Reimagining Learning Environments

We partner with education leaders to shift from traditional school models to competency-based learning designed around the needs, strengths, and motivations of individual students.

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75.2%

of students find school work irrelevant and uninteresting

49%

of high school students are bored every day

1 in 16

seconds a student drops out of school

About LearningWorks

Led by innovative educators with extensive school-wide and systems-wide experience, we embody theoretical and practical expertise to transform how students learn and engage through research-based approaches.

Leah McConaughey, Ed.D

Leah McConaughey, Ed.D

Founder & Chief Learning Officer

Over the past 20 years, Leah has served as a Peace Corps Volunteer, NYC teacher and administrator, Director of Curriculum in the NYC Office of Innovation, and Apple Education Leadership Executive. She works side-by-side with educators to scale simple, manageable change that transforms student learning experiences from acquisition of knowledge to application of knowledge.

Paul Facteau, Ed.D

Paul Facteau, Ed.D

Co-founder

Paul brings extensive experience in education leadership and research to support districts in their transformation journey. As a core design team member of ConnectED—a joint Apple/Obama administration partnership—he helped implement a $200 million program across 114 underserved schools nationwide. He was one of six competitively selected design partners for the NYC Office of Innovation.

Our 5 Guiding Principles

These principles form the foundation of our approach to educational transformation and guide every partnership we undertake.

Bring Humanity Back to Education

Honor each student's individual needs, strengths, and motivations. Create learning environments where students see themselves as whole people, not test scores.

Learning as Leverage Point

Transform education through competency-based models that prioritize deep understanding over seat time. Small shifts in learning design create ripple effects across entire systems.

Develop Local Expertise

Build lasting change from within communities. Partner with education leaders to develop local capacity and expertise.

Focus and Simplify

Cut through complexity to focus on what matters: designing learning experiences that prepare students for their futures. Clarity enables innovation.

One Model for All

Ensure every student has access to personalized learning environments designed around their individual needs—regardless of zip code or background.

Our Framework for Change

A comprehensive approach to competency-based learning transformation, from methodology to implementation principles.

Competency-Based Learning Framework Wheel

1. Authentic Transfer

  • ALTmodel & Engagement Blueprint
  • UbD unit & authentic task design
  • Intended vs. enacted curriculum

2. Meaningful Measures

  • Shift to competency-based grading
  • Student/family ownership over PLPs
  • Transparency informs instruction

3. Flexible Environments

  • Redesign schedules
  • Flexible grouping
  • Reimagined educator roles

4. Community Alliance

  • Engage experts for collaboration
  • Support authentic transfer
  • Create policies for systemic shifts

Implementation Guidelines

Learning as a Linchpin

In schools, we believe that the strategic leverage point is learning. Learning is the linchpin, the most vital element within any school organization. When we get learning right, transformation ripples throughout the entire system.

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Engagement

Students invest their energy to develop complex ideas and skills through cognitive and metacognitive strategies. True engagement means gaining mastery, not just completing work.

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Cognitive Complexity

Students solve authentic problems in non-linear, self-directed ways instead of focusing solely on rote acquisition of facts and skills.

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Authenticity

Students create products that are valued outside the school and encounter challenges they'll face in post-academic environments.

Stories of Impact

Hear from education leaders who have transformed their schools and districts with our partnership.

"Dr. McConaughey provided quality instructional support - grounded in research - with efficiency, respect, and transparency to the schools in my district. She was able to sharpen my leadership instructional lens, helping me determine whether learning was meaningful and transferable to real-world contexts."
Josephine Van Ess
Superintendent, New York City Schools
"When I hear Chancellor Banks' vision for NYC schools around reimagining the student experience, our work with Leah is what I think about. She has supported us examine the quality and design of the tasks we engage our students in, which has redefined our thinking and expectations."
Vanessa Rosa
Principal, PS 169, Queens
"With the help of Leah McConaughey we were able to transform from a lackluster academic program to a solid curriculum. We became a showcase school for NYC, and the first Apple Distinguished School in New York City."
Deanna Sinito
Former Principal, MS 442, Brooklyn
"If your wish is to develop a 21st-century school program aligned to college & career preparation, to strengthen your teachers' ability to design authentic real-world tasks aligned to standards, then your buck stops here."
Will Frackelton
Principal, Soundview Academy, The Bronx
"Leah McConaughey has been instrumental in changing hearts and minds around authentic learning tasks and the true function of technology in education. Principals have said this work helps them simplify what they mean by learning."
Fred Walsh
Superintendent, New York City Schools
"I am so grateful for the transformative work Leah has led with our school. Amidst all the craziness in the education world there is such simplicity when engaging in this work. I have such a renewed sense of purpose and excitement."
Natalie Perez Hernandez
Principal, PS 376, Brooklyn

Begin Your Transformation

Every meaningful change starts with a conversation. Let's explore how we can support your vision for student-centered learning.

Let's Connect

We partner with schools and districts to develop innovative strategies that close the achievement gap and prepare all students for 21st-century success.

Whether you're exploring competency-based learning for the first time or ready to implement comprehensive change, we're here to support your journey.

Contact Information

Email: info@learning-works.org

We'll respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.