Creating a school strategic plan should always be a collaborative process, not something imposed from the top down. Input and ownership from all stakeholders will minimize the chance of blind spots and unlock collective genius. It will also ensure that everyone is committed to the plan.
No matter what your strategic focus will be, or how many priorities your community will need to manage as you execute the strategy, investing into the type of learning organization you want to become should be central to the strategy.
To improve the educational experiences and outcomes for every student, facing the complexity of systemic and social inequities should be grounded in a strategy that every member of the community understands. Everyone should feel empowered to contribute.
Leading for equity by design
The National Equity Project has developed a wide range of resources schools can use to ensure their projects aimed at increasing equitable access to high-quality education are sustainable and successful.
Brave spaces for community exploration
Pedagogical leaders are often responsible for implementing a new strategy or approach. Managing a diverse range of opinions or perspectives is not easy, but it’s possible.
Christine Boutilier, an IB Coordinator, drew from Brené Brown’s resources on daring leadership to find strategies to empower open-minded and healthy dialogue.
Establishing belonging through inquiry
When setting high expectations for every student, teaching practice is just as important as policy. Inquiry-centered pedagogy empowers student voice and choice, thus increasing investment, engagement, and a sense of belonging.
Trevor MacKenzie, author and classroom teacher, provides some useful strategies for diving into inquiry in ways that help teachers easily shift from direct instruction to an inquiry mindset.
Inclusive design for learning and teaching
Inclusive education is about recognizing and celebrating every student's unique strength and ability. By providing tailored support and fostering an inclusive learning environment, we aim to optimize engagement and promote growth for all learners.
Teachers should have significant freedom in organizing and structuring their courses. The IB learning design enables teachers to integrate optimal and supportive arrangements for all students, so the student learning experiences are tailored to meet their diverse needs.