The Art of Learning Project - The Art of Learning Project

Teachers must listen first.

Students should gain a keen introspective awareness of their natural strengths and weaknesses, and build a game, a career, a way of life around that awareness.

The Art of Learning articulates my belief that learners and performers thrive when their growth process is uniquely tailored to their own unique nuance of character.

After the book was published I was approached by numerous educational groups who wanted to put the philosophy of The Art of Learning at the center of their organization. With this outpouring of interest, I founded The JW Foundation to aid that process.

Currently, the JW Foundation works with public and private school systems, urban youth centers, “gifted” organizations, teacher and administrator groups, parent groups, educational organizations, and athletic teams and organizations. It is my ambition to support all children, teens, and young adults on their unique paths to excellence.

The Art of Learning Project has been created by The JW Foundation to provide further resources for educators, parents, coaches and students, as well as to provide a place for these groups to share their stories, insights, and support.

~ Josh Waitzkin

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide educators, coaches, parents, and students with a roadmap to learning that cultivates self-expression, resilience, passion, and creativity within the larger classroom or team setting. Through the exploration of thematic interconnectedness, students will discover the fibers that connect all disciplines and develop the ability to harness those connections in all of their learning endeavors. Development of these skills will foster greater independence, self-confidence, and a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

Our Team

Josh Waitzkin President

Josh, an eight-time National Chess Champion in his youth, was the subject of the book and movie, Searching for Bobby Fischer. At age 18, he published his first book, Attacking Chess. Since the age of twenty, he has developed and been the spokesperson for Chessmaster, the largest computer chess program in the world with over 6 million copies sold. Now a martial arts champion, Waitzkin holds a combined 21 National Championship titles in addition to several World Championship titles.

In 2008, Waitzkin founded The JW Foundation, an educational organization dedicated to an individualized approach to learning. He currently serves as president. In addition to consulting internationally on the subjects of performance psychology, the learning process and creativity, Josh is currently focusing on his third art: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Josh is a BJJ black belt under World Champion Marcelo Garcia, the creator of MGInAction.com, and co-founder of The Marcelo Garcia Academy. When he’s not on the mats or with his beautiful wife and sons, Josh loves free diving, paddle-boarding, skiing, and a good storm.

To learn more about a man, read the books he reads.

Katy Wells Program Director

Katy joined The Art of Learning Project in 2013. As a former teacher in the NYC public school system and a parent of school aged children, Katy is dedicated to supporting educators in creating learning environments and experiences that allow students to follow their passions and develop a deep and lasting love of learning.

Katy provides one on one support to teachers, administrators, coaches, and various other educational professionals as they incorporate the learning principles into their work with their students and athletes. In addition to program support, Katy develops educational content and materials based on The Art of Learning principles, oversees an online discussion group for educators working with the concepts, manages the book donation program, and is the general point person for all TAOLP programs.

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