Climate of care: Are students feeling nurtured and cared for? Is there a general feeling of respect between the faculty and the administration? Some solutions that can be enacted in order to facilitate respectful environments are new advisory periods, mentorship programs, tutorials, and student unions.
Education for parents, students, and faculty about student well-being: If the idea is that students, parents, and faculty should feel part of something together, they need to do things together! In addition, parents and faculty should be aware of the students’ overall well-being both from daily contact and intentional learning. This area of school change deals with incorporating events such as parent book club discussion and faculty professional development focused on student well-being.
Does every school need change? Absolutely not! Does every school that needs change need change in all the areas we identified in the SPACE category? Again, absolutely not! However, the idea that “it takes a village” applies to our schools as well. We cannot simply assume that because we feel something, the teachers will agree. Conversely, teachers cannot assume that the parents will support all of their recommendations. Therefore, it is essential to work together to improve our schools. Let’s give our children the best shot at success!