Driving Equity in Education Together

Paper Blog | Mar '21 #Suptchat Recap: Innovation Results from Pandemic

Written by Paper | March 4, 2021

In case you missed last night's #suptchat, the Paper team is here to provide you with a comprehensive recap.

Superintendents Michael Lubelfeld and Nick Polyak facilitated this month's conversation between school leaders about innovation as a result of the pandemic. 

Q1: If you could go back to March of 2020, know what you know now, what advice would you give yourself?

The Paper team had a hard time picking our favorite words of advice. Although #suptchat participants can't speak to their past selves, that doesn't mean it's too late to follow their own guidance—these invaluable new learnings can and should be taken into 2021 and beyond.

 

Q2: Share a specific challenge your school district or building has overcome this year.

Schools and districts across the nation have had to overcome countless unprecedented challenges over the last year, and we applaud all educational leaders for their inspiring leadership through these uncharted waters. 

Q3: In what ways is innovation and change present in what your faculty and staff are doing right now?

Participants listed all the ways that necessity is breeding creativity in the education world. 

 

Q4: What is one "pandemic change" that you want to see continue after COVID?

If there is a silver lining to all of the recent changes that have been forced upon us, it's that educators have a chance to reimagine education. We have a chance to examine what worked, what didn't, what do we keep, and what to we want to work towards.

Q5: What has surprised you the most about how everything has gone this year?

Most participants were on the same page for this question, with almost everyone citing the resilience of educators and students among others.

Q6: How have you changed your communication strategies this year when working with parents and community members?

This question made it clear that there is nothing that schools and districts won't do to make sure they reach every member of their community. 

Q7: How have you worked with your Board of Education to navigate these difficult topics and decisions?

School leaders shared how they're managing this stressful time in collaboration with their Boards.

Q8: How has resiliency been shown by your students this year?

Though undeniably difficult, the educational environment of the last year has fostered more resilient learners than ever. 

Finally, some concluding remarks from the moderators: