They are going about their days demonstrating the characteristics of Jordan School District’s “Portrait of a Graduate.”
On this episode of the Supercast, we head to Copper Canyon Elementary School where students are posing for pictures in their cap and gowns already thinking ahead to graduation. They are being recognized for their actions demonstrating the six characteristics of “Portrait of a Graduate.” At this celebration breakfast, students are being recognized for being a responsible teammate.
Audio Transcription
Bobbie Nixon:
It means the world to the students because the students just want to be acknowledged for things that they're good at and things that they want to be good at.
Anthony Godfrey:
What do you think it means to be a curious thinker?
Student:
I think it means to ask a lot of questions and I want to learn about everything I am.
Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. They are already demonstrating the characteristics of Jordan School District's Portrait of a Graduate. On this episode of the Supercast, we head to Copper Canyon Elementary School, where students are posing for pictures in their caps and gowns, already thinking ahead to graduation. They are being recognized for their actions, demonstrating the six characteristics of Portrait of a Graduate. At this celebration breakfast, where parents and grandparents are invited, students are being recognized for being a responsible teammate this month and are recognized for every characteristic throughout the year. We invite you to listen and learn more about all six characteristics of Portrait of a Graduate.
Anthony Godfrey:
We're talking today with the principal of Copper Canyon Elementary, Bobbie Nixon. Bobbie, thanks for taking time with us.
Bobbie Nixon:
Hello, it's nice to be here with you.
Anthony Godfrey:
You have this great principal program where you give out awards that are based on Portrait of a Graduate, and I loved seeing those awards this morning. It was so fun to see parents, siblings, grandparents there supporting the kids who are getting the awards. As you've done this over the course of the year, before we get into the details, tell me about what this award has meant to the students who receive it and the families who come and support their students.
Bobbie Nixon:
It means the world to the students because the students just want to feel important, to be acknowledged for things that they're good at and things that they want to be good at.
Anthony Godfrey:
They want to be noticed that, hey, you're defining yourself in many ways in elementary school and it's exciting for them to be known for these characteristics that are included in Portrait of a Graduate. And for those listening, principals will often give out awards at elementary schools and a couple of our elementary schools are giving those awards based on Portrait of a Graduate characteristics. The Portrait of a Graduate was developed at the request of the Board of Education with lots of input from employees, students, and parents and with the help of an outside company to really focus on what we want students to be able to do, what characteristics and traits we want them to have as they graduate. And today you are honoring the responsible teammate characteristic that's a part of Portrait of a Graduate. Tell me about some of the students who received that and some of the things teachers had to say about that.
Bobbie Nixon:
So the students at Copper Canyon are incredible students, and one thing that I love is they do a lot of group work, and so they can find students who are good at teams, and we know so much in our jobs that if we can't team, we can't make it because we're better together.
Anthony Godfrey:
Right.
Bobbie Nixon:
So I love that some of the characteristics or some of the attributes that they were saying about the students, the teachers write what they see about the students who characterize that attribute. So some of the things I was hearing that they are easy to get along with, they listen to other people's opinions, they calm a situation down, and they take leadership when they need to.
Anthony Godfrey:
It feels to me like when a student is recognized for these great attributes and for trying to be a really good citizen to help other people, to be very curious and learn all they can, that once they're recognized for it then they really want to live up to it and they're even, they exemplify that characteristic even more than before.
Bobbie Nixon:
Yeah, that's true. They do. They know that it's known that they're doing that and they know that the other students know that they do that. So then they want to be that, and I think that maybe some of those things come naturally, and then some they'll even do it more now when they're in a group because they got that award. We try to do, one thing is we put a video out at the beginning of the year where the students role-play all of the Portrait of a Graduate characteristics. So you know if it's problem solving for example, they would role play some problem and then all the students in the building watch it. And so they know before the year begins what kind of things that they're, what it takes to be in each of the characteristics. And so when they get the award, it's like, “I did it!” But we try to give awards for lots of things and they have like several years to get some award but every student in Copper Canyon gets an award for something during the year. We have a theme award where it's “You've Got a Friend In Me” so they can be friends, or we have a principal's lunch, we have a math award, we have a Friday drawing, but everybody gets an award for something, recognized for something. But I think the Portrait of a Graduate is special, which is why we tried to make it special with the breakfast.
