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In This Month's Edition
- Systemness
- A System of Schools
- How Can We Be of Support?
Systemness
This month we are excited to be presenting at the annual Learning Forward Conference in Washington, DC. The theme of our presentation is cultivating systemness through leadership development. We are honoured to present on this topic as we feel it represents the 8+ years of our central office work in K to 12 education and is foundational to the work we are now doing through JAM Consulting.
We believe systemness is a driver to student success. Fullan states that "systemness means that you develop experiences in people where they identify with the bigger system itself." A favourite African proverb of ours is "If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together."
Collaboration is the foundational way we "go together" in this complex work of K to 12 education. Creating networks and opportunities to build relational trust and be vulnerable is key. We developed a number of structures and professional learning opportunities that provided the environment for this to occur.
We have written several articles about this work and our presentation at the conference delves into each aspect in greater detail. Our work in relation to systemness continues as we consult in school divisions and support them in ensuring coherence throughout their schools.
We are continually reminded that this necessary work takes time and intentionality. It is extremely important for division senior leadership to be the lead learners and model equity and cohesiveness. Creating a growth mindset focused on preparing our greatest resource, our students, for a future we can only imagine, is the ultimate goal.
If you did not attend the Learning Forward conference but are interested in our presentation and learning more about strategies for building systemness, do not hesitate to reach out to JAM Consulting.
A System of Schools
“Rita and Shan's legacy is one of unity.”
In the span of a decade, Rita Marler and Shan Jorgenson-Adam have exemplified visionary leadership in the Battle River School Division (BRSD), steering it toward being a cohesive school system, rather than merely a collection of schools. Their strategic approach fostered an ethos of unity, emphasizing collaboration and shared goals across the entire district. They broke down silos, ensuring that every decision made was toward the common good of all schools, not just a select few. Under their guidance, BRSD saw the implementation of district-wide initiatives that celebrated each school's unique contributions while aligning with the division's overarching objectives. They championed professional learning communities, allowing educators from various schools to share insights and strategies, which led to a more harmonious educational environment. Their focus on systemic equity ensured that resources were distributed fairly, allowing each student, regardless of their school, to have equal opportunities for success. Rita and Shan's legacy is one of unity, demonstrating that a school system's strength lies in its ability to operate as a single, dynamic entity dedicated to holistic educational excellence.
Patrick Whittleton
Director of Learning, Battle River School Division
How Can JAM Consulting Support You?
JAM Consulting is not about a one size fits all service. We work with school divisions and schools to get to the root of their individual needs through reflective dialogue, school reviews, data analysis, culture audits, classroom walkthroughs and more. We meet with teams to determine what supports and strategies will enable them to achieve their vision, purpose, core values and goals. We are student focused and have the expertise and experience to support you in achieving success for all students. Book a free online session at info@jamconsulting.ca, to meet with us to discuss how we can support you.
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