RISE STEM Academy for Girls Is Leading on Two Fronts
This article has been written by Lacey Eckels
If we want transformational classrooms, what kind of leadership does that require?
At RISE STEM Academy for Girls, that question is fueling two bold commitments: designing vibrant, learner-centered experiences and building the kind of leadership that can sustain them. Last week, we had the privilege of partnering with RISE to launch their brand new Guiding Coalition—a team of educators stepping into shared instructional leadership for the first time.
Together, we facilitated a full-day leadership retreat where the team:
- Defined a shared vision for instructional leadership at RISE
- Discovered what makes learning transformational
- Named the conditions that make feedback useful and sustaining transformational learning
- Prototyped bold, doable ideas to move learning forward
This is more than a new team. It’s a new direction.
At RISE, leadership isn’t a separate track from teaching and learning. It’s how transformation takes root. And we’re proud to be walking that path with them.
Start the Year with Identity, Voice, and Belonging
This back-to-school season, we’re spotlighting a launch move that does more than break the ice. Getting to Know Me Exhibitions invite learners to share their identity, interests, culture, and goals through low-stakes, high-trust formats like identity maps, artifact museums, and snapshot storytelling. These aren’t just activities- they’re early performance assessments that help every learner feel seen, heard, and valued.
TRANSFORMATION IN ACTION:
- Personal: Learners begin by naming what makes them them—centering background, interests, and identity as essential starting points for learning.
- Learner-Owned: Learners choose what to share, how to share it, and why it matters—curating early evidence of who they are and how they want to grow.
TRY THE TOOL:
✈️ Start Strong with Getting to Know Me Exhibitions
MAKE IT A SYSTEM:
This launch strategy is part of a larger vision—a System of Performance Assessments designed to elevate student voice, deepen reflection, and make learning visible across the year.
✈️ Explore the Full System Here