Anthony Godfrey:
Yes so it was and I failed to mention that it's an awards event, but it's also a breakfast, and I did see the bulletin board for You've Got a Friend In Me. You do a very nice job of creating that culture very intentionally and re-emphasizing it, and I love this idea of the video that shows positive examples of the sorts of things you're looking for so that students can win that award potentially on that particular characteristic of Portrait of a Graduate. So that's really exciting. I'll have to see some of those videos because it's really cool when students take responsibility for their own development, their own learning, and really strive to meet the expectations of the teacher, which we know is one of the best predictors of student success, but also to aspire to these characteristics that we've worked so hard to develop.
Bobbie Nixon:
I want to at the end of the year go full circle with the students by having all of the Portrait of a Graduate winners throughout the year, they're going to be on stage and be recognized by the rest of their peers. Because right now they're being recognized by their teachers, by us, by their parents but now they get to be it with the students and so we're working on getting enough graduation robes and to make it a special event for everybody to see and then they'll hopefully want to get it the next year.
Anthony Godfrey:
That's a really exciting next step recognized by your family and your teacher and then in front of your peers. That's a great next step. I love that. The characteristics of Portrait of a Graduate include resilient lifelong learner, curious thinker, empathetic communicator, engaged citizen, responsible teammate being highlighted today, and creative problem solver. Do any of those stand out as something that you remember a particular student or a particular award that was really particularly meaningful?
Bobbie Nixon:
So I feel like the Empathetic Communicator. We have an empathetic communicator and I just think the way this particular student puts things in his classroom is just one of those children everybody wants to be around, and he's nice, and he just is a way of wording things. He'll see you in the hall and he'll say, “hi, Mrs. Nixon.” and he'll give you a fist bump but all the other kids he just doesn't matter how young they are. He'll even open doors for you, and he just is just one of those empathetic people that understands. I've seen you know some kids in his class like that just don't fit in and he's the one that will always volunteer to be their partner or to be around them. He's just one of those kids.
Anthony Godfrey:
He's just wired that way.
Bobbie Nixon:
Yes and he's gonna leave he's a sixth grader.
Anthony Godfrey:
Oh he's a sixth grader
Bobbie Nixon:
Yes, he's a great kid.
Anthony Godfrey:
That's exciting. It sounds like he has a successful middle school experience ahead of him with that empathetic communicator characteristic in his backpack there. You do a lot with culture and you just recently had your lip sync contest, and that's something that involves all of your students. They all have an opportunity, and I've been able to see that in the past. I had to miss this one and it's really interesting to see students come alive as part of that performance, and you can sometimes tell the students who may not have chosen that first, but they really warm up on stage. How did this last event go last week?
Bobbie Nixon:
Oh it was so darling. It's such a winning event for the students. Miss Sherri Harrington she is our BTS person, and she puts so much time into choreography and taking the student that might not always be like the ham or the show person and finding that in them and they come out of their shells and they just do some amazing things. They think of the dances they want to do and the costumes they want to wear. Then they all sing to each other songs and our everybody in the building participates, so our teachers our lunch staff even our custodian who looks like Ed Sheeran. He looks just like him so the kids even think that he's like Ed Sheeran and he even sang an Ed Sheeran song with his guitar. Our lunch ladies sang “Raining Tacos” and all the kids sing with them. But and our our office staff gets involved. We just think it is a special event for every student.
