Norris is a public school district located in rural Waukesha County, southeastern Wisconsin. Norris is home to an innovative learner centric educational service model that “changes lives through the power of learning”. At Norris, learning is viewed in four dimensions; academic, employability, citizenship and wellness. The foundation of the Norris model engages learners in diagnostic assessments, surveys and self reflections across all four dimensions so that learners develop a deep understanding of self. Learners use this understanding to build a Profile that they use to confer with members of their learning network to establish Plans (goals) using a multidimensional competency framework. Learners use their Profile and Plans to co-design Pathways that identify when, how and where learning will take place. Finally, learners reflect on their learning experiences, identify growth and make adjustments to their Plans and Pathways. Throughout the process learners are expanding their learning network by leveraging educational, vocational, behavioral health and community resources to self advocate and realize their goals. This cyclical process empowers learners to build confidence in who they are and who they want to become while deepening learner agency (ownership) and self-efficacy (worth).
We are committed to an educational model where all learners are leaders who
develop a deep understanding of self to exercise voice in creating relevant,
powerful learning experiences to reach goals and competencies in the dimensions
of academic, employability, citizenship, and wellness. Community and global partnerships provide a broad base of knowledge, skills and expertise to support
the needs of each learner.
The Norris School District views learning in four dimensions: Academic, Employability, Citizenship and Wellness. Continuums and scales across each dimension provide a competency framework of knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary for life, career and community success. The pathway (when, how and where) they work on these competencies is personal to each learner.
Learners develop the knowledge, skills and disposition in core academics and technical area.
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Learners explore interests, aspirations and develop the skills and dispositions essential in the workforce.
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Learners advocate for one’s self and the values and practices of relevant communities as they actively engage in the world around them.
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Learners address barriers and set goals for a healthy social, emotional, behavioral, financial and physical lifestyle.
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Aidyn Grice is a 6th-grade doing 9th-grade math and is a student at Norris Academy in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. I met Aidyn and his mom, Nicole, at the Aurora Institute (past was iNACOL) conference in October 2019 in Palm Springs where Aidyn who was an amazing speaker on the student panel. After talking to Aidyn, his mom, and Johnna Noll, Executive Director of Norris Academy, we decided it was time for a conversation with Aidyn on my podcast.
