Mission in action
University School of Milwaukee’s mission states that our school cultivates citizenship (in addition to learning and leadership) for all students. Citizenship is also addressed in our Portrait of a USM Graduate statement, developed in 2017. While citizenship clearly plays an important part in our student experience, USM has lacked a definitive, common understanding of the concept of citizenship.
The roles of a citizen
As part of our strategic plan work, we have affirmed that the cultivation of citizenship is grounded not only in our values, but also in our academic programs, with an increasingly rigorous study of history and government, rights and responsibilities, and diverse local and global perspectives from Preschool to Upper School. In age-appropriate ways, all USM students grapple with the same basic question: How do I benefit from being a citizen of a particular community, and what do I owe in response?
Our new “Portrait of a USM Citizen”
To address this question, as well as the larger role of citizenship at USM, a committee of faculty and administrators was created to develop a new “Portrait of a USM Citizen” statement, which could also address the nuances of citizenship in age-appropriate ways for Preschool, Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. This new statement, shown in part below, is the first of three planned as outcomes of our strategic plan work—with “Portrait of a USM Leader” and “Portrait of a USM Learner” to follow in years two and three of our work.
Click here to discover what citizenship at USM means for students in all divisions
The importance of citizenship
Opportunities to participate in various communities, practice the skills of collaborative engagement, and apply critical thinking skills provide USM students with the experiences necessary to understand the importance of being engaged citizens. Additionally, experiences outside of the classroom lend depth and added perspective to students’ developing notions of what it means for a citizenry to be healthy.
Strategic Plan Commitment 1, Goal 1:
“Portrait of a USM Citizen” Committee
Amy Hand
Committee Members: Amy Hand, Assistant Head of School (chair); Muffie MacKedon Browne, Prekindergarten Teacher; Nora Sachs, Middle School French Teacher; Chuck Taft, 8th Grade American Studies History Teacher; Colleen Tiefenbrun, Upper School History Teacher; Henry Wend, Upper School History Teacher; Brita Willis, 3rd Grade Teacher
Amy Hand
Committee Members: Amy Hand, Assistant Head of School (chair); Muffie MacKedon Browne, Prekindergarten Teacher; Nora Sachs, Middle School French Teacher; Chuck Taft, 8th Grade American Studies History Teacher; Colleen Tiefenbrun, Upper School History Teacher; Henry Wend, Upper School History Teacher; Brita Willis, 3rd Grade Teacher
“We look forward to leaning on this articulation of citizenship to help us make explicit connections between citizenship learning, academic studies, and cocurricular experiences. Our research has galvanized us to continue building student programming, faculty professional development, and pedagogical practices to further support learning around citizenship.”