Anthony Godfrey:
Well “Raining Tacos” sounds fantastic. I hope that's in the forecast at some point but I really what I noticed before and you mentioned, is just how inclusive it is; every student feels a part of it and because you're on stage with your whole class, you're able to be as outgoing as you choose to be. You can hide a little bit on stage if you need to but I remember pretty much every kid was right out there. They rehearsed, it was obvious they'd prepared and I think it's very memorable for students. So anyway, congratulations on creating these great programs for students really helping emphasize those positive behaviors and creating that sense of belonging for every student in your school. Thank you for everything you're doing.
Bobbie Nixon:
Thank you, it's a pleasure. The children make it a pleasure. They enrich my life and they just make it fun. The kids the kids are everything.
Anthony Godfrey:
Stay with us. When we come back, we'll hear from some of the students receiving awards from Copper Canyon Elementary School.
Male Voice:
Never miss an episode of the Supercast by liking and subscribing on your favorite podcasting platform. Find transcripts for this episode and others at supercast.jordandistrict.org.
Female Voice:
In Jordan School District we like to support students in and outside the classroom along with their families that's where the Jordan Family Education Center comes in offering support services and a wide variety of classes for students and their families free of charge. You can take a class called Blues Busters for children feeling sad or worried. Just Breathe is a class that helps students reduce stress or how about a class that supports parents in helping their children make and keep good friends. There are also support groups and free counseling all provided by Jordan School District School psychologists and counselors. To find out how you can benefit from free family support services offered by the Jordan Family Education Center, call 801-565-7442 or visit guidance.jordandistrict.org.
Anthony Godfrey:
We're talking with four students at Copper Canyon who have received awards for exhibiting the traits outlined in Portrait of a Graduate. They are great examples of these characteristics that we are trying to encourage. I'd like you to introduce yourself and then tell me about the award you received.
Student:
I'm Katie Barr. I'm in fifth grade, and I got the Resilient Lifelong Learner.
Anthony Godfrey:
Can I take this award from you and read this?
Student:
Yeah.
Anthony Godfrey:
Okay. “Katie is an excellent example of being resilient and a lifelong learner. She doesn't give up even when things are hard. She adapts and adjusts and finds new ways to work out a solution. She is constantly giving her best effort and never stops trying.” That's really awesome that you just keep trying, and do you think that's a good description of what you do at school? Do you love to learn?
Student:
Yeah.
Anthony Godfrey:
What do you love most about school?
Student:
I like people.
Anthony Godfrey:
You like people?
Student:
Yeah.
Anthony Godfrey:
Well, we've got a lot of those around, and you get to make a lot of friends and learn with them. That's really exciting. How did your parents feel when they learned that you got the Resilient Lifelong Learner award?
Student:
I think they like were like, “Oh, cool.”
Anthony Godfrey:
“That just seems like you. Of course Katie got that award.” Well, congratulations. I think it's fantastic and it's an award that shows you have great things ahead of you as well because you're going to keep learning. Tell us your name, what grade are you in and tell us about your award.
Student:
My name is Connor. I am in first grade and I got the Curious Thinker award.
Anthony Godfrey:
Can I take this award and read about you here?
Student:
Yeah.
Anthony Godfrey:
All right. “Connor is receiving the Curious Thinker award for his remarkable eagerness to ask thoughtful questions and explore new ideas. He approaches learning with genuine excitement, whether investigating a brand new topic or diving deeper into a familiar one. He brings energy, persistence and creativity to every inquiry. When our subject captures his interest, his passion shines. His curiosity and commitment to learning makes our classroom a more vibrant place for everyone to learn.” Connor, do you ask a lot of questions in class?
Student:
Yes.
Anthony Godfrey:
And you love to know the answers.
Student:
Yes.
Anthony Godfrey:
What do you think it means to be a curious thinker?
Student:
I think it means to ask a lot of thoughtful questions, and I want to learn about everything around me.
