While not a new concept, the importance of creating a sense of community within school districts has never been more evident, especially after the pandemic. In a recent survey conducted by the Education Advisory Board80% of superintendents reported that student behavior has worsened over the past four years and 74% reported that communication with parents has become more disrespectful.
Dr. Joe Phillips, Broward County Public Schools (FL), chief information officer, and Sam Chaudhary, chief executive officer of DojoClass, waded into the topic in person last month on this topic at a CoSN session and was kind enough to follow along with me via Zoom. In this conversation, they explore how leaders can leverage technology to foster close, supportive relationships between teachers, children, and families.
Joe emphasizes the need to return to community-based education, where schools are not seen as separate entities but as integral parts of larger communities. He highlights the importance of parental involvement and collaboration in bridging the gap between home and school life and ultimately fostering a supportive student environment. Sam talks about the evolution of Class Dojo from a grassroots initiative to a district-wide community building tool. It details the platform's focus on intimacy, trust and real-time communication between teachers, parents and students, comparing it to broader social media platforms like instagram and twitter (I refuse to use the letter) that often exacerbate divisions.
Both envision a future in which technology will complement, rather than replace, human interaction in education. They envision a hybrid model in which technology facilitates communication and collaboration while preserving the invaluable benefits of face-to-face engagement. Despite the challenges, they remain optimistic about the potential for unified efforts based on a shared commitment to children's education. I found this to be a powerful conversation and I hope you find it insightful.
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