In attendance: Joe Banta, Robin Wohlforth, Gary Steele, Rebecca Burns, Charles Wohlforth, Barbara Wohlforth, Harlod Greene<\/p>\n
We met at 5 p.m. to go over the value statements developed at the Oct 1 all community meeting. Charles had compiled the notes from the meeting, gathering the value statements from the five groups by their commonalities, which produced 11 value commonalities and several more statements that had been made by only one group each. (That document is attached at the end.) He began a discussion on the validity of these groupings, which quickly became a deep and broad-ranging philosophical discussion about Steller.<\/p>\n
We first took on the value of academics and doing challenging intellectual work. The group felt this should be broken into two values: one about seriousness and purpose (covering all work, not just academics), and the other about intellectual development\/work.<\/p>\n
Harlod said that, as the new principal, he is not seeing the self-motivation among students that are emphasized in our values. Many students are not serious about self-actualizing their education, but in fact goof off and use Steller terminology as a cover for being lazy. Steller needs to succinctly state concrete expectations for students at Steller. He said people are coming here because it is small and they believe \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to do anything.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Barbara pointed out that students currently are evaluated only on academic grades, not on their progress toward becoming self-directed learners. The plan the community developed last year was intended to address this by having advisors give students feedback on this aspect of their growth at conferences, to happen at least twice a year. Others pointed out that this idea had not been implemented.<\/p>\n
Charles and Rebecca said if the school could develop students\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 enthusiasm for learning, that should address the problem of lack of self-motivation and seriousness. Several others felt, however, that this ideal is not being realized.<\/p>\n
Gary made a similar point about personalization. He said it should not mean students study only what they most want to work on: our program should also push them to learn new things and broaden their horizons. The value list should acknowledge the creative tension between different aspects of the school.<\/p>\n
Robin said our values can be balanced even if they seem contradictory, but the balance will be delicate and will be different for everyone. Kids who skip classes could still be learning, and no one should be removed from Steller for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153not being good enough,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d because that violates our value of accepting individual differences. Robin observed that we are talking about a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcbest fit\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 line; given our differences, no single point may lie exactly on that line.<\/p>\n
Charles said it is critical to remember that our fundamental goal is to develop minds, helping students become critical thinkers, creative, and adaptive to a broad range of challenges; content should always be secondary to that goal. Harlod and others said we have to teach state-mandated content, but we can use it as a means to meet our primary goal.<\/p>\n
Gary urged everyone to look at Shannon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s website for a discussion of John Dewey and essentialism.<\/p>\n
Harold said that in order to meet the needs of the community, the goal of the school may need to change. Steller may not be able to be an ideal school anymore. For example, he pointed out that Steller has a significant population of autistic kids, higher by percentage than East or West. The program may work for some students because of its small size and accepting student body, but those same students may not be capable of strongly self-directed education.<\/p>\n
Joe said the autism issue speaks to the values of Steller\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthat we should be a welcoming community. Kids who would be picked on at a traditional school are treated well at Steller.<\/p>\n
Harlod said this issue represents the conflict in our values, in the difficulty of providing both a program for self-directed students and a welcoming environment for students who cannot manage a self-directed environment. The group discussed this challenge in several aspects. We reached a consensus that defining our program expectations more clearly and communicating them aggressively to prospective students would be an important step.<\/p>\n
On the value list, we made the following progress:<\/p>\n
1.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 It was agreed to split the item surrounding academics into a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153serious\/purposeful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d value and an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153intellectual work\u00e2\u20ac\u009d value.
\n2.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 The value of risk-taking should be augmented with the need for the school to push into new areas of learning outside their preferences or comfort zone.
\n3.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 We discussed the subject of personalized education at length. We settled on the key phrase as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153ownership of the path to learning.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Personalization must come from the student.
\n4.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 We grouped \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Preparing students for life (post-secondary)\u00e2\u20ac\u009d with \u00e2\u20ac\u0153intellectual work.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\n5.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 We grouped \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Purposefulness: Dedication and commitment\u00e2\u20ac\u009d with \u00e2\u20ac\u0153seriousness.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
We ran out of time. The group felt our discussion had been deep and meaningful, and should provide some good support for drafting the value terms. Joe suggested that Charles draft a new, cleaned-up list and bring it back to the group for editing.<\/p>\n
Combined Value Lists<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Academics: Develop skills and knowledge through rigorous study.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Academics: Rigorous foundation of relevance (to today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world)
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Relevance: Doing work that is meaningful
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Rigor: Putting effort into what you are doing, on a consistent basis
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Intellectual Growth: Development of higher-level reasoning skills<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Academic risk taking
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Encouraging risk taking in a safe, supportive environment.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Personalization: Opportunity to pursue personal goals. Students are not pigeon holed\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwe allow them to create their own.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Taking initiative in personalized education.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Ownership of path to learning
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Non-traditional: Challenging ourselves through unique learning opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Diversity: Acceptable of diverse student and staff abilities and assets
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Individuality: Our differences are\/become our strengths.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Valuing differences and encouraging uniqueness.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Diversity: Embracing differences
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Respect: Acceptance of values of all.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Community: Cultivating and nurturing relationships from the classroom to the world.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Community: Everyone matters!
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Steller students, parents, staff interact with each other and community.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Community Involvement: Within the Steller community and reaching out to the larger community
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 World Citizenship: Recognition, respect our interconnectedness<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Self-Directed: Ownership of your path to learning\/follow your heart.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Freedom: Ability to make choices about what you do and think
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Self-motivation: Desire to move forward independently<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Responsible Freedom: Encourage ourselves to choose wisely.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Responsible freedom [or separately]: [Being referred to committee]
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Responsibility: Acceptance of student independence.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Using your freedom responsibly.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Responsibility: Doing the right thing without being told<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Respect: For property; for self; for others.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Sharing responsibility with others in the community.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Kindness and respect for others.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Kindness: Friendships developed within a community with empathy and respect
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Compassion: Empathy for the condition of others.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Enthusiastic love of learning.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Love of Learning: Joyful enthusiasm for life-long learning<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Mentorship: Get it, own it, pass it on.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Mentorship: We can be stronger if we help others behind us.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Leadership: Allowing for all to step up.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Leadership:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Empowerment: Enable students to own their intellectual and social development<\/p>\n
UNGROUPED
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Fun: Finding joy in all things together.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Participation: We want this to be an intrinsic goal.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Student\/parent\/teacher cooperation: The essential triangle.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Developing mature interactions.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Preparing students for life (post-secondary)
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Learning Through Experience: Learning is not only academic but experiential
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Purposefulness: Dedication and commitment
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Inspiration:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Natural Consequence: Accepting that everything you do has a natural consequence. No neutrality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In attendance: Joe Banta, Robin Wohlforth, Gary Steele, Rebecca Burns, Charles Wohlforth, Barbara Wohlforth, Harlod Greene We met at 5 p.m. to go over the value statements developed at the Oct 1 all community meeting. Charles had compiled the notes from the meeting, gathering the value statements from the five groups by their commonalities, which […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-announcements"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stellerschool712.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stellerschool712.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stellerschool712.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stellerschool712.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stellerschool712.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1051"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stellerschool712.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1051\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stellerschool712.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stellerschool712.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stellerschool712.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}