Ultimate Results of the Academy of Innovation

The Academy of Innovation will promote the creation of personal connections and relationships between students and staff in order to create a supportive educational pathway, recognizing and promoting a collective responsibility for preparing students for postsecondary success in college and/or career. The Academy is primarily designed for students who have struggled with the traditional classroom setting. The Academy will offer personalized education, focusing on the student’s academic strengths, weaknesses, interests, and motivations. Targeting of skills can be done via blended learning format.

• Results can be measured. Improvement in college/career readiness standards and the number of students graduating in four years can be measured by PEIMS data.
• Supportive environment measured by feedback and survey

Vital Behaviors for Success The overall culture of the Academy of Innovation must be focused on supporting these students with positivity and growth mindset. The sink or swim mentality of traditional schools must be abandoned in favor of a shared responsibility for success.

Through weekly PLC meetings, all staff (teachers, admins, counselors, tech support, subs) are involved in creating and carrying out the short and long-term goals of the program.

• All staff engages in growth mindset language.
• All staff seeks out at least three other lifelines go-to people who can support and encourage them.
• Staff is trained in conflict resolution and practice positive reinforcement.
• The staff works to build up and empower all of the students in our care. Weekly self-checks (like PLC for students with a staff member) and adjustments for the goals and benefits of this program will help keep all staff focused on the vision of the program.

Influencers

• All Staff (instructors, counselors, admins, secretaries) Every person that comes in contact with this population must be on board with the program vision and act in a way that removes barriers.
• Paving the way for the district administration: The Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Initiatives, the Director of Secondary Education, the Director of Technology, the Director of Instructional Technology
• The students

The Six Sources of Influence Strategy

References

Grenny, J., & Pound, R. (2010, 03). How to 10×your influence: Use four or more sources to exponentially increase your influence. Strategic Direction, 26(4), 3-6.  doi:10.1108/02580541011031388

Grenny, J. (2015). Influencer: The new science of leading change. McGraw-Hill.