EXPLO Elevate shares good ideas, practices, and wisdom to help
schools and their communities flourish.

Dear Friend,

New Pathways

Well before the current administration’s plans to move significant portions of the Department of Education to the Labor Department, career exploration was becoming more of a focus at schools across the nation. To learn more about current practices, I headed to The New Pathways program hosted by Getting Smart and ASA with presenters ranging from Tom Vander Ark, to Big Picture Learning ED, Andrew Frishman (and former EXPLO staffer and parent), and Michael Horne. As part of the gathering, I was able to head to Northeastern University and spend some time with Dr. Chris Unger who is the co-director of the CPS Learn Lab. Of the many project areas they are working on via Learn Lab, one particularly caught my attention, the AI for Impact Program where students build AI products for government and community partners. “Students take a product from idea to implementation working with communities to create human-centered, civic AI.” Though Northeastern’s program is designed for college students, Dr. Unger was encouraging us to consider setting up similar programs in our high schools. Here’s a practical application of AI for good.

A Film Worth Watching

I highly recommend watching the new Ted Dintersmith film, Multiple Choices, about a high school in Virginia that is offering career connected learning to all of its students. It reminded me of my own schooling. I attended a middle school in a farming community in the rural south. I was enrolled in the gifted education program, which pulled me out of regular school one day a week for project based and experiential learning. But the school leadership believed that all students needed to learn practical skills, so in addition to the standard academic subjects, I took vocational courses. I learned to lay irrigation pipe, worked on the school farm, took wood shop, as well as a small engine repair class. I loved the combination of the life of the mind and using my hands and it was some of the most rewarding and impactful learning I’ve had. I think there are many lessons to be learned for independent schools in Multiple Choices, not the least of which is a comment from one university engineering program claiming that its best students have taken both AP physics and welding. 

TABS

I’m thrilled that Amy Jolly and Amanda Packard and I were able to speak to a full house at The Association of Boarding Schools conference on the work we're doing together at Applewild School on narrative based career connected learning, the power of running experiments, and more broadly speaking about how to equip students with durable skills in the age of AI. EXPLO’s approach, which we’re piloting with Applewild, is supported by compelling ASA research showing the importance of career exploration in middle school.

The Two Word Job Description

I ran across this article describing an exercise in asking your team to come up with a two word job description. Last month, my team gave it a whirl and we got some terrific answers. Two particularly jumped out at me. Andy Hamilton, our amazing senior data analyst, came up with: Uncertainty Navigator. Caitlin Fuller, our wise and creative Director of Teaching and Learning, landed on: Cultivating Wonder. This is a great exercise to do with a senior leadership or departmental team. I found it told me much about how people see the true essence of what they do – or think they do – and it sparked some good follow up conversations.

If the Opposite Isn't Stupid, It's Not Strategy (with a nod to Roger Martin)

I’ve been buried in strategic plans of late. Actually, buried in what schools are calling strategic plans. Many are filled with goals no reasonable school would oppose: sustainable enrollment, financial stability, excellent faculty. These are critical, but they are table stakes, not strategy. Table stakes keep you in the game; strategy sets you apart. I take a dive into why it’s imperative that schools do not mistake the two in: Table Stakes Aren’t Strategy.

The Dangerous Myth of the Perfect Ending: Why Our Students Need Stories of Failure

Brian Palm, Assistant Head at Catholic Memorial challenges our obsession with celebrating only winners. Drawing from his own painful experiences—from losing his varsity spot at Dartmouth to losing the historic Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race—Brian argues that by showcasing only triumphant narratives like The Boys in the Boat, we're leaving students dangerously unprepared for life's inevitable disappointments. From his talk at an all school assembly, Brian asks: Are we building resilience, or are we setting our students up to crumble when excellence doesn't guarantee victory?

Need help?

Not sure how to approach your next move? Have an idea but need a fresh pair of eyes to help take a look? We're here for exactly these moments. Whether you're wrestling with a strategic challenge, exploring a new initiative, or simply want an experienced perspective on your plans, reach out to start a conversation about how we can support your school's work.

As we head into this season of Thanksgiving, we have much to be thankful for including you, our readers. 

I hope you all find some time to connect with friends and family in the coming weeks.

Until next month,

Moira

P.S. When planting trees is an art form and a way to cultivate wonder. Welcome to Echo Wood.

Join Us:

High Potential: Developing High Performing Leadership Teams, webinar with SAIS | December 11, Moira Kelly and Ross Peters

Navigating the Precipice: Assessing Your School’s Distance from the Cliff, NAIS Thrive, Seattle, February | John Barrengos and Mike Peller

The DEFCON Scale for Independent Schools: Strategic Response Through Clarity, NAIS Thrive, Seattle, February | Ross Peters and Damian Kavanaugh

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