Featured Articles on Purpose Learning
Beyond Thinking: What If the Purpose of School Were Purpose?
Ross Wehner and Jessica Catoggio, National Association of Independent Schools, Fall 2023
Purpose is a unique journey for each human, and it’s an expedition that varies dramatically for each school. In our experience, each school enters the purpose-learning framework from different places. Many independent schools enter via learning as thinking, while others focus on doing via project-based, arts-focused, or expeditionary learning. Where independent schools can often grow is learning as feeling — in other words, the part of purpose learning where students drop into emotion, see others with empathy, and have the space and support to do the inner work of identity and purpose clarification.
Using Purpose Learning to Increase Belonging in the Classroom
Jessica Catoggio, The EARCOS Triannual Journal, Fall 2023
As purpose is a two-way journey, Purpose Learning is analogous to a busy, two-way street in which the “drivers” dynamically change lanes, detour at will, trail in the fast lane or slow depending on the road conditions, navigate roundabouts, and thoughtfully make return trips. Traveling one way on this busy street, “drivers” internalize and connect learning to self. In the other direction, the journey allows students to connect learning to the world outside of self in ways that are rich and meaningful.
On Purpose: Reimagining What and How Students Learn
Ross Wehner, Independent School Magazine, Winter 2022
Schools are already doing such great work around purpose formation. But we need to be more explicit by understanding the theory and science behind purpose formation. We need to tie together what we are already doing into a visible K–12 strategy designed to foster purpose among students. We need to formulate the right questions: Now that we understand how the adolescent brain works, how can we make it light up with purpose? Or more specifically: How can K–12 schools help students discover, explore, and articulate purpose? What if the purpose of school were purpose?
Featured Articles on Risk Management
A Holistic View: A Comprehensive, Whole-School Approach to Assessing Risks
Erin Hawk, NAIS Independent School Magazine (Spring 2025)
With many new risks beyond schools’ doorsteps—such as student mental health, faculty well-being, and parental anxiety—school leaders need to be talking about the “whole-school” risk management approach—not only for traveling abroad but for all off-campus learning, including athletic events, internships, field trips, interim programs, and more.
Risk Management and Student Travel in the Time of Trump, the Zika Virus, and Terrorism
Ross Wehner, NAIS Independent School Magazine (Summer 2017)
Independent schools are pushing the boundaries of a revolution in learning as classrooms become more student-driven, experiential, and globally connected. We also live in a time of intense fear about new and unprecedented risks that are compounded by around-the-clock media coverage.
Featured Blog Post
How Can Schools Grow from COVID-19?
Ross Wehner, WLS Founder, and Dr. Kirk Wheeler, Head of School at St. Thomas School, Medina, WA
Never before have schools had to change so much, so fast. As teachers and school leaders prepare for a very different next school year, they embark on a journey with unforeseen challenges, frustrations, and lost learning opportunities for students. But amidst the struggle, there is growth.
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