Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration
August 31, 2023
Dear Educator,
As I get to join events and experience the variety of ways in which different schools and districts kick off the year, I have been thinking a lot about culture—how it drives so much of what we do, yet we are often so unaware of it. It reminds me of this parable about fish and water:
Two young fish are swimming along, and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, “Morning, boys! How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, “What the hell is water?”
Whether those within an environment notice it or not the culture has a profound impact on them. As I visit and work with schools I so often see how the culture dictates how educators feel about their role and how they act, as a result.
This week’s Bright Spot highlights a district that intentionally fosters a culture of joy by modeling it through everyday actions big and small.
With Gratitude,
We want to hear from you! Share your Learner-Centered Bright Spot with us here.
BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK
Modeling a culture of joy
I had the pleasure of kicking off the year with Holly Area Schools in Michigan last week as they launched their new strategic plan. While they have an ambitious 7-year plan to evolve in education, the Assistant Superintendent, Jennifer Herbstrait, highlighted that the launch had three focus areas that had been collectively agreed upon for the year:
Culture of Joy
Meaningful Instruction for all students
Student Voice and Choice
What was impactful about how the Holly Area team designed their first day together as a whole staff was not just the plan itself, but how they modeled it with the adults.
The culture of joy was not something they told others to do—it was thoughtfully weaved into the experiences of the day.
From the moment you walked into the building everyone was greeted and invited to eat and connect.
They kicked off the morning with celebrations of tenure awards and welcomed new staff.
To launch the plan, they thoughtfully designed and facilitated team competitions to make connections and play games—not just talking about creating a culture, but experiencing it.
It is one thing to put a plan on paper, but intentionally designing for it to happen is another. As you launch your plans this year for your staff or students, how are you modeling what you want to see in others?
How are you building and modeling your desired culture in your school or district? I’d love to see your examples! Reply to this newsletter to share or tag me (@katiemartinedu) and #LCBrightSpots on social.
RESOURCE ROUNDUP
Looking for culture building ideas and inspiration? Check out these articles and tools.
1. The power of school culture. See how a positive change in culture had a profound impact on this educator (who happens to be my husband!) in Culture is Everything in Schools.
2. The hidden catalyst behind deeper learning. When Scott McLeod visited innovative schools a clear take-away across the board was that Deeper Learning Requires Deeper Relationships.
3. Small shifts can lead to big change. Use this free tool to identify your learner-centered priorities and then create the enabling conditions and culture to get you there.
LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!
How are you modeling your desired school culture?
Share your #LCBrightSpots on social media!
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Learner-Centered Collaborative, 49 Stevenson Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
