Why Wayfinder
Case Study

Comprehensive Public High School

Maria Carrillo High School

-

Santa Rosa, CA

“We have struggled for years to find a curriculum that helps our students discover ‘the why’ to education. When I saw Wayfinder featured in KQED Mindshift, I knew we had to give it a try. It’s been a phenomenal fit for our staff and our students and helps our teachers build authentic relationships with their students. Wayfinder has been revolutionary for us.”

410
Wayfinder Students
10
Wayfinder Teachers
2018
Year Started

Training

Maria Carrillo's principal trained at the 2018 Wayfinder Summer Institute. Three additional educators trained at the 2019 Summer Institute.

Timeline

Principal Barr introduced faculty to Wayfinder in 2018, integrated it into English/Humanities in 2019, and expanded to all 375 freshman in 2020.

How it's implemented

  • In a humanities course
  • Different depending on school teacher pairs
  • ~ One pair did it every week —
 Stuck with the physical toolkit
  • Some were implementing the first time last year
  • ~ Tried to implement with the app
  • Teachers love that it was so flexible and they could roll with Wayfinder depending on what students needs were at that time.
  • A few pairs based Wayfinder lessons on current events/what was happening and responded to that
  • Connectivity virtually was not as bonded as in-person
  • ~ Connectivity virtually was not as bonded as in-person
  • ~ Adaptability was key
“Wayfinder gave us permission to take care of ourselves as well.”
Katie Barr
Principal
“Wayfinder gave us permission to take care of ourselves as well.”
Katie Barr
Principal
"At first I thought Wayfinder would be a little boring, but it's actually a lot of fun. I enjoy how it helps me interact with my classmates and find shared experiences."
Katie Barr
Principal
"At first I thought Wayfinder would be a little boring, but it's actually a lot of fun. I enjoy how it helps me interact with my classmates and find shared experiences."
Ana
9th Grade Student
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