November/December 2022 Ted Talks: Reflecting on the PACT–What do we mean when we talk about Advocacy?

Ted Graf, Head of School
In June 2018, just two years after changing the school’s name and one year after purchasing some of the downtown properties, we finished what turned out to be yet another important and deeply influential piece of work in the development of Headwaters.


The PACT, inspired by learner profiles from both IB and Montessori schools, was the result of many conversations with faculty and students (including grades 4 and 5) during the entire school year, and it crystallized in an uncanny way as we wrapped up. 

As I remember it, we were editing “final” drafts during the closing faculty meetings on each of the three campuses. There was so much we agreed on–peacemaking (of course), creativity, and thinking, but we were uncertain about how best to capture our aspirations for each individual student in the area of agency, diversity, and justice. During the closing meeting with the River faculty, the word “Advocate” was suggested. There was a long pause in the room as we processed and then consensus was palpable. Within minutes, Marc Lionetti, a former colleague, saw the letters p-a-c-t and the acronym itself came together–a pact to ourselves, for ourselves, and a pact with each other.

Now in our fourth school year of using the PACT, I marvel at all that has happened across our state, country, and the world during this time and how the PACT has served as a framework to view the many events. 

We strive to understand and value diverse perspectives, cultures, and faiths. We recognize our agency and act with integrity in pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

Ever since its introduction, our students and guides have been fascinated with the word Advocate and what it means. Here are some observations:
  • Advocacy is connected to empathy (from our Purpose statement), and it requires deep and generous listening. It comes from a place of wonder and curiosity, not certainty.
  • Advocacy is rooted for us in “following the child.” By that, we mean our school works hard to create the conditions and environment where a student can advocate for his/her/their interests or for another person (including themselves).
  • Advocacy is a form of inquiry. By asking questions and listening, any of us can “strive to understand and value different perspectives, cultures, and faiths.”
  • Advocacy can have a civic dimension to it too. By listening and synthesizing, we have a chance to use our agency and take action. Advocates tend to “call people in,” instead of “calling people out.”
In our present era and cultural moment, it is easy to confuse advocacy with activism. After all, activists give the speeches and lead the protests, and they appear to be making change happen. Many (certainly not all) activists work outside the system, and history shows us that approach is often necessary. 

But when we chose “Advocate” for the PACT, we chose it intentionally. Today, the definition of advocacy from the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR) is a good fit for how we have grown into this part of the PACT. USIDHR shared “advocacy incites that convincing others your cause is a worthy one oftentimes lies in listening to their thoughts, making them aware of yours, and tackling disagreements amicably.”  

With the second half of the year on the horizon, let’s listen more closely and more deeply to each other. Let’s frame good questions and call each other in. And, let’s ask each other to tackle our disagreements amicably.
  

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