PMP506: Hope Is A Strategy with Jamie Meade

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: What is the difference between procedures and systems? Listen in to hear their response, and thank you for doing what matters! Meet Jamie Meade: With a career spanning over 35 years in education, Jamie Meade is dedicated to positive change and impact in our nation’s education systems, working to advance academic achievement, growth, and well-being for our nation’s youth. Jamie began her career as a high school English teacher in the rural Appalachian region of Ohio, and her passion led her to leadership roles in the school and district-level. Jamie has also served in regional school improvement services with the Ohio Department of Education and as Vice President at Battelle for Kids. For more than a decade, Jamie has done extensive research in the science of Hope—and why it matters for students, staff, education leaders, and communities. The Science of Hope: Jamie has made herself a student of hope, and has learned a great deal how we can focus on hope as a tool for leading, teaching, and learning. In this interview, Jamie explains that hope is different from wishful thinking, and walks us through the science of the brain— and where hope actually lives in our minds. Unlike “wishing” (which is passive), real hope is an active, strategic cognitive process. Neuroscience shows that hope is a skill that can be practiced. The more we choose hopeful thoughts, the more we physically rewire our brains to build capacity for resilience. The GPA of Hope: Jamie also introduces C.R. Snyder’s Hope Theory framework: Goals: A vision for a future that is better than today. Pathways: The ability to identify multiple routes to reach those goals and navigate obstacles. Agency: The belief in one’s own ability and the mental energy to pursue those pathways. Building Hope Among Students: Students are often stuck in the downward spiral of losing hope, which often starts with anger , moves to despair, and ends in apathy. As Jamie says, “Don’t misdiagnose hopelessness as laziness. Apathy is the final stage of a depleted spirit.” Teachers and staff are key factors in increasing student hope. Look for staff who bring energy, share their power, and get students excited about the future. Hope is a gift that can be shared. A student who has lost hope can borrow it from a teacher, but only if that teacher has it to spare. This applies to leaders and their staff as well. Staying Connected: If you would like to learn more about Jamie Meade, you can connect with her via email at [email protected]. The post PMP506: Hope Is A Strategy with Jamie Meade appeared first on Principal Matters.