Democratic School Models

Service Description

This seminar introduces the principles and practical application of democratic classrooms. Educators learn how to honour student voice, share decision-making power responsibly, and implement frameworks such as the Web of Rights and the Democratic School Model. The focus is on creating inclusive, equitable, and community-driven classrooms where every voice matters and where students develop agency, responsibility, and belonging. What educators are saying: Educators are often asked to reflect on professional learning long after the moment has passed. The reflections below were shared immediately following presentations and seminars, capturing what resonated, what felt usable, and how this work connects to real classroom practice. What learning did you take away from the presentation? Student voice leads to a sense of belonging, and belonging leads to student success. This was my first introduction to the Democratic School Model, and it felt like the next right step for my future classes. I also learned that student voice is not always as complicated as we might assume. Amplifying it requires clear intentions and a genuine commitment to the best interests of both students and the broader community. What was missing from the presentation? Nothing. In fact, I wanted even more. The use of icons on every slide stood out to me as an excellent example of clear instruction and accessible visual cues. It made the ideas easy to understand and immediately transferable. I found myself thinking about how I could implement these strategies in my own classroom, and even how they could be used more broadly across the school. Additional feedback and reflections on implementation Thank you for delivering such impactful and memorable presentations. I feel confident implementing the Web of Rights, especially as a visual framework. As someone new to this approach, it made the concepts accessible for me, and I can see how powerful it would be for students as well. A potential barrier could be time. However, I see this work as foundational. Even if it does not fully take hold immediately, it sets the tone for the year and opens space for ongoing conversation and negotiat