Q: What are you trying to achieve with your company?
A: At the risk of sounding dramatic: We want to revolutionize education by empowering teachers as catalysts for change. We help teachers identify challenges and frustrations and then empower them to design their own solutions to those challenges. Rather than waiting for top-down, one-sizefits-few approaches to problems, we train teachers in design thinking and help them implement place-based solutions.
The world is changing quickly, there are big problems to solve, and we need big changes in education to grow the problem-solvers of the future. Teachers are vital to this mission and to helping solve the problems facing humanity.
Q: How did your company come to be?
A: Michelle and Darcy met while working on the PBS Teacher Ambassador Program, designing and facilitating professional learning experiences to help rural educators have access to high-quality learning opportunities. They immediately bonded over a common desire to do MORE. More to empower educators to enact their own ideas; more to infuse relevant content into schools; and more to support teachers as leaders and changemakers.
The Educators’ Lab is our space to play, create, and inspire change.
Darcy Ballegard is a change consultant and co-founder of The Educators’ Lab. After teaching English and theatre for 12+ years, Bakkegard now creates the type of professional development she always wanted—something that helps her improve her classroom without wasting time.
“Talking about education, brainstorming how to make it better, and helping teachers drive change are my passions, hobbies, and loves,” Bakkegard said. “I have a Master’s in Secondary Education, am an ISTE Certified Educator, an experienced international presenter, and a believer in the power of education.
When Bakkegard isn’t teaching, she directs plays with her most recent plays being at West Fargo High School and Teatre B. Bakkegard grew up in Valley City and after stints in London, St. Paul, rural Wisconsin, and Istanbul she now lives in Fargo with her husband Jeff, and 4.5 year old triplets, Kurt, Ben, and Cora.
“We believe the best way to invest in our students is to invest in our teachers,” Bakkegard said. “There is no change in education without investing in the expertise of educators. For every opportunity, solution, innovation, or idea, a teacher is at the heart of its implementation. We believe it’s critical to design spaces and experiences that support teachers to do what they do best: make a difference for young people.”
