In this episode of Growth Over Grades, Jordan sits down with Gina Schuyler, an educator and advocate for purpose-driven learning who serves as the Administrator for Community Partnerships for Grayslake Community High School District 127. Gina shares how her district is answering the age-old student question, "When am I ever going to use this?" by creating a powerful ecosystem of real-world learning. She explains why focusing on student curiosity, rather than forcing premature career choices, is the key to authentic engagement.

This conversation explores the practical strategies behind building a thriving work-based learning program from the ground up. Gina offers actionable advice on how to initiate and nurture community partnerships, create a culture where students can safely fail forward, and shift student motivation from grades to intrinsic discovery. She also dives into the importance of developing transferable soft skills and shares powerful stories of how these authentic experiences are changing students' lives and building a resilient, future-ready workforce.