Rachel Fischhoff joined Friends School of Portland as a Lead 3-4 Classroom Teacher in the Fall of 2022. She jumped right into the strategic planning process as a Strategic Plan Design Committee member.
How would you characterize the FSP strategic planning process?
I would characterize the FSP strategic planning process as collaborative. I was impressed by how consistently and effectively stakeholders with diverse perspectives were brought into the process. And the process was iterative--as a teacher, there were multiple moments where I had the opportunity to share my ideas and feedback.
What was it like being on the Strategic Plan Design Committee?
I loved getting to know FSP through my participation in the SPDC. As a newcomer to the community, it was a great way to fast track my understanding of the school's history, to meet parents and board members I might not have otherwise, and to step back and see how my classroom community fits into a much larger ecosystem.
What did you learn from the 10-month process?
This summer I've been reading Priya Parker's book The Art of Gathering. I'm thinking a lot about what it means to bring people together for a common purpose, in and out of the classroom. As I'm reflecting on the strategic planning process, I've noticed how different people were "hosting" different parts of the journey--our facilitator Courtney, administrators like Sara and Nell, parents, and members of the design committee--and I was able to learn from all of them. It was a unique opportunity to see people in our community leading, caring, guiding, and listening.
What advice would you offer FSP as we live the plan?
I'm hoping that we can hold onto the memory of the process that led us to the final plan. I want to remember how many community members brought their wisdom to bear in the crafting of this ambitious plan. I want to remember that this plan wasn't designed to be easy or frictionless; it was designed to push us in the direction of our shared values. I'm hoping we will be kind to ourselves when we stumble while remaining steadfast in our resolve.
Learn more about our Strategic Plan and planning process…