Launched in Fall 2012, Mount Vernon’s 5-year strategic iPlan17 has laid the groundwork for MVX; the new strategic plan launching in Fall 2017. This week, we look back at some of key moments in celebration some of the highlights and insights you have achieved related to the Mount Vernon Mindsets.
(Note: This is not an exhaustive history, but merely one perspective. There are many, many other contributors to this story not represented in this brief post.)
Celebrating iPlan17: The Mindsets
Our story begins with a book chosen by Dr. Jacobsen. In 2010-2011, the entire faculty read Tony Wagner’s Global Achievement Gap, sparking discussions about 21st century skills.
That same year, the Strategic Planning Committee of 2010-2011 hosted screenings of 3 educational documentaries, capturing the questions, thoughts, and ideas of all stakeholders represented (students, parents, faculty, and trustees). (Copies exist of the documentation, though mostly in Word, Power Point, or physically printed because we had not yet converted to using Google Docs.)
The 6 MV Mindsets were created not only as a result of the feedback and conversations sparked by the Global Achievement Gap and the 3 documentaries, but also as a result of several professional learning workshops involving all faculty across Preschool through Grade 12.
Once created, it was important that the mindsets be branded and cascaded throughout the entire program, but it was more important that we made sure the experience matched the messaging. In other words, the mindsets couldn’t just be an attractive admissions insert or a poster on the classroom wall (although both looked nice!). We had to infuse the mindsets into the curriculum at the DNA level.
Teams in each division set out to clarify and quantify student progress on the mindsets by creating detailed rubrics. The rubrics were helpful in generating discussion around what the mindsets actually meant, how to infuse them, and how to measure/communicate student progress. However, they were different in each division and bulky. Teachers were encouraged to take pieces of the mindset rubric and merge them with rubrics that measured other indicators customized to whatever particular project or performance task was being designed.
On January 7, 2013 – Our team held a professional learning conference on How to Infuse the Mindsets. Teachers rotated through 6 sessions (1 for each mindset) throughout the day where they discussed ideas and received strategies for intentionally infusing mindsets with other core content learning outcomes. An early obstacle to overcome was the mindsets that said, “I’ve been teaching these my whole career.” or “This mindset is already present in what we’re doing.” It was a shift for all of us to realize that the intentional infusion, design, and assessment of the mindsets was something new. And difficult. While also fun.
(insert link to google site resources)
We designed locker magnets as a way to recognize and celebrate students who demonstrated key attributes of the mindsets. Teachers had fun discussing who demonstrated the mindsets each week and gathering the students to celebrate. #Culture
Eportfolios Built around Mindsets using Google Sites
Mindsets included in Honors Assembly
What you recognize and celebrate is what you value.
Group Work Norms Created as a model for infusing the Collaborator Mindset
Mindsets intentionally observed and measured via Instructional Rounds
Mindsets connected to the greater MV Continuum
MVIFI Summer Grants focused on Mindsets
Collider Sessions focused on Mindsets
Innovation Diploma is assessing and communicating student progress around the mindsets, specifically the 4 C’s utilizing PowerSchool capabilities and the Ed Leader 21 rubrics.
Visible Thinking Routines designed to help infuse and assess Mindsets
Badges created to differentiate and celebrate faculty efforts around 4 of the 6 Mindsets
And a fun blog post about Star Wars characters who embody the mindsets.
And the work continues…