In the 2023-2024 school year, the Innovation and Redesign team launched the Second Design Thinking Cohort with the aim to empower school communities to tackle unique challenges through an equity-centered design thinking approach. The program was designed not just to solve problems, but to transform how educators, students, and staff think about innovation and collaboration within their educational environments. By fostering a culture of creative problem-solving and inclusive participation, the cohort aimed to instill lasting change that would ripple across classrooms and influence educational practices district-wide.

Goal: To enhance the capacity of school communities to independently address and solve challenges that affect their environments.

Objective: To embed design thinking principles within school communities, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Method: The cohort engaged participants through a series of in-person workshops, supported by surveys to capture feedback and measure the impact of the training.

• Engagement of stakeholders, including students, in the planning and implementation phases.

• Flexibility and adaptability of interventions based on ongoing feedback.

• Strong support networks, involving not just the school but also families and community resources

Business Impact

• Empowerment: Participants reported feeling more empowered to enact change within their schools.

• Cultural Shift: There was a noticeable shift towards a more innovative and problem-solving mindset within the participating school communities.

Product Impact

• Program Expansion: Plans to engage 10 new schools in the upcoming school year, with a goal of 95% high recommendation rates.

• Sustained Engagement: Continued high levels of participant satisfaction and recommendation, indicating strong alignment with school community needs.

The Design Thinking Cohort highlighted the importance of aligning professional development with the actual needs and contexts of the participants. It also demonstrated the value of clear communication and structured planning in ensuring the effectiveness of professional development sessions. The positive feedback and high levels of engagement from the participants suggest that such tailored programs are crucial in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in school settings. Regular feedback mechanisms and the iterative nature of the program helped refine the approach, ensuring it remained relevant and impactful.