Every school, college, and university has a formal curriculum. Perhaps they even have several, one for each program, major, etc. The academic curriculums are (hopefully) designed intentionally, with reasons for each item included and what items are excluded. Curriculums communicate what we value as educational institutions.
A critical part of any educational community is its culture. How is that built and maintained? It seems to me that there is not as often as purposeful a building of that as there is of the academic curriculums. Why not? When we select what to include in the schedule, where we spend resources, what behavior we allow and encourage, we are creating a curriculum. But, are we building it on purpose?
Even when we do things intentionally, there is a secondary curriculum, a hidden curriculum. Why not evaluate it and make it explicit? What are we valuing? What are we teaching?
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Published by mcolpitts
Dr. Matthew W. Colpitts is currently the Head of School and President of Ventures Academy, a unique high school for students who want to create startup businesses while in school! He is also currently on the Board of Directors for Studio East, a non-profit for youth theatre and performing arts education.
Previously, he served at Léman Manhattan Preparatory School as the Director of Residence Life & Campus Safety where he lead the educational, operational, and student support aspects of the boarding program and security for the whole school. Matt has been an educator, administrator, and leader in higher education and K12 independent schools for over 10 years serving in the areas of residence life, university housing, student conduct, campus safety and security, emergency management, enrollment management, and student affairs. Matt has also served in educator-leader roles at diverse educational institutions including Clark University, Landmark College, Southern Oregon University, Utah State University, and Interlochen Center of the Arts. He also does independent risk and safety management consulting.
A first-generation college student from rural Maine, Matt is a proud graduate of Clark University in Worcester, MA with a B.A. in English and Philosophy. He holds an Ed.D. from Fielding Graduate University where he researched emergency management in educational institutions. Outside of school, Matt enjoys reading, traveling, and learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
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