An effective school culture is established by the work we do together on a daily basis, with values determined through a synergistic process. Our culture defines us and our ability to positively impact students and their learning. So, how do we truly shift our school cultures toward positive changes that align with supporting the whole child? And how do we develop a collective mindset that leads to dynamic changes and, ultimately, sustains school improvement?
Here is a mantra worth considering: Students first, then standards, then curriculum.
STUDENTS: Putting students first in the planning process allows a culture to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to learning. Instead students' individual learning styles, intelligences, strengths, interests, passions, and academic entry points become the priority. Referring to the wise words of Marilee Sprenger (2005), "If you can't reach them, you can't teach them." Students must be understood with intentionality and celebrated for their unique traits. Putting students first requires flexibility in day to day planning, making adjustments on the fly, and relying on frequent collaboration to support a continuous flow of ideas and strategies to meet the diverse needs of the individual minds we are aspiring to engage.
STANDARDS: Identifying specific standards falls next in sequence. It is essential to find students' entry points within the standards and carefully design instruction that meets their needs, regardless if it is above or below their "grade level" expectations. Common Core State Standards use the metaphor of the grade level