Alysia Samborsky was introduced to the Jostens Renaissance framework at just the right time. After 10 years of teaching she had moved into administration and saw a definite need for culture building. Fortunately, around that time, her fellow L’Anse Creuse administrator, Meredith Beard, attended MASSP’s annual EdCon conference and heard Dr. Phil Campbell speak. Meredith took his message back to her colleagues and she, Alysia, Nick Ellul and Melissa Chase got district support to go to the Renaissance Conference in Orlando.
“We had no idea what we were doing,” Alysia said.
There was a neon ‘80s theme, so they brought a few things to wear in that spirit, but this was “school spirit on steroids!” They were underdressed. For three days they were immersed in a school spirit extravaganza.
They attended 15 sessions and heard numerous keynote and student speakers. They were immersed in ideas about school climate and culture. They learned about how to celebrate their people. Not just athletes, high performers, or certain teachers, but everyone. They learned about motivation and recognition.
Then they took those ideas back to L’Anse Creuse and got to work.
Alysia moved into a middle school principal position and implemented some of those new ideas. It is difficult to be new and to try new things, but she was able to overcome doubt and rally teachers to the cause. The other three attendees did the same, all together at L’Anse Creuse High School – North.
Every year since that original trip, they have attended the Renaissance Conference, taking teachers and other staff members with them on subsequent trips. Alysia has since moved to L’Anse Creuse High School so the two district high schools are aligned in their efforts. Both schools also took advantage of Jostens SchoolMark program, another climate and culture tool. That one provides resources and guidance related to school identity and pride.
Through everything they’ve learned at Jostens Renaissance conferences, through Jostens SchoolMark program, and with the extensive resources available on the Jostens Renaissance website, they were able to make their schools feel like families; each a place where people want to be.
All of these leaders know that teaching and learning are important, but they recognize that they don’t happen if people don’t want to be there. That’s why climate and culture are so important, and that is why Alysia can’t say enough about the power of the Jostens Renaissance framework. And why she has become an ambassador for this program. She wants to share the great work that her team is doing. They’ve created leadership classes, utilizing a full Renaissance curriculum, empowering students to take ownership in their school.
They use Renaissance videos to motivate students and staff. And they’ve created a Ren Card reward system in which students earn points through achievement and improvement in academics, attendance and behavior. Points earn students a white, blue, or black card, and with each card a certain set of rewards. Since these programs have been put into place, they have noticed a difference, an increase in attendance, a reduction in referrals, and more student participation in events.
You don’t have to travel to the national conference every year to take advantage of the resources. There are free local conferences and an amazing website. And ambassadors, like Alysia and Melissa, are available to meet with and coach people in their area. Check out these great resources and get started on improving your school culture and climate.