Get to know Carissa
For years, one question has shaped my work:
What becomes possible when students are trusted?
That question has taken me on an unexpected journey—from traditional public schools to helping design innovative learner-centered middle schools, including a microschool where students learned through authentic community partnerships and real-world challenges. Today, it has brought me back to a public school classroom, where I continue exploring how trust, relationships, and meaningful work can transform learning within the realities teachers face every day.
Along the way, I've had the opportunity to share this work through Edutopia, the AMLE, Learner-Centered Collaborative, and conferences including SXSW EDU and Deeper Learning. But some of my greatest learning has come from my students themselves. Their questions, reflections, and growth continue to challenge my assumptions and shape my practice.
Those experiences eventually became the foundation for Teaching with Trust. My hope is that the book—and this website—offer practical ideas, honest reflections, and encouragement for educators who want to build classrooms where trust is not something students earn, but something we intentionally design for.
Beyond the Classroom
When I'm not teaching or writing, you'll likely find me hiking Colorado trails with my sons, singing and dancing whenever the mood strikes, or finding any excuse to add avocado to the menu.
Because life is too short to take ourselves too seriously!