This week, I had the privilege of speaking at the 2024 Future-Focused Schools Conference with my good friend Ray McNulty. Our session dove into the crucial strategies and instructional methodologies that districts and schools must embrace to equip students for the unpredictable challenges of the 21st century.
Hosted by the Successful Practices Network, led by Dr. Bill Daggett, Ed.D., Dr. Robert Peters, Ed.D, and Ray McNulty, the conference aims to arm educators—from superintendents to classroom teachers—with the tools necessary for implementing effective future-focused educational strategies. Our focus was to challenge traditional teaching paradigms and emphasize the necessity for students to acquire not just knowledge, but also the skills needed to adapt to a rapidly changing world. We delved into how schools can integrate dynamic learning environments that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, essential for navigating the uncertainties of the future.
A particular conversation with a superintendent resonated with me when she reflected on a significant statement I made during my talk. The statement was: “The problem with kids now is that when they don't know what to do, they don't know what to do." Building on this, I believe that if the objective is to truly prepare students for the future, there must be a greater emphasis on teaching the skills needed to think on their feet and innovate in the face of the unknown. If the goal of education is to prepare students with the skills needed to succeed in an unknown and uncomfortable world, there must first be an emphasis on developing the skills needed to KNOW WHAT TO DO when they DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
A special thanks to the whole SPN team for putting on this wonderful event.
#StudentSuccess #FFSC24 #SPN #FutureFocused #Education #EducationalLeadership
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