The start of a new school year is a time of hope, excitement, and also reflection. As we look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead, we also look back on past experiences and what they taught us. As a former high school teacher, and then as a superintendent for thirteen years, what I remember most is what my students taught me.
Educators are awash in data, both quantitative and qualitative, but in my experience, the best data always came directly from the students themselves. Focus groups and interviews with students are helpful, but shadowing a student for an entire day provides insights that other data sources simply cannot. To experience schools through students’ eyes is truly eye-opening for the adults. When I was a superintendent in Highline Public Schools, my cabinet and I worked with principals to identify students at both elementary and secondary schools to shadow for the day. In preparation, we would reach out to the students’ families to introduce ourselves and explain why we would be spending a day with their child, making this a family engagement opportunity as well.
I will say that what I heard and saw during my shadow days was sometimes troubling and other times inspiring and affirming. What was always true was that I came away with information about how our schools were structured and staffed to serve or not serve each student.
As CEL’s new Executive Director, I am honored to carry forward our decades-long tradition of bridging research and practice in service of students. Our work is grounded in the belief that lasting improvement comes when leaders learn side-by-side, drawing on both research and the wisdom of their communities. Through student-centered professional learning, we help leaders create and sustain a shared vision for teaching and learning. These visions place students’ experiences at the heart of leader practice.
Our belief is simple: when leaders ground their vision in a deep, authentic understanding of the student experience, lasting improvement follows.
Just as my Highline cabinet and I gained a deeper understanding of the student experience and grew our leadership practice by shadowing students, CEL’s approach ensures that leaders see school through the eyes of students, especially those least engaged, and make decisions based on that. When we start with students’ lived experiences, we lead differently. And when we lead differently, we create schools where every student can feel happy and proud and graduate prepared for the future they choose.
