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Lainie Liberti
Teen Mentor | Transformational Coach | Community Builder | Worldschooling Facilitator
Lainie Liberti is a dynamic best-selling author, international speaker, community leader, teen mentor, and an ardent advocate for alternative education. She has made significant strides in the worldschooling movement, a concept that promotes experiential and immersive learning for children through travel and cultural engagement. Her journey began in the aftermath of the 2008 California economy crash when she decided to close her successful branding agency in Los Angeles. With her nine-year-old son Miro, Lainie opted for adventure—deciding that instead of being victims of circumstance, they would embody the principle of 'be the change.' Selling all their possessions, they embarked on a transformative journey in 2009 that has now spanned thirteen years and nearly fifty countries, ultimately finding a home in the picturesque town of Guanajuato, Mexico.
Lainie's approach to education embodies the philosophy of worldschooling, where she facilitates immersive learning experiences combining travel, cultural immersion, volunteering, and leadership training. Through her experiences, she has attended numerous international conferences and workshops, sharing her knowledge and insights on the benefits of learning through travel. Her advocacy for worldschooling has brought her to platforms such as TEDx Edu in Amsterdam, and her writings have reached audiences through established publications such as People Magazine, the Huffington Post, USA Today, The New York Times, and The New York Post, as well as contributing to academic journals on education and unschooling.
In May 2022, Lainie published her widely acclaimed book, Seen, Heard & Understood: Parenting and Partnering with Teens for Greater Mental Health. This book serves as a vital resource for parents and educators alike, offering guidance on effective communication and parenting strategies to foster improved mental health in teenagers. Beyond writing, Lainie launched Transformative Mentoring for Teens in early 2020. She offers virtual one-on-one coaching for teens and has crafted a compelling 12-week course focused on personal transformation. Her work thrives on making a real impact on the lives of young people, helping them navigate the complexities of adolescence with confidence and resilience.
As an influential figure in the alternative education landscape, Lainie co-founded Project World School with Miro in 2012. This visionary initiative features month-long immersive learning retreats for self-directed teens from diverse backgrounds across the globe. Throughout the past decade, she has facilitated over twenty international retreats, guiding nearly 200 teens through cultural immersion, values exploration, and worldview examination. Moreover, Lainie established the Project World School Family Summits, which have connected hundreds of families in user-friendly environments across Europe, Asia, and Mexico, providing them an opportunity to learn and grow together since 2016.
Lainie's rich educational background includes studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Art at California State University, Long Beach. She has channeled her creative talents into various roles before fully embracing her mission in education. Her past experiences include positions as a brand, marketing, and design specialist, Creative Director, Art Director, and Senior Designer across several reputable organizations. Throughout her professional journey, Lainie has continually combined her artistic skills with her passion for mentoring and education, creating a unique blend of experiences that empower and inspire young minds.
Professional Background
Lainie Liberti has had a diverse professional background that has significantly influenced her current endeavors in education and community leadership. Initially, her career was rooted in branding and design, where she held roles such as Creative Director at jungle [8] and Spongelab, and Art Director at Digital Entertainment Network. Her expertise in brand marketing shone brightly through her work at PlanJam and iXL, showcasing her creativity and strategic thinking. However, with the onset of the economic downturn in 2008, Lainie made a bold pivot towards her current path in alternative education as the founder of Transformative Mentoring for Teens and co-founder of Project World School. She has seamlessly transitioned from the creative world into education, leveraging her previous experience to foster innovative learning environments for teens.
Her role as a mentor and advocate for alternative education has led Lainie to present at conferences and summits, where she has shared her vision of worldschooling and transformative education. As a community leader, she has focused on bringing families together, promoting connections through her Project World School Family Summits, and nurturing a spirit of collaboration among like-minded individuals. Lainie's comprehensive professional history provides a solid foundation that enhances her effectiveness as an educator, mentor, and leader in the alternative education space.
Education and Achievements
Lainie Liberti holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Fine Art from California State University, Long Beach, which laid the groundwork for her initial career in branding and design. Her artistic background has allowed her to cultivate a creative approach to education, particularly in designing immersive learning experiences for teens. Lainie's contributions to the world of alternative education are substantial, and her work has been recognized across various platforms and publications. Her best-selling book, Seen, Heard & Understood, published in May 2022, stands as a testament to her dedication to mental health awareness and effective parenting strategies. She consistently collaborates with different organizations and institutes, contributing her expertise in worldschooling to academic and journalistic literature, affirming her role as a thought leader in this field.
Achievements
Throughout her remarkable journey, Lainie Liberti has achieved numerous accolades that underscore her commitment to education and community building. Some of her significant achievements include:
- Publishing the Amazon best-selling book, Seen, Heard & Understood: Parenting and Partnering with Teens for Greater Mental Health.
- Founding Transformative Mentoring for Teens, providing innovative coaching and courses for youth.
- Co-founding Project World School, which has facilitated over 20 international retreats for nearly 200 teens since 2012, focusing on self-directed learning and cultural immersion.
- Organizing and hosting 10 international Project World School Family Summits, which have fostered community and connection among families in several countries.
- Being a prominent speaker at the TEDx Edu stage in Amsterdam, showcasing her insights on worldschooling and education reform.
- Contributing to multiple well-respected publications and academic journals, expanding the dialogue surrounding alternative education and worldschooling.
