Districts, Schools, and Educators

How We Work

Engagement culture is more than a concept; it's a way of thinking, being, and doing. It's a core value, a guiding principle, and a practice that shapes how we make decisions, pursue improvement, and view ourselves and others in community. At EngagEd, we embrace engagement culture comprehensively, nurturing it across intellectual, cognitive, social, and emotional dimensions.

We take a systems and structures approach because we understand the importance of coherence in helping schools and districts improve. To begin, we focus on understanding your unique organizational vision, strengths, systems, and needs — and build by strengthening what already exists. This work looks at three tenets of EngagEd culture from both a school improvement and pedagogical lens:

Voice, Perspective and Values

In decision-making, perspectives and lived experiences are invaluable. Leaders, educators, and content are stronger when they include, reflect and leverage the perspectives, ideas, values, and lived experiences of those they serve. This tenet focuses on the ways in which we learn about who our stakeholders are, what they bring, and what their lived experience is in schools, classrooms, and communities.

We will work with you to review your own ways of knowing, data, and decision-making systems, and design effective and sustainable measurement methods that fit your context whether it be classroom, school, district or state improvement strategy.

Knowledge and Meaning-Making

Data alone is not knowledge; it's the process of meaning-making that matters. In an increasingly complex and disconnected world, relational leaders and educators actively cultivate relationships and knowledge through cooperative meaning-making, ideation and solution-design —and actively pursue mutual understanding of the issues and needs of the community, particularly of those most affected. This tenet also values self-awareness and understanding how our own perspectives shape the decisions, how we see ourselves, and others.

Through consulting, professional learning, or resource and framework design, we bolster existing (or implement new) improvement practices to promote an engagement culture. These methods help adults shift mindsets and practices to be relational and learner-focused.

Decision-making and Action

Relational leaders understand that real improvement and a stronger culture emerges when stakeholders work through improvement together. While challenging, collaborative decision-making and action is vital, rewarding, and leads to more significant impact. These practices can be leveraged in both classroom learning and school-wide decision-making — to nurture connected and deeper learning, authentic learning experiences, and an invested and engaged community.

Requiring both skill and shifts in practice and values, we understand what organizations, leaders, and teachers need to cultivate and support a fully invested community. We will support your leadership and organization through strategic consulting, professional learning, measurement, resources, or in some cases leveraging our vast network to connect you to local partners.