Adventures with Substack

Student Teachers - Stop reinventing the wheel!

A whole new world and how to present SWAY Canada to the world were discovered on Substack as I continued my learning journey with the help of my new buddy, A-one.

 AI is a tool that needs training. I have used Chat GPT to the extent that it knows my work, a bit scary, but what are you going to do? I'm not sure how much of this I'll use in my Substack, but it's a great start. I wasn't aware of Permissionless Education, but it aligns perfectly with my mission. To be continued.

My Prompt

As an expert in education matters and Substack, help me understand the concept of permissionless education, which seems to be a category on Substack. Where does this idea come from, and how do you join that community?

ChatGPT said:

Great question, Brian — “permissionless education” is one of those phrases that signals a big shift in how people think about learning, especially in the digital era. Let me unpack it for you as an education expert and also in the context of how Substack frames it.

 

🌱 What “Permissionless Education” Means

• Definition: Learning, teaching, and sharing knowledge without waiting for approval from traditional gatekeepers (schools, universities, publishers, boards).

• Key idea: Anyone with experience, ideas, or curiosity can teach, mentor, or create learning spaces. The “permissionless” part means you don’t need a credential, license, or institution’s blessing to start.

• Roots:

  • Open-source software culture → developers didn’t wait for corporations to approve their projects; they built and shared.

  • Web 2.0 & creator economy → YouTube, podcasts, and blogs let people “teach” in real time, directly to an audience.

  • Alternative education movements → unschooling, homeschooling, micro-schools, and project-based learning that bypass traditional curricula.

In short: it’s about democratizing education and making it peer-to-peer, creative, and global.

📚 On Substack

Substack highlights “Permissionless Education” as a topic/community because:

• Many writers there are educators, parents, technologists, and reformers building alternatives.

• Instead of publishing in journals or waiting for a university platform, they just start writing and sharing directly.

• Think of it as a gathering place for those who believe in “education without permission.”

When you publish under that category, your work can be discovered by readers already following the theme.

🔑 How to Join the Community

1. Choose the Topic:

   • When setting up or editing your publication on Substack, select “Permissionless Education” under your topics/tags.

   • You can add it later in Settings → Categories & Topics.

2. Engage with Others:

   • Follow other Substack writers in that category (search “permissionless education” in Substack’s Discover).

   • Comment, share, and cross-publish with them.

3. Frame Your Voice:

   • Position SWAY as part of this movement: “We don’t wait for permission to innovate in classrooms. We model, play, and share new ways to learn.”

   • Your angle fits beautifully because SWAY democratizes classroom tools (CAP Notes, WAY Game, Pathfinder) for any teacher, parent, or student who wants to use them — no top-down mandate required.

✨ Why It Matters for You

You’re essentially embodying “permissionless education” already:

• You’re a retired teacher building SWAY outside institutional boundaries.

• You’re empowering teachers, parents, and students to become creators of learning tools (Game Cards, CAP Notes, fundraisers) without waiting for districts or ministries.

• On Substack, that story will resonate with others in the same space.

👉 I can draft a Substack profile intro for you that positions SWAY Canada squarely inside the Permissionless Education community while highlighting your unique approach. Would you like me to?

You said:

Yes please.

ChatGPT said:

Perfect — here’s a draft Substack profile intro that places SWAY Canada squarely inside the Permissionless Education community while showcasing your unique mission:

🌊 SWAY Canada

A SMART Way to Learn, Earn & Play

Welcome to SWAY Canada, where education is reimagined without waiting for permission. We believe learning happens best when students, teachers, and parents can create, play, and build together.

Through the WAY Game, CAP Notes, and Pathfinder Profiles, we give classrooms and families practical tools to:

• Spark curiosity and creativity through play 🎮

• Strengthen relationships and teamwork 🤝

• Build entrepreneurial habits that raise funds 💡

• Develop lifelong learning skills with AI at your side 🚀

This is permissionless education in action: no gatekeepers, no red tape. Just a growing community of learners who want to unite classrooms, make education fun again, and prepare students to thrive in life.

Join us as we share stories, tools, and grassroots ways to make classrooms smarter, more connected, and more sustainable.

Pass the Play. Be the Spark. Unite Classrooms.

Brian — would you like me to also give you shorter tagline options (1–2 lines) that you could use in the Substack sidebar or under your profile pic, so your theme is clear at a glance?

You said:

Yes

ChatGPT said:

Great — here are several short, tagline-style options you could use in your Substack sidebar or under your profile image. Each one captures SWAY + permissionless education in a quick, memorable way:

🎯 Crisp & Direct

• Permissionless Education for Smarter Classrooms

• Learn, Earn & Play — Without Waiting for Permission

• Tools & Stories to Make Learning Fun Again

🌍 Mission-Driven

• Unite Classrooms. Pass the Play. Be the Spark.

