It is with great pride, and humility, that I announce the official launch of SMART Learning Systems.
This new venture is the culmination of more than 35 years of experience, research, leadership and learning in the field of public education (and those are just my years). I appreciate what a rare opportunity it is to be able to reflect on a life of lessons learned and, in collaboration with my cherished colleagues, create a fresh new approach to school improvement. Well-informed by best practice, enriched by long-time relationships in the field and powered by new approaches and technologies, SMART Learning Systems literally and figuratively is rooted in our collective passion for improving the conditions for learning in our schools.
Our name reflects our belief that everything we do ought to be S²MART (i.e., Strategic and Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented and Time-bound). S²MART is the foundational concept for learning systems that are both dynamic and interdependent. SMART learning systems form, inform and reform the conditions for learning, leading to a world of new possibilities and better results for students. SMART learning systems are nourished by the relationships that are created within communities of learners and leaders who thrive on their shared commitment to the children, young adults, families and communities they serve.
Our mission is powerful and elegant in its simplicity: building capacity for student-centered, goal-directed learning. It is a commitment that we embrace with urgency and compassion. Maintaining a laser-like focus on adult and student learning while building capacity for students to set, pursue and monitor their own life-changing goals is essential to the continued existence of public education in this country. Regardless of where one sits, or the title one holds, within a district, school, department or classroom (including students themselves), student-centered, goal-directed learning is everyone’s responsibility. Now is the time! It’s as simple as that.
Our vision is a bold statement of what we believe needs to be in place for our mission to be realized – All systems GO! This part is not so simple. Aligning all of our energies, resources, processes and systems in support of continuous improvement and goal-directed student learning is where the rubber meets the road. We are committed to working with our district and school partners, and with partner organizations, to bring the best-known strategies for systemic reform to teachers and students across the United States.
Inspired by our young learners and encouraged by the amazing dedication and competence of our colleagues in the field, we extend a heartfelt invitation to join us on this journey to make every public school in America a SMART learning system.
Anne Conzemius