Journey of a Highlander
The Journey of a Highlander: Charting a Bold Vision for Every Learner
During the 2023–2024 school year, the Baldwin-Whitehall School District launched The Journey of a Highlander, a transformative initiative to redefine education and prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Guided by the Portrait of a Graduate framework from Battelle for Kids, this initiative brought together diverse voices to co-create a forward-thinking Profile of a Learner, or in our case, a Highlander.
A Collaborative Community Effort
A key feature of The Journey of a Highlander was the establishment of a Design Team composed of educators, students, families, and community stakeholders. Together, they explored foundational questions:
- What are our community’s aspirations for young people?
- What skills and mindsets are essential for success in today’s world?
- How should learning experiences evolve to meet these needs?
Through a series of four Design Team meetings, participants worked collaboratively to shape a shared vision for learning. Activities included selecting competency visuals, aligning competencies with district goals, and discussing how these traits could guide future planning and educational experiences​.
Key Competencies Defined
The Journey of a Highlander for Baldwin-Whitehall School District identifies five core competencies:
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Adaptive Learners:
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Responsible Collaborators:
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Communication:
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Empathy:
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Creative and Critical Thinkers:
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Reimagining Education for the 21st Century
This initiative represents a commitment to innovation in education. Recognizing that traditional measures like test scores and graduation rates do not fully capture student readiness, the district sought to create learning experiences that align with real-world demands. By integrating critical thinking, collaboration, and future-focused skills into every classroom, Baldwin-Whitehall aims to empower students to succeed in a complex, interconnected global economy.
Looking Ahead
With the Design Team’s work completed, the district has begun implementing The Journey of a Highlander vision across schools. This effort will ensure that all students, from kindergarteners to high school seniors, develop the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in their chosen futures.
The Journey of a Highlander exemplifies Baldwin-Whitehall’s dedication to equity, collaboration, and excellence. By fostering these competencies, the district continues to prepare students to meet challenges with confidence and lead with purpose.