Dr. Rachel Monárrez speaks with staff from Belmont Street Community School about how they are implementing the Vision of a Learner framework in their school.

00:00 Intro

01:45 Initiatives come and go, but why have you found Vision of a Learner so successful and so important?

05:12 Tell us why there has been so much enthusiasm around the Spark Plan at your school?

09:29 What advice would you give to a principal who is just starting out in this work?

12:35 How are we ensuring that every student regardless of background has the opportunity to develop these dispositions?

15:43 As we deepen our work with the Vision of a Learner, what indicators or outcomes is the district prioritizing to measure its success in the long term?

18:57 If you could design a class or project around any of the VOL dispositions, what would it be and why?

21:19 Closing

Dr. Rachel Monárrez speaks with Caleb Encarnacion-Rivera, the Director of Equity and Isha Adan, a student at South High Community School about how Worcester Public Schools is adopting culturally responsive practices in teaching and learning.

00:00 Intro

02:15 Dr Monárrez asks: What is cultural responsiveness in curriculum and instruction, and how does it positively impact student learning and engagement?

08:30 Dr Monárrez asks: What work has been ongoing and what are some goals for next couple years in regards to cultural responsiveness in school instruction?

16:14 Dr Monárrez asks: What is the training that is being done with both students and staff?

20:30 Mr. Encarnacion-Rivera asks: What inspired you to prioritize culturally responsive pedagogy in our district, and how do you see it shaping the future of teaching and learning in Worcester?

22:48 Mr. Encarnacion-Rivera asks: What role do you think school and district leaders play in modeling culturally responsive practices

27:35 Isha asks: How do you see student voices helping to shape decisions at the district level, especially when it comes to instruction and curriculum?

30:37 Closing

In this episode students from the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council at Burncoat High School came up with their own questions to better get to know Superintendent Dr. Monárrez.

00:00 Intro

00:29 1. In a district that has so many different schools and a variety of communities within each one, how do you make sure that all of them are represented and supported by the district and its policies? In what ways do you ensure equitable distribution of resources?

04:10 2. As we showcase at Burncoat, the arts are a great way to demonstrate feelings, ideas, and learn from other people. If there was a play, book, movie, or any piece of art that you want everyone in the district to see/read, what would it be?

07:01 3. How do you assess the effectiveness of the current curriculum for students, and what changes are you considering, if any? How often does this re- assessment of curriculum happen?

10:27 Credits