School Design at the 2018 ELI School leaders from across the state gathered at the Hawaii Convention Center last Thursday for the 2018 Educational Leadership Institute (ELI). The conference was centered around the theme of School Design, one of our high-impact strategies to advance the goals of the Strategic Plan.
As we have been discussing this past school year, we achieve equity and excellence in education by expanding institutional approaches we know are working for students, making room for practices that have great promise, and discontinuing what doesn't produce results. School Design is a methodology to enable a learning organization to do focused, meaningful work through shared leadership.
We provided an array of helpful resources at the conference to ensure we're all on a path toward successful implementation of a portfolio of diverse and powerful School Design models. You can access these resources on the Intranet at bit.ly/SchoolDesignToolkit. I encourage you to browse these materials and engage in dialogue with your grade-level teams and administrators about your current school model and whether it meets the unique needs of the community you are serving as evidenced by improved student achievement.
Here are some of the takeaways shared by principals across the state about School Design and my call to action: Aliiolani Elementary: Principal Joseph Passantino
"This year's ELI theme and call to action around School Design validates what we have been doing and gives us the flexibility we need to take chances and think outside the box. Our School Design model focuses on inclusion that supports SPED, EL and high-needs students, and we are excited to have this opportunity to support our teachers and students in a way that fits their specific needs."
Kahului Elementary: Principal Keoni Wilhelm
"The Educational Leadership Institute helped to solidify the work that we have been doing and will be implementing during the upcoming school year. At Kahului Elementary, we are on the cusp of innovation and exploring how we can make interdisciplinary learning units a reality. We are also capitalizing on the high-impact strategy of Student Voice by taking a closer look at what students feel throughout their inquiry process and soliciting their feedback. Our efforts are in line with Superintendent Kishimoto's message of designing experiences tailored for each unique school community."
Kapaa High: Principal Daniel Hamada
"I met with my leadership team after ELI to discuss the call to action and key takeaways from the conference. We were in agreement that our school's academic and financial plans, as well as our efforts to meet the goals of the Strategic Plan, are in alignment with the Board of Education and Superintendent's priorities for the upcoming school year. It confirmed that we are on the right track — same focus, same desired outcomes. It is reassuring to know that we charted the right course."
Molokai Middle: Principal Dawn Mains
"Superintendent Kishimoto's vision delivered in this year's ELI has reinforced the philosophy of Student Voice, School Design, and Teacher Collaboration. This supports what we at Molokai Middle are implementing through our Robotics teams' experiences. Molokai Middle School Robotics initiative has pulled together the island of Molokai's understanding of student voice and problem-based learning, which provides the opportunity for self-directed learning, complex thinking, quality production, and has increased community involvement. Throughout the next school year, we are excited to extend this designed learning throughout other subjects, encouraging our students to think "outside of the box." In addition, the knowledge gained in individualizing our students' learning so that they may find their passion and interests as they learn to identify themselves is a tool that will be utilized this upcoming year."
Naalehu Elementary: Principal Darlene Javar
"I constantly reflect on my role and accountability as a principal. Although my kids are great, my kids are struggling in many ways. This ELI 2018 helped me to re-energize my action steps in getting students to read at grade level by third grade, regardless of demographics. Because this is an ongoing goal with limited success, deeper analysis and action is needed. Aligned with School Design, we will further explore the "Core Values and Mindset" of our educators. 10 Mindframes for Visible Learning (Hattie & Zierer, 2018) will be used to strengthen the impact educators have on the lives and futures of our children."
Pearl City High: Principal Joseph Halfmann
"I am encouraged by the direction that was set for the new school year at ELI. It was clear and forward thinking as we set goals specifically around third grade reading and early college opportunities, which impacts all grade levels, all schools. This resonated with me and my team as we continue to move forward with coming up with a strategy to encourage students who are not considering early college courses, AP or dual credit opportunities to be able to have this experience." Mahalo to everyone who attended, volunteered and played an integral role in coordinating the 2018 ELI, including our student participants in the school design activities. I enjoyed getting to know my leadership team at a deeper level as we continue to approach this work with lokahi.
As the Department prepares to welcome back students, I want to thank all of you for your commitment to our haumana. I look forward to working with you this year as we embrace this kuleana that School Design represents.
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