OM DENNE EPISODE
In this episode of the LearnIt Podcast, we sit down with Rachel Marks, Deputy Head of School at Lauremont School. From debating between law school and teaching to being captivated by a Montessori classroom, Rachel shares what it means to bridge the independence of Montessori with the rigor of the IB. She explains why leadership is a mindset rather than just a title.
In this conversation, Rachel shares:Redefining Failure as F.A.I.L.Why schools must create space for "safe fails" and teach students that a mistake is simply a First Attempt In Learning. She discusses how resilience is built not by avoiding struggle but by problem solving through it.
The Introverted LeaderA candid look at how quiet leadership can be just as powerful as the loudest voice in the room. Rachel challenges the misconception that leaders must be extroverts and explains how deep listening and recharging in solitude are superpowers in education.
The "Knapsack" of EmpathyHow we teach children to understand that everyone carries an invisible emotional load, a "knapsack" we cannot see. She explains why conflict resolution, from the "peace table" in toddler years to courageous conversations in high school, starts with that awareness.
"I Am Known"What it actually looks like when a school commits to knowing every child deeply, not just their grades but their passions and quirks. She shares how that sense of belonging transforms academic outcomes more than any curriculum ever could.
