Preparing confident students for the future rests on four foundational promises–Joy, Connection, Growth, and Success–and educators committed to put them into practice, writes Dr. George Philhower, superintendent of Eastern Hancock Schools, a rural district east of Indianapolis, in the eSchool News.
These are essentials for creating a student-centered, future-focused environment delivering the academic, social, and emotional needs of every learner, he writes.
Joy
Philhower says fostering a positive school culture creates an environment where students and staff feel valued and motivated. Students are not just present but fully engaged, their curiosity sparked by innovative teaching methods, and a supportive community. Joy in learning lays the groundwork for lifelong educational enthusiasm and resilience.
This means integrating creative and interactive activities into the curriculum, celebrating achievements, and creating spaces where students are safe to express themselves. It’s learning through play, even in the high school years, to immerse students in classroom content.
“To spread this joy beyond the walls of our school, we host the Joy Jam summer conference, inviting attendees from our region and across the country to join an event full of joy. At Joy Jam, participants experience personalized touches like candy and snacks customized to their preferences indicated during registration, a petting zoo, puppies, and more fun than usually exists at a conference. Additionally, we’ve designated a Joy Integration Specialist at our school whose role is to support teachers in weaving joy into their daily lessons, ensuring that every classroom experience is meaningful and memorable” Philhower writes.
Connection
Connection ensures every individual in the school is known and valued. Students are known by name, know their strengths and interests, and are aware of their needs and future aspirations, Philhower explains.
Tailor teaching to each individual’s learning style to accelerate academic gains. Students who feel connected to their peers and teachers are supported by collaborative learning, knowledge-sharing, and encouragement.
For authentic relationships, schools must develop mentorship programs, personalized learning plans, and activities that promote teamwork and empathy. “For example, the superintendent and high school principal meets individually with each high school junior and senior to discuss their future plans. Additionally, each middle and high school student is assigned an advisor who looks after their well-being and academic success, serving as a key point of contact for their families. Connection also extends to our teaching staff, who receive a ‘hiring celebration’ as part of the onboarding process. This includes a surprise party where family members are invited to celebrate the new teacher’s joining of the Eastern Hancock team,” Philhower writes.
Growth
Prioritizing Growth involves creating a relevant and dynamic curriculum, integrating technology, and promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “For example, we have identified specific learning outcomes for each subject and class that students need to be proficient in and have determined the criteria by which successful learning will be measured. This foundation allows for professional conversations about the necessary resources and support systems to maximize student learning. We have also built in time to support students who are not yet showing proficiency. Additionally, our commitment to Growth extends to our teachers. Instead of using a traditional teacher evaluation system, our teachers set individual learning goals, and their annual evaluation scores are based on how well they implement their growth plans. These goals align with our framework for effective teaching,” Philhower writes.
Success
Success is about equipping students for life beyond school. Prioritizing Success includes blurring the lines between what students do during school and what they might do after school, giving them opportunities to explore their strengths, interests, values, and career aspirations, he says.
Practical steps toward fulfilling this promise include offering career exploration programs, internships, and real-world learning experiences. “We have a dedicated employee who serves as our work-based learning coordinator, supporting our students as they take their first professional steps and assisting employers who may not be accustomed to working with teenage employees. Additionally, we work closely with employers who visit our classrooms to provide practical applications of the content students are learning. These employers also host field trips for our students and even field trips for our teachers, helping them understand how the concepts they teach are being applied in real-world settings,” writes Philhower.
“Educators, parents, and policymakers must recognize the importance of these promises and work collaboratively to implement them. Together, we can transform schools into places of inspiration, innovation, and achievement, where every student is empowered to reach their full potential, and every adult is a member of their support system,” he writes
eSchool News
