by Natasha L. Adams
This blog entry is the third in a six-part series that focuses on the district’s strategic plan.
West Clermont School District is committed to building a learning community where everyone feels valued and has a true sense of belonging.
Through continuous improvement and avoiding the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality trap, we are focused on building our collective capacity to create a school system that supports the learning of ALL students academically, social-emotionally, and physically so that we can close the achievement gap.
One strategic theme in our plan is to Equip and Engage Every Learner. By equipping students with what they need intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically to successfully navigate learning and life, we will raise learner engagement and optimize individual student outcomes. Students who are more fully engaged will be highly motivated to set challenging goals for themselves and will have hope for their future. We will work to continue to break down barriers to student learning, including addressing learning inequities, physical and mental health concerns, impacts of social stressors, and poverty.
Our vision for elevating student health and wellbeing in our school district begins with creating a student-centered learning environment where students discover who they are as individuals and teachers tap into each learner’s needs and interests for higher motivation and engagement.
What does this look like in action? In a student-centered learning environment, students are placed in decision-making roles to determine for themselves how and what they learn and the pace at which they will learn. From choosing the historical fiction novels they will read and learn about a specific historical era to choosing the platform they will use to showcase their learning, students have ownership over the path they take to learn and apply new information.
To be successful in our mission of committing to excellence with every learner, every day, every way, we hold high expectations for our students and continuously strive to help them to believe they can achieve. We want to help them to learn to connect with others in strong relationships while grasping a better understanding of themselves.
Whether the learner is in kindergarten or one week away from graduation, our goal is to empower each and every learner to enjoy learning – both collaboratively and independently at their own pace – and apply the skills they have learned in school to their lives outside of the classroom.
With a foundation of and environment steeped in respect, care, and a sense of belonging, we know they will be better equipped to create their own student success plan and set their eyes to a limitless future.
