The Origin Story

When the pandemic broke our North American success narrative…

When the Covid-19 lockdowns disrupted students’ ability to complete their schooling as expected, it was heartbreaking to see the impact that had on the physical and mental health of youth and their parents because of their immersion in the North American success narrative. They had been told they needed to get great grades, to get into a great college or university, so they could get a great job with a great paycheck, so they could buy a home, have a family, and one day retire. And the traditional path to achieving that had just been completely thrown off the rails.

There was clearly a need for North Americans to know more about their education options, including the power of experiential learning and lived experience (such as navigating a pandemic) to set you up for success.

In discussions with respected college and universities across Ontario, learning what would make these institutions excited to receive applications from learners who had pursued experiential learning rather than following a traditional classroom model, it became clear that when the pandemic struck it didn’t limit students’ opportunities for success but instead cracked open our formal systems and created more possibilities than ever before.

Whether homeschooling, formal schooling, or practicing lifelong learning, this is an incredible time in history to be alive and to be building a learning journey you are passionate about.

Living is Learning is an expanding initiative that exists to provide support resources to help you along the way!

About Lindsay Walton

Lindsay Walton is a deeply curious person with diverse interests who has a love of starting conversations with the person next to her. She has worn multiple hats professionally (teaching Theatre Arts, working in high ropes, teaching outdoor education, and more!) resulting in a diverse career and broad insights into the power of experiential and hands-on learning. With formal education in the realms of Recreation, Sociology, and Social Work, she has provided play-based team building, facilitation training, mental health workshops, and therapeutic first aid training as the Program Director of Open Door Development and has provided leadership development and mentoring for education professionals across North America and beyond.

Lindsay lives in Canada’s National Capital with her family and worldschools with her two children. Having front-row seats to watch them grow up and being an active part of their lives is one of the greatest sources of happiness in hers.