The Importance of a Shared Classroom Vision

Working with other adults can be an art. The need to come to an agreement about what you envision for your child or students is important to do from the very start of your relationship. Having a shared vision, or whatever you want to call it, is essential; especially when it comes to the succes of tiny (or big) humans. 

This might seem silly at first, but really it sets the foundation of your work with your team. It is important that you create your vision together as a group. This is not an, "I'm the boss, so you will believe what I believe" situation," this is a, "We are all in this together to make a difference in this child's life, so let me listen to what you have to contribute" situation. Having a common goal or vision for the child will give you a commonality to fall back on throughout the complex process of behavior change and serve as part of the rationale for why you do the things you do. 

When you get together, have the following discussion using some of these example questions:

• What are your long term goals for this child/these students?
• What do you feel we should prioritize?
• What do you believe with regards to self-advocacy and independence?
• What are your personal goals for this (program, class, home, child, etc.)?
• How committed to you are in the success of this (program, class, home, child, etc.)?

Have staff write their visions on sticky notes, index cards, or shout them out. We have even found it to be helpful to take notes in a running meeting minutes document so people can reference back to it. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT criticize anyone's vision; this is a sure-fire way to start your relationship off on the wrong foot and lessen your chances of getting buy-in. Simply say, "Thank you so much," write it down, and try and re-phrase it in a way that somehow incorporates what they were getting at, while lining up with your overall goal. Then, either together or individually, turn all of these into one beautiful vision statement. 

After you have developed your vision you can beautify it (if you so desire) and hang it in a common area where everyone on the team can see it and be reminded of it. Maybe this is in your paraeducator prep area. Maybe this is at the front of your classroom. Maybe it is on a colorful sticky note on the side of your classroom fridge - somewhere that makes it easy to hold you and your team accountable. Everything you do should be something that supports your vision.