What is 21st Century Learning?
- VITAMIN C's: creativity, critical thinking, compassion, communication, collaboration, cooperation
- Social-emotional learning & mindfulness
- Whole-person health & well-being
- Meditation & reflective practice
- Accountability & self-advocacy
- Leadership & community-building
- Citizenship & social responsibility
- Anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging
- Game-changing growth mindset
- Entrepreneurial design thinking
- Process-oriented, collaborative problem-solving
- Media & technology literacy
- Cross-platform project management
- Civil discourse on challenging topics
- Empathy, respect, resilience, positivity
- Asking questions from multiple perspectives
- Thoughts -> Words -> Actions -> Habits -> Character -> Opportunity
ABOUT
21st Century Learning is a decentralized education platform that brings together students seeking creative growth opportunities outside the conventional classroom with forward-thinking Humanities educators.
The platform aims to give parents more choice in their children's education, students more inspiration and ownership in their personal development, and teachers more creative freedom to do what's best for their students.
21st Century Learning teachers are widely experienced classroom instructors, curriculum specialists, and working professionals in their respective fields.
Student-centered, fun, and challenging courses are custom-designed to meet the creative, academic, and social-emotional needs of small groups and individuals.
Summer Camp, Afterschool, Weekend, Homeschool, and 1:1 Tutorial programs include both in-person and online Zoom classes.
In-person instruction in art is currently available in Westminster, Maryland.
Live Zoom workshops for small groups and 1:1 tutorials in writing, literary analysis, media literacy, executive function/study skills, and art are open to students from all over the world.
For more info, see ADMISSIONS, COURSES, and the FAQ below.
The platform aims to give parents more choice in their children's education, students more inspiration and ownership in their personal development, and teachers more creative freedom to do what's best for their students.
21st Century Learning teachers are widely experienced classroom instructors, curriculum specialists, and working professionals in their respective fields.
Student-centered, fun, and challenging courses are custom-designed to meet the creative, academic, and social-emotional needs of small groups and individuals.
Summer Camp, Afterschool, Weekend, Homeschool, and 1:1 Tutorial programs include both in-person and online Zoom classes.
In-person instruction in art is currently available in Westminster, Maryland.
Live Zoom workshops for small groups and 1:1 tutorials in writing, literary analysis, media literacy, executive function/study skills, and art are open to students from all over the world.
For more info, see ADMISSIONS, COURSES, and the FAQ below.
21st Century Teachers
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Sam Prestianni is a veteran Bay Area writer, editor, teacher, musician, and filmmaker, who founded 21st Century Learning to provide students with uplifting education and personal growth experiences that transcend the classroom. For nearly three decades, he taught Language Arts, Humanities, and SEL Development in California independent schools while leading his own summer workshops in Creative Writing, Expository Writing, Media Literacy, and Music. A widely published journalist and critic, his work has appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers, including SF Weekly, New York Press, and JAZZIZ magazine. His professional committee efforts include serving as a Juror for the MacArthur Fellowship Genius Grant. He has edited both fiction and nonfiction books. Often under a pen name, he has published fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction and toured the country as a literary performer and multimedia artist. Beyond teaching, he's currently working on a TV pilot script about the U.S. War on Education. He attended University of Maryland on a Writing Scholarship and earned a BA in English with a Writing minor.
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Renee Kirby is a visual artist, art educator, and mother of four inspiring children. She earned a BFA in General Sculptural Studies with a minor in Art History from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Working in a variety of mediums, including clay sculpture, charcoal drawing, pastel, colored pencil, and painting with oils, acrylics, and water colors, she's taught small classes and 1:1 tutorials from her rural Westminster, MD, studio for the past 10 years. Beyond teaching, she's currently painting stories rich with color and expression of her lived experiences. Her oil paintings were most recently exhibited in the solo show, "Awakening," at Luann Carra Gallery in Baltimore. Read more about Renee and her "powerful abstract expressionist oil paintings" in An Eye for Art, a profile of her life and work published in the Baltimore Sun and Carroll County Times.
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Dana Anderson, M.M. is a vocalist and voice teacher in Oakland. After receiving her BA at the University of California, she earned her Master’s Degree in Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild, the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She has worked professionally on stage and in the recording studio. She currently holds a private studio in Oakland and is an active resident teacher at The Studios at Piedmont Piano Company.
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FAQ
Is 21st Century Learning a school?
21st Century Learning is an online platform that connects parents and students to a select network of independent education professionals who share forward-thinking pedagogical practices with proven success among diverse populations.
It's a value-added complement to conventional schooling and, given the unique challenges of the past few years, arguably needed now more than ever.
It's a value-added complement to conventional schooling and, given the unique challenges of the past few years, arguably needed now more than ever.
When do the Summer Camp Workshops take place?
Individual program dates/times vary by course and teacher. See COURSES and ADMISSIONS tabs for more info.
When do your Other classes MEET?
Small group classes and 1:1 tutorials may be scheduled throughout the year -- after school, on weekends & during regular school hours for homeschool instruction. Contact individual teachers directly for more info.
How do you run your online courses?
Classes are live via Zoom and Google Classroom. Each teacher is solely responsible for their own policies. Reach out to individual course instructors for more details.
Who administers the courses?
Each teacher is solely responsible for their own classes and administration. Please direct questions about each course to the respective teacher.
How do we know if WE'VE BEEN accepted into a program?
Usually within 48 hours after receiving applications, teachers will connect with parents to answer questions and complete the application process, which includes scheduling and cohort pairing. When the logistics are worked out, teachers will email an acceptance note along with an invoice for tuition. Once tuition payment has been received, class placement is guaranteed.
when is the tuition payment due?
Tuition payment is due upon acceptance into a program. Open slots for all courses are limited and filled on a first come, first served basis.
Checks made out to individual program instructors are often the preferred payment method, though teachers may also accept credit cards, Paypal or Venmo for an additional 3.5% charge to cover processing fees.
Teachers will communicate policies on their invoices.
Checks made out to individual program instructors are often the preferred payment method, though teachers may also accept credit cards, Paypal or Venmo for an additional 3.5% charge to cover processing fees.
Teachers will communicate policies on their invoices.
ARE scholarships or financial aid available?
Depending on the course, scholarships or financial aid may be available. Contact the appropriate instructor for more information.
What if my plans change?
If plans change and students will no longer be attending a registered course, parents or students should notify the appropriate teacher.
Note: Tuition for summer camp classes is non-refundable, though there may be an opportunity to join another cohort if space is available. Contact teachers directly for more info.
Note: Tuition for summer camp classes is non-refundable, though there may be an opportunity to join another cohort if space is available. Contact teachers directly for more info.
What are your COVID policies for in-person CLASSES?
Each teacher is solely responsible for their own policies. Contact teachers directly.
