Innovative Leadership

The field of education is struggling and we need to think differently about how we educate our youth. Staff shortages, behavioral challenges and increased mental health needs are screaming, “Change is needed!”

How do we even begin to think about solving all of these problems? Well, I may not have all of the answers, but I do know that we need innovation in our schools. We must shift from the mindset of teachers being the “sage on the stage”, to more of a “guide on the side,” facilitating student learning and empowering our youth to try, fail, learn and try again (repeat). Learning how to learn (and quickly) needs to be our focus.

Humans are natural learners, born curious and ready to explore and find out about their world. What makes us think that we have to continue to be the keepers of knowledge, the directors of the learning process? I argue that if this is the only approach to teaching and learning that we are doing our youth a disservice.

Students need the opportunity to develop their own standards-based learning paths focused on strengths and personal interests. This must be incorporated in public schools on a regular basis. When children (or anyone for that matter) are able to increase their autonomy and engage in a topic of interest, they not only learn more effectively, but their stress levels decrease as well. They are not being coerced into learning something that has no connection or relevance to their lives.

Many public schools are incorporating more “self-directed” opportunities leading to students who are empowered to take charge of their own learning.

Let’s do our best to bring the joy back to learning in our schools!