Empowering Student Agency: A Plan for a Transforming Education
Mar 25, 2022 | 4 min read
A Tactical Plan to Connect Learning, Culture, and Self-Efficacy
Written by Stephane Manuel | Illustration by João Marcus Felix
Discover how we're shaping a future where every student becomes a confident agent of change.
At the heart of our mission lies a profound belief in the power of student agency — the capacity for every student to actively shape their own destiny. Our vision goes beyond the traditional boundaries of education; we aim to cultivate minds that not only absorb knowledge but also possess the tools and mindsets to exert meaningful influence over their lives and futures.
The Essence of Agency: Representation and Engagement
We firmly assert that true agency blossoms when students find themselves genuinely reflected in their education. Without this connection, engagement wanes, and the potential for agency remains untapped. It's a simple equation: representation in education fuels engagement, and engagement is the key to agency.
Narratives of Empowerment: Unlocking Agency through Storytelling
Storytelling is our conduit to unlocking agency. By delving into historical narratives, we illuminate the resilience of marginalized groups and make their struggles and triumphs relevant to contemporary issues. Through well-crafted narratives, we not only teach core subjects but instill skills vital for self-actualization — skills that empower students to understand themselves, comprehend the world, and advocate for their needs.
“We aim to cultivate minds that not only absorb knowledge but also possess the tools and mindsets to exert meaningful influence over their lives and futures.”
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Content Design: Embedding Agency into Learning
Our commitment to student agency is embedded in a multidisciplinary approach to content design. We employ human-centered design to tailor resources to the specific needs of students and teachers, ensuring resonance in the classroom. Culturally responsive pedagogy integrates narratives, customs, and perspectives, fostering a sense of belonging for all students. Social-emotional learning becomes a natural byproduct, as students glean interpersonal skills from historical examples.
Systems thinking models form the backbone of our content, illustrating how systems evolve over time and where individuals possess agency within them. We are not merely meeting standards; we are crafting cultural glue that binds standards to a student's sense of agency and self-efficacy.
Building a Future of Empowered Students
Our commitment extends beyond the curriculum; we are architects of cultural glue, connecting common core standards to a student's sense of agency. By focusing on agency, we provide students with mirrors and windows across various disciplines, making it easier for them to engage with standards and build essential learning skills.
As we envision a future where students excel not only in reading and math but also in life, we acknowledge the transformative power of agency. Reading and math become tools for change, and students are equipped not just with academic prowess but with the confidence to shape their destinies.
“We employ human-centered design to tailor resources to the specific needs of students and teachers, ensuring resonance in the classroom.”
Tactical Plan: Turning Vision into Action
Our tactical plan is a blueprint for translating vision into action:
Culturally Responsive Narratives: Increase the presence of culturally responsive narratives in classrooms to foster a deeper connection between students and their education.
Co-Creation Opportunities: Provide multiple chances for students and teachers to co-create content, ensuring that diverse voices shape the educational experience.
Innovative Tools for Engagement: Deliver innovative tools and approaches that drive classroom engagement, making learning a dynamic and participatory experience.
Representation Matters: Increase instances where students see themselves in their education, reinforcing a sense of belonging.
Empowering Educators: Empower teachers to employ culturally responsive methods, creating inclusive learning environments.
Efficiency for Educators: Save teachers valuable time by providing easily accessible, engaging tools for effective teaching.
“We are architects of cultural glue, connecting common core standards to a student's sense of agency.”
Student Agency Goals: Beliefs That Transform
True student agency is achieved when students can confidently affirm the following:
Cultural Value: "I know my culture is valuable, backed by historical context."
Emotional Mastery: "I know what to do with my emotions, especially when facing difficult topics."
Impactful Empowerment: "I know how to impact my environment, armed with mental models to solve the problems I face."
In our pursuit of empowering student agency, we embark on a transformative journey that transcends conventional education. Together, let us build a future where every student is not just a learner but a confident, capable agent of change.
