iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

A collage picture book about connecting to purpose and seeing meaning and joy reflected back by the world around us. Written for children (adults too) of all ages. I hope you enjoy! ❤️

lulu.com

The Artist Inside

This lyrical poem explores a beautiful truth: art isn't just in museums. It's in a dandelion growing in a crack of the sidewalk, a stranger's kindness, and the courage to start again. The Artist Insid...

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

The Artist Inside explores a shared truth: life is a canvas and we are all artists. What if we defined art as the innate urge to make meaning? If everything we do is an act of creation, then all that we create might be a work of art to marvel. 🎨🖌️ www.lulu.com/shop/cassie-...

lulu.com

The Artist Inside

I know my thoughts are all over the place with this, so if you got this far thanks for sticking with me through my unhinged and nostalgic ramblings.

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You know what Jesus wouldn’t do? He wouldn’t allow millions of Americans to lose SNAP benefits- because Jesus fed the hungry. He wouldn't authorize ICE to wreak havoc in our communities or separate families. He wouldn't advocate for a system in which health insurance costs 1/4 of your annual income

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To me, this is a Walmart ACDC shirt. It is the political equivalent of making a fortune from WWJD merch and not giving a cent to the original creator.

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Its like they are all wearing WWJD bracelets and not thinking twice about getting shitfaced in a random field on a Thursday night before finals. They bring Jesus into politics not because they are concerned with what he would do, but because they know that majority of Americans are.

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Everyday, the Trump administration makes choices, driven by greed and pride. All the while, they invoke religion, disregarding the separation of church and state, dismantling democratic norms and pushing us toward a theocratic authoritarian state.

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I mean I don’t think the original creator intended the meaning to be watered down from “keep Jesus in your heart and mind” to “do your homework cause Jesus is watching", but that is what commercialization does. WWJD bracelets became less about Jesus and more about following a trend.

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Anyway, the bracelets were meant to be small personal reminders to make good choices. We would look down at our wrists and remember not to skip class. Which is… weird to say the least.

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This led me to think about the billions in profit generated from all the WWJD merch. I got curious and did a little digging and found that the person who first created the bracelets never secured the copyright and was denied any royalties. The irony of that feels very “WJWND”, but I digress.

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

I can’t stop thinking about those WWJD bracelets from the 90s and early 2000s. The acronym was so commercialized that it became an in-your face trend. Whether Christian or not, most of us Millennials had a bracelet, a shirt, or at least saw them on everybody else at school and on TV.

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Happy 🏳️‍🌈PRIDE🏳️‍⚧️ Month!

Hand made collage art piece titled “Muskegon Pride”. Created for a Muskegon Pride Festival event. It’s featuring a vintage Ford ad from Life Magazine- circa 1947. With Ford flags modified to be Pride flags. Historic Muskegon buildings have been added in the foreground to represent Muskegon of the past and as a reminder to the progress the community has made.

Same piece, but in frame: Hand made collage art piece titled “Muskegon Pride”. Created for a Muskegon Pride Festival event. It’s featuring a vintage Ford ad from Life Magazine- circa 1947. With Ford flags modified to be Pride flags. Historic Muskegon buildings have been added in the foreground to represent Muskegon of the past and as a reminder to the progress the community has made.

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

TCLC exists because a group of educators dared to reimagine what school could be—and then took action to make it happen.✨ Grateful to be part of this journey! Thank you What School Could Be for featuring TCLC! ❤️ #letsrestorehummanitytoeducationtogether #thirdcoastlearningcollaborative #watchusgo

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Reposted by Cassie Nastase

Human Restoration Project @humanrestorationproject.org · 14/04/2025

Human Restoration Project's @cnastase.bsky.social moderates the youth panel at the Mental Health Summit in Banff, Alberta. "What supports do you wish you had in school?"

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Reposted by Cassie Nastase

Human Restoration Project @humanrestorationproject.org · 08/04/2025

We wrapped up an incredible time at the uLead Conference in Banff! 🇨🇦 We'll be back in Banff later this week for Headwater Learning Foundation's Mental Health Summit, where we actually picked up a brief workshop session and @cnastase.bsky.social will be moderating a youth panel!

