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BreakFree Education
Learning Lab Episode #18 The Why Not Mentality with Kimberly McKenzie
27 minutes Posted Apr 13, 2026 at 9:21 pm.
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In this episode of the Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Kimberly McKenzie, a teacher in a mid-level security facility, to explore what she calls a “why not” mentality in education. From hatching chicks and raising classroom animals to integrating AI and student-led inquiry,

Kimberly shares how creating experiences—not just lessons—builds engagement, responsibility, and real-world skills. This episode highlights how curiosity, care, and creative “side quests” can transform learning, even within the structure of standards and testing.