shifting to a strength-based culture in schools
TRANSCRIPT
Shifting to a Strengths-Based
Culture in Schools
Fort Nelson School District
February 26, 2015
Chris Wejrwww.chriswejr.com@chriswejr
What brings YOU
here today?
What is your question?
Learning Intentions
• I can devise a method to determine the strengths of our students and staff
• I can share ideas to move to a strength-based model in schools (including ways to honour all our students)
• I can describe some school-wide activities that build on the strengths of students and staff
• I can share ideas on creating opportunities for staff collaboration and leadership in areas of strength
Stories
Strengths
Interests
Confidence
Meaning
SEL
Engagement
Think of a time when a
teacher/coach/boss/mentor
acknowledged a strength of
yours.
Share your story. How did this feel?
Reflect individually and then share with a partner
Bring out the strengths!Sir Ken Robinson and Aimee Mullins
http://youtu.be/dTwXeZ4GkzIhttp://youtu.be/iG9CE55wbtY
“But the other side is unbaked.
The side of strengths, the
side of what we are good at,
the side…of what makes life
worth living.”
Dr. Martin Seligman
“Psychology is half-baked, literally half-baked. We
have baked the part about mental illness. We have baked the part about repair and damage…”
Image from Pixgood
The way we help others…
is changing.
PAIRED VERBAL FLUENCY60s each person
I think focusing on the strengths of our
students is important because…
Determining the Strengths
Who
are
we?
Who are the students?(Leyton Schnellert, 2011 via Pat Mirenda)
Who am I?
Words that
describe me:
My hopes and
dreams for
myself:
My favourite
books/stories:
Things I’d like
you to know
about me
Things I like to
do when I am
alone:
Things I am
good at or
interested in:
Things I like
to do with my
friends:
Things I like
to do with my
family:
The easiest
way for me to
show what I
know is:
Things I would like to
get better at in this
class are: THIS IS
ME!
Create an “About Me” Project
A Focus on Deficits?
Reflect and Share
There are some traditions and structures set up in our school systems that, although intended to help, seem to highlight the deficits in our students.
Please reflect individually upon some of the current practices in our schools that point to the deficits in our students.
Record and then share to your table.
It is not always about overcoming a perceived
deficit.
It is often about embracing a lesser-known
STRENGTH.
CC image from Mystery.Indigo Photography https://flic.kr/p/8Z5PqW
Differencesare NOT
deficiencies
Simon Ibell
Strength in Everyone
The Butterfly Circus
From http://youtu.be/BVWZrjN_23c
Elevator Pitch
You are in an elevator and someone asks you:
Why should we move to strengths-based education?
Respond in the time it takes to go from the bottom floor to the top floor.
A School Built on StrengthsMy students to OUR Students
Winners and Losers?
Rethink how we honour
cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by lee: http://flickr.com/photos/leecullivan/3948336553/
From Awarding One to Honouring ALL
Celebration of Learning
ENGAGEMENTthrough strengths and interests
CHOICES
Passion Projects
Innovation Days
Inquiry
Project-Based
Learning
Genius Hour
Outdoor Education
Blended Learning
Teaching Through Strengths and Interests
Inquiry Fair at West
Langley
Photo via Shawn Davids
Innovation Day
Photo from Josh Stumpenhorst
Inquiry
"When there is space for kids to
create, connect, explore - magichappens”
Neil Stephenson
CC Image by Linus Bohmanhttps://flic.kr/p/grtNE
“Wonder Wall” via Kathy Rice
Passion Projects
@_MrsBarb
Middle Earth 12 – Glen Thielmann
middleearth12.blogspot.ca
CC Image from James Losey https://flic.kr/p/nhJsAA
IDEA FACTORY
What can we DO
– next week, next month, next year -
in classrooms/schools to
better focus on the
strengths of our students?
Brainstorm at your tableCategorize into classroom and school
Record and Share
Strengths of our Staff
FedEx Prep:
Time for Innovation
cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Toni Verdú Carbó: http://flickr.com/photos/tonivc/2283676770/
Creating Time for Teachers to
Build on Their Strengths
School/District EdcampWhat is ordinary to you… may be extraordinary to
others.
Looking back at your questions…
To start with the strengths of our students and
change their stories, we need to:
STOP doing
doing
START doing
Swap Meet
Grab an index card. Write one of the following statements and complete the thought on the card:
• One thing I am going to do in my classroom/school is…
• One thing I want to be sure to remember is…
When you are finished, walk around the room and meet with someone you have not spoken to today. Share the information on your cards and then exchange cards. Do this 2 more times. Return to your table and share the information on the new card with your group.
Create the conditions. Be designers of learning.
Neil Stephenson
CC Image by Frank Wuestefeld https://flic.kr/p/7yvVKy
