Monday, March 27, 2017

The Stories of Who We Are  . . .


Many of us take the same journeys over and over . . . My family trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan comes to mind. I've been making that same journey for over fifty years and yet it never gets old. As we get ready for the trip we share with the new grandkids where we are going and why it is so amazing! They have heard the stories and can't wait for their turn to canoe on the lake or catch that big bass on their pole. The tradition is shared from generation to generation and the meaning deepens with time. While there may be new side-trips added or a beloved pizza shops closes down, the basic rhythm of the journey remains essentially the same. Everyone on the trip knows the purpose and destination of the journey and is excited for the new stories to add to the old!

Do we do the same thing with our journey to find educational excellence for our students? Do we continue to share our stories about the deep seated values that Lakeland has developed for truly student centered learning? Do our new staff members get to hear the stories of the past that link to the practices of today? Maybe telling those stories is vital to the sustainability of a culture that has made authentic literacy and project based learning a priority as we prepare students for the future. Lakeland has never been content to just provide content knowledge for our students. We have envisioned our graduates leaving with more that just knowledge and skills, but instead as people empowered to lead and grow in the 21st century. Teachers and administrators have worked together to develop a learning environment that would support active learners versus passive learners. We have problem solved moving into the digital age and imagined new ways of learning.

But without sharing our stories about WHY we do what we do here at Lakeland and where we are on our journey we may be making it harder for the next generation to see clearly where we are going and how they can add to the rich history that is "Lakeland." So I'll send you on a treasure hunt for a piece of that journey - find the Lakeland Literacy Vision Statement in your building. It was developed by a team of educators from all levels K-12 in 2007 and adopted by the corporation in 2011. Here are the beliefs behind that statement and some insight into WHY we do the things we do today as the journey continues!


Lakeland Literacy Vision Essentials List 8/18/07

Ø  Teachers model literacy strategies
Ø  Authentic reading, writing, and talking on a daily basis
Ø  Independent learners (at appropriate levels)
Ø  Responsibility, accountability – all teachers across the curriculum
Ø  Engagement with learning
Ø  Professional development
Ø  Believe ALL students are learners – nurture love of literacy, notice strengths, not deficits.
Ø  Curriculum framework – not tied to basal



1 comment:

  1. The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones that do. - Steve Jobs

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