From artificial intelligence guidance to cell phone policies, the decisions school administrators make directly impact students. But often, these leaders fail to get input from those most impacted by these decisions. Alana Winnick, educational technology director and data protection officer at the Pocantico Hills Central School District in New York and founder of Students for Innovation, spoke with EdTech about what districts can do to create a culture in which students feel seen and heard.
EDTECH: Tell us about Students for Innovation. How do you involve students in the organization’s mission?
Students for Innovation is an organization that empowers students to advocate for change in their schools. Two students had reached out to me separately, and after connecting them, we founded it together. From the start, I’ve tried to encourage them to lead the organization, and I stay behind the scenes. My role is to mentor them and provide them with a platform. Over time, it’s grown into a community of students and educators from around the world who share innovative ideas and best practices to inspire change in the classroom.
Click the banner below to find modern classroom solutions for your district.
One of the students that I co-founded this with is working with her Board of Education to develop an AI policy from the student perspective. She also leads professional development for teachers, and then the next day, she gets to walk into class and experience them trying out the tool or strategy she just taught. That’s a cool, full-circle moment for her.
In my own district, I try to model what this could look like from an educator’s perspective. I started an Innovation Club that meets once a week. Students bring in real-world problems they are passionate about, and we work together on creative solutions. We also run pop-up events with students and teachers that always include a technology component. My students step up as leaders, and seeing them realize they have a voice and the power to create change is absolutely incredible.
EDTECH: In what types of decision-making scenarios can it be beneficial for school leaders to seek student input?
It’s always helpful to have a student on board with policy creation. I have a student sit in on my technology committee. A lot of times, we make decisions for students without involving them. As leaders, we do walkthroughs and observations and have meetings, but the most powerful information you can ever receive comes directly from students.
WATCH: Check out our ISTELive 25 interview with Alana Winnick.
When you build relationships with students and give them a seat at the table, it’s important not only to truly listen to them but to take what they say into consideration and put it into action. If they feel their voices aren’t leading to change, they’ll stop speaking. But if they know it’s a safe space and that they’re making their school environment better for everyone, they are more than happy to step up.
EDTECH: What immediate changes can K–12 leaders make in their schools or classrooms today that can better empower students to guide their own learning?
Adults don’t always want to hear feedback, but be open to it, even at a classroom level. Building an open, honest dialogue, asking, “What do you think of that lesson? How do you think we could have made it a little bit more interesting, fun or challenging?” is important. But you need to put their ideas into practice. If students don’t see changes, it just feels like a performative exercise. Involving students in open dialogue is so important, even at the classroom level. You can start there, and then work your way up to the building or district level.
I love having students lead professional development. I try to create a culture where everyone feels empowered to become a leader and where it’s safe to share successes and failures. It’s not hard, but you have to build it intentionally. Some teachers like to be the bearers of knowledge, and it’s a shift for them to see that students can teach them things.
EDTECH: In the longer term, how can K–12 school districts create a culture in which students feel comfortable sharing their ideas for innovation?
It all comes down to building relationships with students, because a lot of times we are talking about them, and we don’t actually talk to them. Making student voices part of the system and doing it purposefully is critical. That could be through a student council or by including students on advisory boards for specific initiatives. The most important thing is getting those students to the table.
READ MORE: Professional development boosted teacher confidence at this Texas district.
It’s just as important to celebrate everything that’s going on. People are taking risks and trying new things, and I make sure to recognize that. Whether it was a success or not, they tried. Over time, this will create a culture where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. It’s important that students are not just recipients of the decisions that we’re making for them and that they feel like they’re part of the process.
