Episode 5: Reframing engagement as a shared responsibility with Valentine Public School скачать в хорошем качестве

Episode 5: Reframing engagement as a shared responsibility with Valentine Public School

Talking Engagement with Valentine Public School Guests: Dana Fisher (Stage 2 Assistant Principal) and Casey Duck (Year 5 Teacher) from Valentine Public School, NSW In this episode, Amy talks with Assistant Principal, Dana Fisher, and Year 5 teacher, Casey Duck, about their journey of improving engagement at Valentine Public School. Key Topics: The Problem: Despite having well-behaved, compliant students, staff recognized that most learners were passive — doing the right things but not truly engaged. Students themselves believed that being quiet and following rules equated to being a good learner. The Journey: Beginning in 2021 with a school-wide deep dive, and accelerating in 2023 through instructional rounds with Steph Salazar, the school discovered Amy's engagement continuum. The Light Bulb Moment: Seeing engagement as a student-centered continuum shifted teacher mindset from "what am I doing wrong?" to "what could students do to move their engagement up?" This reframed engagement as a shared responsibility. Implementation: The school adapted the continuum into child-friendly language, embedded it consistently K-6, and connected it to their reporting system (linking engagement levels to effort marks). Their librarian and Early Stage 1 AP helped ensure consistent language across all settings. The Video: Students from the acting ensemble created a video dramatizing each engagement level, which was shared with families via Facebook (600+ views) to help parents understand the continuum alongside school reports. Impact: Students now use engagement language organically — setting engagement goals, self-identifying their level, and connecting engagement to learning progress. One student even referenced engagement in her personal learning plan goals. Top Tips for Other Schools: Take it slow — introduce gradually, check in with staff regularly Consistency across K-6 — same expectations and language school-wide "Built in, not bolted on" — small, mindful tweaks to daily practice rather than adding extra tasks Amy's Story: Amy shared how her interest began in a "responsible thinking classroom" at a secondary school 20+ years ago, leading to her PhD research and creating the engagement continuum based on teacher and student interviews. Practical Strategies Discussed: Desk continuums with colored counter check-ins, engagement goal-setting at lesson starts, "going for green/going for gold" linked to participating vs. investing/driving, and role-playing engagement levels.