No.3 Learning Together: From This Summer's Training Session

(Lifelong Learning Newsletter 'Hiroba' published in the October 15, 2023 issue)

From Learning Together: This Summer's Training Session
In late August, the Board of Education held a two-day "School Management Training Session." This training session is conducted annually at this time for the principals and vice-principals of Inagi City Public Schools, aiming to enhance school management. Until last year, we had been inviting education experts to give lectures, but this year, we planned a format where the principals share and discuss their own school management plans and strategies. Titled "Reflecting on Our School Management Strategies," the intention behind this naming is not to speak of a "battle" with something, but rather to have a rich discussion on "what strategies are being developed and how they are being innovated to solve school management issues."

On the day of the training session, the principals of all 18 schools were divided into two groups, and each day, 9 principals made presentations on "their own school management strategies," followed by discussions and exchanges of opinions. Additionally, vice principals participated online from their own schools.

The 18 principals each presented their impressive and well-thought-out "strategies." I attended all the school presentations and discussions, and I was impressed and moved by each principal's understanding and analysis of their own school's situation, as well as the "strategies" backed by their individual experiences, careers, and educational perspectives. I would like to share three particularly impressive points below.

First, I confirmed once again that all the principals are working on various ideas with a big heart and warm eyes, so that each child can spend their days comfortably and joyfully, and can feel the results of their learning and their own growth, and live with motivation.

Secondly, it is clear that all the principals are working to create a school as a "team" with the School Faculty and Staff, Parents or Guardians, local community members, and the children united in their thoughts. Therefore, they have been addressing various strategies such as "clear communication," "proactive goal setting by the School Faculty and Staff," "utilization of internal organization," and "project and team formation among the School Faculty and Staff."

And the third point is what I felt as a result of this training session. After the presentation, I heard opinions from the principals such as, "It was great to share our thoughts beyond the boundaries of elementary and junior high schools," "I received many hints for school management," and "I reflected on my own strategies." I believe that by introducing our own 'strategies,' those with the same goals were able to notice perspectives they had not seen before and broaden their ways of thinking. Looking back, the impetus for planning such a training session was my own experience of entering graduate school in recent years and learning with peers who share the same goals. I was greatly inspired by peers with different experiences, perspectives, and ways of thinking, which allowed me to reflect on my own thinking tendencies and broaden my horizons. I wanted to realize such learning among the principals as well. Additionally, at the beginning of this fiscal year, during the annual 'initial visits to each school,' I listened to the plans of each principal for this year and gained the conviction that this is indeed valuable information for the principals to share with each other.

In addition, there is another thought that I have held for a long time regarding this matter. A few years ago, I came across an article by an old acquaintance who is a leader in the corporate world, suggesting in a business magazine that, "In the school setting, the keyword 'active, dialogic, and deep learning' has emerged, so it would be good for education in companies to align with this." 'Active, dialogic, and deep learning' is a concept positioned as an important perspective for improving lessons in the current curriculum guidelines. 'Active learning' by oneself, 'collaborative learning' that expands and deepens one's thoughts through collaboration and dialogue with peers, and 'deep learning' that involves understanding more deeply, forming thoughts, and considering solutions—this way of learning is meaningful even after becoming an adult and entering society. The insights I received in the past have resurfaced over time from the appearances of the principals in our city.

This summer's collaboration with the principals was a valuable opportunity to reaffirm that "active, dialogic, and deep learning" is meaningful for children, adults, and especially for the top leaders of schools. It was also a moment to rediscover the joy and value of thinking, learning together, sharing and exchanging thoughts, and further expanding and deepening one's own ideas.

Director of Inagi City Board of Education, Makiko Sugimoto

Citation: Yukihiro Hosoya, "What Kind of Education Have Newcomers Received During Their Student Days?" ("Companies and Human Resources" March 2020, Sanro Research Institute)