Testimonials for This Approach to School Change and School Greatness
The Future Search approach has been extensively used in North American schools and school districts and is now emerging in Australia.
Education Testimonials
“Coming out of the Future Search conference, I felt pride and trust. This encouraged me to take risks. When I heard about TIMMS (Third International Mathematics and Science Study), I went back to my colleagues and said, “I think we can do something with this”.
– Pat Franzen, Science Teacher, Naperville Community School District [All 1300 eighth-grade students from Naperville Community School District participated in this international benchmarking examination. Naperville proudly placed first in science and sixth in maths in this worldwide event.]
“No other thing in the history of my own professional career changed my ability to function as a leader more than this process. It could be used in nearly any situation. It is a positive, energizing and productive approach to dynamic leadership.”
– Dr. Sandra Chapman, Principal, Oak Hill Elementary School
“This has given me the hope that I lost in countless sessions of strategic planning. Now I have a way that to my mind can effectively change our school for the better.”
– Pieter Booysen, Principal Afrikaans High School, Randburg, South Africa
“During the Future Search process, what people said was valued. So people more readily signed up for committees.”
– Mary Ann Bobosky, Director of Planning and Community Relations
“The idea of getting such a broad group of stakeholders – including young people and external stakeholders – involved when we developed our Sports Management Academic Program involved a leap of faith for me. I can now honestly say that I have never seen such an approach produce such positive outcomes, goodwill and energy.”
– Deidre Anderson, CEO, U@MQ, Macquarie University (a detailed testimonial/case study)
“This approach really does empower people and enables them to take some control and action around what they feel is important. It brings the structure for allowing the voices to emerge and choices to be made. People can then work on the things they believe are important and for which they know they have system support.
– Sue Rowan, Toronto District School Board Superintendent
“I was very impressed with the Future Search approach and have used aspects of it in my own school.”
– Richard Morgan, Principal, The Pittwater House Schools
“These exemplary principles for facilitating group process have helped us create the space where individuals can take responsibility for their own learning and act upon the decisions they make.”
– Deborah B Reeve EdD, Deputy Executive Director, National Association of Elementary School Principals
“Very impressive”
– Professor Craig Mudge, Director, Institute of Innovation, Macquarie University
“The approach was a great way to break down the barriers that can impede large community groups from working collaboratively. Our objectives were achieved in an enjoyable and empowering environment and outcomes provided the basis for our strategic plan.”
–- Suzanne Atteridge, Executive Officer, Sydney North West Business Education Network
“Community participation had moved from being involved as a volunteer, for example, to being empowered - on a committee meaningfully shaping what happens”.
– John Schmitt, Realtor and Chair of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce
“We have built an accurate picture of the school district with the community. We have a quantifiable set of targets for the district, which get done and get measured. Collaborative ways of working are more frequently the norm. Special issues are now more unified. There is less conversation by group and more by community.”
– Superintendent, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
“During the Future Search conference, I worked outside my box. I saw I could have a big influence. This stepped me into becoming the math department chair, a role I was unwilling to consider in the past.”
– Tim Wierenga, High Maths Teacher
“We needed an opportunity for members of this community to…confirm their mutual values and commit to action grounded in reality – an opportunity for everyone to share leadership and participate as peers. A Future Search conference is one vehicle to accomplish that…”
– Kathleen Williams, Lawrence Public Schools
“The Future Search conference showed our interdependence and where we could come to agreement. Participants could see parts of their ideas in the goals that were being created.”
– Randy Weseman, Superintendent, Lawrence Public Schools
“I feel that the work we wanted to do –- a collaborative learning culture where teachers would be energized in their schools –- has been validated by the Future Search. Having the days together at the Future Search, we didn’t have to seek permission; we already had the support. What we are doing meets partnership, mentoring, and use of innovative technology criteria that the action group established.”
– Anne Kerr, Principal, Toronto District School Board
“My practice has been enhanced due to the fact that I met a variety of stakeholder groups at the Future Search conference who have transferred knowledge of program/ideas that have assisted my work.”
– Valerie Sterling, Coordinator. Readiness to Learn Project, Toronto District School Board
“This is the first time the Board has sought such broad communication from the public in a workshop format, asking stakeholders how they would like schools run.”
– John Sammon, Reporter, Nevada Appeal (reporting on the Fremont School Future Search)
“The students participating here were well accepted. I think one of the biggest concerns from the students is that we kind of realized some of the problems are our own, we have to find solutions for them.”
– Ethan Cleveland, Carson High School student
“Our school community came together to effectively conceive of the steps we will take together to create the best school in the world. Parents and teachers have built new relationships and ways to work together in a non-threatening way for the future of the children and the school.”
– Principal, Carson City School District
Business and Community Testimonials
“Brilliant”
- Malcolm Gunning, Managing Director, Gunning Commercial; Chair, Kings Cross Business Partnership
“It has been a real enlightenment to go through the City Edge Initiative process. The identification of ‘common ground’ was an absolute success.”
– John McInerney, Councillor, City of Sydney
“I have not seen an event like this produce such energy and goodwill.”
– Ian Longbottom, Mayor, Lane Cove Council
“Thank you very much for your well lead professional workshopping. I have had very good feedback from my internal Council colleagues.”
– Paul William-Smith, Economic Development Officer, City of Ryde Council
“Excellent”
– Lydia Scuglia, President, Eastwood Chamber of Commerce
“A great contribution to our strategic thinking! We were challenged and enthused and motivated to take the next step. Well done!”
– Rosemary Sinclair, Managing Director, Australian Telecommunication Users Group
“I thought the outcomes were going to be good but they far exceeded my expectations.”
– Stephen Carnell, fmr General Manager, Kings Cross Partnership [the business association for the 6 suburbs of the Greater Kings Cross region]
“Inspirational”
– Wendy Foster, President, North Sydney Chamber of Commerce
“A great leadership workshop. It’s a pleasure to deal with somebody with such integrity.”
- Doug Jacka, Executive Officer, Golf Management Australia (NSW Division)
“The approach was a wonderful way of getting engagement and ongoing action from the community, business, agencies and government around community and organisational wellbeing.”
– Doug Grand, Chair, Kings Cross Licensing Accord; CEO, Swans Club
“The energy and enthusiasm generated by the CEI workshop was extraordinary.”
– City of Sydney staff
“I have never seen such a process create a feeling of wellbeing and mutual energy and harmony.”
– Paul Goodwin, CEO, GROW Sydney’s Area Consultative Committee
More on the process we use for implementing this approach.
-
School Parents
-
Case Studies
-
Testimonials
“I can now honestly say that I have never seen such an approach produce such positive outcomes, goodwill and energy.”
– Deidre Anderson, CEO, U@MQ, Macquarie University
“An exciting and inspiring approach to tackling deeper systems transformation.”
– Professor Michael Fullan
“The Future Search conference encouraged me to take risks. When I heard about TIMMS (Third International Mathematics and Science Study), I went back to my colleagues and said, “I think we can do something with this. We finished 1st in Science and 6th in Maths.”
– Pat Franzen, Science Teacher, Naperville Community School District
“These exemplary principles for facilitating group process have helped us create the space where individuals can take responsibility for their own learning and act upon the decisions they make.”
– Deborah B Reeve EdD, Deputy Executive Director, National Association of Elementary School Principals
"The average scores for youth apprenticeship students went up 200 points on the Statewide standardised tests and enrolments increased by 300%. Today there is a waiting list!"
– Mike Erwin, Principal, North Montgomery County Technical Career School
“I was very impressed with the Future Search approach and have used aspects of it in my own school.”
– Richard Morgan, Principal, The Pittwater House Schools