Why did we write this book?
We're beyond excited to announce the upcoming publication of Erin and Tara's first book! Students in the Driver’s Seat is both a practical guide and a passionate call to action. Designed with middle school in mind—but adaptable for any grade or subject—this book offers tools to help teachers center student voice and choice in their classrooms.
We’ve seen firsthand how this shift transforms learning. When students feel heard and empowered, engagement rises—and so does academic success. Former students often tell us how these experiences shaped not only their learning but their lives. We hope this book inspires more educators to bring student-centered practices to the heart of their teaching.
We can't wait to share this book with you. It's been years in the making, and we have found the process of articulating what we know to be true about good teaching and learning very rewarding. Our book is a practical book, full of strategies and frameworks you can use in your classroom right away.
What Do We Mean by Voice?
Student voice means giving learners a genuine say in their education. It’s not about students as an audience—it’s about participation, connection, and honoring their unique experiences and perspectives. When we say every student, we mean it. Voice matters for neurodiverse students, EAL learners, students with trauma, and those from underrepresented groups.
Deep learning happens when students connect new ideas to their own lives. To foster this, educators must become chief listeners—tuning into students’ interests, choices, interactions, and conversations. Listening closely is the first step to building a vibrant, student-driven classroom.
What Do We Mean by Choice?
In a world where students often feel powerless, offering real choice gives them agency and ownership. Choice—big or small—builds autonomy, confidence, and engagement. Whether it’s choosing where to sit or how to demonstrate their learning, even small decisions help students feel in control.
When students help shape what, how, and when they learn, their investment in learning deepens. But it’s not about tricking students into compliance. Authentic choice invites them into the learning process as active participants. In this book, we share practical ways to make choice a meaningful and visible part of your classroom — starting small or diving right in.
Dimensions of Voice
From our years of experience in centering student voice, we have identifieded 12 dimensions of voice that teachers can activate to elevate student voice.
Developing and Expressing an Opinion
When students are encouraged to form and share their opinions, they engage more deeply and critically with their learning. This builds confidence, agency, and a sense of ownership in both the classroom and the wider world.
Communicating Academic Concepts
When students choose how to communicate what they’ve learned, they deepen their understanding and make learning personally meaningful. Sharing knowledge in creative, authentic ways helps their voice reach beyond the classroom walls.
Building a Skill
Skill-building empowers students to use their voice with confidence and purpose. As they grow in areas like communication, creativity, and critical thinking, they’re better equipped to shape their learning and influence the world around them.
Implementing Engagement Strategies
Intentional engagement strategies help students connect personally with their learning. By offering varied ways to participate, we invite students to engage in ways that reflect their interests, strengths, and preferences.
Fostering Self-Awareness
When students build self-awareness, they gain insight into their strengths, needs, and motivations. This empowers them to make authentic choices and take greater ownership of their learning journey.
Building Community
Creating a safe, inclusive classroom where trust flourishes encourages students to share openly and take ownership of their learning. When students feel accepted, they’re more willing to express their true selves and engage meaningfully.
Encouraging Independence
Supporting students to develop self-management and independent learning skills boosts their confidence and ownership. Independent learners set their own goals and make choices that reflect their strengths and interests.
Making Decisions
Helping students build decision-making skills strengthens their confidence and sense of control. When they actively participate in choices that affect their learning, they feel valued and empowered.
Identifying Possibilities
Encouraging students to explore multiple possibilities fosters creative thinking and broadens their options. This skill empowers them to take ownership of their learning and choose paths that truly reflect their interests and goals.
Thinking Creatively
Creating a safe, inclusive classroom where trust flourishes encourages students to share openly and take ownership of their learning. When students feel accepted, they’re more willing to express their true selves and engage meaningfully.
Collaborating
Collaboration allows students to learn from diverse perspectives and strengthen their own ideas. Working together builds interpersonal skills, shared responsibility, and collective problem-solving, enriching learning outcomes far beyond what any student could achieve alone.
Encouraging Metacognition
Metacognition—thinking about one’s own thinking—helps students understand how they learn best and recognize their strengths and needs. This self-awareness empowers them to make meaningful choices and confidently express their unique perspectives.
Types of Choice
We have also identified 4 types of choice teachers can leverage to support encouraging student choice in new ways.
Mode/Form
Mode or form choice lets students decide how they demonstrate their learning—whether through a comic, essay, video, or other format. This flexibility honors their interests while still meeting curriculum goals.
Topic/Resource
Topic choice allows students to select what they focus on within an assignment—like researching an animal of their choice—while resource choice lets them pick the materials they use. This personalizes learning and keeps students engaged by connecting to their interests.
Outcome
Outcome choice invites students to select which curricular goals their work will address. Though more complex, this empowers students to align learning with their interests, deepening understanding, fostering self-direction, and encouraging authentic, meaningful demonstrations of knowledge.
Time and Sequence
Time and sequence choice lets students decide when and in what order they complete their work. This flexibility supports self-regulation, accommodates individual learning paces, and encourages creativity by allowing students to connect ideas in personally meaningful ways.
Please Reach Out
In our book, we encouraged you to find someone to read with: a colleague who shares your beliefs; someone to collaborate with. We want to reiterate our offer that we can be your community if you don't have one. Please reach out!