RootEd in WNC
The Community is the Classroom
Student and Teacher Showcase – Spring 2023
What?
RootEd is a community of educators, students, coaches, and partners working together to solve local and regional challenges.
During our annual RootEd in WNC showcase event, students and teachers have an opportunity to share their solutions, and the stories behind them, with an audience of peers, professionals, and the public. The event is organized in a conversational, open-house, gallery-walk style, and is open to the public.
Where?

The Collider, Asheville, NC
This year’s event will take place in downtown Asheville at The Collider, 1 Haywood St 4th floor, Asheville, NC 28801.
When?
May 5, 2023
- 9am – 10:30am – Student Showcase
- 11am – 12:30pm – Teacher Showcase
Revitalizing Azalea Park – BCEC Student Showcase – 9am – 10:30am
The freshman class at Buncombe County Early College is partnering with RiverLink, the City of Asheville, Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council and other partners to revitalize a section of Azalea Park in east Asheville. On May 5th from 9 – 10:30am students will present their solutions for revitalizing the park to their partners, peers, teachers, and the public.
Please come learn about the students’ ideas, and give feedback. Azalea Park patrons, teachers and faculty, students (elementary – college), and anyone interested in powerful learning and community problem solving are welcome to attend. Coffee and refreshments will be served.
You can learn more about the project, and see the students’ progress here.
The Azalea Park project started in 2019, but stalled during the pandemic. Some improvements have already started happening, and this year’s students are carrying the project further by seeking approval from RiverLink and the City of Asheville for more significant changes.
RootEd in WNC Teacher Showcase – 11am – 12:30pm
RootEd in WNC provides a yearlong learning experience for teachers from pre-K – college. Over the course of a school year, teachers design and deliver one or more projects that connect their students with communities to solve challenges. On May 5th, teachers will share their projects, and the stories behind them, with their peers, partners, and others in an open-house, gallery walk style event.
All are welcome. See the video and stories below for more details about the teacher experience and past projects.
Past RootEd Impact Stories
Polk Middle School Students Improving Laughter Pond
“My kids are very concerned about justice and fairness…We can sit here and complain or we can actually do something to make things more equitable for our whole community. I think that taking ownership has made them feel a lot more confident and a lot more engaged.” – Jeanne Ferran, Polk County Middle School Teacher
Madison Students' COVID Project Highlighted in Edutopia
“The goal is to distribute their research to the community and beyond in hopes to inform others about COVID-19 with reputable information and possibly help save lives,” – Oshen Wallin, Science Teacher
Wake Students Designing App for Black History Walking Tour
“A group of 10th-grade students at Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies will be creating an app highlighting Black history in downtown Raleigh, including the new park on the corner of North Wilmington Street and East Lane Street.” – Destinee Patterson, WRAL Reporter
Watauga Elementary Students Create Small Business
Using donated monies by community members, Mabel Students made 22 PERSONALIZED mugs, tumblers, and cards. Students passed these out to Veteran’s who came to our Drive Thru Veteran’s Day celebration.
Please contact Jay Korreck at jkorreck@constructivelearningdesign.org for more info about RootEd.