Let Me Do It

BY LAURA BISHOP, Head of IT

At Jackson Prep, while we employ state-ofthe-art technology at all levels, our goal is to not simply display our technology, but to facilitate learning. While it may seem the “magic” is the technology, it is not. Jackson Prep teachers are effective in their useful integration of technology at every level while encouraging each student to harness the power of inquiry and innovation.

Walker Headley, leader of the technology project

“LET ME DO IT!” If you are a person with experience around toddlers at all, certainly you have heard this phrase. This verbal and usually demonstrative expression is evidence of confidence in the ability to achieve a goal, even if the goal is only to pour a drink or open their own car door. Sometimes, students lose this desire to “show what they know.” In education phraseology, we want to build agency in students. Although there is no universally adopted definition, one definition of building agency is “the capacity and propensity to take purposeful initiative.”

In the summer of 2020, schools all around the world examined their systems and services through the lens of their ability to successfully deliver hybrid learning to students. Lawrence Coco, Head of School, led Jackson Prep’s comprehensive “COVID Response.” As a result, the decision was made to upgrade the campus-wide wireless network. Global slowdowns and other delays prevented what, under normal circumstances, would have been a summer project. The delayed arrival of the equipment allowed for the proposal of an unconventional learning experience for students. A Jackson Prep education is intended to develop in students self advocacy, among other characteristics. Prep students should be actively involved in preparing their learning path. A project was proposed for student-led planning and installation of the wireless network. Walker Headley, class of 2022, stepped up to lead this project. He assembled a great team, communicated effectively, and met some pretty aspirational goals. Walker’s student leadership team included classmates Mont Mitchell and Charlie Hight.

“While working on the project of replacing the Wi-Fi at Prep, I was immersed in a very non-typical learning environment. I had to recruit a group of students that I felt were capable of helping me with the job. Once I had gathered my team, I had to give a brief presentation on what we would be doing and how we would accomplish our goal. I had to assign each person to a different task, and I then had to tell each person how to do his or her job. This project, as a whole, gave me leadership

Thomas Wasson

training that I wouldn’t have received otherwise. I learned that as a leader, you must choose people you can trust to work with you. I learned that you have to lead by example to be a good leader. I think it would be beneficial for other Prep students to have this kind of learning experience because it is one of the few things that can’t be taught in class,” said Walker Headley, class of 2022.

“I would highly recommend connecting with the Prep faculty and staff to explore learning opportunities that may be outside of a classroom. Being willing to join students in a less structured way of learning will reap many benefits including improvisation, leadership, teamwork, and plain and simple hands-on work. It doesn't have to be something like changing out all the Wi-Fi routers and access points in the school, but there are so many opportunities for creating new ways of learning, and the faculty and staff are ready and available to help in any way they can,” said Mont Mitchell, class of 2022.

These students should have a feeling of meaningful accomplishment. Mr. Coco conveyed, “All of the Department Chairs said they have had zero problems with the Wi-Fi since the change over. In fact, they said that the new Wi-Fi has actually mitigated the loss of the ten minutes per class. Great job!”

Improvisation, leadership, and teamwork... plain and simple hands-on work.

They did it!

From left: Lawrence Coco, Mayrant Gonwa, Brinkley Boswell, Maggie Boswell, Charlie Hight, Mont Mitchell, Graham Speed, Walker Headley, Preston Speed, John Henry Andress, Alex Roberson, Luke Nealey, Wayne Hsieh, Thomas Wasson, and Laura Bishop

Mont Mitchell John Henry Andress and Walker Headley