By empowering TEACHERS to implement their ideas, we spark change and generate more impact for students.
Purpose. Implementation. Joy.
Our team works with schools, districts, and organizations to co-design experiences and opportunities to best invest in the strengths of our educators.
Our Work
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Teacher Empowerment Incubator
The Teacher Empowerment Incubator & Microgrant Program will bring together a cohort of 12-15 teachers/year from across North Dakota. Armed with ideas to improve teaching and learning, we will empower them to act as catalysts for change by cultivating the skills needed to respond to educational challenges and providing them with $500-2000 micro “Spark” grants to design and pilot localized, place-based solutions. By tapping into teachers’ desire to make an impact and providing the training, support, and resources to propel their ideas, we can reimagine what schools can be and reinvigorate the teaching profession.
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The Joy Lab
The Joy Lab is the perfect place to reconnect with your purpose, revive your teacher joy, and knock out a few items from your back-to-school to-do list.
This practical, applicable PD provides a whole day of focused designing, planning, and prepping while rekindling your passion for teaching. Come solo or with a team to tackle a shared goal! Get ready to engage in interactive workshops, inspiring talks, and exciting activities that will leave you feeling energized and uplifted.
Meet Darcy Bakkegard
Darcy believes in the power of education to change lives and the power of TEACHERS to lead that change. To help teachers do this work, she co-founded The Educators' Lab USA and is a board member of The Educators’ Lab Global. She designed and facilitates The Teacher Empowerment Incubator, a pilot program that supports rural teachers as community collaborators and problem-solvers.
A classroom teacher for over a decade, Darcy creates the type of PD she always wanted, driving change in education and empowering teachers as changemakers. Through her work, teachers reconnect with their purpose, rekindle their spark for teaching, and reignite the JOY of teaching and learning.
In addition to her joy work, Darcy is the co-author of The Startup Teacher Playbook, a frequent contributor to Edutopia, holds a Master’s of Secondary Education, is an ISTE Certified Educator, and is an experienced international presenter and keynote speaker. She's ALWAYS up to brainstorm and collaborate. She lives in Fargo, ND, with her husband and their triplets.
Areas of Expertise:
Implementation of Professional Learning Inspiration
Joyful Teaching (& Learning)
Purpose-Drive Self-Care
Interactive Teaching Strategies
Professional Learning Course Design
Building Better Book Clubs
Meaningful Media & Technology Integration
