Are you a Nontraditional Learner? Cooped Up Creative? Scattered Brainiac?

My goal is to revive you, to allow you to experience yourself as the curious, creative, and capable learner that you already are…in school and in life.

Sure, you might have developed some habits that don’t get the results you want. And I bet you’ve encountered folks who’ve made you feel less than adequate.

Rest assured: even though your experiences in school and life might have worn you down, you are not a lost cause (though I know sometimes it feels that way).

Together, we will get you where you want to go: stronger study routines, less procrastination, fewer homework headaches, better grades, better writing, more work/life balance, or more access to your playful, creative self.

I believe in us … and more importantly, I believe in you.

What Others Have to Say About Me

Gretchen’s candor and skill have transformed my son into a kid focused on learning and self respect, with straight As and Bs. Incredible!!! ~ David, father of an 11th grader

Gretchen is curious about everything and everyone. She is a creative thinker and organizer who exudes warmth!” ~ Cynthia Winton-Henry, cofounder of InterPlay

In a very short time, Gretchen has become an important part of my survival and growth, giving me a safe place to open up and go with my creative side. I cannot thank her enough.”    ~ Al, Fire Inspector

Gretchen is a personable, highly intelligent problem solver with a strong ability to connect with both parent and student.” ~ Ron and Marcia, parents of a 6th grader

I felt strongly that Gretchen’s open, out-of -the box, fun personality would jive with my daughter’s. Thanks to skype, I got to work with the coach I wanted despite the distance.    ~ Kim, mother of a 7th grader

I’ve been able to set realistic time lines and actually get things done!”    ~ Stephanie, PhD Student

Gretchen is a wild, artsy, creative spirit with a conscious ability to direct, shape, guide and focus.” ~ Marcus, Graduate Student

 

I’ve never done anything the normal way.

My passion is for working with others who, like me, don’t fit a standard mold.

Here’s my unusual story:

Born in San Francisco, I grew up traveling the world with my family. As a child we saw kangaroos in Australia and lived in a village in Egypt. When we finally settled in Houston, Texas, I majored in theatre at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. Later at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, I designed my own major in Intercultural Performance Studies and graduated with highest honors.

After college, my next adventure was as a Fulbright Scholar in India. Although I loved being the recipient of a prestigious grant, I was a tad depressed. Looking back on it, as a researcher I was disconnected from the deepest source of my passion and skill: creative expression, teaching and learning, and young people.

Everything changed when I returned to the United States and landed a job as an actor-educator at Minnesota’s CLIMB Theatre. Little did I know that CLIMB’s name — which stands for Creative Learning Ideas for Mind and Body — would inspire an entire career. Ten years later I became a licensed history teacher with a Masters degree in embodied learning (if you’re interested in what that means, check out my published article).

Along the way I also became a trained facilitator of InterPlay, a global social movement dedicated to helping individuals and communities unlock the wisdom of their bodies. InterPlay changed my life, helping me balance my brainiac tendencies with an emphasis on ease, playfulness, connection and creative self-expression.

Now, I’ve built an entire business around helping kids and adults figure out how their brains & bodies tick. I help them break through their learning, organization, and creativity barriers so that they can have more joyful, success-filled lives.

How’d I get so lucky to do what I love every day?!

My Unique Point of View

As a result of this winding journey, I am an academic coach and creativity consultant with a truly unique point of view, including:

  • an emphasis on the whole person
  • a focus on incremental skill-building
  • a relentless brainstorming ability
  • laser vision, consistently finding structure in the midst of chaos
  • an appreciation for balance (productivity and self-care, rigor and playfulness)
  • expert use of technology tools to inspire follow-through and measure results
  • a lively virtual presence (yes! we can feel just as connected and productive on skype as in person)
  • and much more!

I get all fired up knowing that together, we’ll create a mind-blowing learning experience for you. Check out my blog for all kinds of ideas, or contact me directly for a free 15 minute consultation. You can also sign up for my newsletter, where I send out breaking news about resources, products, and coaching.

 

My Professional Bio

Gretchen Wegner, a learning and creativity expert, inspires people of all ages to uncover their true identities as capable, clever, and creative learners in school and life. As an academic coach, she has helped 100+ students thrive as they navigate the tricky transitions through high school and into college. As a creativity consultant, her workshops and one-on-ones have supported hundreds of people in finding more playfulness and expressive freedom. She is also the inventor of the MuseCubes™, a productivity toy that helps people — quite literally! — shake themselves free from stuck patterns. A former Fulbright Fellow, Gretchen has a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and is a credentialed middle and high school teacher and certified facilitator of InterPlay™. She is also an improvisational performer, lindyhop dancer, backpacker, and proud resident of Oakland, California.