The Promise of 'Our Time': Statewide Song Rings
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Unleashing the Power of Partnership for Learning UPSummer 2016 for Learning The Promise of ‘Our Time’: Statewide Song Rings Out ho better to capture the heart and soul of school change in Ver- mont than young people? “Our Time,” a song created and pro- duced by students from around the state, claimed air time at Weight schools this spring, as jazz bands, orchestras, choruses, and even a dance group, brought the new score to life. Stay tuned: it has only just begun to rever- Our Mission berate across our green hills and valleys! Increase youth engagement by This fall, the seven schools engaged in the Communicating School Redesign developing youth-adult partnerships initiative (see page 6) noted a disturbing trend in the early implementation of in learning to ensure that each and Act 77: Flexible Pathways. This legislation is intended to create a notable shift every young person has the skills, in the way students learn, heightening relevance and students’ roles as active self-confidence, and opportunities to learners and co-creators of their education. Brain research tells us that empow- assume meaningful roles in shaping ering learners in this way, moving to a more active and student-centered model, their learning and their lives. will engage a greater number of students, build critical life-long learning skills, increase post- secondary options, and nurture civic responsibility. Our Vision Why, then, were students around the state reported to be skeptical of this We envision a time when youth will change? Why were they perceiving this opportunity as something that was take responsibility for their own being imposed on them—an unwanted adult agenda—rather than the means learning by collaborating with adults to elevate their role in learning? Perhaps it is because they are not accustomed to reach their own goals. Song, continued on page 4 Our Values & Guiding Principles Farewell to Erin: An Appreciation Share Responsibility. The process of change must be rin Dezell has been the Associ- transparent and must be driven Eate Director of UP for by adults and youth, in equal Learning for three years. measure. She recently announced Start from Strength. Students, that she will be leaving educators and parents possess the UP and accepting the position of Registrar wisdom and capacity to orchestrate and College Plan- change. Beginning with what’s ning Coordinator in working—as opposed to what’s the Harwood Union Erin, second from left, at the Power 2 not—provides hope and energizes guidance department conference a community to embrace change. starting mid-July. Assume Positive Intentions. When Erin came on board, I had been operating solo for Educators truly want students to five years. Erin transformed my life and has set UP for Learning on a remark- thrive. Young people are ready and able path of growth and sustainability. Here are but a few of her accomplish- able to commit to their learning ments: and be involved in its design. • Organizing an accounting and budgeting system • Overseeing the Getting to Y: Youth Bring Meaning to the Youth Risk Seek Equity & Justice. The most Behavior Survey program, supporting on average 18 schools per year, in- effective learning environments cluding a significant rewrite of the program guide in collaboration with the are ones in which youth and University of New Mexico adults are equally valued and • Upgrading the YATST web site, and creating and managing the UP for heard. Those who have been most Learning and Shaping Our Future Together web sites disenfranchised have the right • Overseeing the 502(c)(3) nonprofit status application, including drafting the to aspire to a more meaningful organization’s bylaws education. • Drafting UP’s first Personnel Policies manual Employ Data to Drive Change. • Endless hours putting conference packets together, creating nametags, orga- Research is a powerful means to nizing the registration process, and welcoming folks with a smile create a shared understanding and a vitally important way to build And I would be remiss if I left out the exquisite menus and gourmet food she personally prepared for countless leadership team meetings, CSR Advisory credibility between youth and board sessions, and other gatherings, never leaving out a gluten-free or vegetar- adults. When a community works ian option and always having plenty for seconds. together to make meaning of their own data, they are strengthened by Erin has expedited UP for Learning’s growth, clearly evident when you consider what they learn and emboldened to we were serving 28 schools in 2013 and have grown to 60 schools this past year. take action. Thankfully, she is going to a longstanding YATST/UP for Learning school, to follow her dream of supporting students and contributing to school change Create Open Dialogue. Deep through a guidance position. They are fortunate! We will miss her indomitable conversation is central to changing spirit, exuberant laugh, and heartfelt devotion to UP’s mission. And of course, school cultures. Young people are we wish her all the best. particularly able initiators of this With deep gratitude, dialogue, creating a shared vision for education and the learning process. 