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Jonathon Lacoste

“Remarkable outcomes rarely come from modest risk”

Outcomes

End Goals- What will we work to produce?

Dream Big- shoot for the moon and land on the top of the world

 

  • 10X thinking- not just incremental change

  • School becomes a place where teachers and students are constantly reinventing, testing, redefining what education looks like.

  • Grades become secondary to Learning

  • Implement Design Thinking/Project Based Learning with students

  • Students become globally aware and unafraid to tackle real world problems

  • School Within a School to start at the high school level

  • Layout and schedule changes at the high school level

  • Students have to have voice and choice in the elements of our scheduling

    • Ex: Intercessions at High Tech High

      • Teacher and student suggested- kids sign up for what they want to explore

  • Standards live with the students, not with the Content Areas

    • All teachers help to provide proof of proficiency for students

  • Honors and regular students learn together

  • Teachers collaborate on all aspects of teaching- planning, modeling, assessing, reflecting, recreating, etc.

  • Opportunities for students should not be bound by the constraints of district and school approved electives and teacher availability

    • Ex: If a student or group of students want to study carpentry, let’s make it happen.

    • Deep Dives, iLabs, Maker Spaces, etc.

  • Attract attention from colleagues, administrators, local and global communities

    • Showcase student learning

  • All students will have a Digital Portfolio and Resume

    • Students practice reflection often throughout their years in secondary education from middle to high school

  • Unique, moveable, malleable learning spaces which can conform to the needs of the learners and teachers

  • Create self-reliant, confident, responsible learners and community members

  • Kids will feel safe being themselves around peers

  • Kids will genuinely want to learn for learning’s sake, not just for a grade

  • Create a network of resources outside of our school

  • Students become entrepreneurs and innovators

  • Students leave high school with various certifications that may help them get jobs right out of high school

  • Teachers and school leaders will adhere to the nine principles as launched by Theodore Sizer for the Coalition of Essential Schools

Short and Long Term Plan @ High School 

Year One:

  • Four teachers/four rooms

  • One group of roughly 120 Freshmen

  • Students coming out of the iLab/STEM program at MRMS will be likely candidates

    • This program will offer an alternative to the students who are already getting used to learning in a different way

  • With luck, other teachers and students will see the success of the program and will become curious as to what we do

 

Year Two:

  • Eight teachers/6-8 rooms

  • One group of Sophomores in year two of the program and one group of Freshmen

  • Again, hopefully teaches and students alike will want to take part in our program and approach to educating students

  • This could allow for cross grade level collaboration

 

Year Three and beyond:

  • After two years of the program we should be pretty comfortable with this style of teaching and students should be used to this type of self guided learning

  • School and community support and recognition?

  • Mini TEDx conference for students (Juniors and any Sophomores/Freshmen interested in presenting

  • Partnerships with local and regional businesses

    • Vic Ahmed at Innovation Pavillion?

    • Contacts created at Create Something Great conferences

 

Short and Long Term Plan @ Middle School 

 

  • Buildings already organized with team formation (people, space and resources)

  • 1:1 technology initiative already in place (2015 conclusion of year one)​

  • Continue to build a suite of resources for students to learn anytime, anywhere

    • ​CompassLearning

    • Discovery Techbook

    • Google Apps

    • Google Classroom

    • Edmodo

    • Online library resources (eBooks, research sites, etc. connected through Library Learning Commons)

    • What else can we add that will increase engagement and help grow students?  

  • Shift in thinking for staff!  

    • Begin to design professional development with this style of teaching in mind

    • Time for collaboration and lesson planning

  • Shift in thinking for students!

    • Students should be introduced to this type of self guided learning

    • Time for collaboration and reflection

  • Shift in thinking for school and community!

    • Support and recognition (knowledge is power) - Parent University Classes, Back to School Curriculum Night, Parent Bootcamp 

  • Mini TEDx-type conference for students (Genius Fair for all students interested in participating)

  • Partnerships with local and regional businesses

    • Vic Ahmed at Innovation Pavillion?

    • Contacts created at Create Something Great conferences

    • Google Certified Teachers and Students

 

 

Best Practices for All Students

Differentiation:

Individualization:

Personalization:

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