FOUNDATIONAL GUIDEĀ CERTIFICATION
Become the educator you've always wanted to be.
Learn how exceptional Guides coach students, build culture, run Guided Learning Arcs, and create learning environments where young people thrive.
September 2026
The Guide profession starts here
As AI increasingly delivers instruction, the most valuable educators spend less time teaching content and more time coaching students, designing learning experiences, building culture, and developing human potential. This certification prepares educators to thrive in that role.
Hear about the experience from past participants:
WhoĀ Guide Certification is for
If any of these sound familiar, this certification was designed for you.
I'm new to the Guide model
A clear understanding of what Guides do and how Guide-model schools operate.
I know education is changing, but I'm not sure what comes next.
A practical roadmap for thriving as an educator in the AI era.
I want students to be more independent and motivated.
Systems and coaching practices that help students develop agency and ownership.
I have ideas, but I don't know how to implement them.
Proven frameworks, templates, and examples from Guide-model schools.
My colleagues or parents are skeptical.
Language, stories, and strategies that help others understand the vision.
I wish I had mentors and peers on the same journey.
A cohort of Guides who will encourage, challenge, and support your growth.
Program detailsā
Start date forĀ Cohort 3
September 14, 2026
Remote Learning Days
September 14-21, 2026
Travel Day & Welcome Dinner
September 22, 2026
Dinner begins at 6 p.m. Location TBA
In-person Learning Days
September 23-25, 2026
Location of In-personĀ Learning
TBA
AirportĀ
TBA
Price
$3,500 per person
Includes the Welcome Dinner and breakfast/lunch on September 22-25.
Travel, lodging, and other meals are not included.
Certification
Successful completion of this program results in Foundational Guide Certification. Documentation for applying for continuing education units is available upon request.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
Due to our carefully curated cohort sizes and composition, we do not offer refunds at this time.
Foundational Guide TrainingĀ SyllabusĀ
āā
DAY 1 | LIVE REMOTE
Kickoff Call
Meet your cohort and pick up your tools
- Roadmap for the three-week journey
- How to access remote learning apps
- What success looks like and how to reach it
Zoom Discussion:Ā 5-6 p.m.Ā Central
1A
PARTĀ 1 STUDY | SELF-PACED REMOTE
Introduction to Foundational Guide Skills
Self-Paced Coursework:Ā 3ā4 hoursĀ at your convenience
- School Tours
- Role of a Guide
- Promises to Families
Application:Ā 3ā4 hoursĀ at your convenience.Ā Practice and apply the learning independently using the provided templates. Prepare for the Test2Pass mastery challenge.
1B
PARTĀ 1 MEETUPĀ | LIVE REMOTE
Peer Critique andĀ Review
Support cohort members in designing and preparing school tours, understanding the Guide role, and Promises to Families.
Zoom Discussion:Ā 5-7 p.m.Ā Central
2A
PARTĀ 2 STUDY | SELF-PACED REMOTE
Launching into Core Skills
Self-Paced Coursework:Ā 3ā4 hoursĀ at your convenience
- MorningĀ Launches
- Core Skills &Ā Student Motivation
- 1-1 Check-ins with Students
Application:Ā 3ā4 hoursĀ at your convenience.Ā Practice and apply the learning independently using the provided templates. Prepare for the Test2Pass mastery challenge.
Ā
2B
PARTĀ 2 MEETUPĀ | LIVE REMOTE
Peer Critique andĀ Review
Support cohort members in designing and preparingĀ Morning Launches, Core Skills & 1-1Ā Check-ins with students.
Zoom Discussion:Ā 5-7 p.m.Ā Central
3A
PARTĀ 3 STUDY | SELF-PACED REMOTE
TimebackĀ Afternoons
Self-Paced Coursework:Ā 3ā4 hoursĀ at your convenience
- Options forĀ Life-changing AfternoonsĀ
- Working with Stakeholders
- Townhalls
Application:Ā 3ā4 hoursĀ at your convenience.Ā Practice and apply the learning independently using the provided templates. Prepare for the Test2Pass mastery challenge.
3B
PART 3 MEETUPĀ | LIVE REMOTE
Peer Critique andĀ Review
Support cohort members in designing and preparing Experiential Learning, Stakeholder Communications, and Townhalls.
Zoom Discussion:Ā 5-7 p.m.Ā Central
4A
PART 4 EVENTĀ |Ā 22 SEPTEMBERĀ | IN PERSON
Travel Day & Dinner
Morning:Ā Grab yourĀ autumn coat and travel to our in-person retreat.
Welcome Dinner:Ā 6ā8 p.m. at a top-rated local restaurant. Introductions, icebreakers, and first Test2Pass Challenge.
Ā
4B
PART 4Ā RETREATĀ | 23-24 SEPTEMBER IN PERSON
Test2Pass Challenges
Implement your learning designs and demonstrate foundational guide skills with peers. Get feedbackĀ and plan ways to continue to learn and improve.
4C
PART 4Ā CULMINATION | 25 SEPTEMBER IN PERSON
Final Challenge &Ā Foundational Certification
Final Test2Pass:Ā Complete your final demonstration of foundational guide skills.
Closing LunchĀ featuring local catering and awarding of provisional certification to qualifiers.
Departure: The retreat ends at 12:30 p.m. Schedule flights to depart after 2:45 p.m.
Why our program prepares you so well
By the time you're certified, you will have...
Examined various Guide-model schools in detail
through a series of documentary-style videos that give you the complete insider's view of their systems.
Developed a persuasive vision ofĀ the benefits of the Guide role
compared to the traditional teacher role based on examples of successful Guides in top-performing schools.
Practiced giving a walk-through tour of your implementation
to rally the support of your stakeholders, including civic leaders, parents, students, and the media.
Designed your students' first weeks of the learningĀ experience
ensuring you can confidently lead your classroom implementation without a lengthy planning phase.
Recentered on building individual relationships with students
to shift into a coaching role where you offer relentless motivation, emotional support, and high expectations.
Demonstrated mastery by completing in-person mastery challenges
to earnĀ foundational certification based on peer assessment and feedback.
Byron, 11-year-old student at Alpha School, a Guide model
āBefore I came to Alpha, I was feeling kind of limited. But once I started, I began learning at more than twice the pace I did before. The afternoon workshops and projects let me explore things Iām passionate about, like engineering and music, and my guides have helped me discover new interests and skills. I feel more motivated and engaged every day, and I actually look forward to school now.ā
We help you reach impossible teaching goals.
As predicted by the theory of disruptive innovation, AI apps are replacing conventional instruction with stunning efficiency. I'veĀ helped schools embrace this disruption for 15 years. It's the solution many discouraged or underchallenged children need.
You have the opportunity to lead the way in fixing today's broken instructional model. You canĀ make a world-changing impact.
Ditch the traditional classroom and bring mastery-based, personalized, limitless learning to students. You'll fall in love with teaching in an entirely new way.
I hope you'll join our next cohort for an exclusive experience to reskill for a breathtaking new paradigm. You'll leave with confidence, tools, and skills to guide students to love school, learn more, and reach impossibly big goals that simply aren't reachable in the old system.
Grab your spot today!
Sincerely,
Heather Clayton Staker
Co-founder & CEO, Guide School
