Valor Collegiate Academy Foundational Framework
Transcript of Valor Collegiate Academy Foundational Framework
Foundational Framework
Overview
The Valor Foundational Framework provides a balanced set of beliefs, values, disciplines, and commitments to govern the mindsets and behaviors of educators and scholars in their roles as teachers, learners, leaders, and members of our community. The framework supports our belief that having a strong culture is critical to developing a high-trust and high-performing school and that building a strong culture happens intentionally. The framework also serves as a declaration of who we are and what we stand for as a school community.
Foundational Framework
Foundational Beliefs and Values
We start by explicitly defining the underlying beliefs and embedded values that support the framework, the school design, and our emerging community. We believe it is important to make these beliefs as explicit as possible so that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of who we are and what we stand for.
Foundational Framework
The Valor Compass
Next, we introduce the Valor Compass, which serves as a guide and metaphor for our approach to learning and growth in our community. The Foundational Disciplines, which are contained within the Compass, represent the ideals of individual and communal excellence within our community and serve as guideposts for all we do as a school. Everyone in the community will measure their own learning and growth in each of the Foundational Disciplines. “Working the Compass” and living “The Valor Way” are shorthand ways to describe the difficult day-to-day work of trying to attain the ideals of the Foundational Disciplines.
Foundational Framework
The Valor Commitments
Finally, we introduce the Valor Commitments, which serve as the primary agreements we make with each other as members of the Valor community. These agreements serve as our moral code and are held up as a means for every community member to support each other in being the best that they can be.
Foundational Framework
At Valor our central mission is to empower a diverse community of scholars with the sense of
purpose, academic skills, and character strengths they will need to succeed in college
and to lead inspired, balanced lives.
Foundational Beliefs
We believe that we all deserve the opportunity to fulfill our
potential and captain our destinies.
Foundational Beliefs
We believe greatness comes from having a growth mindset and that
effort, more than talent, matters in the end.
Foundational Beliefs
We believe excellence is a habitdeveloped through lots and lots
and lots of perfect practice.
Foundational Dimensions
Body
Heart
Mind
Spirit
Spirit | Body | Mind | Heart
The Foundational Framework is built on the most fundamental and irreducible dimensions of human experience. These dimensions can be defined as the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions. We believe that true value and effectiveness depends on balanced and integrated mastery in each of these dimensions.
Foundational Contexts
Individual
Collective
Individual | Collective
The Foundational Framework builds upon the recognition that our growth occurs in two fundamental contexts: we are both individuals and part of multiple collectives.
Balance and the True North
True North
At Valor we recognize the foundational importance of balance. We must balance our intentions with our actions, our hearts with our minds, and our individual needs with those of the community as a whole. Remaining in balance requires that we establish a sense of center where we integrate our growth and learning in a conscious way. At Valor, we call this center True North.
Foundational Disciplines
AlignedAction
BigHeart
SharpMind
NoblePurpose
Foundational Disciplines Mastery in each foundational dimension is achieved via the Foundational Disciplines. The discipline in each dimension is balanced across two contexts – personal mastery and communal mastery. All of the activities of the school are aimed at cultivating the following in every member:
Foundational Character Strengths
Determination
Integrity
Kindness
Courage
Diversity
Curiosity
Identity
Joy
Foundational Character Strengths Development along each Foundational Discipline results in, and requires, the development of various character strengths. While we encourage each community member to discover and develop his or her own unique character strengths, we have also selected a core set of character strengths that reflect our foundational values and beliefs and that we believe will help all members develop habits of heart and mind critical for success and well being.
Foundational Competencies
Enhance Emotional LiteracyNavigate EmotionsIncrease Empathy
Apply Consequential ThinkingRecognize PatternsExercise Optimism
Pursue Noble Goals
EngageIntrinsic
Motivation
Foundational Competencies Valor has partnered with 6 Seconds, a leading Emotional Intelligence organization that has developed, through practice and research, a set of 8 core social and emotional competencies/pursuits that we will work to develop in every Valor community member. These competencies are aligned with our Valor Compass in the following way:
Success Factors
Effectiveness
Relationships
Health
Quality of Life
Success Factors The Foundational Competencies are linked directly to the following Life Success Factors which will be assessed as one measure of individual and community development in the Aligned Actions Discipline.
Community Commitments
Valor Community Commitments
Communal mastery of the disciplines within the Valor
community includes upholding the Community
Commitments.
These are our moral code.
Working the Compass
In every moment we have the ability to draw on our deepest values (Noble Purpose) and
use our hearts and our minds (Sharp Mind and Big Heart) to live from
an embodied and aligned place in the
world (Aligned Actions).
This is Working the Compass.
SharpMind
BigHeart
NoblePurpose
AlignedAction
The Valor Logo
Disciplines
True North
IndividualMastery
CommunalMastery
The Valor Way is embedded in the logo itself:
True North represents our balanced center where we can access our Noble Purpose, engage our Big Heart and Sharp Mind, and live a life of Aligned Action in the service of our Community.
Foundational Disciplines
NoblePurpose
Noble Purpose
[Having Noble Purpose means being connected to my deepest values, living from my best self-story, and bringing joy into the world. Having Noble Purpose also means being connected to my multiple communities’ values, shared histories, stories, and identities, and being grounded in my communal identity]
Be Rooted. Be Alive. Be You.
Foundational Disciplines
AlignedAction
Aligned Action
[Having Aligned Action means working steadfastly to ensure my actions match my intentions. Having Aligned Action also means being an engaged and supportive community member and being willing to contribute, through my actions, to the greater good]
Be Accountable. Be On Value. Be Determined.
Foundational Disciplines
SharpMind
Sharp Mind
[Having a Sharp Mind means pursuing knowledge and skills through critical thinking, creative problem solving, curiosity, and diversity of perspective. Having a Sharp Mind also means being able to listen and communicate effectively in my relationships]
Be Discerning. Be Curious. Be Flexible.
Foundational Disciplines
BigHeart
Big Heart
[Having a Big Heart means understanding and drawing energy from my emotions. It means having the courage to stand in uncertainty, to connect with and value others, and to be kind to myself and others. Having a Big Heart also means having compassion for the needs of the world and having the courage to be “a part of the solution”]
Be Safe. Be Kind. Be Brave.
Foundational Disciplines
True North
[Finding True North means being balanced, present, and alert. True North is my most balanced center where I am able to be present and make clear decisions about my next steps]
Be Balanced. Be Present. Be Alert.
Community Commitments
Community Commitments
Be Inclusive
I commit to leaving no community member behind
I commit to seeking diversity of perspective
Community Commitments
Community Commitments
Be Kind
I commit to speaking to the person, not about the person
I commit to speaking from my heart, but using my head