The Road to Student-Centered Excellence: Welcome to the Back to School Series
It is officially time for Back to School and whether you are an educator in the classroom, or leading some other way in schools, I want to help prepare for a year committed to student voice and student-centered practice, to start the year off right!
From now until November 21st you will be fighting through the start of the school year; setting routines, building relationships, staying late for Back to School night, and setting the tone for a great year.
I'm doing all this too as I step into a new year at a new school in a new position, I'm still committed to BUILDING STUDENT-CENTERED CLASSROOMS, so I built this series to guide you in the process of doing just that!
With that being said, welcome back to the Shhhh, It's Time to Listen Blog: Back to School Edition!
In this 12-part series, I'm going to take you, teachers and leaders, on a journey through strategies and practices you can use each week to build and maintain a warm, and positive culture in your schools.
Today I want to get started with something easy, collaborating with students to establish classroom norms and expectations.
Building student-centered spaces begins with strong collaboration between educators and students. And just as I'm going to support my educator friends with strategies to build that culture of collaboration, I want to remind my educational leaders how important it is to support teachers in cultivating student-centered learning spaces, by being teacher-centered leaders.
Let's get right into it, here are some strategies to build Collaborative Norms and Expectations:
Student Input Sessions: Begin the school year by scheduling dedicated sessions for students to voice their opinions on classroom norms and expectations. Encourage them to share their ideas, concerns, and hopes for the learning environment. Create a safe space where they can openly express themselves. Take notes during these sessions and work with your students to distill their input into a set of mutually agreed-upon norms. This process empowers students by giving them a sense of ownership over their classroom experience. You can build time for this after every unit, once a month, or each semester; it should be a routine and you should be intentional about how you follow up and shift your practice based on student input.
Co-Creation of Norms: Instead of imposing rules, engage students in the co-creation of norms. Organize group discussions or use online tools to involve students in defining guidelines for respectful behavior, active participation, and mutual support. By involving them in this process, you not only foster a sense of responsibility but also demonstrate the value of democratic decision-making. It is easier to hold students accountable for rules they've set in place and agreed to!
Regular Check-Ins: Establish a routine of regular check-ins with students to assess how well the classroom norms are working. Ask for their feedback on what's going well and what might need adjustment. These check-ins can be informal conversations or more structured surveys or discussions. Make sure students understand that their input is valued, and any necessary changes will be made collaboratively. Before you say it, yes, these take a lot of time but when you are student-centered and build projects, create a collaborative community, and follow student interest to increase student buy-in, you have space during work time to pull students and work with them to support their individualized needs.
These are easy strategies you can implement tomorrow! They don't take a long time, and you can do them at any point throughout the school year! Oh, and I built this lesson plan to help you get this done! I'm doing this with students this week and I'd love for you all to try it out, and let me know when you do!
Collaborating with students to establish classroom norms and expectations is a powerful way to create an inclusive and student-centered learning environment. By involving students in this process, educators not only empower them but also create a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Now for my school leaders, let's talk about Supportive Teacher-Centered Leadership
If we want student-centered classrooms, it starts with teacher-centered leadership. There is no one-size-fits-all way to lead. Each of the educators we support has individual needs and goals for them and their practice. Here are a few ways to acknowledge that and individualize the support you as a leader are providing.
Individual Teacher Reflection Meetings: As a school leader, at the start of the year, prioritize individual meetings with teachers to discuss their specific needs and challenges in creating student-centered learning spaces. Ask open-ended questions about their goals, experiences, and any obstacles they face. Listen actively and empathetically, offering guidance and resources tailored to their unique situations.
Peer Collaboration Workshops: Organize workshops or peer collaboration sessions where teachers can share their experiences and successful strategies for creating student-centered classrooms. Encourage them to learn from each other and explore new teaching methods. These sessions can foster a sense of community among teachers and help them feel supported in their efforts.
If it is a real priority to build and maintain a strong school culture, you must begin with supporting teachers on their journey toward student-centered education by offering individualized guidance and fostering a collaborative teaching community.
As we embark on this blog series journey, remember that the key to a successful student-centered classroom is collaboration, reflection, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By following the principles outlined in this blog post, educators can lay the foundation for a transformative educational experience. Stay tuned for the upcoming installments in the Shhh, It's Time to Listen Blog Series, where we will delve deeper into these essential topics. Together, we can build a more student-centered, equitable, and empowering educational system.
Stay tuned for the rest of the Back to School Series where we will be exploring:
Part 2: Nurturing Intrinsic Motivation: The Power of Student Goal Setting
Part 3: Building Bridges: Strengthening School-Family-Community Partnerships
Part 4: Student-Led Learning: Fostering Independence and Growth Mindset
Part 5: Reflect, Adapt, Thrive: The Educator's Guide to Self-Reflection
Part 6: Learning Together: The Impact of Professional Learning Communities
Part 7: Equity in Education: Advocating for All Students and Educators
Part 8: Embracing Change: Flexibility and Adaptability in Education
Part 9: Curiosity Unleashed: Encouraging Inquisitive Classrooms
Part 10: Student Empowerment: Leading Projects and Pursuing Passions
Part 11: Tailoring Education: Differentiated Instruction for All
Part 12: Strength in Numbers: Tapping into External Support Networks
If you're eager to learn more about how we can tailor our expertise to your specific needs, consider booking a discovery call with us. During this call, we can discuss your unique challenges, and goals, and how our resources and consulting services can benefit your school.
I'm here to empower educators and leaders like you to create inclusive, student-centered, and culturally responsive learning environments. We're here to listen, share, and collaborate with you.
So, whether you're eager to read the next installment of our series or explore how we can support your school, we invite you to stay engaged with us.
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on our upcoming blog posts, and don't hesitate to reach out to schedule your discovery call.
Together, we can make a lasting impact on education and, most importantly, on the lives of your students. See you next week!
