Post on 14-Apr-2017
Start With STRENGTHS:change the lens
change the STORY
For the Staff of Enver Creek SecondarySeptember 26, 2016
CC Image from
Ethereal World https://flic.kr/p/4BDBPS
Chris Wejr chriswejr.com
@chriswejr
What Matters
"I come to you humbly not to tell you what to do on your journey but to share with you what I have learned on mine”
Wab Kinew
cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Thompson Rivers University: http://flickr.com/photos/thompsonrivers/8518479289/
Learning Intentions• I can share the WHY of strengths-based
education• I can share ways to help shift the lens to a more
strengths-based model• I can share the strengths of myself and the
Enver Creek Secondary School community• I can devise methods to determine the
strengths of our students (and/or staff)• I can share ideas to move to a strength-based
model in my classroom and/or school • I can identify ONE student with whom I will
connect with and tap into his/her strengths.
#startwithstrengths
Our stories shape who we are
We teach who we are. Parker Palmer
ACTIVITY: Sharing the strengths of ourselves.
REFLECT: What is a strength of YOURS?
With a partner, share a story of how you use this strength at school.
WHY Strengths-Based
Education?
“Connection is why we are here. We are hardwired
to connect with
others -- Brene Brown
cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by Andrew: http://flickr.com/photos/30235101@N06/3344044448/
Raising children is far more than just fixing what is wrong with them. It is about identifying and amplifying their strengths and virtues, and helping them find the niche where they can live these positive traits to the fullest. Dr. Martin Seligman
chriswejr.com
A Shifting Demographic…
Stories
StrengthsInterests
Confidence Meaning SEL
Engagement
Relationships
“We don’t know who we can be… until we know what we can do”
-- Sir Ken Robinson
The Stories of our Students
The Story of
Amy
CC Image from Marzia http://flic.kr/p/524Dsy
Is our students’ work at school both a reflection of who THEY are and what WE want them to do?
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Exploring who they are… creating their stories
CC Image by Wonderlane https://flic.kr/p/cDeCGs
ACTIVITY: Who is your Amy?
Share the story of ONE student who has strengths, interests, and/or skills that may not be recognized in school.
AgassizCentre
for Educati
on
New Stories
From Vancouver Sun
Stories
StrengthsInterests
Confidence Meaning SEL
Engagement
Relationships
CC Image: http://flic.kr/p/bhvabR
Each child has a gift... We need to see and nurture these gifts so they emerge and flourish throughout an individual’s life. -- Lorna Williams
What are “strengths”?
Strength of Character
Strength of Skill
Images from Langley Schools
What strengths-based education is NOT
• Ignoring the struggles of our students• Bubble wrapping• Inauthentic feedback: telling students they are awesome and amazing for no apparent reason•Giving awards to everyone• Letting students do whatever they want whenever they want
STRENGTHSs t rugg les
What we see… Depends on what we
look for.
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“But the other side is unbaked. The side of
strengths, the side of what we are good at, the side…of what makes life
worth living.”Dr. Martin Seligman
“Psychology is half-baked, literally half-baked. We have baked the part about mental illness. We have baked the part about repair and damage…”
Image from Pixgood
CC Image from Trottalot https://flic.kr/p/a4YZhT
Training ourselves to look through strengths-tinted glasses
Looking through a new lenshttps://youtu.be/mZedcQoY0iw
Our students’ strengths are not carrots to be dangled to get them to comply… they are valuable resources to
be tapped and embedded in their learning.
CC Image from ChrisCook04 https://flic.kr/p/87cZ6L
Photo: nasrulekram
Changing the lens of Grade 10 Girls PE Lifestyles PE
cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Boston Public Library: http://flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6198183420/
A School Built on StrengthsMy students OUR STUDENTS
.
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
Series1Series2
Research from the Corporate Leadership Council, 2002
Strengths
+36.4%
Weaknesses
-26.8%
ACTIVITY: See. Think. Wonder.
Image: Todd Rose, The End of Average
Todd Rose – End of Averagehttps://youtu.be/4eBmyttcfU4
ACTIVITY: Pair-ShareHow does the story of US Air Force pilots relate to education?
