YOUTH AND ADULTS TRANSFORMING SCHOOLS TOGETHER GRADUATE COURSE

Teachers supporting YATST Teams join a St. Michael's graduate course each of the two years of involvement.  Below is the course description taken directly from the course syllabus.  The full syllabus is accessible through the drop down tab.

"This graduate course is designed to support teachers committed to their first year in the “Youth and Adults Transforming Schools Together” YATST initiative, as they work with their school teams to strengthen student engagement in learning and increase voice in decision making. During three multi-school retreats spanning the year, teachers will sit side-by-side with students on their school team, building action research skills and designing plans to reach their goals. These gatherings are rich opportunities to solidify our network and to be energized by our shared mission.

The class will also form its own safe and supportive adult “Professional Learning Community”. We will share joys and challenges of the YATST initiative work, reflect on individual classroom practices, offer practical solutions to common dilemmas and translate theory into practice. Readings will help deepen our understanding of authentic youth-adult partnerships and current research on the school change process, and transformation. Readings are chosen based on the interests and needs of participants. Course participants communicate electronically between PLC gatherings, sharing monthly journal reflections as a catalyst for dialogue within our professional community. The instructor is available throughout the year for on- or off-site consultation.

Alison Cook-Sather vividly captures the demands of this work. “The twin challenges authorizing student perspectives are a) changing the structures in our minds that have rendered us disinclined to elicit and attend to students’ voices and b) changing the structures in educational relationships and institutions that have supported and been supported by this disinclination” (Educational Researcher, May 2002, p.4). Participants in this course will be supported to fine-tune the art of shifting power, decision making structures and attitudes so that “youth and adults transform schools together”. No small challenge!"

“There is no better engine to pull the train of school reform than student voice, and once it picks up steam it is difficult to derail – a fact that will be unmistakable as this work unfolds”.

Nelson Beaudoin, Elevating Student Voice, 2005

Attachments:

2011 YATST Seminar 1 Syllabus	[2011 YATST Seminar 1 Syllabus]	73 Kb
YATST Seminar 2 UbD - St. Mikes.pdf	[ ]	171 Kb