Toronto District School Board

A new kind of conversation for possibility is beginning to germinate at the fourth largest school system in North America. Appreciative Inquiry has been applied to support the design of some important initiatives.  We are so excited that the ripple effect is gradually being felt - in the system, in individual schools and most importantly in the lives of students and teachers, and even parents.

We have been engaged with TDSB over the past 2 years in a variety of areas applying the Appreciative Inquiry framework in all situations.

Sparked by the Ontario Ministry of Education's Student Success Mandate back in 2004, Imagine Student Success has been the catalyst for looking at how to engage the student voice in all aspects of education - teacher/student relationships, curriculum delivery, teacher professional development, and ongoing dialogue with school trustees. It began with an inquiry into “student success” for which we were coaches. We designed and facilitated a 1000-person summit from which emerged 5 key Board mandates that are coming to life through student, teacher and staff application of the Appreciative Inquiry process. Ongoing coaching for staff and design and facilitation of various think tanks including the Parent Involvement Advisory Council is helping to expand and build momentum for this important conversation for possibility.

Imagine Student Success Summit - May 2005

"Being involved in Imagine Student Success made me feel important and included . . . boosting my self-esteem enough for me to run for vice-president of my youth group and to get the position!" Grade 11 Student

“I’m excited by the flowering of student opinion and valuable input that Imagine Student Success has nurtured” Trustee

“What's most exciting for me about working on this initiative is that we are empowering students, and also encouraging teachers to focus on what's possible.” Teacher