• Grassroots Education Reform, One Game at a Time

• Building Smarter Schools from the Ground Up

🎮 Playful & Inviting

• The WAY Game: Where Learning Meets Play

• CAP Notes, Pathfinder, & The Future of Fun Learning

• Turning Classmates into Teammates

✨ Hybrid (Brand + Movement)

• SWAY Canada: A SMART Way to Learn, Earn & Play

• The Permissionless Path to Happy, Healthy, Wise Classrooms

• Education Without Gatekeepers — Powered by Play

👉 I’d suggest picking one direct tagline (Permissionless Education for Smarter Classrooms) plus one playful tagline (Turning Classmates into Teammates) to alternate in different places (profile header vs. sidebar vs. newsletter footer).

Would you like me to also draft a welcome email / first Substack post intro that ties these taglines together and invites readers into your community?

You said:

Yes

ChatGPT said:

Perfect — here’s a draft of your Welcome Email / First Substack Post Intro for SWAY Canada that ties your taglines together, introduces the Permissionless Education theme, and warmly invites readers to join the community.

✉️ Welcome to SWAY Canada

Hello and welcome,

I’m Brian McCarthy, a retired teacher turned edu-preneur, and this is SWAY Canada: A SMART Way to Learn, Earn & Play.

Here’s the big idea: education shouldn’t wait for permission. We don’t need to stand in line for gatekeepers, wait for district mandates, or beg for funding before we innovate. Real change happens when students, teachers, and parents work together to make learning fun, practical, and empowering.

That’s what this space is about.

🌊 What You’ll Find Here

• Stories and tools from the classroom that actually work

• The WAY Game, where students turn classmates into teammates

• CAP Notes, graphic organizers that capture learning and spark creativity

• Pathfinder Profiles, helping kids discover their gifts and build confidence

• Entrepreneurial ideas that help classrooms raise money for supplies and projects

This is Permissionless Education in action — no gatekeepers, no red tape. Just learning, earning, and playing together.

🎯 Why Join In?

Because classrooms today are under pressure. Teachers are stretched thin. Parents are searching for ways to connect. And students? They’re craving fun, relevance, and belonging.

With SWAY, we flip the script:

• Games make learning engaging.

• Notes turn into stories and memories.

• Projects raise funds and build real-world skills.

• AI becomes a guide, not a threat.

🚀 What’s Next

Every week, I’ll share:

• A practical classroom/game tool you can use right away

• A story from my own 33 years of teaching (and mistakes!)

• Updates on how to bring SWAY into your school, community, or home

Together, we’ll build a grassroots community of teachers, parents, and learners who believe in smarter classrooms, happier kids, and stronger communities.

Taglines to Remember

• Permissionless Education for Smarter Classrooms

• Unite Classrooms. Pass the Play. Be the Spark.

Thanks for joining me on this journey.Let’s make classrooms places where students can grow happy, healthy, wise, and wealthy in spirit.

Pass the Play,Brian McCarthyFounder, SWAY Canada

👉 Would you like me to also shape this into a series of three quick launch posts (like a mini-arc: What SWAY Is, Why It Matters, How to Get Involved) so your Substack feels active from day one?

You said:

Yes

ChatGPT said:

Excellent — here’s a 3-part launch arc for your Substack that builds momentum from Day One. Each post is short, story-driven, and ties into SWAY + Permissionless Education so readers get the what, why, and how.

📬 Substack Launch Series

Post 1: What is SWAY?

Title: A SMART Way to Learn, Earn & PlayHook:What if classrooms could be fun, entrepreneurial, and life-changing — all at once?

Content:

• Introduce SWAY Canada and your three pillars:

  • The WAY Game 🎮 (turn classmates into teammates)

  • CAP Notes 📓 (capture learning and creativity)

  • Pathfinder Profiles 🧭 (discover gifts and talents)

• Share your teaching background (33 years in the classroom).

• Position SWAY as grassroots, teacher-led, and permissionless education in action.

• End with invitation: “This Substack is where I’ll share the stories, tools, and games that make learning come alive. Welcome aboard.”

Post 2: Why SWAY Matters Now

Title: Permissionless Education for Smarter ClassroomsHook:Teachers are burning out. Parents are paying out of pocket. Students are losing curiosity. We can’t afford to wait.

Content:

• Outline the problems: underfunded classrooms, high teacher turnover, disengaged students.

• Show how SWAY flips the script:

  • Games bring joy back to learning.

  • CAP Notes build reflection and connection.

  • Entrepreneurial projects raise funds (instead of draining parents).

• Connect to Permissionless Education: “We don’t wait for systems to catch up. We start now, together.”

• Call to action: “Join this community, share your ideas, and help spread a SMART Way to Learn, Earn & Play.”

Post 3: How to Get Involved

Title: Pass the Play. Be the Spark.Hook:Education reform doesn’t start in boardrooms. It starts in classrooms, living rooms, and communities like ours.

Content:

• Give 3 entry points for readers:

  1. Teachers → Try a CAP Note or WAY Game in class this week.

  2. Parents → Use CAP Notes at home to capture stories and memories.

  3. Supporters → Share this Substack, donate a CAP Notebook, or bring SWAY into your community.

• Keep it practical and hopeful: “One classroom at a time, we unite kids, teachers, and parents in learning that matters.”

• End with your core tagline: Unite Classrooms. Pass the Play. Be the Spark.

✨ With these three posts, your Substack immediately feels alive: readers know what SWAY is, why it matters, and how they can participate.

