Stretching Our Learning Edges

By: Jessica Richmond, Middle School Principal

As part of our Flourish 2031 strategic goal focused on Deep Learning and Engagement, a top priority at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS), is the cultivation of academic excellence through strong learning leaders.  

In August 2021, a Learning Leadership Retreat was held for those faculty whose roles involve leading learning at STS. The purpose of the Learning Leadership Retreat was to:

• develop clarity regarding our shared priorities to increase K-12 coherence in learning leadership at STS; 

• facilitate professional learning and collaboration, and robust support for colleagues in learning leadership roles; 

• affirm that leadership of learning is an enduring and foundational priority at STS; 

• take purposeful action on an ethos of continual improvement in learning and instructional practices at STS.

At the retreat, international educational and communications consultant and author, Jennifer Abrams, delivered a powerful workshop on leadership development, using her book, Growing [Up] at Work as the foundation for our conversations. We will continue to reference this book throughout the year. The workshop with Abrams focused on “stretching our learning edges” to embrace professional growth at all times as we work to keep up with the pace of change happening in the world beyond the classroom. 

Following the workshop, the Learning Leadership Team completed a comprehensive exercise to identify the shared goals we will all work towards within academic excellence. The shared goals fell naturally into: fostering deep learning and improving coherence in our in school-wide assessment practices. 

Within the priority area of academic excellence, in addition to the summer retreat our Learning Leadership team has the opportunity to participate in the Harvard Grad School of Education Instructional Leadership Certificate. This coursework has been ongoing since the spring of 2021 and at one point we had nine STS Learning Leadership Team participants engaged together in highly interactive coursework. As we move through this certification process, a shared body of knowledge and shared language around instructional leadership will endure and become part of the fabric of learning leadership at STS.

As we look ahead to more launch points for building coherence around our instructional practices, we have booked renowned speaker and workshop leader, John Antonetti, for next August. This professional learning workshop will focus on academic rigour and student engagement.