Fostering student agency to transform education

Throughout my 25-year journey as an educator, I have come to see that school is about far more than academic preparation. Instead, it builds in our students a foundation of belonging, community, and shared purpose. Both in and out of the classroom, my students’ resilience and creativity have inspired me — and it is through them that I have learned that authentic collaboration is not just a strategy but a catalytic force. Many times, I have witnessed how fostering connection elevates students, schools, and society.

Early in my career, I saw the value of connection in action when I was unexpectedly asked to fill in for an absent physical education instructor. With no lesson plans or guidance, I had to improvise, so I led a group of about 20 kindergartners outside for a series of cooperative games. Among the activities was a race — with a twist. I lined up the children at the starting line and explained that the only way to win was if everyone crossed the finish line simultaneously.

The first attempt was chaotic. Some children sprinted ahead, while others lagged behind. When I reminded them that winning meant crossing together, they looked puzzled. I invited them to suggest strategies for achieving the goal. One student held hands with another, urging others to do the same. Before long, the entire group was connected, moving purposefully in unison. This time, when they crossed the finish line together, their joy was unmistakable — not as a celebration of individual achievement, but of shared success.