• Place-Based Learning
• The 5-Step
• Workshops and Services

The 5-Step

The Five Steps to Leadership in Place-Based Learning (The 5 Step)

We understand that the individuals and organizations involved in Place-Based Learning vary immensely, from public schools and after school programs to environmental and community groups and beyond. The 5-Step is designed to draw from and support the needs, priorities, and characteristics of the individuals and organizations with which we work. We believe that high quality, sustainable Place-Based Learning programs are designed for and by the participating communities and educational systems.

Step 1: Initial Planning and Organization

Through a series of short meetings, AAW staff will work with you to develop a conceptual vision and determine the scope of your program, identify and bring together the key players that will make up the Leadership Team, and present you with a timeline and plan for developing your program. Leadership Teams are made up of educators, administrators, community and environmental partners, parents, youth and often higher education and business partners that are interested in implementation of Place-Based Learning in their community.

Step 2: Inventory Current Resources and Priorities

Utilizing a series of exercises and one or two short meetings, AAW staff will guide the Leadership Team through a process to identify and gather information on existing available resources, successful local programs, opportunities, challenges, and community and educational priorities. This stage provides an opportunity to begin to form relationships, while listening carefully to people’s needs and priorities. AAW will organize this information into an existing conditions report that will be used during the strategic planning process.

Step 3: Visioning and Strategic Planning

With AAW providing facilitation, the Leadership Team coordinates a community Vision-to-Action Forum, at which the community has an opportunity to delineate a shared vision, create action plans, and develop working groups. This process informs the Leadership Team and allows the team to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that will guide the development and implementation of their program. AAW staff will guide the Leadership Team and key stakeholders through an intensive two-day process designed to gather information for the strategic plan. AAW will take that information to develop a strategic plan that will include your program’s vision and mission, long-term goals and objectives, short-term action plan, and the implementation benchmarks required to successfully launch and sustain your program.

Step 4: Implementation

AAW staff will work closely with the Leadership Team to put the strategic plan into motion and guide the development of the newly emerging program. AAW will draw from its menu of services, including the Leadership Institute, a variety of workshops, and one-on-one consulting days, to custom tailor a combination of services designed to fit your specific needs. The services are designed to:

• Develop the leadership skills and professional capacity of your staff and partners;
• Create organizational and communication structures to support your program;
• Nurture educators and others through on-going professional development and opportunities for facilitated curriculum planning, project planning, and facets such as literacy program development;
• Provide time for collaboration between educators and their community partners;
• Create essential networks; and
• Secure sustainable funding sources for your program.

Step 5: Evaluation and Improvement

AAW will work with the Leadership Team to create a program self-evaluation process that effectively assesses your program against defined indicators of success and benchmarks outlined in the strategic plan. The evaluation will provide important information to feed into annual planning efforts, and will help you document your accomplishments and successes to share with others.