Our Mission
We create the conditions for educators to act as local catalysts and drive meaningful change.
We’re a team of former educators and social impact professionals who believe that the critical drivers to true educational reform - our teachers - are being overlooked. We believe that by empowering TEACHERS to implement their ideas, we spark change and generate more impact for students.
Our workshops, services, keynotes, book, and resources all support educators as the main drivers of innovation and creative problem-solving.
Our Vision
We create educational systems that truly support teachers to act as innovators and make a difference in their communities. By investing in the human capital in our schools, we drive systems change so that schools better serve students, and teachers are valued as the experts they are.
Our Team
Darcy Bakkegard
Co-founder & Executive Director
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
Michelle Blanchet
Co-founder & Executive Director The Educators’ Lab Global
Michelle is an educator striving to improve how we treat, train, and value our teachers. After ten years of experience working with young people, she founded the Educators’ Lab, which supports teacher-driven solutions to educational challenges. Michelle earned a master’s in international relations from Instituto de Empresa in Madrid. She has taught social studies in Switzerland and the U.S. and has presented at numerous events, including SXSWedu and TEDxLausanne. Michelle is a part of the Global Shaper Community of the World Economic Forum. She has worked with organizations like PBS Education, the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning, Ashoka, and the Center for Curriculum Redesign.
Areas of Expertise
K-12 Ecosystem + Strategy
Green Skills + Career Pathways
Active Learning for Sustainability
Social Emotional Learning and Civic Engagement
Transformational Leadership in Education
