Symon Hayes

Founder and Lead

Prior to my career in education, I studied graphic design and illustration at university and had the privilege of working in advertising and editorial as both a graphic designer and illustrator. Creativity has always been a significant part of my identity, and I continue to produce visual art regularly. My work typically focuses on portraiture and figurative pieces, using a variety of media.

Outside of art, I enjoy mountain biking, road biking, and running. These activities allow me to connect with nature and recharge while exploring trails and the outdoors.

Originally from England, I moved to the United States in 2000 to teach middle school special education in Vail, Colorado. During my time there, I became a founding member of an Expeditionary Learning School (now known as EL Education). In 2012, I relocated to Oakland, California, where I joined Envision Learning Partners, a nonprofit education organization.

Currently, I live with my family in Castro Valley, CA, just outside of Oakland.

With over three decades in education, I have served as a classroom teacher in both special and general education settings, worked as an instructional coach at the school and district levels, and held leadership roles such as Director of Professional Learning and Senior Director of Learning Design at organizations including Envision Learning Partners, Learner-Centered Collaborative, and Eye to Eye National (now The Neurodiversity Alliance). These experiences have provided me the privilege of collaborating with exceptional thinkers and practitioners in the field.

I bring extensive expertise in frameworks such as Learner Variability, Project-Based Learning (PBL), Learner-Centered Education, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Understanding by Design. Guided by these philosophies, I design and facilitate professional learning experiences and coaching that honor educators' current knowledge while fostering a deeper understanding of how to create accessible, engaging, and relevant learning environments for all students.

My work is rooted in advocating for learners by ensuring educational experiences reflect their identities and provide meaningful connections to what, how, and where they learn. Together with educators and leaders, I strive to empower students to engage in learning that is motivating, inclusive, and transformative.