Would you like me to also sketch a 6-week content calendar (expanding from these posts into classroom stories, tool spotlights, and interviews) so you don’t have to guess what to publish next?

You said:

Please update with the idea that the three pillars of SWAY Canada are the gamification of education through the WAY Game, SMART Digital Lesson Planning and Entrepreneurial Project-based Learning, a classroom revenue-generating model for classroom teachers. There are Pillars within the WAY Game, including CAP Notes, Pathfinder, Game Cards, WAY Cards, and other support materials. Remember this information for future reference

ChatGPT said:

Got it, Brian — I’ll remember this refined structure going forward. Here’s the updated framework with your clarification:

🌊 SWAY Canada – Core Pillars

1. Gamification of Education through The WAY Game 🎮

   • Includes CAP Notes, Pathfinder, Game Cards, WAY Cards, and support materials.

   • Builds confidence, creativity, teamwork, and holistic student skills.

2. SMART Digital Lesson Planning (SDLP) 💻

   • Uses SMART Notebook templates, AI integration, and lesson plan banks.

   • Helps teachers save time, share resources, and modernize instruction.

3. Entrepreneurial Project-Based Learning (EPBL) 💡

   • A classroom revenue-generating model that empowers teachers and students.

   • Includes CAP Notebook sales, class fundraisers, and project-based ventures.

   • Provides funds for supplies, prizes, and projects while teaching real-world business skills.

🏛️ Pillars within The WAY Game

• CAP Notes – capture learning, reflection, and creative expression.

• Pathfinder – student learning profiles for self-discovery and anti-bullying teamwork.

• Game Cards & WAY Cards – fuel play, curiosity, and classroom interaction.

• Support Materials – captains, judges, discipline roles, templates, and digital assets.

✅ I’ve saved this structure in memory for future reference, so whenever we talk about SWAY Canada, I’ll frame it around:

• 3 Big Pillars (Gamification, SDLP, EPBL)

• WAY Game Sub-Pillars (CAP Notes, Pathfinder, Game/WAY Cards, supports)

Would you like me to update the 3-launch Substack posts I drafted so they now highlight all three main SWAY pillars instead of just the WAY Game?

You said:

yes

ChatGPT said:

Perfect — here’s your updated 3-post Substack launch arc with all three SWAY Canada pillars clearly included, plus the sub-pillars of the WAY Game where relevant. This version positions SWAY not just as a game, but as a comprehensive model of permissionless education.

📬 Substack Launch Series (Updated)

Post 1: What is SWAY?

Title: A SMART Way to Learn, Earn & PlayHook:What if classrooms could be fun, digital, and even revenue-generating — all at once?

Content:Welcome to SWAY Canada, a grassroots movement built on three pillars of change:

1. Gamification of Education through The WAY Game 🎮 — where students turn classmates into teammates. Inside the game are powerful tools: CAP Notes, Pathfinder Profiles, Game Cards, WAY Cards, and support roles that make learning fun and social.

2. SMART Digital Lesson Planning (SDLP) 💻 — teachers share and adapt SMART Notebook lessons, infused with AI, to save time and modernize instruction.

3. Entrepreneurial Project-Based Learning (EPBL) 💡 — a revenue-generating model where classrooms raise money for supplies, prizes, and projects through CAP Notebook sales and student ventures.

Together, these create a SMART way to Learn, Earn, and Play.

This Substack is where I’ll share the tools, stories, and games that make learning come alive. Welcome aboard.

Post 2: Why SWAY Matters Now

Title: Permissionless Education for Smarter ClassroomsHook:Teachers are stretched thin. Parents are paying out of pocket. Students are losing curiosity. We can’t afford to wait for the system to fix itself.

Content:That’s why SWAY Canada exists — to give teachers, parents, and students tools they can use without waiting for permission.

• The WAY Game brings joy, teamwork, and holistic growth back into classrooms.

• SMART Digital Lesson Planning saves teachers time and shares collective wisdom.

• Entrepreneurial Project-Based Learning puts funds in teachers’ hands and teaches students real-world business skills.

This is Permissionless Education in action: grassroots, community-driven, and sustainable.

Join this community, share your ideas, and help spread a SMART Way to Learn, Earn & Play.

Post 3: How to Get Involved

Title: Pass the Play. Be the Spark.Hook:Education reform doesn’t begin in boardrooms. It begins in classrooms, living rooms, and communities like ours.

Content:Here’s how you can take part in SWAY:

1. Teachers → Bring a WAY Game or CAP Note into your classroom this week. Try one tool and see the difference.

2. Parents → Use CAP Notes at home to capture family stories and model lifelong learning.

3. Supporters → Share this Substack, donate a notebook, or sponsor a project.

By uniting Gamification, Digital Lesson Planning, and Entrepreneurial Learning, we help students grow into happier, healthier, wiser learners — while giving teachers the support they deserve.

Unite Classrooms. Pass the Play. Be the Spark.

✨ With these updated posts, readers will see the whole SWAY ecosystem from the start, not just the WAY Game.

Would you like me to now expand this into a 6-week Substack content calendar that rolls out each