Photos by Tim Hacker
This fall, Mesa Public Schools families will learn more about the district’s innovative strategic plan and Portrait of a Graduate. In 2017, the Mesa Public Schools Promise was adopted by the Governing Board. The promise states that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community.
The strategic planning process began in 2018 to answer the question: Once the Promise is fulfilled, what would a graduate look like? For eight months, the district spoke with parents, students, staff, and community members about their vision for the future to create the Portrait of a Graduate. This includes essential attitudes and skills for a graduate to be successful. The attitudes are ethical, inclusive, and resilient. The skills are collaborator, communicator, community contributor, creative thinker and innovator, and critical thinker and problem solver.
“We believe through the strategic planning process, our Promise, and the Portrait of a Graduate that if we align resources, engage our community, ignite a culture of learning and well-being, and ensure equity for all students, we will achieve college, career and community readiness,” said Dr. Andi Fourlis, superintendent. Helen Hollands, executive director of information and outreach, says a strategic plan helps a school define what it intends to achieve when it comes to student success objectives and organizational goals. “With a plan in place, the Governing Board has a roadmap it can track, evaluate and modify to facilitate better governance decisions and provide direction for the future of the school,” Helen said.
Helping All Students Succeed
Felicia Fraizer-Bisner is a 2021 Dobson High graduate who will attend Yale University this fall. She says her experiences mirror the essential attitudes in the Portrait of a Graduate. “Dobson’s diverse community gave me a great foundation to experience a variety of unique perspectives,” Felicia said. “I think my service learning and volunteering provided something tangible to apply what I was learning. Plus, when I give back to my community, I know that I always leave feeling good. It’s a great way to make community connections.”
Heather Sharpe is a National Board-Certified Teacher at Mountain View High School. Her art classroom exemplifies the Portrait of a Graduate and the applications necessary for students to be successful in the workplace. “I may not be able to introduce everything there is about the world of art, but I can teach my students how to approach it, to edit, and think for themselves,” Heather said. “I can provide a sense of community so my students learn the important skills needed to thrive after high school, and to ensure they have the tools and skills needed for college, career and community.
Learn more at strategy.mpsaz.org