1. Laugh together daily.
2. Make learning transparent, with a continuous feedback loop between learners and teachers.
3. Employ powerful “circle practices” to promote deep dialogue and a sense of community.
4. Begin the year by exploring the uniqueness of each person’s identity.
5. Ask for input from youth from day one (eg. choice in seating options, classroom design, etc.)
6. Begin the year with personal stories and shared dreams.
7. Share your own stories with your students.
8. Model the way that students can work to overcome their own biases and assumptions by listening for and accepting as truth the stories that other people tell about themselves.
9. Teach youth about how their brains learn, including effective learning strategies, so that they can be drivers of their education.
10. Establish a “language of learning” so that everyone is able to self-assess, monitor and shape their learning and provide effective teacher feedback.
11. Involve learners in discussions about challenges such as climate change, but ensure that their ideas are acknowledged and there is a way to bring them to life. 12. Task learners to create/design aspects of the physical classroom space.
13. Create opportunities for youth to design bulletin boards and displays.
14. Display and honour the work of all learners.
15. Encourage mistakes as an essential attribute of learning - and model mistake making on a regular basis.
16. Establish student-led conferences to reflect on strengths and set goals.
17. Create opportunities for students to lead in the classroom (eg. facilitate morning circle, teach a lesson, etc.).
18. Encourage learners to be peer teachers and/or tutors.
19. Create a culture of trust, respect and equity by optimising opportunities for youth and adults to work together toward a meaningful common vision and purpose, sharing power, voice and responsibility in the process.
20. Believe in the capacity of each and every person’s ability to learn (growth mindset) and reinforce this at every turn. Hold high expectations for all learners and address your own implicit biases that limit expectations.