One of Those Moments
This is one of those moments, I know that I have mentioned before that both at the beginnings and endings of school years I reflect–and as I write this the work taking place within our district regarding our Portrait of a Graduate dominates my thoughts. Last year, we devoted a lot of space in our newsletters about the portrait. I would like to share some of those words: Getting anywhere in today’s world seems to be getting more complicated. You wouldn’t think that would be the case, would you? After all, there are a lot of modern conveniences to help us arrive at our desired destinations. Whether you rely on GPS, a map, or the stars, few of us set out without a plan. That is why we chose two years ago to assemble a cadre of leaders— our Design Team composed of talented individuals representing our business community, others, alumni, teachers, students, parents and administrators for the purpose of designing a Portrait of a Springfield Graduate. Our partners assembled to create a dynamic plan to represent a collective vision that articulates our district’s aspirations for all of our students. Together, this team asked and answered hard questions—we considered:
•what are the hopes, aspirations, and dreams that our community has for our young people?
•what are the skills and mindsets that our children need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world
•what are the implications for the learning experiences
we provide in our school system?
Designing our Portrait of a Graduate was challenging– and because of the pandemic most of the work had to take place virtually–yet, we persevered and together framed a new vision for our school system. Now, we take on the next phase of this exciting work–ensuring that our North Star–the six competencies (the team identified and defined six specific competencies desired for all Springfield graduates: Adaptability, Communication, Critical Thinking, Integrity, Leadership and Perseverance) that embody the design.
Recently, we reassembled the team to review the design, to discuss what was accomplished during the 2021-22 school year, and excitedly plan for more ways that this collective vision can impact our students and community. The meeting reminded me again that this district is fortunate– the type of support (intellectual, financial, motivational and psychological) offered is unmatched. And then a series of happenings took place just last week to remind me that our portrait isn’t just a collection of hopes and dreams–it is a vision that reveals itself in countless ways.
First, we conducted two days of training with our new teachers. Sure, we handled the nuts and bolts. To ensure that each is well aware of what is expected of an educator in our district, sufficient time was devoted to the portrait of a graduate and their roles (whether they teach kindergarten or technology) in aiding each student to gain those competencies before they cross the stage at the Stranahan.
Then, if you didn’t see the media attention that surrounded the overwhelming level of support offered this year with school supplies and snacks–I hesitate to even try to list all the partners (First Baptist Church, Calvary Church, Compelled Church, Dwelling Place, Rotary of Maumee–clothing, Scott Stigall State Farm, Springfield Area Prevention Coalition, Supply Source, Target and Texas RoadHouse). There are, I am sure, many more. The competencies are revealed through these donations and also allowed the 30-plus student volunteers who helped us sort and deliver them to all schools to witness the many ways they are supported and also to be active participants in the effort.
The next is a bit more focused on the competency of perseverance. You see, early this summer we were contacted by Katherine Caudill, Class of 2013. Just about three years ago, her family experienced the tragic, unexpected death of their son, Wayne. He would have started kindergarten this year at Crissey and the family wanted to donate school supplies for his classmates. In early conversations, we suggested that perhaps we could find a more lasting way to honor Wayne’s memory, and the idea hatched to collect books for all Springfield kindergarten classrooms. I joined Katherine in an interview with 13abc last week (which can be viewed on district social media) and marveled at how many of the portrait’s competencies she displayed–just in that short interview. In the footage that did not air, she reflected on the many teachers and lessons that provided her strength as she persevered in these years following the loss of her little boy.
As we begin the 2022-23 school year, I encourage all who are reading this message to help us empower each student to paint their life’s portrait to include these competencies. All of our todays and tomorrows will be better because of it.
