In this episode of the STEM Space podcast, Claire chats with the Founder & CEO of Changemaker Education, David Richards. He shares his passion for love-based, personalized education that led to establishing a microschool for his own children. As an alternative to the outdated factory model of education, microschools tailor learning to the children that are being served. Tune in to hear how David turned his passion and problem solving into an organization to help others start their own microschools and learn how you can too! About David Richards, Founder & CEO of Changemaker Education: David K. Richards is the Founder & CEO of Changemaker Education, a national network of affiliate love-based microschools and an incubator for founders who want to usher in a new paradigm for the future of education. He is also the host of the Changemaker ED“U” podcast. Previously, he was Founder & CEO of Growth Public Schools, and a founding teacher and leader with Summit Public Schools where he launched several innovative schools. In addition he serves as a leadership and life coach. David has worked in education reform for over 25 years as a teacher, principal, executive, and board member. He lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and his two children, and holds a BA from UC Berkeley and an MA from Stanford University.

The STEM Space

Vivify STEM

196. You Can Start a Microschool (ft. Changemaker Education's David Richards)

OCT 3, 202524 MIN
The STEM Space

196. You Can Start a Microschool (ft. Changemaker Education's David Richards)

OCT 3, 202524 MIN

Description

<p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Show Summary:</strong></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">In this episode of the STEM Space podcast, Claire chats with the Founder &amp; CEO of <a target="_blank" href="http://Changemakereducation.com">Changemaker Education</a>, David Richards. He shares his passion for love-based, personalized education that led to establishing a microschool for his own children. As an alternative to the outdated factory model of education, microschools tailor learning to the children that are being served. Tune in to hear how David turned his passion and problem solving into an organization to help others start their own microschools and learn how you can too! </p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>About David Richards, Founder &amp; CEO of Changemaker Education:</strong> David K. Richards is the Founder &amp; CEO of Changemaker Education, a national network of affiliate love-based microschools and an incubator for founders who want to usher in a new paradigm for the future of education. He is also the host of the Changemaker ED“U” podcast. Previously, he was Founder &amp; CEO of Growth Public Schools, and a founding teacher and leader with Summit Public Schools where he launched several innovative schools. In addition he serves as a leadership and life coach. David has worked in education reform for over 25 years as a teacher, principal, executive, and board member. He lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and his two children, and holds a BA from UC Berkeley and an MA from Stanford University.</p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Links from the Show:</p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes </strong></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/thestemspace/2022/59/how-to-motivate-students-and-regulate-emotions-in-stem">59. How to Motivate Students and Regulate Emotions in STEM</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/thestemspace/2025/193/manufacturing-engineers">193. Are You Manufacturing Engineers?</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Vivify STEM Blog Posts </strong></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/blog/2014/12/8/i-didnt-always-want-to-be-an-engineer"><em>I Didn’t Always Want to be an Engineer</em></a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/blog/2024/01/17/astronaut-training-4-cs-of-stem">Astronaut Training and the 4 C's of STEM</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/blog/2020/6/12/boost-social-emotional-learning-with-stem">12 Ways to Boost Social-Emotional Learning with STEM</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/blog/2020/how-to-teach-growth-mindset-and-failing-forward">How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Vivify STEM Lessons</strong></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/new-products/p/astronaut-training-4-cs-of-stem-back-to-school-stem-activities-10441050">Astronaut Training: 4C's of STEM Middle School Unit | Engineering Our Cosmos</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/new-products/p/paper-football-math-activity-ratio-proportions-with-stem-careers-1222196">Paper Football Math Activity: Ratio &amp; Proportions with STEM Careers</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/new-products/p/heart-rate-math-activity">Heart Rate Ratios &amp; Graphing Activity</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/new-products/p/wearable-device-sports-engineering-activity-sports-stem-7226729">Wearable Device Sports Engineering Activity (Sports &amp; STEM)</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/new-products/p/Brain-Safety-STEM-Challenge-Design-a-Football-Helmet">Brain Safety STEM Challenge: Design a Football Helmet</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Other STEM Resources</strong></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a target="_blank" href="http://Changemakereducation.com">Changemaker Education</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="/our-story">Vivify STEM’s Story</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a target="_blank" href="https://amshq.org/about-montessori/press-kit/what-is-montessori/">Montessori Method</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.changemakereducation.com/podcast">Changemaker ED”U” Podcast</a></p><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"></p><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2025/196/start-a-microschool"><strong>THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES</strong></a></p><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/thestemspace/"><strong>THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP</strong></a></p><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/vivifystem"><strong>VIVIFY INSTAGRAM</strong></a></p><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vivifystem"><strong>VIVIFY FACEBOOK</strong></a></p><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a href="https://twitter.com/vivifystem"><strong>VIVIFY X</strong></a></p><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@vivifystem"><strong>VIVIFY TIKTOK</strong></a></p><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@VivifySTEM"><strong>VIVIFY YOUTUBE</strong></a></p>