Our district embarked on a valuable and collaborative task in 2023-24: creating a Portrait of a Learner. The community, staff, and students participated in several stakeholder meetings over the course of a year to design the Portrait. The result is a set of portraits tailored to specific grade levels: an elementary-specific Portrait, a middle-school specific Portrait, and an overall K-12 Portrait. These Portraits encompass character traits that we strive for all of our students to practice and develop during their time as a Worthington student.
The Middle School Portrait of a Learner highlights four areas:
Solution Seeker
Global Thinker
Resilient Learner
Kind, Empathetic Friend
Having these documents is important as they guide our path. However, the key to implementation is strategically and intentionally developing opportunities for our students to practice and build them. Moving those skills from paper to practice is the most powerful way we will truly help to prepare and empower our students to be those “who will change the world.” It is often done through small moments in the classroom setting. Our staff is mindful about weaving skill building opportunities into their lessons. Additionally, we strive to create and cultivate a sense of belonging for all of our students.
Today was a day in which we saw all of those skills in action with our students. Our students initiated the idea of Culture Day and worked collaboratively with our staff to plan and facilitate the entire school day. During that planning process, I observed our student leaders engaging in problem-solving strategies to build curiosity, connections, and alternative solutions to problems that they encountered. Throughout the day I observed our students learning about a variety of perspectives, investigating the world, and communicating their ideas. I observed our students choosing words and actions that reflect empathy, kindness, and hope. I observed our students adapting to develop confidence and character through the activities they participated in.
I am really, really proud of our staff and students. I am also deeply grateful for our parent volunteers who helped out today. And a special thank you to our central office staff and Board of Education members that were able to either visit our building today or sent their words of encouragement and support.
