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I’ve been reflecting on what true expertise actually is and I came up with this formula: Experience + Education + Empathy = Expertise. For me, an expert sits at the intersection of lived experience, education, and empathy. Experience brings context and credibility. Education is the act of intentionally exploring other perspectives, engaging with reliable sources, and challenging personal assumptions. Empathy brings a deeper degree of care and understanding with an ability to

Kristi Kraychy January 2026 I’ve always been a bit of a radical in education. I believe in change. I believe in forward momentum. But after years on the more radical edge of education, I find myself newly appreciating the role that simplicity and some steady traditions can play, especially right now. In a world where children are already navigating digital overwhelm, constant stimulation, and rising anxiety, schools that offer calm, clarity, and consistency are doing somethin

Kristi Kraychy, B.Mu s., B.Ed ., M.Ed .  December 5, 2025 Lately I’ve been thinking about boundaries in education. Teachers tend to live at two extremes: no boundaries at all until we burn out or “barbwire boundaries” where our rigidity starts to shape the culture around us. This morning I was reflecting on something I’d been working through with one of my team-members and this idea came to me: Boundaries are the garden gate between empathy for others and empathy for ourselve

Kristi Kraychy, B.Mu s. , B.Ed ., M.Ed .  October 18, 2025 Every independent school began because someone saw a gap and decided to fill it. These are not stories of privilege. They are stories of courage, hardship, creativity, and service. Around 2013, I worked with a small team who were the first to bring Forest School to Alberta. Our dream was to let young children learn entirely through nature, curiosity, and play. As we grew, we tried to partner with one of the large publ

By Kristi Kraychy At first glance, Outdoor Learning , Outdoor Education , and Forest School may seem interchangeable - but each has a distinct approach and purpose. At the Calgary Changemaker School, we thoughtfully integrated all three to support whole-child development and a deep connection to nature. Here's how they differ: 1. Outdoor Learning Learning that just happens to take place outside. Outdoor Learning refers to any lesson that takes place outdoors. This can includ

By Kristi Kraychy May 24, 2024 As we approach our final weeks, our classrooms buzz with the excitement of end of year activities - exciting projects, overnight camp, class parties, sports days, and field trips. Beneath the surface excitement, however, many students and teachers find themselves grappling with unexpected sadness as May and June unfold. For some, school is a home away from home, and their classmates and teachers are like an extended family. The last days of scho

Embracing the Future: The Importance of Changemaker Skills By Kristi Kraychy 04/04/2022 "Most of the professions we do today will be obsolete in two decades..." The next generation will need something far deeper than academic achievement alone. They will need the essential  Changemaker  skills that we teach, model, and infuse into every part of our school day and year. Empathy, collaboration, communication, curiosity, and critical thinking prepare students to thrive in a worl