The Institute for Training and Development (ITD) is a nonprofit organization based in Amherst, Massachusetts dedicated to education and inter-cultural exchange. ITD has supported civic engagement, academic exchange, youth leadership, sustainable development and other priority areas worldwide by immersing community leaders, scholars, professionals, governmental and non-governmental administrators in engaging programs from over 100 countries.
Bjorn Hillebrandt
Bjorn Hillebrandt
Teacher
Bjorn Hillebrandt is an educational innovator and teacher at Yuverta, a Dutch school for vocational and secondary education. With a background in social work, pedagogy, educational science, and corporate anthropology, he brings a holistic and human-centered approach to learning. He has led major initiatives including the Yuverta Digital Nomads program and a new citizenship-based curriculum launching in 2026. Passionate about making education a space for curiosity and growth, Bjorn traces much of his vision back to his experience in the 2017 Dutch Teachers Program at ITD, where visits to UMASS, a Holyoke charter school, and local community partners deepened his commitment to equity, creativity, and social justice in education.
In 2017, I joined the Dutch Teachers Program at ITD Amherst. It was a true eye-opener. I interned at the former Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School in Holyoke, where I experienced a school that fully embodied its vision from the concierge to the principal. Everything, from the curriculum to the building itself, was designed around social equity.
It taught me that when everyone in a school shares a common vision, it becomes a powerful place for learning and transformation. That experience gave me a clearer understanding of what education could look like when rooted in purpose—and it continues to influence my work today.
One of my proudest achievements is co-creating Yuverta Digital Nomads, a program where students travel across Europe while continuing their studies remotely. It’s a dream come true: learning without borders, where students explore the world, work on real-life projects, and grow as global citizens.
The experience emphasized autonomy, reflection, and real-world learning, helping students reduce stress and reconnect with their motivation for education. One student even shared that the journey helped them reconsider dropping out. The program demonstrated that education can thrive beyond traditional classrooms, fostering personal growth, self-discovery, and a deeper connection to the world.
The initiative’s success earned the team a nomination for Education Team of the Year 2024, recognizing our efforts to reimagine learning by literally and figuratively going off the beaten path.
I’m currently leading the development of a new curriculum at one of Yuverta’s high schools, set to launch in September 2026. This curriculum is built around citizenship and social impact, with students engaging in “wicked problems”—real, complex societal challenges that require critical thinking and collaboration.
The model integrates all subjects into thematic, project-based learning cycles, allowing students to explore meaningful questions through interdisciplinary approaches. Learning is organized in projects, with flexible, real-world assignments often involving external partners. The curriculum emphasizes personal growth, social responsibility, and adaptability, aiming to prepare students not just for exams, but for life in a rapidly changing world.