2 • UP for Learning, Summer 2016 200+ Participate in Second ‘Power Squared’ Summit ver 200 youth and adults engaged as educational lationship in our school, ensuring that both power and change agents throughout Vermont gathered on responsibility in learning and education are shared? OApril 27th at Lake Morey Inn and Resort for the second annual Power2: Youth and Adults Shaping Vermont Educa- Students presented alongside adults in small “sharing ses- tion Together summit. sions” throughout the morning, exploring twelve themes about education in Vermont with youth and adult partner- “You felt the electricity in the air upon walking into the ship at the center of driving transformation. Check out the foyer!” said one participant. “Lake Morey Inn was humming summit resources, including the agenda, workshop descrip- with greetings, plans, and shared accomplishments in every tions and more, at upforlearning.com/blog/113-power2- corner on this crisp April day. Workshops led by youth- resources. adult teams energized the morning with presentations and breakout sessions that covered the spectrum of efforts In a new activity this year, people were invited to sign up for underway in schools across Vermont.” podcast interviews. The result was a powerful mix of indi- vidual and small group interviews. They spoke of their most The guiding questions for the summit that helped to in- meaningful learning experiences in and out of the school form, inspire and move participants to authentic dialogue setting and shared their wishes for learning, the opportu- for action included: nities they have had and those they see on the horizon for their upcoming peers. The podcasts are in production and • What does it look and sound like when young people will be released this fall. partner with adults as they shape their educational experience? The summit was hosted in partnership with the Bay and • How can we learn from other schools engaged in simi- Paul Foundations, Shelburne Farms, Big Picture Learning, lar work to elevate student voice? The School Project Foundation, Partnership for Change and UP for Learning. • What are our next steps to address the youth-adult re- Personalization and empowerment and voice mean little if we don’t have any sense of why we are getting personal, what kinds of voices we need to hear, and what we want to be empowered for. We are hungry for seeing our work in schools in the con- text of broader moral/ethical/political imperatives. The typical college and career readiness imperatives are largely inadequate in this regard. — Power2 participant reflection Unleashing the Power of Partnership for Learning • 3 Funding UPdate: Generous Supporters Song, continued from page 1 for the Coming Year to being initiators of their learning or having a sense UP for Learning remains ever of control in shaping its grateful for the continued direction. If so, perhaps support of the Bay and Paul what students need now Foundations, who awarded both is a message that comes a $125,000 grant to support our not primarily from adults, Recording session for “Our Time.” 2016-17 operating budget and an but from other youth: actual Vermont students additional $12,500 to underwrite encouraging others to explore the expenses related to the July potential of change efforts, using their own language and a compelling medium. International Seminar: Amplifying With this in view, UP for Learning rallied youth to tell the story of school change Student Voice and Partnership. through music, introducing a student’s-eye-view of student-centered learning. The Wisdom Connection, a foundation that has similarly This winter, twelve talented student musicians from eight Vermont schools helped support our growth since signed on to the “Sound Check” initiative and gathered for a two-day retreat our inception in 2008, awarded at Goddard College. The group members, anxious to get writing, were restless a grant of $12,000 to assist with during initial activities to surface dreams and a vision of school change. Posters with provocative quotes, though, sparked rich discussions. Conversations identi- development of the YATST fied the alignment of this vision with Vermont’s movement toward personalized program. Recently, we received learning and proficiency-based graduation. After that, the lyrics and melody J. Warren and word from the took shape over the course of two days, with intense work steeped in creativity. Lois McClure Foundation of their intention to support the A professional-quality sound track took form at the Guildford Sound studio Communicating School Redesign a month later, thanks to the composition work of Cabot music students and a initiative with an award of $30,000.