By John Malloy, special to the News

A new year is a time for resolutions. Even after my years in public education, I always resolve to continue learning — and I certainly have been learning a lot this year at Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
One great example of this was when I had a recent opportunity to meet 500 HWDSB students at a series of student voice forums. I welcomed them by noting that I believe every student is a leader, every student must feel like he or she belongs in our schools, and that we need to listen to all students’ voices to understand their needs.
At the forums, students shared their thoughts about bullying, school environments, the accommodation review process, our policies and more. They captured these thoughts in a variety of ways, using small-group discussion, individual reflection, podcasts, blogs, ‘graffiti’ walls, even index cards in a comments box.
Input is crucial as we strive to become a more responsive organization where all students can achieve. Knowing our students is a priority in our strategic directions and annual operating plan. Our staff members are considering each student’s strengths and needs, so that they can provide the instruction and supports each student requires.
The forums made it clear that we need our students’ help. I pledged to do whatever we can to respond to their input. This doesn’t mean we can grant every wish, but it does mean that we can ensure that students inform decisions we make as a school system.
Our students are passionate about technology, nutrition, safer schools, and connecting with their teachers in different ways at school or through co-curricular activities. Students told us why the accommodation review process is so challenging even though they dream about learning in places very different from some of our existing schools.
This conversation is ongoing because we can’t respond to what is new by relying on old thinking. Student voice is informing our accommodation review process so we can provide facilities that meet student needs. It is informing the development of our program strategy, which rethinks the way we offer programs and facilities for students in the 21st century.
This is a learning process for us as we respond to our students and communities, as we incorporate more personalized learning and choice, and as we answer our students’ challenging questions.
At one forum, I was struck by the honesty of a student who said to me, “Our student body is diverse. We have different strengths and needs. We have different learning styles and interests. And yet some of our classes are taught as if we are all the same.”
This is a challenge to everyone at HWDSB as we try to respond to students as individuals with unique needs, preferences and abilities. It is also a great reminder of why we can’t stop learning new things, with each passing year.
John Malloy is Director of Education for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
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