Shaler Area has been working to build a foundation to shape the school district’s future by utilizing a concept called human-centered design. The human-centered design approach involves participation and input from various stakeholder groups throughout the problem-solving process.
Starting in the summer of 2016, administrators, district staff (including custodial, clerical, and paraprofessional staff), school board members, teachers, parents, students, and community members have met and participated in multiple activities to identify the needs and areas of focus within the district and ways to address them. This strategic planning has facilitated the creation of goals and short-term and long-term plans to achieve them.
The human-centered design process creates a flat organizational concept where each voice is valued, regardless of status or position. To facilitate the approach, Shaler Area has used resources from the Luma Institute, the educational arm of a Pittsburgh-based organization known as Maya Design and has partnered with a free, trained consultant. Utilizing the human-centered design strategies has helped the district create a foundation of trust, transparency, collaboration, and innovation on which Shaler Area will build, develop, and grow.