Key points:
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of education is more critical than ever. Our schools must not only impart knowledge to our students but also equip them with the creativity, empathy, and curiosity required to walk into an unpredictable, yet promising, future with unwavering confidence.
Preparing our students rests on four foundational promises–Joy, Connection, Growth, and Success–and the commitment of dedicated educators to put them into practice. These promises are essential for creating a student-centered, future-focused environment that truly meets the academic, social, and emotional needs of every learner.
Joy: Cultivating a love for learning
Imagine a school where students eagerly anticipate each day, where learning is synonymous with excitement and discovery. This vision underscores the first promise of Joy. By fostering a positive school culture, we create an environment where students and staff feel valued and motivated. A joyful school is one where students are not just present but fully engaged, their curiosity sparked by innovative teaching methods, and a supportive community. This joy in learning lays the groundwork for lifelong educational enthusiasm and resilience.
In practical terms, Joy in schools means integrating creative and interactive activities into the curriculum, celebrating achievements, and creating spaces where students are safe to express themselves. It’s learning through play, even in the high school years, to immerse students in classroom content. And transforming schools from mere educational institutions into vibrant communities where learning is an adventure. To spread this joy beyond the walls of our school, we host the Joy Jam summer conference, inviting attendees from our region and across the country to join an event full of joy. At Joy Jam, participants experience personalized touches like candy and snacks customized to their preferences indicated during registration, a petting zoo, puppies, and more fun than usually exists at a conference. Additionally, we’ve designated a Joy Integration Specialist at our school whose role is to support teachers in weaving joy into their daily lessons, ensuring that every classroom experience is meaningful and memorable.
Connection: Building strong relationships
The second promise, Connection, is about ensuring that every individual in the school is known and valued. When students feel seen and understood, they are more likely to engage fully in their education. This promise involves knowing students by name, understanding their strengths and interests, and being aware of their needs and future aspirations.
Building strong relationships within the school community fosters trust and collaboration. Educators who understand their students can tailor their teaching to each individual’s learning style to accelerate academic gains. Students who feel connected to their peers and teachers have a support system powered by collaborative learning, knowledge-sharing, and encouragement, all of which reduce stress and improve outcomes.
To nurture these authentic relationships, schools must develop mentorship programs, personalized learning plans, and activities that promote teamwork and empathy. For example, the superintendent and high school principal meet individually with each high school junior and senior to discuss their future plans. Additionally, each middle and high school student is assigned an advisor who looks after their well-being and academic success, serving as a key point of contact for their families. Connection also extends to our teaching staff, who receive a “hiring celebration” as part of the onboarding process. This includes a surprise party where family members are invited to celebrate the new teacher’s joining of the Eastern Hancock team.
Growth: Continuous learning and development
Education is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about fostering continuous development. The third promise, Growth, emphasizes the importance of providing high-quality education that is both engaging and challenging. Students should be encouraged to push their boundaries, learn new things, and develop skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Research has found that high-quality, challenging assignments can improve student performance by an average of 46 percentile points.
Prioritizing Growth involves creating a relevant and dynamic curriculum, integrating technology, and promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By focusing on Growth, we ensure that students are not just absorbing information–they’re developing the ability to apply their knowledge in the real-world. For example, we have identified specific learning outcomes for each subject and class that students need to be proficient in and have determined the criteria by which successful learning will be measured. This foundation allows for professional conversations about the necessary resources and support systems to maximize student learning. We have also built in time to support students who are not yet showing proficiency. Additionally, our commitment to Growth extends to our teachers. Instead of using a traditional teacher evaluation system, our teachers set individual learning goals, and their annual evaluation scores are based on how well they implement their growth plans. These goals align with our framework for effective teaching, ensuring continuous development for students and educators.
Success: Preparing for the future
Finally, the promise of Success is about equipping students for life beyond school. Whether a student’s path leads to college, the workforce, or other endeavors, schools must ensure they have the tools to succeed. Prioritizing Success includes blurring the lines between what students do during school and what they might do after school, giving them opportunities to explore their strengths, interests, values, and career aspirations.
Practical steps toward fulfilling this promise include offering career exploration programs, internships, and real-world learning experiences. Schools should provide guidance on various post-graduation pathways and support students in making informed decisions about their futures. For example, about one-quarter of our juniors and seniors spend half of their day in a place of employment, including fields such as manufacturing, construction, engineering, medical, education, and several others. We have a dedicated employee who serves as our work-based learning coordinator, supporting our students as they take their first professional steps and assisting employers who may not be accustomed to working with teenage employees. Additionally, we work closely with employers who visit our classrooms to provide practical applications of the content students are learning. These employers also host field trips for our students and even field trips for our teachers, helping them understand how the concepts they teach are being applied in real-world settings.
Why the four promises matter
The four promises of Joy, Connection, Growth, and Success are more relevant than ever in an era of rapid technological advancements and societal changes. They are not just ideals but essential components of a modern education roadmap that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Educators, parents, and policymakers must recognize the importance of these promises and work collaboratively to implement them. Together, we can transform schools into places of inspiration, innovation, and achievement, where every student is empowered to reach their full potential, and every adult is a member of their support system. This transformation is more than just improving education outcomes; it’s about nurturing the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and innovators who will shape the future.
