How can schools become spaces where young people don’t just survive—but truly become?
In this Big Think, we’re joined by Dr. Michelle Sadrena Pledger and Chris Balme, two powerful voices at the intersection of adolescent development, liberatory education, and human flourishing. From rites of passage to justice-driven pedagogy, they’ll explore how the middle years can be reimagined as a time of possibility, purpose, and growth. Together, we’ll reflect on what it takes to nurture agency and equity—and why honoring students’ lived experiences may be the most transformative lesson of all.
Guest Bios
Dr. Michelle Sadrena Pledger is the Founder of Living for Liberation and the Director of Liberation at the High Tech High Graduate School of Education, where she helps create liberatory and engaging learning environments. She co-directed the Share Your Learning Campaign, reaching 5 million students with student-centered practices, and she teaches courses on justice, leadership, and culturally responsive-sustaining pedagogy. As a Freedom Facilitator, she partners with schools and organizations to liberate individuals, communities, and systems. Dr. Pledger is the author of LIBERATE! Pocket-Sized Paradigms for Liberatory Learning and host of the Unapologetic & Uninterrupted podcast. Her work centers on disrupting inequities in education and cultivating spaces where people can think critically, act empathetically, and live lives of authenticity, freedom and joy ON PURPOSE!
Chris Balme is an education leader, writer, and school founder, passionate about helping young people discover more of their human potential. He currently serves as Co-Principal at Hakuba International School. He is also the Founder & Director of Argonaut, an online advisory program for middle schoolers around the world.
Chris has received the Ashoka Fellowship as a leading changemaker in education, and regularly speaks, trains, and writes for parents and teachers around the world. He’s written two books — Finding the Magic in Middle School, for parents and teachers, and Challenge Accepted: 50 Adventures to Make Middle School Awesome, for middle schoolers themselves. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three children.
The Big Think is a live, monthly conversation series featuring noted educators and changemakers dedicated to reimagining what school could be. Hosted by What School Could Be’s Global Knowledge Curator, Mel Ching, each discussion sparks fresh ideas, deep reflection, and meaningful dialogue. Historically, the chat is alive with audience reactions, resource-sharing, and actionable insights. Join us on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook to be part of the conversation.