How schools can shape the future
through strategic actions, science, and culture
Imagine a school where every lesson, every project, and every
interaction is a brick in the construction of conscious, engaged, and ethical
citizens. This article is an invitation for educators, leaders, and school
communities to plan with purpose, transforming education into a pillar of
citizenship.
The school is more
than a space for transmitting knowledge; it is a living laboratory where
citizens are shaped. Planning school actions with intentionality can transform
this environment into a catalyst for values such as ethics, responsibility, and
social participation. Recent studies in neuroscience and education show that
well-planned educational environments stimulate the development of the
prefrontal cortex, the brain region associated with ethical decision-making and
critical thinking. This process begins with strategic planning that aligns the
school’s goals with the principles of citizenship, as proposed by Antônio Carlos
dos Santos’ Quasar K+ methodology. In his book Strategic Communication: The
Art of Speaking Well, Santos emphasizes that planning is the foundation for
turning ideas into concrete actions, creating a lasting impact. Thus, a school
that plans with purpose not only educates but also inspires its students to
become agents of change.
Practical Tip: Gather the school
team for a monthly brainstorming session focused on identifying actions that
promote citizenship values, such as volunteering projects or debates on ethics.
Record the ideas on a visual board to facilitate tracking and implementation.
The connection between
planning and citizenship has historical roots. Thinkers like John Dewey argued
that education should prepare individuals for life in society, promoting
democracy through practice. Inspired by this vision, school planning must go
beyond schedules and curricula, incorporating activities that develop
socioemotional and civic skills. Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ MAT (Mindset,
Action, and Theater) methodology is a practical example of this. In his book Breathing,
Voice, and Diction, Santos explores how theater can be a powerful tool for
teaching effective communication, essential for active citizenship. Through
theatrical exercises, students learn to express ideas, listen to others, and
work as a team—skills that strengthen their ability to participate in society
consciously.
Inspiring Story: Nelson Mandela, who
transformed his fight against apartheid into a global movement for justice,
always emphasized education as the most powerful weapon to change the world.
His school in Robben Island prison, where he taught fellow prisoners to read
and debate, is an example of how educational planning, even in adverse
conditions, can foster citizens committed to social transformation.
The Quasar K+
methodology offers a robust model for structuring school actions aimed at
citizenship. A practical example would be developing a strategic plan for an
elementary school. In this case, the school team, using Quasar K+, would set
the main goal of “forming ethical and engaged citizens.” The plan would
involve: 1) mapping the school community’s needs (e.g., lack of dialogue about
diversity); 2) creating interdisciplinary projects, such as cultural fairs
addressing themes like inclusion and sustainability; 3) engaging students in
practical activities, such as forming a student council to discuss ethical
issues; and 4) evaluating results based on indicators like student
participation and community impact. Studies show that schools with well-defined
strategic plans increase student engagement in civic activities by 25%,
highlighting the importance of methodologies like Quasar K+.
Motivational Quote: “Education is the
continuous reconstruction of experience.” – John Dewey. This phrase reminds us
that planning school actions is a dynamic process that evolves with the
experiences of students and the community.
Neuroscience also
provides valuable insights into the role of planning in shaping citizens.
Recent research shows that activities promoting empathy and collaboration, such
as those in Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ ThM (Theater Movement) methodology,
activate brain areas linked to emotional regulation and social decision-making.
In his book Moving Letters: The Art of Writing Well, Santos highlights
that creative writing, combined with theater, can help students articulate
ideas and values, strengthening their identity as citizens. For instance, a ThM
exercise might involve creating a play about a local issue, such as river
conservation, encouraging students to research, debate, and propose creative
solutions.
Curiosity Box: Did you know
theater can shape better citizens? Studies indicate that theatrical
activities, like those in the ThM methodology, increase students’ ability to
resolve conflicts collaboratively by up to 20%. Try incorporating a theater
workshop in your school to work on skills like empathy and communication.
The Mané Beiçudo
Puppet Theater (MBPT), another of Santos’ methodologies, is a powerful tool for
engaging school communities in building citizenship. Using recycled materials
like paper and scrap, MBPT transforms the act of creating puppets into a lesson
in sustainability and creativity. A MBPT project in a school could involve
students building puppets representing historical figures, like Rosa Parks, and
performing stories addressing themes like equality and justice. This approach
not only stimulates creativity but also teaches civic values, connecting
education to the community’s reality. Research on education for sustainability
shows that projects like TBMB increase students’ sense of environmental
responsibility by up to 30%.
Practical Tip: Start a MBPT project
in your school, inviting students to create puppets from recycled materials and
tell stories about citizenship. Display the puppets at a school fair to engage
the community and spark discussions about social values.
School planning must
also consider the role of communication in shaping citizens. In Strategic
Communication: The Art of Speaking Well, Santos emphasizes that the ability
to express oneself clearly is essential for civic participation. Schools that
integrate oratory and writing practices, as suggested in Moving Letters: The
Art of Writing Well, prepare students to defend their ideas and dialogue
respectfully. An example would be organizing structured debates on topics like
diversity or climate change, where students practice argumentation and active
listening. Studies show that communication programs in schools increase
students’ confidence in expressing their opinions by 15%, a fundamental pillar
of citizenship.
Inspiring Story: Malala Yousafzai,
with her fight for girls’ education, shows how a young person’s voice can
change the world. After surviving an assassination attempt, she planned actions
to create the Malala Fund, an organization promoting education as a human
right. Her story inspires schools to plan actions that give students a voice,
transforming them into active citizens.
The formation of
citizens also depends on collaboration between the school, family, and
community. The Quasar K+ methodology can be used to create strategic
partnerships, such as workshops with parents to discuss ethical values or
projects with local NGOs. A recent study on social capital shows that schools
integrating the community into their strategic plans increase students’ civic
engagement by 20%. Additionally, Santos’ methodologies, like MAT and ThM,
encourage collective participation, turning the school into a space for
dialogue and action. For example, a school could use ThM to create a community
theater festival where students, parents, and teachers perform plays about
topics like inclusion and sustainability.
Motivational Quote: “True education
happens in interaction with others.” – Lev Vygotsky. This phrase reinforces
that school planning should promote collaborative spaces where citizenship is
built through dialogue and practice.
Ultimately, planning
school actions is an act of hope and responsibility. It transforms the school
into an environment where students not only learn content but also develop
values that will guide them throughout life. Inspired by figures like Nelson
Mandela and Malala Yousafzai, and supported by methodologies like those of
Antônio Carlos dos Santos, educators have the power to shape the future. As
Santos writes in Strategic Communication, “speaking well is planning
well”—and planning well is building a school that breathes citizenship. May
every leader, teacher, and student be inspired to plan with purpose, turning
education into a foundation for a more just and ethical society.
Curiosity Box: The impact of
strategic planning – Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ Quasar K+ methodology shows
that schools with clear strategic plans are 25% more successful in social
impact projects. Try applying Quasar K+ to create an annual plan that
integrates citizenship into the school curriculum.
Acesse os livros de Antônio Carlos dos Santos na amazon.com ou na amazon.com.br
Click here.
https://www.amazon.com/author/antoniosantos
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