The Howard L. Goff Middle School Encore teachers (Family and Consumer Science, Health, Art, and Technology) have taken the initiative to incorporate the five Portrait of a Graduate skills (Confident Learner, Empathetic, Critical Thinker, Effective Communicator, and Adaptable) into their existing curriculum. In support of this crusade, all stakeholders are embracing ways to develop these characteristics within our students as well as themselves.

Teachers are emphasizing practical application of the Portrait of a Graduate skills encouraging students to apply new skills in real-world contexts, ensuring the knowledge translates into actionable improvements. These teachers recognize that the Portrait of a Graduate skills are as vital to student outcomes as technical or academic skills.

This group of innovative educators have gathered to discuss and develop ways to incorporate these necessary skills. Their approach is to focus on one Portrait of a Graduate skill each quarter which works well in their quarter-long classes. Since these teachers share students throughout the year, students will be exposed to a different skill each quarter. Goff Student of the Month characteristics were revamped to include the Portrait of a Graduate skills. For example, Confident Learner, was the Student of the Month characteristic for October and it became the focus in Encore classes during the first quarter.

“We have united our work together to develop a cohesive cultivation of Portrait of a Graduate traits within our diverse curricula,” said FACS Teacher Patricia Dority-Kawczak. “Our combined efforts began with ‘Confident Learner.’ Each teacher implemented meaningful instructional measures that reflected their unique and creative talents, as well as genuinely caring perspectives. This crusade does not focus solely on perfection, but rather, begins by acknowledging the value Portrait of a Graduate traits hold for well-being across our lifespan. Direct teaching included Goff’s school wide recognition of “Confident Learner” as a definable and awardable SOM trait. This served as a springboard for a conscientious effort to foster and contribute to the developmental process that nurtures confidence within. Class discussions varied, but essentially included recognizing, defining, describing, and valuing confidence.”

Students in Heather O’Keefe’s 8th Grade Home and Career Skills class created a visual of themselves showing what makes them confident as a learner. As a follow up activity, students explored how receiving compliments from parents, classmates, and their educators help them to build confidence in and out of the classroom. Students then practiced with a Compliments Project where students were complimented anonymously by their classmates.

Debreen Oliva incorporated lessons supporting Confident Learner in her 7th and 8th grades Home & Career Skills classes. After identifying the characteristics of a valued employee in 8th grade and the characteristics of strong families in 7th grade, students used this baseline to recognize the importance of skill attainment and the benefit of working hard, trying one’s best, and not giving up. Eighth graders put this into practice by writing a Want Ad for a Successful Student. After a lesson on overcoming obstacles, acrostic poems were created by 7th graders using words that would encourage them to be Confident Learners.

Eighth graders created Want Ads for a Successful Student.

Recognizing the importance of the Portrait of a Graduate skills to future career success, the Business Education teachers at Columbia High School have joined the initiative.

“Acknowledging confidence as a developmental process allowed our team to discover a plethora of practical techniques to begin this journey,” said Ms. Dority-Kawczak. “Our teams’ overall project-based instruction provides opportunities for students to discover their personal strengths and talents, foster a sense of belonging, and develop individuality. My personal approach for developing confidence is to celebrate effort to overcome obstacles. Coaching students incrementally creates a strong foundation for success. Promoting positive self-talk by acknowledging that something is not impossible, but rather just difficult, spurs growth. My students were encouraged to recognize confidence in others and create a list of the characteristics confident people demonstrate. Sixth grade Home & Career Skills students incorporated an apt visual representation during their food and nutrition unit; using an egg with their theme of ‘Confidence by the Dozens.’”

Eighth grade Art students in Nicole Weber’s classes exemplified the characteristics of a Confident Learner by tackling some challenging art concepts. Students created beautiful illustrations to showcase their commitment to be Confident Learners.

Student work from Art and Home & Career Skills is displayed on a bulletin board in the middle school.

As the school year continues, Encore teachers will introduce other Portrait of a Graduate skills to students. Lessons this month have already included Empathetic.

Teachers Involved in This Project:

• Art: Kate Wargula, Nicole Weber
• FACS – Home & Career Skills: Patricia Dority-Kawczak, Heather O’Keefe, Debreen Oliva
• Health: Courtney Townsend, Nora Walkley

Eighth graders made artwork to depict the attributes of a Confident Learner.