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The Future of Leadership with educator Elizabeth English

A Bit of Optimism

Mon Oct 23 2023



Elizabeth English and her work at The Archer School for Girls:

  • Elizabeth English is the head of school at The Archer School for Girls, known for its innovative approach to education.
  • The school focuses on teaching interpersonal skills and constantly experiments with new ways to teach and equip young people.

The future of leadership through the lens of students:

  • Elizabeth expresses confidence in predicting the future of leadership based on observations of her students.
  • Teenagers are aware of failures in current leaders but remain hopeful about their ability to make an impact.
  • Younger generations are determined to take action despite challenges they face.

Challenges faced by parents today:

  • Parents worry about their children's future due to income inequality and socio-political issues.
  • Micromanaging and anxiety can hinder effective parenting.

Teaching consciousness raising and civil discourse:

  • Self-regulation is taught as a crucial skill, including recognizing emotions without causing harm.
  • Norms of discourse are established, promoting active listening, empathy, respectful disagreement, and avoiding shaming or blaming others.

Phone addiction and teaching awareness:

  • Students learn about screen addiction through consciousness raising sessions that explain dopamine addiction.
  • They understand the addictive nature of smartphones and how it affects their brains.

Importance of boundaries and structure:

  • Boundaries help children feel safe and secure. Parents need to set boundaries while being mindful not to overstep or micromanage.

The impact of social media and societal changes on community:

  • Social media has replaced traditional sources of community like church or neighborhood gatherings.
  • Employees expect workplaces to provide a sense of belonging previously found elsewhere.

Teaching human skills and self-reliance:

  • Schools should focus on teaching human skills necessary for success in life.
  • Self-regulation is vital in recognizing emotions and managing them effectively.
  • Students need to develop self-reliance, taking responsibility for their actions and developing problem-solving abilities.

Challenges faced by boys in education:

  • Boys face challenges due to differences in brain development compared to girls.
  • Girls tend to be more compliant, while boys may prioritize doing the least amount of work for maximum outcomes.

Reinventing education during COVID-19 pandemic:

  • The Archer School for Girls adapted its approach to online learning by shortening class times and creating learning pods.
  • The focus was on student well-being and adapting to the new medium of remote education.

Importance of listening to complaints and fostering collaboration:

  • Hearing complaints as desires for improvement is crucial. Collaboration between students, parents, and teachers fosters a sense of shared responsibility.

Elizabeth's optimism and hopefulness inspired by her students:

  • Elizabeth feels hopeful about the future when she hears her students' voices and sees their determination to make a positive impact.

Teaching journalism and student empowerment:

  • The Archer School for Girls has a free student press with no prior review or restraint.
  • Students are taught journalistic principles, ethics, and conduct themselves as journalists.

Addressing the issue of underpayment for teachers:

  • The school prioritized addressing the issue of underpayment by bringing everyone up to the 75th percentile of secondary schools' pay scale in Southern California.
  • A bonus structure was created based on teaching expertise, where teachers can earn bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

The importance of recognizing values and building community:

  • Clarifying family values is crucial for parents and students.
  • Parents are encouraged to uphold these values at home and participate in parent education programs offered by the school.

The need for discernment in discussions around mental health:

  • While mental health is an important topic, it's essential not to confuse discomfort or normal challenges with mental health issues.
  • Schools should teach awareness and provide support while avoiding scope creep that could lead to unnecessary pathologizing.

The value of adaptability and openness to change:

  • The school demonstrated adaptability during COVID-19 by reinventing how education worked online instead of replicating traditional classroom settings virtually.
  • Openness to change allows for continuous improvement and better meeting the needs of students.

Promoting self-reflection and growth among educators:

  • Educators engage in ongoing reflection and professional development opportunities.
  • Teachers have input into evaluating criteria, fostering collaboration between administration and faculty.

Building resilience through challenging experiences:

  • The experience of overcoming challenges like snowstorms fosters resilience in children.
  • Such experiences provide opportunities for self-reliance, problem-solving, and building independence.