic designer, executive coach, or a special guest speaker.

 
 

How do you define “Educator?”

We don't think of an "educator" as being synonymous or limited to an individual with a formal title of "teacher" or by employment at a school.

We believe an educator is anyone focused on holding supportive Space, guiding self exploration and learning, and inspiring others to grow and engage in what is possible.

The Latin root of education is “educo,” meaning to draw out from within. If you support youth in this way and have an idea that will aid in their growth and learning, then we encourage you to apply.

 

What's a typical week look like?

Time during the Residency is intentionally left open and without constraints to allow ample room to explore your idea while fostering connections with those around you. That said, a staple component of the Residency is a daily shared meal. We provide a catered, nourishing, and bountiful lunch everyday at noon, including a homemade meal prepared by our in-house Chef once per week.

Wellness offerings are available every Wednesday, including on-site yoga, acudetox, and massages.

We also host a range of different speakers, from education innovators to local artists, in a series of events available both to residents and our wider community.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS