Halcyon Hub Series | Teens, Tech, and the Future of Learning

Many parents and those in the education space have seen it: the student who has "checked out," the high-achiever who is secretly burnt out, or the teenagers who struggle to engage fully in the classroom. In an era of record-high student anxiety and declining engagement, many parents and educators are left asking: What has caused this shift and how do we address it?

On Monday, April 20 Halcyon is thrilled to host a critical conversation to touch on that very question – and more. We are welcoming award-winning journalist and author Jenny Anderson to discuss her new book, The Disengaged Teen. Anderson will be joined by Jeff Wetzler, co-founder of the education innovation non-profit Transcend, for a fireside chat aimed at reimagining how we support the young people in our lives.

Anderson brings more than 20 years of experience as a writer and journalist, spanning national newspapers, digital media, and podcasts. In 2025, she and Brookings expert Rebecca Winthrop co-authored The Disengaged Teen, drawing on original research and real-world stories to develop a new framework for understanding how young people engage with learning. Their model identifies four modes of engagement—Resister, Passenger, Achiever, and Explorer—capturing how "students navigate through the shifting academic demands and social dynamics of middle and high school, shaping the internal narratives about their skills, potential, and identity."

Anderson and Winthrop team up to help their readers understand why students may be feeling stuck or lost in their learning and how schools and parents can help reignite their internal curiosity and engagement.

Another prominent leader in the education space, and co-speaker in our fireside chat, is Jeff Wetzler, author, and co-founder of Transcend Education. Wetzler has spent the majority of his career “driven by one mission: to unlock breakthroughs in learning that lead to bold, unexpected possibilities.” Working with business executives, schools, and within communities, Wetzler has pursued this passion.

The fireside chat, “Engaging Teens in the Age of AI,” will explore how learning environments can better support young people today. Moderated by Halcyon Director Jeff Lippman, the conversation will tackle timely and thought-provoking questions: In an age of constant distraction, how do we keep students meaningfully engaged? Are Anderson and Wetzler optimistic about the role of AI in learning? And, of course, what are their views on the under-16 tech ban currently dominating debate in Westminster?

Interested in joining the conversation? RSVP here. We look forward to seeing you!