Education Week - September 9, 2020 - 24

OPINION

Taylor Callory for Education Week

Developing a Sense of Self-Together

How connection can empower learners

e know that there is much we won't be able to control
thinkers, designers, communicators, and problem-solvers.
this coming school year. We also know that this is
In the middle of the summer, I joined a few of my colleagues for a "weeding party"
the world we are being called to help prepare our
in our school garden. It was the first time I had seen and interacted with some of them
young people to enter. We should be equipping them
in a nondigital format in months. What a joy it was to connect, even at a distance.
to build a more sustainable future, one where the
As we each worked to cultivate the soil in our part of the garden, I learned of the
decisions we make now recognize the value of living
extraordinary planning they were doing for the fall. Each educator had considered
beings for many generations to come. To do so, we
the likely constraints and challenges we all would face. But they had found purpose in
must give our students the safety to connect with each other and their learning comwhat mattered most-preparing our students for the real issues they are facing-and
munities-even if they must do so online.
had connected with others to realize this purpose.
At my community school, we have chosen to ground our back-to-school approach
All around the country, school leaders like me are creating and updating plans to
in deep, meaningful connections between students and staff and
prepare for an uncertain school year. Incredible passion, care, and
By Jill Gurtner
root our learning partnerships in the things that matter most to our
dedication are going into this work. And there is also fear-a lot of fear.
learners in their communities. Our experiences with a learner-centered, GURTNER is the principal
Schools all over the country are being put in truly untenable
community-grounded approach have demonstrated that when students of Clark Street Community
situations with an unimaginable amount of responsibility. Because
develop a strong sense of identity and agency in one area, they are able
we all tend to turn to what we know best in times of uncertainty, we
School in Middleton, Wis.
to transfer the strategies they develop to other contexts. This strategy has She has been a high school
leaders are often relying on a set of tools that are not well designed for
proven effective even as the pandemic has challenged it.
the current context, and the stakes are high. I have been a part of plenty
administrator for more than
25 years. Previously, she
This fall, we will keep every student connected to a small and stable
of planning meetings with well-intended leaders driven by fear and
taught high school science.
advisory group that serves a purpose well beyond simply providing
limitation as well, lately.
a "home base" and a space for announcements. This structure gives
What a contrast I experienced in that school garden. Both groups
students a sense of belonging, validation, and a deeper understanding of themselves
were dealing with enormous uncertainty and legitimate fear. Both are made up of
as learners. It is the place where each individual develops their sense of self, their
intelligent, dedicated, passionate people who care deeply about young people. It
strengths, their natural talents within a group, and their ability to collaborate.
seems the difference lies in what is driving the decisions. As humans, we have both
Only by accessing the support of others can students master the skills to thrive
an incredible capacity for fear and an incredible capacity for creativity. As educators
within a diverse community. Maintaining this advisory space through our emergency
charged with preparing our young people for what will surely be a future of continued
closing this spring was a lifeline for many of our learners-students and adults.
uncertainty, we must choose wisely.
Each student will also join a learning cohort based in one of two interdisciplinary
By focusing on connections to make the learning environment "safe enough" for
learning strands that will integrate English/language arts, math, science, social
every learner to engage in the productive struggle of learning, we are honoring that
studies, wellness, and the arts. One cohort (Growing Our Futures) will utilize
the deepest learning is rooted in real-world challenges. But we must also remember
our school garden and a study of philosophy; the other (Coming of Age) will be
that it is joy and a sense of belonging that fuel that productive struggle. Every school
grounded in a study of human relationships and youth agency.
community must foster that safety to allow for the risk of learning and growth. I am
Each strand will have an online course to foster the predictability and
not sure there is anything more valuable that we can model for our young people. n
flexibility necessary to learn, while ensuring that students can successfully
navigate an online learning environment. Additionally, each strand will offer
VIDEO: Jill Gurtner and a recent graduate of Clark Street
students the opportunity and support to connect-either synchronously online
Community School reflect on how a community can encourage
or face to face as we are able-to their own identity, the experiences of others,
students in the productive struggle of learning.
and to a learning community. Together, our students become better readers,
www.edweek.org/go/student-strength

How Students
Find Strength Now

Owning Success

Finding the Confidence
To Speak Up

24 | EDUCATION WEEK | September 9, 2020 | www.edweek.org/go/opinion

Empowering Youth
Voice

Teaming Up to Beat
The Pandemic

Letters to the Editor

http://www.edweek.org/go/student-strength http://www.edweek.org/go/opinion

Education Week - September 9, 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Education Week - September 9, 2020