Awards
Simon Fraser University Faculty of Education
2019 Cmolik Prize for the Enhancement of Public Education in BC
Honour Roll - The Flexible Studies Program
The Flexible Studies Program at Reynolds Secondary School (Flex) employs a team approach to teaching using an interdisciplinary model weaving English, Social Studies, Science, Career Life Education, Environmental Science, Independent Directed Study, and Flex Service together, while also supporting students’ growth as educated and engaged citizens in society.
Nominees: Bradley Cunningham ([email protected]), Heather Coey, Greg Downing, Tom Aerts
Nominees: Bradley Cunningham ([email protected]), Heather Coey, Greg Downing, Tom Aerts
2016-2017 Canadian Education Association Ken Spencer Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
Honourable Mention - The Flexible Studies Program
The Flexible Studies Program includes 46 Grade 9 & 10 students collaborating all afternoon, all year. Operated as a school within a school, the Flex model uses a team-teaching approach to integrate multiple subjects simultaneously into authentic learning situations. Students explore their own ideas and questions in meaningful, relevant ways, working together for the good of our society. To do this, Flex collaborates with local cultural institutions and businesses so that students can examine timely issues such as oceans and climate change, food security and sustainability, and Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being, all in the context of advocating for political change. This is an inquiry learning model of what innovative teaching and learning can look like embedded in a traditional high school, where both teachers and students are challenged to take learning risks with each other to better understand themselves and their community.
Testimonials
When anyone asks my daughter about the Flex Program she excitedly describes her days as having a structure, but within that a choice in what she learns, how she learns, whom she learns alongside, and that she is learning how to learn. The Flexible Studies teachers value student learning in and with community, and they continue to build relationships with organizations and groups to mutually benefit the students in Flex. My daughter has learned how to write poetry from Spoken Word poets, she has learned alongside master gardeners, and from the gentle guidance of First Nations elders. She is experiencing a rich learning environment that extends far beyond four walls, one teacher, one textbook, and finite blocks of time. My daughter’s learning journey in the Flex program has seen her be involved in doing and creating, in her words, ‘real things’ as she engages in the work of the disciplines she is studying. She’s doing things that matter – to her, to her community, to her world.
Laura Lancaster
Parent of Flexible Studies students
I am so happy to work the Flexible Studies program. One student in particular in 2017, Astrid, had a profound impact on me. When I was sharing my experience with my people wearing a mask of shame as a result of the generations of Indian Hospitals and Indian Residential Schools, Astrid connected that experience and mentioned that many people in the world, and in that classroom, wear their own masks of shame. She asked if it would be possible for the class to create papier-mâché masks representing individual aspects of shame and if we could then have a burning ceremony to release that shame, something I had previously said I’d like our people to do. This was the first time a person who had heard that story had responded with an offer to do something in support of us; I went home that afternoon and cried. This group of students has had a tremendous effect on me and I am so happy that I have the chance to work with them and the Flexible Studies Program. These students listen, believe, and go into action. They put into action what they learn, they are mighty DOERS.
Sellemah (Joan Morris)
Songhees sʔéləxʷ
I have observed incredible class discussions, where students articulate their thoughts and feelings with care. I have seen the creativity and the thought that the students have put into their projects. But most of all, as Flexible Studies provides students with autonomy and offers them the opportunity to practice skills like taking personal responsibility and managing their time, I have witnessed that learning and growth take place.
Natasha Ewing
formerly with Ocean Networks Canada
Upon meeting students and teacher in the Flexible Studies program, one immediately gets the striking impression that this is no ordinary classroom: the level of enthusiasm, passion for learning, and engagement with major contemporary issues that challenge our society is what sets the program apart from the traditional block curriculum. I have come to understand that what Flexible Studies does really well is it varies the learning environment for students and involves students in team-based learning, designing and working on major projects, and having large "town hall" discussions—sometimes all in a single afternoon. The program creates a powerful dynamic where students are motivated to challenge themselves and value their own contributions to group learning and discovery.
The Hon. Rob Fleming
Former Minster of Education
Minister of Transportation
MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake
Here at the Royal BC Museum, we have many ideas about the process of learning and thoughts on how to activate a truly authentic engagement with visitors/ learners of all ages. What gives us deep satisfaction is when we are met halfway by the community, and out of those meetings, co-create something wonderful. The Flexible Studies program at Reynolds Secondary, and in particular the educators and students that make up the program, were and continue to be an extraordinary partner for us to work with. Sometimes the word partnership gets thrown around lightly, easy to say but not substantial in actual process. The Flexible Studies program really lived up to being a meaningful partner. We at the museum learned so much from the experience, and the process was organic, iterative and embedded in shared values.