https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe If you were to start a school from scratch, what things would you focus on? What values? What ideals? What philosophy? What curriculum? What technology? en-us 2019-03-26 21:28:10 UTC 2025-12-06 12:57:34 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Hotsun.png https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509280 Culture and learning would be the first two areas of focus.  I would look to promote active and project learning where students learn from experiences.  Students would be required to show learning to standard and be evaluated on mastery or competency-based learning philosophies.  Technology would be an enormous part of the model along with flexible learning styles and spaces.  I would insist on individualized or personalization of learning.  Each student would be involved in moving their learning forward and making decisions about what and how they learn.  Public speaking and/or communication would be prioritized with group work as effectively working with other will be a key skill in the future.]]> 2019-03-27 00:54:06 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509280 https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509316 I would focus on structure and culture for teachers and students. When teachers are all on the same page and buy in to polices and procedures everything runs more smoothly. This gives the teachers a chance to really focus on curriculum for students and getting the best lessons out there. It also creates a safe place for students.  ]]> 2019-03-27 00:54:17 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509316 https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509337 I would start by focusing on the school climate and creating a space that all students feel respected, safe, and have a sense of responsibility. Rituals and routines would be super important to have really solid before even moving towards curriculum. I would want to have 1:1 devices for students to allow all students the resources needed for differentiated work and allow all learners to find ways to interact with the content in a way that makes sense for them. Curriculum would be created based on standards and the needs of the students in the room. Parents, teachers, and students would all need input in order to make it successful. I like the approach we have in our building where teachers use data to create curriculum and would like to see that continued in this new school.

]]> 2019-03-27 00:54:25 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509337 https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509340 My focus in starting a school would be keeping the needs of students in mind. This would most likely lead to more individualized learning, both technology based and in person. Flexible learning spaces would be ideal. Character development and technology awareness would be directly and intentionally taught.]]> 2019-03-27 00:54:25 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509340 cweihe https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509342 I would look first at the architecture and arrangement of flexible spaces. Grouping students by interest and loose age groups , 11-13, 14-16, 17-18, as the students move up in skills and interest their groupings flex. I would love a an 85% paperless school. Block time in addition to instruction modules so that students can go deep into projects, research, labs and so on. Fluidity between staff and instruction would be great as well. My kids attended a school where teachers had to change grade levels every two years. ]]> 2019-03-27 00:54:25 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509342 https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509348 My initial focus when starting a new school would be on the whole person. I want teachers who exemplify behaviors that are important to growing students with high character and moral integrity. I want to make sure my staff values the student as a whole because when those relationships are strong, learning is easier. Secondly, (but kind of tied in) is the school culture. I want to make sure that all my students are confident and comfortable in their environment. ]]> 2019-03-27 00:54:27 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509348 https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509359 *Flexibility - different times for lengths of classes, personalized learning, flexible learning spaces, etc.
* Focus on relationships and safety and basic needs met first -- plenty of bathrooms, lengthy time for lunch, designated morning/afternoon break, quiet room, etc.
*Community Service as a routine part of curriculum and culture

]]> 2019-03-27 00:54:32 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509359 https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509397 I would focus on building a staff that makes it apparent they genuinely care about the students and it is not just about curriculum, but about the students. 

]]> 2019-03-27 00:54:44 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509397 shample https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509399 I have always loved the IB structure. So I would make sure that their was access to the internet for student motivated learning. I would use the structure IB does for it's behavior and Ethics, and then All our lessons and units would be based on exploration, projects based learning, and experimentation. I would want to hire flexible teachers who are not afraid to throw out a lesson and embrace on going diversity education as we progress.(Diversity and Student relationships would be a PD integrated into most meetings)]]> 2019-03-27 00:54:46 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509399 https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509433 I think this is a big question that I've never considered before. 
I would for sure create a middle school that focuses a lot of character development. I would have Chromebooks for each student and spend a lot of time teaching digital organization and appropriate digital behavior. ]]> 2019-03-27 00:55:00 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509433 lucas_blesser https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509448 My Focus - 
- Hire dedicated staff that have passion working with the student demographics
- Develop and align curriculum that meets the needs of the student demographics, multiple learning pathways 
- Build strong relationship among staff, students, and families via (culture, celebration)

]]> 2019-03-27 00:55:06 UTC https://padlet.com/bknaus/skycpaq46lbe/wish/345509448