Garden Valley Schools Explore Innovative Student-Centered Model

A transformative educational initiative is underway in the Garden Valley School Division as officials explore the possibility of establishing a Big Picture Learning school. Led by Carrie Friesen in collaboration with Superintendent Dan Ward, this feasibility study seeks to redefine the high school experience by placing students at the heart of their learning journey.

The Big Picture Learning model challenges the conventional classroom structure, where students typically transition from one subject to another in a rigid schedule. Instead, this innovative approach aims to create a flexible, community-oriented learning environment. “You’re in your advisory group three days a week,” Friesen explains, “and the other two days you’re out there. In the community. With people who are actually doing the work.” This model is currently implemented in five schools across Manitoba, primarily in urban areas such as the Seven Oaks School Division. Friesen believes it holds significant potential in rural contexts, leveraging local businesses, farms, and entrepreneurial ventures to enhance students’ educational experience.

The concept envisions a Grade 9 student spending Wednesdays working alongside a local welder or an aspiring entrepreneur gaining firsthand business insights. “For anybody, but not for everybody,” Friesen quotes a principal from the Seven Oaks Met School, emphasizing that this approach is not designed to replace traditional high school but to provide an alternative pathway for students who thrive outside conventional settings.

Each cohort would comprise just 30 students, divided into groups of 15, ensuring a personalized learning experience. Friesen notes, “You can’t disappear here. You’re known, by name, by story, by interest.” While students would still follow the Manitoba curriculum and earn credits, their learning journeys would be tailored to their interests. A student passionate about fashion could intern with a local seamstress, while someone intrigued by environmental science might collaborate with a nearby research station.

The success of this model is assessed not solely through tests but through exhibitions and portfolios, showcasing students’ accomplishments and skills. Friesen’s enthusiasm is rooted in her experiences visiting existing Big Picture schools. “You can read about this model all day. But until you see a student explaining their internship at a local company with pride and confidence, you don’t feel it.”

In the Winkler area, where local businesses and agricultural operations thrive, the model’s implementation appears promising. “If a student can’t find their dream job here,” Friesen states, “they can at least find a stepping stone.”

Additionally, the initiative aims to encourage student retention within the community. By engaging students with local enterprises during their formative years, the hope is that they will be more inclined to remain and contribute to the region’s growth.

The Garden Valley School Division is currently gauging community support for this initiative through an online survey. The proposal is set to be presented to the Education Committee next month, followed by a discussion with the full school board in December. If approved, a pilot program could launch as early as September 2024, likely starting with a single grade level. “We don’t need to build a brand-new school,” Friesen emphasizes. “We can use existing infrastructure. The key is starting slow, doing it right, and making sure it reflects our community.”

Friesen’s commitment to this initiative is deeply personal. With a two-year-old granddaughter, she envisions a future where students are prepared for the evolving demands of the world. “Life readiness looks different than it did 10 or 20 years ago,” she states. “This is just one way to help prepare them for that world.”

This innovative approach to education seeks to empower students as adaptable, self-aware individuals ready to navigate the complexities of modern life.