Anthony Godfrey:
And that's the key, thoughtful questions. Questions you really want to know the answer to and wanting to know about everything around you. That's really exciting. What's the favorite, what's your favorite subject? What do you like to learn about the most?
Student:
Science.
Anthony Godfrey:
Science. Do you want to be a scientist one day?
Student:
I want to be a mechanical engineer.
Anthony Godfrey:
A mechanical engineer. That's a really solid plan. I like that. And asking questions is really going to help get you there. That's wonderful. Thank you. What makes you want to be a mechanical engineer?
Student:
I watch this YouTube channel called Mark Rober and it inspired me to be one.
Anthony Godfrey:
What's it called?
Student:
Mark Rober.
Anthony Godfrey:
Is he the guy who created the glitter box that blew up on the front step and all that?
Student:
Yeah.
Anthony Godfrey:
He's got interesting stuff going. So mechanical engineer, I love that. All right, introduce yourself.
Student:
My name is Santana and I'm in sixth grade.
Anthony Godfrey:
You're the person who's getting the award today.
Student:
I'm getting the Responsible Teammate award.
Anthony Godfrey:
And why do you think you're getting the Responsible Teammate award?
Student:
Because I do my share of work, I enjoy helping others and I make sure my team works well together.
Anthony Godfrey:
That's a really important role that you're playing in your class. Can I read this? “Santana, you are a great teammate and peer. You work well with everyone around you. Not only do you take care of your part, but you are not afraid to help others out around you. You consistently step up to help your classmates when needed. Your kindness is seen by everyone around you. We are lucky to have you in our class.” That's really cool. That's awesome. Were you surprised to get this or do you kind of know, you know what, “I really do try to help my teammates.”
Student:
Yeah, I was like that. I was like, I really do try to help my teammates.
Anthony Godfrey:
That makes a big difference. That really makes you a leader in your school. Tell me about the satisfaction you get from helping other people.
Student:
It makes me kind of happy when I know that they're included and I know they're doing their share of work and they're getting farther and farther.
Anthony Godfrey:
Helping everyone be at their best. That's how I view my job as well. So, what do you want to be?
Student:
I want to be a football player.
Anthony Godfrey:
A football player. Well, responsible teammate can help get you there. Which position?
Student:
I want to be a quarterback.
Anthony Godfrey:
All right. That sounds good. Right at the center of it all. Well, good luck with everything, and being responsible teammate has got you on that path. Tell me your name.
Student:
My name is Bailey, and I'm in fourth grade.
Anthony Godfrey:
And what's your award?
Student:
I’m an Empathetic Communicator.
Anthony Godfrey:
What are some of the things that you've done to earn this award of Empathetic Communicator?
Student:
I include everyone and try to help them with whatever they need.
Anthony Godfrey:
Can I read your award here? “Bailey is such an amazing student and wonderful addition to our class. She has such a big, tender, loving heart. She cares very deeply for others. It doesn't matter if they are her best friends or not. She's still kind and considerate of their feelings. She will include everyone and try to help them with whatever they need. Bailey is so thoughtful and kind in every situation.” What a nice award. Tell me about how it feels when you help other people and help them feel good because you've looked out for them.
Student:
I feel good, and I feel like I'm doing the right thing.
Anthony Godfrey:
And so is this award, does that feel like it really matches up with what you're trying to do every day?
Student:
Yes.
Anthony Godfrey:
And what do you think it means to be an empathetic communicator?
Student:
I listen to how others feel. I show kindness with my words and actions. I try to see things from others' point of view.
Anthony Godfrey:
Well, the four of you are absolutely making this a great place, not just for yourselves. You're getting the most out of your education, but you're lifting everybody around you with your questions, with your help, with your example. And I'm just really proud to know all of you and really excited that you have earned these awards. So, congratulations and good luck with everything you're doing.
Anthony Godfrey:
Thanks for joining us on another episode of the Supercast. Remember, “Education is the most important thing you will do today!” We'll see you out there.