There’s no denying that unexpected obstacles and seemingly insurmountable challenges have added stress to our education system and all who work and learn within the system. Education is also filled with brilliant, dedicated, and innovative people who are navigating very challenging conditions and it is a reminder that we can do hard things when we focus on learners and lean on each other to emerge stronger together.
I’m inspired by some of our newest partners who are prioritizing connection, collaboration, and community-building as fundamental to a successful experience for their learners. For example:
Spark Academy (Colorado) has launched an online school enriched with learner-centered practices such as student-led conferences, standards-based grading, and celebrations of learning.
Santa Ana Unified School District (California)has developed and launched a learner-centered virtual learning academy to provide their community with additional options. Their alternative and continuation schools are now collaborating to align their learning experiences with the district graduate profile.
Dallas ISD (Texas) is supporting a community of innovative schools by incorporating design thinking into challenges such as the creation of a learner profile, cultivating strong teams, and strategic alignment.
Butler County (Pennsylvania) is engaging in a year-long high school redesign process with administrators, teachers and their community to develop a Profile of a Graduate and align their learning experiences, resources and structures to their desired learner outcomes.
As we work with these partner schools we see that we are more ready than we think to ignite change and the hardest part is often getting started. Yet, a small step can get us started on our learner-centered journey-- a professional learning experience, a book, a conversation, an inspiring article. Enclosed I hope you find a resource that helps you take your next step. Along the way, let’s stay connected so that we can learn from one another to better serve our students and communities.
Thanks for your hard work and for demonstrating that we can do hard things together!
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
FREE Learning Series Adaptable to Your Context
Together with Getting Smart and Educate Texas we are offering a 4-part professional learning series!! You can participate live or view the recording. After each live event all resources are shared along with protocols for leveraging the content to lead learning sessions with your team.
Measuring What Matters: Competency-Based Assessments, Certifications, and Credentials October 28 at 10 am PT / noon CT
Meaningful Learning Experiences, November, date TBA at TxLx.org
Learning From One Another, November, date TBA at TxLx.org
BOOKS & RESOURCES
These recent publications have piqued my interest and are relevant to anyone managing change, building relationships, or doing what's best for learners.
PODCAST:Adam Grant: How to Stop Languishing and Find Flow Listen now
RESEARCH REPORT: Search Institute: The Power of Social Capital Download now
ARTICLE: Phyllis Lockett: Why We Must Look to the Science of Learning to Strengthen Student-Teacher Relationships Read now
TOOLS
FREE Coaching Tool! Our ProtoCALL for Change, built around goal-setting, learning cycles, and reflection, guides and supports the change process over time. Download now.
COURSE: Minerva’s Student Engagement Series for high school and higher ed educators, applies principles from the science of learning to facilitate student engagement and desired outcomes in virtual and in-person classroom environments.
