Praise for the Co-Constructed Classroom
"For many years now, I've been calling for a fundamental transformation in our learning cultures— a shift toward forms of learning that genuinely prepare young people for the complex, uncertain times in which we now live. Learning that honours curiosity. Learning that invites students to pursue their interests. Learning that helps them learn how to question answers, not simply answer questions.
The Co-Constructed Classroom speaks powerfully into this moment.
In this book, Ann challenges one of the most deeply embedded assumptions in schooling — that classrooms must be designed for students rather than with them. She makes a compelling case for learning cultures built on student voice, choice, and agency, while also naming the very real implications this has for teachers: the courage to let go of some control, to question practices maintained simply because "we've always done it this way," and to redesign systems in service of learning rather than compliance.
What I particularly value is how grounded this work is. Through practical examples, reflective questions, and accessible strategies, Ann shows how co-construction can move from idea to lived practice — creating classrooms that are responsive, inclusive, and deeply human.
Our world is changing — in truth, it already has. And the learning cultures our children need now are not optional extras; they are essential. The Co-Constructed Classroom offers both a compelling invitation and a practical pathway toward the kind of learning environments our young people deserve — spaces where they are seen, heard, valued, and trusted as partners in their own learning."
Dr. Peter Gamwell
Adjunct Professor, University of Ottawa
Co-author with Jane Daly of Thinker, Learner, Dreamer, Doer: Innovative Pedagogies for Cultivating Every Student's Potential, Corwin Press April, 2022. Foreword by Yong Zhao: and The Wonder Wall: Leading Creative Schools and Organizations in an Age of Complexity, Corwin Press, 2017. Foreword by Sir Ken Robinson.
"Ann Lautrette's contribution is informed by her rich experience of teaching and leading in the international school context. As such, she writes with a sensitive awareness of the practicalities and complexities of teaching and aims to improve students' learning for their future. The book is kept short and includes regular questions for self-reflection. This provides opportunities for teachers to imagine how a co-constructed classroom might work in their context." McIntosh, S. International School Magazine, Winter 2023, Hayden and Thompson (Eds.)
"Should students engage in designing their own curriculum, determining how they should learn and then assessing their own learning? Absolutely, argues Ann Lautrette, in her important and provocative book, The Co-Constructed Classroom. Lautrette turns the traditional approach to teaching on its head! Rather than ask students to get out of their comfort zones, she asks us teachers to get out of ours. And then she shows us how.
Lautrette persuasively argues that for real learning to take place, teachers must be willing to give up their drive for all-encompassing control of their classrooms. Instead, we have to involve students in working with us to construct curriculum, determine pedagogy and shape assessment. She writes with clarity. purpose, and passion to shift the classroom paradigm. Her viewpoint is convincing and motivating—all students can change the world! Thus, they can and should “co-construct” the classroom experience.
Teachers, she maintains, must be willing to relinquish control in favor of creativity, forsake consistency for flexibility, and choose collaboration over the teacher-as-sage mentality. How refreshing.
To help us do this, she provides two valuable approaches for teachers of any discipline to implement. First, she asks us to consider “reflection questions” to better assess (and reassess) our own biases and approaches to teaching. Second, she provides “reflection activities” to actually implement creative, practical and effective techniques to co-construct with our students.
This is a fine book that provides both insight and inspiration."
Ray Smilor, Fire in the Classroom
Emeritus Professor, TCU
Workshop Feedback for Ann Lautrette
"Ann, you were flexible, expansive, lucid and accommodating in the delivery of this workshop. The 'Leading the Learning' workshop is a complex one to deliver but you were able to present it with clarity and purpose. You were also able to facilitate excellent in-depth discussions that really explored relevant aspects of school leadership. All concepts were well explained and your extensive knowledge of the philosophy and structural basis of IB programmes really helped participants understand how
to develop the IB in their own context.
You possess a calm professional manner that helped you pace and structure the workshop very well. Your ability to summarise and clarify discussions and tease out relevant concepts was also very impressive."
"Knowledgeable, kind, and engaging. Thank you very much"
"Vous avez été parfaite, à l'écoute, attentive. Vous avez été patiente (j'avais eu
de difficultés au départ à réalisé mon portfolio de l'apprenant, mais vous
m'aviez patienter sans me frustrer ni me décourager). Vous êtes une très bonne
professeure IB." ("You were perfect, attentive, and a great listener. You were patient (I had some initial difficulties completing my learner portfolio, but you waited patiently without frustrating or discouraging me). You are a very good IB teacher.")