Dexter families are likely familiar with The Helm, which represents The Learner Profile. This profile outlines nine key skills that Dexter students work on daily. The goal? For every student to master these skills by the time they graduate from Dexter High School.
But how are these skills actually taught and practiced? What does Kindness & Empathy look like for DHS students coding in Applied Computer Science? How does Financial Literacy come to life in a DEEC kindergarten class? This series will unpack the Learner Profile to help everyone understand the Dexter Community Schools guiding principles.
Last year, the Instructional Support Team (IST) led professional development sessions on how DCS staff can (and do) include the competencies in their teaching. Every day, teachers are leading discussions with students and gathering real-life examples of these skills in action. At all grade levels, students and teachers are talking about how these skills look, sound, and feel in the classroom. Posters in every classroom highlight one competency per month, with space for students and teachers to add examples. The goal is to help students reflect on their experiences and learn to explain their strengths—which is useful for job interviews, college applications, and more.
“The workforce landscape has changed,” explains Ryan Bruder, Executive Director of Instruction. “We need to shift the mindset that not going to college is a bad thing—it’s not. There are many paths to success.” In the past, a high GPA and a degree from an elite college guaranteed top jobs. Now, employers value real-world skills and the ability to solve problems. “Content knowledge is still important,” Bruder says, “but knowing how to find reliable information and use it is just as critical. Our goal is to graduate learners who can give concrete examples of the strengths and skills gained during their time at Dexter.” Employers ask, “What are your core strengths?” and Dexter students need to confidently answer that question.
The transferable skills in The Learner Profile are designed to help students succeed, no matter which path they take in life.
September: Kindness & Empathy
In September, students and teachers focused on Kindness & Empathy. DCS teachers prepare students to interact effectively with others, respect cultural practices and norms, and work with teams. This includes knowing when to listen, when to speak, and how to act in a professional manner. By developing these skills, students can approach different ideas with an open mind and use teamwork to spark creativity and innovation.
Kindness & Empathy in Action
Here are some DCS staff- and student-reported examples of what Kindness & Empathy looks like, feels like, and sounds like around the District:
- A teacher greets students at the door, setting a positive and welcoming tone.
- Talking to someone who has no one else to talk to.
- A teacher offers to review a student’s work before a presentation to ease nerves.
- Kindness feels like a hug when I’m sad.
- Classroom setups use thoughtful lighting and seating for student comfort and learning.
- The sound of someone offering encouragement.
- Group activities like “think/pair/share” help students listen, speak, and build confidence.
- Teachers connect with students, checking in on their well-being during class.
- When someone helps you feel better after a mistake, it shows they care.
Spotlight on Kindness & Empathy in Kindergarten teacher Betsy Bluhm’s classroom:
Our class read several books to create a chart of what kindness looks and sounds like. We discussed kind actions or words to help fill others' buckets and how kindness makes us feel. I Forgive Alex helped us explore empathy. We often refer to the chart, especially during conflicts, to think about ways to solve problems kindly.
For example, two students both wanted to put away the soccer ball during recess. They decided to take turns—one puts it away during the first recess, the other during the second. We have thoughtful discussions, and kindergarteners come up with great ideas.
We end each day by reflecting on kindness and wishing each other well. One classroom job is Kindness Crusader, a student who looks for examples of kindness to share at closing circle. We pass around a pinwheel, blowing and saying, "We wish you well" to spread kindness beyond our classroom and show we care as we leave.
By focusing on one competency each month, DCS helps students recognize their strengths and areas for growth. These concrete examples reinforce the skills and prepare students to confidently share their experiences when asked, “What are your core strengths?”
Next month’s competency: Communication.
- Kindness & Empathy
- curriculum