CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH THE WORLD AROUND THEM
At Yellow Steps, we believe that learning should go beyond worksheets and beyond classrooms.
Founded by Jenn Doeve, Yellow Steps brings place-based learning into schools, helping students explore their surroundings while achieving curriculum goals. By partnering with teachers and administrators, we empower educators to transform traditional lessons into engaging, hands-on experiences that resonate with students and build a strong sense of community.
OUR STORY
BRINGING LEARNING TO LIFE
Jenn always knew there had to be a better way to engage her students, something more authentic and compelling than traditional classroom routines.
As she played with ideas from her Master’s studies, she sought to create learning experiences that truly resonated with her students—and herself. She saw apathy and disengagement as significant roadblocks to learning, leading to power struggles and a challenging school environment for both students and teachers.
But instead of focusing on getting students to comply, Jenn looked for ways to make learning so engaging that students wanted to participate. Her goal was to foster truly compelling, student-centered learning.
A NEW APPROACH
Jenn set out on a mission to analyze her best teaching moments—those memorable lessons that left students racing home to tell their families what they had learned.
The kind that parents fondly remembered years later. As she reflected on these moments, one thing became clear: each one involved a strong sense of place and connection to the community.
Her own experience as a parent deepened this realization. Within walking distance of her home, Jenn saw endless opportunities for learning, with each year adding layers to what her children understood about their surroundings. She started to overlay curriculum with the world around her, realizing that if she, as an adult, was still learning from her community, there was even more potential for school-age children to do the same.
THE BIRTH OF YELLOW STEPS
That’s how Yellow Steps was born—to see more students learning through their surroundings
Jenn began designing school-wide and grade-level residencies that help teachers use their local community as a powerful educational resource. These programs reconnect students and teachers to their surroundings, creating shared learning experiences that are memorable, meaningful, and aligned with curriculum goals.
In just a few short years, Jenn has partnered with schools across all four quadrants of Calgary, helping students and educators alike engage with their community in new and exciting ways.
OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE
At Yellow Steps, we believe that every student should have a deep sense of connection to the place where they learn. Our goal is to bring these place-based learning experiences to as many schools as possible in Calgary and the surrounding area. By partnering with educators, we aim to foster a sense of belonging and understanding in students, helping them discover what makes their community unique and special.
The Yellow Steps Difference
Site-Specific Learning Experiences
Empower your teachers to bring place-based education into their classrooms with professional learning workshops.
From building a common understanding of place-based learning to practical strategies for designing lessons through this lens, these workshops offer transformative insights.
Support for Teachers and Administrators
Take your students on an exploration of their community with a tailored residency program that aligns with curriculum goals.
We partner with your teachers and administrators to guide students through immersive learning that fosters critical thinking and curiosity.