Future-Ready Middle Schools Roundtable | Session 02:
Yes, They Can! Cultivating Belief in Student Capacity
December 10, 2025 | 10:30-11:30pm CST
Effective school leaders know low-expectations stagnate student potential. The good news: students also rise to the expectations placed on them. So, if we want them to achieve more, we must raise expectations—and our belief in their capacity—to match that higher bar.
In Session 2 of the Future-Ready Middle Schools Roundtable, leaders will create an action plan to help teachers move from “my students can’t do that” to “yes, they can—here’s how.” This collaborative working session focuses on building a culture of high expectations where challenging, grade-level work is paired with classroom systems and protocols that signal belief and support student success.
In e2L-facilitated small groups, you’ll surface common “can’t yet” narratives and turn them into clear “can—if” actions—the language, routines, and scaffolds that reinforce belief in students. We’ll also identify classroom and campus systems that quietly reinforce low expectations (e.g., over-scaffolding, step-by-step micromanagement, limited time for independent work) and replace them with trust-building routines that grow autonomy with accountability.
You’ll leave with:
- A 30-Day Raising-Expectations Action Plan with clear owners, timelines, and simple success signals.
- A “Yes, They Can” conversation guide for coaching and PLCs to reframe limiting beliefs into asset-based action.
- A concise look-fors & checkpoints sheet that aligns walkthroughs, feedback, and student voice around high expectations.
IMPORTANT: This is a virtual working session—come ready to dig in with other leaders frustrated by the yo-yo effect of siloed curriculum and PD solutions. No sit-and-get, here. Just collaboration, ideation, and action with other like-minded leaders.
Quick FAQ:
I missed Session 1. Is that okay?
Yes. Each Future-Ready Middle Schools Roundtable stands alone—you do not need to attend previous sessions to join the next one.
Is this session recorded?
No. Because the roundtable is personal and highly collaborative, we do not record it. Please plan to attend live.
Who should attend this session?
Middle school leaders at the district and campus levels, including directors of school leadership, principals, assistant principals, and instructional coaches.
I don’t work in a K–12 public school. Can I attend?
Not at this time. To keep the conversation highly relevant for middle school leaders, participation is limited to current K–12 public school district staff.
Facilitator:
Jill Galloway
Chief Innovation Officer,
Jill has a background in Computer Science and nearly 20 years of experience in instructional technology, product design, and EdTech leadership. She leads the product strategy, innovation, and design for GroweLab—e2L’s implementation and support platform. A daily AI user, Jill plays a key role in using this technology to streamline workflows, support educators, and improve student outcomes.
