Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration
December 7, 2023
Dear Educator,
This week I joined the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) to focus on Measuring What Matters in schools. We designed scorecards that help tell the story with a variety of data points that go beyond a single standardized test including student exit interviews, portfolios, defenses of learning, culture surveys, performance assessments, and more.
Telling the story and creating a picture of what is happening in schools matters more than ever as more superintendents seek to align their community with a shared vision and collective goals.
This week, I want to highlight a strategy from our very own Marlon Styles who leveraged community amidst “culture wars” to reframe the conversation at Middletown Public Schools.
With Gratitude,
We want to hear from you! Share your Learner-Centered Bright Spot with us here.
BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK
Keeping the Kids the Main Thing
When Middletown was facing deep community rifts, then Superintendent Marlon Styles realized the best thing he could do was step back and let the community lead. He brought together community and spiritual leaders who could immediately see that what was happening at board meetings was not representative of their community.
Their prescription? Remind the community of its own capacity to keep the main thing as their main thing. In this case: the kids. Remind them that, no matter the disagreements over theology or pedagogy or even public health, all belong.
Over the next 8 weeks, community leaders of all walks of life came to board meetings and shared their stories, experiences, and aspirations for Middletown to “keep the kids the main thing.”
Marlon’s reflection highlighted in this article provides wisdom in how to lead during complex times:
“The question that kept me up at night was how could I, as a superintendent, lead and inspire unity when my district is under attack? I realized that you can’t, but you can ask for help. I decided to take action by stepping back and leaning into the community leaders whose life work is to serve others.”
Whether it is in the boardroom or the classroom, looking at what is working, building on the strengths in the midst of challenge, and working together to keep the kids the main thing is a pretty solid strategy to ensure our schools and districts are meeting the needs of all learners.
How are you keeping the kids the main thing? Reply to this newsletter to share or tag me @katiemartinedu and #LCBrightSpots on social.
RESOURCE ROUNDUP
You'll want to add these leadership resources to your toolbox
1. Webinar tomorrow! Tune in to Igniting Limitless Potential for All Learners and hear how Encinitas Union School District is telling their story. Register here
2. Special edition podcast with Marlon Styles. This week Marlon took the host seat for the Learner-Centered Collaborative Podcast and was joined by Cory Steiner, Superintendent of Northern Cass School District in North Dakota. I loved Cory’s stories and hearing how the district really dug into what learner-centered practices look like across grade levels. Listen now
3. Self-talk matters, a lot. Every educator, school community member and person should treat themselves to this short, important, empowering clip from Joe San Felippo, former superintendent and author of Lead From Where You Are.
4. Special delivery. Our celebratory countdown to Winter Break continues and I am honored to share for day 7 my top 3 reads for educators looking to evolve their practice.
LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!
How are you keeping kids the main thing?
Share your #LCBrightSpots on social media!
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Learner-Centered Collaborative, 1611 S Melrose Dr., STE A #334, Vista, CA 92081
