Listening to Student Voices

I recall a number of years ago when our district began the process of opening our middle schools, that among the concerns expressed by our educators was that elementary schools would lose their grade 6 and 7 student leaders to middle schools. Of course, the counter argument was that this would provide more leadership opportunities for students in grades 4 and 5. The consensus was that, given the right opportunities and coaching, students would rise to the occasion. Some 15 years later it has turned out to be true. Ten year olds around the district have consequentially been provided with a host of leadership opportunities that heretofore they would not have accessed – at least not to the same degree. These students, along with those in grades 7 and 8 now have a host of opportunities to demonstrate what they can do – and perform and lead at surprisingly high levels.

Case in point was my recent visit to Prince Charles Elementary (@PCAbbotsford), where a group of student leaders took me on a tour of their school and demonstrated the various ways they are learning. They introduced me to the their learning in the arts, about their PE and athletic program, about their input into the developing library commons, about their Heritage Fair projects, their environmental studies, and a host of other learning opportunities. Equally as impressive as their demonstrations of learning was the poise with which they handled themselves during my visit. (Leave it up to the superintendent to throw a couple of curve ball questions at them to see the depth of their understanding). They were great ambassadors for their school and district.

A few days later I attended BC’s Education Plan: Focus on Learning in Langley with a contingent of over 300 business leaders, educators, teachers – and students – from Fraser Valley school districts. The purpose of the event was to engage non-educators (i.e. employers, politicians, not for profit agencies) in the discourse about improving and transforming our education system. After some front-end context setting, participants were asked to discuss and respond to three key questions:

• What competencies (e.g. thinking, collaboration, communication) will be most valued in your sector and your community?
• Students need more access to hands-on learning opportunities. How could your sector or company provide these opportunities for students?
• What commitment are you willing to make to create deeper partnerships between community members and the school district?

Table groups reported out on their answers to each question, and I was presently surprised to see that it was the students who took the microphone to address the room full of adults (including the Minister of Education!). They spoke thoughtfully about the skills they need for the future, the kinds of learning opportunities that encourage these competencies, and what they would like to see the business community do to assist them. The room was rapt when they spoke. The students themselves were taken aback by the fact that adults had bestowed so much faith in them to not only invite them to this high level conversation, but to have them prominently featured. I don't know about you, but I do not think I was confident enough at age 17 to address senior educators and business leaders about how to improve the education system.

At least for me, last week was a reminder about the importance of providing opportunities for students to lead and show us what they can do. They rarely disappoint. The truth is that they invariably rise to the occasion. The kind of leadership, thoughtfulness and poise I witnessed in the last few days is now commonplace in our school communities. It starts in kindergarten, and our students become better leaners because of it. As we seek to find leverage to strategically transform our education system, our students serve a strong reminder not only about why we need to do it, but equally important, they serve as a strong reminder of how we can go about doing it. We just need to listen.

(Photo above: Student leaders at Prince Charles Elementary share their learning)
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