Discuss with a partner, then share out.
Jagged Learning ProfilesDesign to the Edges
CC Image From Tony Baldasaro https://flic.kr/p/cDBuUs
CC Image from Terry Priest https://flic.kr/p/hrxqQ
Find the
FirefliesRachel Macy Stafford
Stories
StrengthsInterests
Confidence Meaning SEL
Engagement
Relationships
“To shift a cycle from decline to success, leaders must restore people’s confidence”--Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Back up to where they are… and get em on a winning streakTom Schimmer
CC Image by US Army Garrison Red Cloud https://flic.kr/p/jfcWi4
CC Image by Theodore Chenhttps://flic.kr/p/32egeo
Make it worth the effort.Narrow the gap.
Resiliency craves
confidence
Think like…
a coach a director a choreographer a leader
Change the streak.Change the story.
CC Image by Ladyvee9 https://flic.kr/p/8dwV21
Stories
StrengthsInterests
Confidence Meaning SEL
Engagement
Relationships
“We cannot motivate others… we can only work to
create the conditions for people
to motivate themselves.”-- Edward Deci and Richard Ryan Image: http://flic.kr/p/8zWLAj
Strengths-Based Education
HOW?
Let it go!
A Strengths-Based Culture
CHOICES
Passion Projects
Innovation Days
Inquiry
Project-Based Learning
Genius Hour
Outdoor Education
Blended Learning
"When there is space for kids to create, connect, explore -
magic happens” Neil Stephenson
CC Image by Linus Bohman https://flic.kr/p/grtNE
#HypeTheTrenchThomas Haney Secondary School
Club DaysRiverside Secondary School
Images:Pam Becker
Passion Projects
@_MrsBarb
Middle Earth 12 – Glen Thielmannmiddleearth12.blogspot.ca
CC Image from James Losey https://flic.kr/p/nhJsAA
Learning With Strengths – Comox Valley
image via BCPVPA http://bit.ly/1LFZQmi
Tapping into the strengths for Lit 12
Video from Naryn Searcy http://bit.ly/1hUGOJG
ACTIVITY: Appreciative InquiryWhat are the strengths of our school community (students and staff)? What makes us who we are? What do we do well? List/draw on the chart paper.
Determine the StrengthsObserve, be curiousSpend time with studentsMake space for the strengths to come out
Character Strengths Survey: www.viacharacter.org
Who are the students? (Leyton Schnellert, 2011)
Who am I?Words that describe me:
My hopes and dreams for myself:
My favourite books/stories:
Things I’d like you to know about me
Things I like to do when I am alone:
Things I am good at or interested in:
Things I like to do with my friends:
Things I like to do with my family:
The easiest way for me to show what I know is:
Things I would like to get better at in this class are: THIS IS
ME!
ACTIVITY: IDEA GeneratorWe know that connection is key to all that we do.
HOW do we bring in the strengths of our students more often in classrooms and school to create better connection and increased engagement?Include new ideas and ideas that you are already doing. Document the ideas on the chart paper. Tape on the wall.Complete a gallery walk to see the ideas of others.
CHANGE
CHANGE?
Reflect.Tap into your strengths. Tap into our students’ strengths.
Start change with one thing… Now.cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Rita M.: http://flickr.com/photos/fotorita/2031523502/
Start with ONE
ACTIVITY:
I used to think… but NOW I
think…
Create the conditions. Be designers of learning.
Neil Stephenson
CC Image by Frank Wuestefeld https://flic.kr/p/7yvVKy
Try something new. Take a risk.
http://youtu.be/iMzgl0nFj3s
Stories
StrengthsInterests
Confidence Meaning SEL
Engagement
Relationships
Start With Strengths. Change the Lens. • Train yourself to see the strengths.• Start with ONE student. Connect through strengths.•Design to the edges of jagged profiles. • Engage through strengths and interests.• Shift school culture one student and one adult at a time. • Start today. Change the story.
Bringing out the BEST in Ashley
Video: https://youtu.be/3nZyo-jHr8Q
#startwithstrengths
Connect With Me
www.chriswejr.com
About.me/ChrisWejr
@chriswejr
chriswejr@gmail.com