In this 5-hour workshop, we will explore the theory and science behind Purpose Learning. We will explore the question: “How might K-12 schools help students explore, discover and clarify a sense of purpose?” We will imagine what happens to school culture when the number of purpose-driven students is doubled, and we will discuss strategies for doing just that.

We will start by creating the space for teachers and administrators to explore their own sense of purpose, and better understand their personal “why.” We start from the premise that teachers will not be able to coach students to discover purpose unless they have done the hard work first. “You can’t give away what you don’t own,” explains Richard Leider, an executive coach and author of Power of Purpose. Through collaborative activities and storytelling, educators will explore their natural gifts and boil down their “why” statements into something tangible and actionable as part of a personalized purpose map.

In a final design activity, teachers will see examples of Purpose Learning happening around the world. Then they will work in teams to brainstorm how their school could create small “hacks” towards greater purpose in learning. In particular, we will examine the idea that schools of the future will find ways to integrate thinking with feeling (self-awareness, social awareness, and self-discovery) and thinking with doing (internships, community partnerships, PBL, etc.)

“Ross Wehner helped my staff think big and connect to the ‘why’ behind our work. We are a better organization as a result.”Devereaux McClatchey, President, Carney Sandoe & Associate

In this 5-hour workshop, we will explore the Phases of World Connected-Learning and explore the question: “As a community, how can we harness this moment in order to revitalize our community and global partnerships and reimagine world-connected learning? Our work is divided into three distinct phases:

Connect – The workshop will begin by connecting the team. We will explore the science and theory of purpose, and begin to explore the individual gifts and purpose of the team members. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the unique gifts they bring to the team, and how these gifts can be used for the greater good. This experience will ground the team in relationship building prior to sharing and
creating together.

Share – We will map the team’s existing programs in order to create a common understanding of the ways in which programming has evolved. We will share programmatic strengths and identify areas of growth through guided group brainstorming. In the spirit of believing that “all the ideas we need are in the room”, we will work to share best practices and formulate new ideas.

Design – Finally, we will synthesize the strongest ideas that emerged in the Brainstorming in order to identify key trends. We will explore how the Phases of World Connected Learning are playing out at leading independent and charter schools around the globe. These “best practice” examples will serve as inspiration for further innovation in the key strategic areas. During the workshop, educators will explore inspirational “stokes” to expand ideas and possibilities.

“I was able to press pause on my “get-things-done,” everyday experience as a teacher and take time to consider the “why” behind my teaching. After having been in the classroom for almost two decades, I discovered fresh perspectives and contexts for why I show up every day.Faculty, Dawson School (Lafayette, CO)

Reimagine and invigorate teacher professional learning by providing engaging and relevant workshop choices. Just as teachers personalize learning for students, schools should personalize learning for each teacher.

“Innovation Day” is an Edcamp-like experience where teachers navigate a menu of learning options and learn in “small bites.” This is a great format for mixing the voices of outside experts with faculty thought leaders in order to create a day of teacher-driven learning.

During Innovation Day, teachers explore questions and curiosities that help them grow. They learn alongside colleagues, work with WLS coaches, and receive practical strategies and tools to implement immediately in their classrooms.

Some topics/areas of focus include:

• Culturally responsive teaching
• Diversity, equity & inclusion
• Pedagogy and project-based learning
• Assessment
• Supporting teachers
• Leading innovation
• Discipline-specific
• Global and experiential learning
• Social and emotional learning
• Building community
• Student engagement
• Teacher self-care
• Technology tools and strategies

“The depth and breadth of workshop offerings by the talented World Leadership School (WLS) team ensured that our colleagues engaged in deep learning, reflection, and professional growth and development. Participants were excited and repeatedly commented on how supportive the facilitators were.”Assistant Head of School, Ethical Culture Fieldston School

The benefits of utilizing Project-Based Learning, PBL, in a classroom setting have been well-established in several research studies, including a study from researchers from Lucas Education Research in 2021 that found “compelling evidence that project-based learning is an effective strategy for all students, outperforming traditional curricula not only for high-achieving students but across grade levels and racial and socioeconomic groups.” In other words: PBL, when done right, is a powerful teaching tool for deep and equitable learning.

This professional learning workshop will take teachers step-by-step through the process of building a project-based unit. Educators will explore why PBL is not only a unique and highly effective framework for teaching content and skills but a must-have for teachers wanting to create meaningful learning experiences.

In this 6-hour workshop, we explore and begin to deeply understand components of the World Leadership School “Wheel of Pedagogy.” With concrete examples, interactive discussions, and time to design a unit specific to each classroom, teachers leave the workshop energized and excited. In addition, workshop participants identify connections to global competencies that are present in their existing curriculum. There is also time for optional 1:1 work with the facilitator to review the unit plan as it’s developing. By the end of this course, teachers will have a unit ready to implement in their classrooms.

This course is also offered in an asynchronous format.

“Jessica was an incredibly supportive and knowledgeable teacher! When I asked questions, I felt seen/ heard/ taken seriously, never brushed-off. Jessica was understanding of the challenges of doing PD during the school year, and made the assignments and schedule work for my busy teacher life. Jessica sent follow-up emails with reminders of important topics as well as links to resources.”Faculty, The Berkeley Carroll School (Brooklyn, New York)

In this 5-hour customizable workshop, educators begin by auditing both classroom learning and off-campus programs through the lens of global learning. Using our Phases of World-Connected Learning, we explore how program design, risk management, and DEIB can work together to create world-connected classrooms.

We explore how exemplary schools are pioneering new ways to create classrooms where students are constantly making connections to a world that is both timeless and fast-changing. We dive into a design experience to unlock new value and build new integrations between classroom and off-campus learning.

This workshop pairs effectively with our Risk Management offerings. Additionally, our facilitators can use the World-Connect tools to launch a design sprint in which participants think big to reimagine programs.

“Working the different phases of World-Connected Learning helped build consensus and sparked significant reflection among these teachers and administrators about what could be.”Administrator, Trinity Preparatory School (Winter Park, Florida)

Customizable to meet the unique needs of schools, this energizing and eye-opening workshop is centered on purpose and what it means for learning. The workshop first offers participants a foundational understanding of purpose on which to stand. It then uses this understanding plus World Leadership School’s Phases of Purpose-Driven Schools audit tool to generate big-picture understandings and new ideas. Participants examine how purpose-driven schools blend thinking with feeling and doing to create safe, equitable, and meaningful learning environments.

Throughout the workshop, we identify growth areas in our community and then create a space of wonder and possibility so that participants can design new ways to make learning meaningful. As we move into collaboration and action-oriented design, we identify growth areas and “low-hanging fruit” across departments and divisions. Our goal is to deepen learning as we create more equitable spaces of belonging for all community members.

“The well-scaffolded workshop led our group to design programs with purpose. It became clear that we had been missing some key elements when designing our Intensive Learning programs that could impact much deeper student learning.”Faculty, Moorestown Friends School (Moorestown, New Jersey)