Cassie, Chris, and Nick selfie with Banff in the background

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Reposted by Cassie Nastase

Human Restoration Project @humanrestorationproject.org · 27/03/2025

In her latest piece, @cnastase.bsky.social connects one middle-school PBL unit to Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) competencies, showcasing how PBL supports self- and social-awareness, responsible decision making, and more! casel.org/blog/reimagi... #EduSky #PBL

casel.org

Reimagining Classrooms Through SEL and Project-Based Learning - CASEL

Key Points Back to top Today in a classroom in Orchard View Schools, students are talking about the way they want to learn together. Their teacher leads a discussion about the CASEL 5 competencies for...

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Thrilled to share the ways the Third Coast Learning Collaborative model supports healthy social-emotional learning! Thanks Wellness Education Magazine for providing the platform. 💜

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Big thanks to Wellness Education Magazine for providing space to share about the Third Coast Learning Collaborative project. Check out the article in the March 2025 Special SEL Edition. 💜🌍🌱 lnkd.in/gQkkjNP6 And consider subscribing to access past/future issues lnkd.in/gncje3UJ #edusky #PBL #SEL

lnkd.in

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

“If Jenny had 2 apples and Johnny had 3, how many would they have if I took them all away?” #protectthedepartmentofeducation #edusky Credit: stopproject2025comic.org

Comic depicting Project 2025’s plans to dismantle The Department of Education.

Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

“Forgive the government that puts the people in poverty And it bothers me when the people are goin' hungry And corporate companies have got their cupboards full of groceries…They’re vultures of culture and their picking on all my friends” youtu.be/bISpmKlOZa0?...

youtu.be

Vultures Of Culture

YouTube video by Nahko And Medicine For The People - Topic

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Reposted by Cassie Nastase

Nick Covington @covingtonedu.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

It's a coup.

Ed Dept DOGE team cancels $900 million in research contracts
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Laura Meckler
The Education Department on Monday shut down a large swath of work at the Institute of Educational Sciences, the arm of the department responsible for education research, by unilaterally cancelling at least 90 contracts worth $900 million. The agency is responsible for education research, evaluation of programs and collection of a vast amount of data about American schools.

The vast majority of the work of this agency is done by contractors, so canceling their work will have a significant impact on its ability to function, they said.

The canceled contracts were identified by a team of workers from the Department of Government Efficiency service, known as DOGE. The list includes some functions required by statutes.

Notices to contractors were sent Monday, according to a person familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak. He said they were canceled “for convenience,” a provision that allows for a contract to be terminated without finding fault.

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Reposted by Cassie Nastase

Nick Covington @covingtonedu.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Concerns about a "Constitutional Crisis" are always framed as an intellectual exercise, as if they're happening in some abstract future. Well it's here, now, and the Crisis is driving a jet powered steamroller.

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Reposted by Cassie Nastase

Human Restoration Project @humanrestorationproject.org · 26/01/2025

"Fun fact about teaching at my Danish school, when we are sick, we’re not required to write sub plans because we’re sick.” - @pernille.bsky.social So what lessons can we learn from Danish society & its education system that may help heal our own? www.humanrestorationproject.org/podcasts/a-d...

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Human Restoration Project @humanrestorationproject.org · 29/12/2024

Conference to Restore Humanity! - an online conference on progressive education! July 21-23. Join the event in our funding drive for tickets/this awesome t-shirt. secure.givelively.org/donate/human-…

A black/green t-shirt with the text Quest for Connection, showing a team of children exploring a cave.

