In the fifth episode of Growth Over Grades, Jordan sits down with Dana Addis, an experienced educational leader dedicated to equipping students for the future through the Portrait of a Graduate (PoG). In this engaging conversation, they delve into the PoG, with Dana sharing valuable insights and practical strategies for leaders eager to transition to a growth-oriented approach in teaching.
Journey to Transformative Teaching
Dana Addis is an educational leader with over 33 years of dedicated service. He has worn many hats throughout his career, including teacher, coach, principal, athletic director, and now Superintendent of Hudson City Schools in Hudson, Ohio. His diverse experiences, from the classroom to district leadership, have earned him a unique and insightful perspective on cultivating growth-oriented learning environments.
Episode Highlights
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:45 - Guest Introduction
00:01:56 - The Portrait of a Graduate Defined
00:05:40 - Launching the Portrait of a Graduate
00:08:41 - The Role of Consistency
00:15:20 - Embedding the Portrait of a Graduate in School Culture
00:31:07 - Nurturing Support for the Portrait of a Graduate
00:33:38 - The Impact of the Portrait of a Graduate
00:36:58 - Engaging Community in the Portrait of a Graduate
00:39:50 - Preparing Students for a Global Future
The Portrait of a Graduate Defined
Dana explains that the PoG envisions students who, by the time they walk across the stage at graduation, are equipped with strong academic knowledge and the vital life skills and personal attributes essential for success in today’s world. He emphasizes, “We want to give them as many tools as possible.” The PoG provides students with tools tailored to the challenges and opportunities of the modern era—vastly different from those of the past. While academic excellence remains a priority, it’s equally crucial to cultivate survival skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, and resilience, preparing graduates to thrive in an ever-changing, opportunity-rich global landscape.
Launching the Portrait of a Graduate
Dana attributes the PoG's inception at his school to the service-learning program, noting that many students viewed it as a pivotal part of their education as they neared graduation. This initiative allows students to volunteer in local businesses, fostering community engagement, and developing essential skills aligned with the PoG's vision. He emphasizes, “It’s a contribution to a business, a contribution to people, to society, [and teaches] what it means to sacrifice.” Dana believes other school districts can leverage similar service-learning programs as catalysts for implementing the PoG.
The Role of Consistency
Consistency is key when striving to bring the PoG to life. Dana stresses starting with the students and using their energy to drive the initiative. One effective strategy is prioritizing face-to-face time to capture student voices. Dana suggests inviting students for reflective meetings and asking questions like, “What would the best year at school look like?” He explains that this helps to shape the PoG based on their ideas and enthusiasm. From there, he highlights the importance of maintaining consistency, stating that “if you waver, you will lose it.”
Embedding the Portrait of a Graduate in School Culture
The PoG outlines the key skills students are striving to develop, and the next crucial step is ensuring they fully understand these concepts. To maintain momentum, Dana emphasizes that it must be woven into the fabric of the school. One strategy he’s implemented is dedicating academic days to focus on a specific skill across all classes, helping students incorporate these ideas into their vocabulary and deepen their understanding throughout their academic journey. He advises that unity is essential when embarking on the PoG and suggests creating T-shirts for all staff and students featuring the PoG, further reinforcing its importance school-wide. To leaders, he states, “Try tying it to culture and climate to educate everyone about it. Speak your heart in small and large settings. Everyone needs to know what it is. Everyone needs to be able to articulate it.”
Nurturing Support
To encourage staff buy-in for the POG, it's essential to allow the 'pack' to lead and to cultivate an environment of enthusiasm rather than criticism. Dana suggests that leaders should refrain from directly addressing those who may be hesitant or resistant. Instead, he encourages enthusiastic staff to maintain their positive energy and to avoid chastising or criticizing others. Dana explains, “By not heading down that path, you increase the enthusiasm, and it increases the involvement.” Ultimately, by fostering a supportive atmosphere where enthusiasm is celebrated and becomes contagious, you can inspire more staff to engage with the POG.
The Impact of the Portrait of a Graduate
During his first year, Dana recognized that he had missed the opportunity to teach many students with remarkable stories. To reconnect, he invited former students to a podcast during a teaching break. Their conversations focused not just on academic achievements, but also on the valuable experiences and opportunities that shaped their journeys. Many attended top-tier schools, illustrating how these opportunities—aligned with the PoG—were essential in guiding their paths. This experience reinforced Dana's belief in the PoG's role in providing diverse opportunities that empower all students to thrive beyond the classroom. He explained, “We're built to teach and learn. But these other qualities, they take effort to place them into our students' lives”.
Engaging Community
Dana asserts, "It definitely takes a community!" To effectively share the PoG, he highlights the importance of engaging business and community leaders in its development. Many districts benefit from involving leaders from various industries who can offer valuable insights and support. By incorporating these perspectives, schools create a more relatable and comprehensive vision for the POG. Dana also emphasizes the need for accountability by actively showcasing to the community the real-world skills students are gaining through the PoG, further strengthening its impact.
Preparing Students for a Global Future
Dana argues that initiatives like the PoG are vital for the future of K-12 education, as they emphasize the life lessons and experiences that truly shape individuals. He states, “Rarely will you go back to a poem that you learned in ninth grade. You may go back to being a member of the band and what it felt like marching on Friday nights. You're definitely going to go back to some experiences with friends and teachers and what it felt like to walk in the halls.” He asserts that these connections hold far greater significance than isolated lessons. While academic accountability remains essential, the PoG shifts the focus toward preparing students for an interconnected world, ensuring they are equipped to navigate a society that demands adaptability and understanding.
The PoG is a transformative educational approach that emphasizes academic excellence alongside vital life skills necessary for success in an interconnected world. By actively engaging students, staff, and community leaders, Dana underscores the importance of collaboration in nurturing well-rounded graduates. Embracing the PoG framework equips students with the tools to adapt, connect, and lead in their future endeavors, making it a powerful catalyst for meaningful change in K-12 education and beyond. To learn more about preparing future-ready students, check out our blog Why K-12 School Districts Are Prioritizing Career Readiness: Preparing Students for Success in the Real World.
