Dexter Community Schools Superintendent and Dexter Rotarian Ryan Bruder discussed teaching and learning and the competencies that guide their approach to education.
The Rotary Club of Dexter welcomed Superintendent Ryan Bruder for a discussion about the Dexter Community Schools' educational philosophy during their morning meeting on March 19.
Using a series of analogies to soccer, a sport he played in his youth, Ryan introduced the vision of the Dexter Community Schools (to Develop, Educate, and Inspire our students to realize their strongest selves) and the competencies that support this vision. He explained the competencies were developed from responses to a community survey, which unsurprisingly resulted in a list with adult-focused language. One of his first priorities as superintendent is working together with educators to translate these competencies into kid language.
Ryan also talked about report cards, which elicited groans from the assembled Rotarians, until he expanded on the idea of shifting focus from A's to E's. That is, focusing on Enrollment, Employment, Enlistment, or Exploration, and developing students who have a plan for their future that actualizes their strengths.
The discussion certainly left the assembled Rotarians inspired for the future, and excited about Ryan's leadership of Dexter Community Schools as a former student and principal. Go Dreads!
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Ryan