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Reposted by Cassie Nastase

Human Restoration Project @humanrestorationproject.org · 11/01/2025

What are school voucher programs *really* about, how do they spread, and what should we expect in 2025 and beyond? In our first episode of 2025, we are joined by @joshcowenmsu.bsky.social to explore these questions and more! www.humanrestorationproject.org/podcasts/the... #EduSky

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

“The beauty of a beginner’s mind isn’t in abandoning the old traditions, but in weaving the two together with mindful discernment.” A lovely piece by a dear friend: The Art of Balancing the Creative Mind with Daily Life medium.com/@kelleypeel/...

medium.com

The Art of Balancing the Creative Mind with Daily Life

Exploring the Zen, Yoga, and Parables for an Open Approach to Life but Life Seems to Object

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

They will explore the ways in which clothing production impacts the environment, how culture and values are reflected in garments, and consider ethical production/distribution practices around the world. Students will prototype T-shirt designs that reflect their learning and school/community values

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

6th grade TCLC student’s kicked off their Sustainable Merchandising project with a trip to the Muskegon Career Tech Center. Guided by high schoolers enrolled in the graphic design and production program, they learned about the digital design process, and screen printing. +

2 students using a screen printing machine.

High school students presenting to 6th grade TCLC students.

Career Tech Center student designs on display.

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Human Restoration Project @humanrestorationproject.org · 10/12/2024

We've got an awesome lineup of guests to keep the conversation going over the holidays and into the new year, feat. @joshcowenmsu.bsky.social, @pernille.bsky.social, & @hechternacht.bsky.social! 🚀 Subscribe on any podcast app or listen @ www.humanrestorationproject.org/podcast #EduSky

Promo image with upcoming podcast guest information:

Kapono Ciotti - 12/7
Story Xperiential - 12/21

Josh Cowen - 1/11
Pernille Ripp - 1/25

Mike Tinoco - 2/8
Heidi Echternacht - 2/22

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

The Caregiver FAQ helps parents & stakeholders: ✨ Reflect on what’s best for their child’s growth ✨ Advocate for the educational conditions they need As both a parent and an advocate for progressive practices, I find this resource invaluable.🐛🦋 #RestoringHumanityToEducationTogether

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Parents & Caregivers: Have you seen HRP’s Caregiver FAQ? We all dream of meaningful and joyful lives for our children. Education plays a vital role in making those dreams a reality.❤️ +

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Hi Lindsey! We would love to connect. It looks like our orgs have much in common. I’ll send you a direct message!

The educators involved in this early stage are in a grassroots coalition of the willing. This summer we used a North Star narrative that aligns educator values in the process as well. The hope is that this work snowballs in such a way that infiltration is less possible and the coalition grows ❤️

This work started from student voice work. During these conversations values were identified and then used to inform TCLC project components. We intent to continue capturing student voice through out this process to ensure student values are reflected in this work. 🙌🏽

Hey Tom, Love that you bring up values and I really appreciate the attached list. To answer the question, yes values such as, belonging, engagement, student- centered, collaboration, etc. are used in our fidelity observation tools, are discussed with the educator team, and with students.

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“this experience has already proven to be so beneficial for my child. She has never been this excited to come to school & to tell us about what she is working on. These experiences have led her to feel more confident and comfortable in her learning and alongside her peers.” ❤️ +

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While we are far out from sharing longterm data, there is so much excitement and fulfillment that comes from connecting with parents and students. The chance to hear about their perceptions of the project was such a bucket filler! To paraphrase one of our parent representatives: +

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Which aims to reimagine middle school by combining two key components: interdisciplinary project based learning and feed-back driven, portfolio based assessment. In this randomized control trial we hope to capture positive impacts on student engagement, wellbeing, absenteeism, & academic outcomes. +

Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

This evening @humrespro.bsky.social hosted our first advisory board meeting for the EIR grant funded project: Third Coast Learning Collaborative. Our student and parent representatives left us feeling grateful & inspired about this work. We are 1 marking period in to this 5-15 year project +

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Amazing! Can’t wait to hear more ❤️

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Human Restoration Project @humanrestorationproject.org · 08/10/2024

We've got an incredible lineup of podcast episodes heading into the end of 2024, starting this weekend with Joshua Eyler on Failing Our Future: How Grades Harm Students & What We Can Do About It. Search & subscribe to Human Restoration Project on any podcast app! 🚀 #EduSky

Podcast lineup image: 10/12 - Joshua Eyler, 11/2 Joshua Howlett, 11/16 - Pepper Stetler, 12/7 Kapono Ciotti

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Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Hey Pam!! Glad to see you here. Hope you are well!! ☺️

Cassie Nastase @cnastase.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

So glad to hear it! Cheers to connections! 🍻