YATST

DAY ONE

Today was a long day. Scott and I met our six YATSTERS at the entry to school right after TA ended at 8:10. We had a good amount of buffer time since any "field trip" I've every coordinated can't help but leave school at least 15 minutes late. YATSTERS? No way. I arrived at 8:11 to the whole group ready and waiting on the adults. Goodness, I love this group already! Normally I've had established relationships with at least some students I'm working with in a non-academic group, but I didn't know any of this crew at all. I love the trust this shows. These students had a brief intro to the program, applied, didn't know me at all, and were nevertheless ready to roll into a 12 hour day together. I don't know why, but it felt like magic to arrive at the front of the school to see this crew all set to head out together.

The morning was a bit challenging for our group since they hadn't had the orientation part of the day yet, so the concept of communication strategies for school change work was a bit obtuse for them since they hadn't fully wrapped their minds around what changes they might be seeking. Most found their way in to be engaged and excited nonetheless.

The afternoon orientation was just what our crew needed: seeing students facilitate the orientation, developing connections with students and adults from other schools, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and delving into the four Rs to catalyze school improvement (relationships, rigor, relevance, and responsibility). As our group evaluated our school based on the four Rs, they really got clear insight into our work and how it differs from, say, a student council. As they recognized and discussed the Rs, we delved into talk of instruction, curriculum, assessment practices, school policy, school culture and climate, tracking practices, student self perception based on school or teacher expectations, I could go on and on. I could've listened all day to an extension of that conversation.

The U-32 group had its own uniqueness, par for the course of our school identity. The students had me cracking up more times than I can count (for one, conveyer belt notes on trays to the cafeteria dishwasher). I love the range of temperaments and grade levels that we have in our group. Scott is an amazing co-advisor with valuable similarities and balancing differences from my style. Over the course of the day I also felt more deeply that this is a larger group with which I belong because there were so many people I know from different contexts: Jeanie (a fellow Fellow) and Ally from our Courage work, Peter Evans from my School Leadership course, Ellen Berrings as a past Rowland Fellow, Marcus Grace husband of a beloved U-32 colleague and father of a beloved former student, Amy Rex whom I admire as a strong female leader, Daniel Baron as SRI faculty and CFG lover. All I can say is I'm looking forward to a long future with YATST and this group. I am working hard to trust the process and let the group find its own pace. Feels like we're getting there.

Onward and upward, here we go together!