Leslie Medema: Place-based learning at Green School Bali

Coconut Thinking

How might leadership open more emergent spaces in schools?

This is the first in a series of episodes throughout the year where we invite educators and practitioners to explore how they might share their time, talents, and gifts to uplift others. As we delve into their stories, we ask our guests what contributions they envision making in the spirit of generosity and regeneration. This isn’t about the spotlight—it’s about the offering.

In this episode, I speak with Leslie Medema, Head of Campus at Green School Bali. Leslie has held various roles at Green School, including head, curriculum developer, career counsellor, and, above all, educator. Her background spans work in NGOs and policymaking across industries. While she may be in the jungle, Leslie never forgets her roots in South Dakota. She brings a wealth of experience in starting innovative schools, aligning vision with lived experiences, and guiding organizations from unproductive chaos to emergent possibilities. We discuss:

🥥 How to grow an organization in the midst of (controlled chaos) in ways that build capacity and foster community;

🥥 The importance of knowing and articulating why we learn and teach something and how this makes our local or global world a better place;

🥥 How being comfortable with uncertainty is never going to be an easy ride—stories from Green School over the past 13 years

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