UVEI has long valued voice: the principle that every person should have input into decisions that affect them. In 2024 we codified this principle as one of our core values, and we reflected on its relevance to our programs, our collegial relationships, and current events in the wider community. Two years later we are diving deeper into this value, particularly as it pertains to schools, as we make “Fostering Voice in Schools” our institutional focus for the year.
What do we mean by “fostering voice?”
Building on the definition above, we believe that all schools are important settings for all people, children and adults alike, to be involved in discussion and dialogue on meaningful and significant matters to them. To us, fostering voice means helping people explore and express their individual values, experiences, identities, and obligations to participate meaningfully in collective discourse or action. In this way, people develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their communities, and consider how their voice can positively impact others. In order to foster voice in this way, learners need to practice speaking and listening skills and dispositions to engage in dialogue and deliberation, such as seeking others’ perspectives, working toward common understandings, developing listening skills and empathy, and disagreeing in productive ways.
What can this look like in schools?
- students deliberating on, discussing, and collectively deciding on a local ecological issue to study as a class
- students sharing artifacts and collaboratively reflecting on their learning during student-led conferences with their teacher and family
- students engaged in Socratic Seminar, during which they share interpretations, ask questions, and intentionally listen to one another
- teacher teams deeply involved in collective decision making about important curricular and instructional changes that impact them
This list is only a start. We will learn about and share more examples and tips with our network throughout the year.
What does an “institutional focus” look like at UVEI?
Institutional focus is a commitment to integrating this topic into our programs, faculty learning, communications, and collaborative research. We kicked off the year, at our Innovations in Education Forum, by inviting educators to share their techniques for fostering student voice in a panel discussion as well as individual workshops. Moving forward, at various points in the year, you might see
- UVEI MEd candidates and other educators identifying a “problem of practice” and testing an intervention at their school sites to foster student voice
- Educators and faculty members visiting a school to learn about promising practices in fostering student voice
- UVEI hosting an online forum where educators can share their successes and challenges
- UVEI faculty revising our curriculum based on what we are learning, to better prepare educators to foster student voice in their classroom and school communities
How can you be involved?
- Are you, or is your school, having specific successes in fostering student voice?
- Do you have insights into this topic?
- Do you have specific questions you would like answers to?
If you answered “yes” to ANY of these questions, or if you just want to stay in the loop, please contact us at ptompkins@uvei.edu or cward@uvei.edu. We look forward to learning with you, and sharing our learning with you, throughout the year.
