August 16, 2024

Dear Educator,

Many classroom management gurus advocate that procedures and policies are the keys to classroom success. Others might tell you rules and expectations or the syllabus are a must in the first days of the new school year. I am not going to argue that these things aren’t important–they are! However, if you believe (and I do) that meaningful relationships between teachers are crucial to creating authentic learning experiences, then shouldn’t we start there?

I’m encouraged by the thoughtful ways teachers are starting the school year and focusing on learners and their learning community. For this week’s Bright Spot, I am highlighting one of my favorite examples of how we can prioritize our relationships with young learners to create learner-centered classrooms.

With Gratitude,

P.S. I just published a new article on how you can breathe life into your Portrait of a Learner. Let me know what you think!

Cultivating Relationships With Learners

I have always believed it is important for learners to feel the classroom is ours, not mine. I always co-constructed our class expectations, and I still think it is critical. I recently saw the below Facebook post from my amazing cousin and middle school teacher, Sara Ballard, where the students got to design their classroom on the first day!

The process of co-creating the space is an important aspect of building community. Not only do students immediately have ownership in their classroom and learn so many amazing skills in the process, think of all the time saved when you don’t have to do it all yourself!

This approach to working with your students can be used to empower learners to do much more of the work both cognitively and physically in the classroom. As you head back to school this year and allow students to share the load and learn through the process, consider what you are doing for students that they could instead do themselves!

What tasks do you delegate to your learners? How does it impact the ownership they feel for the classroom community? Share your story here.

Resources to advance your learner-centered practice

📖 12 Ways to Breathe Life into Your Portrait of a Learner.
"Breathing life into your Portrait of a Learner is an ongoing process. Through commitment and creativity, you can make it central to your school’s culture, creating education ecosystems where all learners know who they are, thrive in community, and actively engage in the world as their best selves." Learn about all 12 ways.

🛠️ Create Learner Jobs. "Learners can take on jobs like classroom photographer, greeter (for guests), birthday celebrator, historian, etc. There are so many ways that students can help! Learner jobs create a sense of ownership for the students and empower them to take on responsibilities that make the learning community function." Gain inspiration from educators like you!

🦉 10 Questions to Ask Students. "Listening to learners is essential when leading change. This tool will help you spark conversations with your students to understand what’s working and where innovation may best serve your school. Empathy – listening to learners – is the first step in designing solutions that scale." Discover each question.