Dear Educator,

When we talk about visions for the future, we tend to lean toward conversations about what doesn't exist yet.

But, what about the things that are here today that we don't want to lose?

Katie Weisberg, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Learner-Centered Collaborative, recently led such a conversation with the learning community at Chico Country Day School in Chico, California.

For a full day, school staff, young learners, and families came together to explore collective aspirations for the future of the school and ideas to bring that vision to life.

As she facilitated these conversations, Katie focused on two questions to help orient all participants around their reflections:

1. What elements of our school do we cherish that we don't want to lose?
2. Where are the opportunities for us to reimagine?

Some of the elements cherished included close-knit relationships between students and teachers, students feeling a sense of belonging, a collective value of inclusivity, and a culture of academic achievement.

When it came time to explore what the learning community could start doing, a new energy entered the room, particularly from the voices of learners.

They wanted more opportunities to exhibit their learning in front of authentic audiences, engage in interdisciplinary learning experiences, ensure they and their peers had equitable access to mental health supports, build authentic life skills, and overall, learn how to become better people throughout their learning journeys.

Reflecting on the experience, Katie noted, "Watching learners advocate for the type of schooling experience they felt would best serve them highlighted the day."

This is the power of centering learners by design, and it's exactly what drives the work we do every day.

If you're ready to bring this power to your learning community, let's have a chat!

Talk soon,
The Learner-Centered Collaborative Team

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