Creative Facilitation | Co-Creational Design
Changing Susie King Taylor Community School's Identity in the Community
Overview
The collaboration between Susie King Taylor School and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) aimed to co-create an action plan based on their 6 prescribed focus areas, and guide them toward their goal of educating a “Whole Child”. Our team served as consultants and researchers working closely with various stakeholders of the school.
My Role
Workshop Organiser & Facilitator | Product Designer | Client Point of Contact
.png)
Client Ask
Susie King Taylor Community School (SKTCS) is a local K8 school in midtown Savannah with a mission to educate the 'whole child'. As a charter school serving the Chatham County community, SKTCS aims to empower students through critical thinking, creativity, and academic development.
6 Focus Areas of the Strategic Plan
-
Academic Achievement
-
Social Emotional Learning
-
Place-Based Learning
-
Discipline
-
Parent Engagement
-
School Culture
The Problem
SKTCS's ultimate goal was to change its reputation in the community by improving performance in 5 target areas. The school had a strategic action plan but no direction for implementing it, no role-based responsibilities assignment system and most importantly, a negative reputation in the community, resulting in problems like teacher and student retention.
This cause and effect map, on a high level, depicts the factors that influence the school's reputation among its community members.
Diagnosing the problem
Brand Diagnostics Workshop
We used the brand diagnostics workshop to address specific questions, issues of the teachers, board members and parents to identify opportunities and build solutions accordingly.
Co-Creating the SKTCS brand for internal alignment and establishing identity in the community.
Co-Creation Workshop
Based on the Brand Diagnostic Workshop insights, interviews with various stakeholders, and research analysis of the findings so far; the need for 'Brand Alignment' and an 'Action Plan' emerged - which became the primary focus of the workshop activities designed and conducted in this phase. It was important to ensure that all stakeholders have the same understanding of who SKTCS is and what the school stands for and make sure that the efforts, thoughts, and actions are towards the unified mission of educating the 'whole child'.
SKTCS Brand Values Framework
This SKTCS Identity Framework addresses the ongoing need for brand alignment through a clear and unique brand framework that serves as a reference point. It also includes the 'Core Brand Message' to ensure visibility among all stakeholders.
We developed a modular toolkit consisting of recommended practices and design thinking tools. This toolkit addresses the previously identified 06 focus areas and aims to improve internal communication and facilitate effective decision-making, ultimately leading to actionable outcomes.
Targeted Tools and Practises Directory For Teachers
We developed a modular toolkit comprising of recommended practices and design thinking tools. This toolkit is specifically designed to address the previously identified six focus areas and aims to improve communication and facilitate effective decision-making for internal and external stakeholders. Ultimately, it will lead to actionable outcomes and further support SKTCS in achieving its educational objectives.
Each tool and practice is curated into 4 groups. Each group serves a function and can serve as a guide in the following areas- Collaborative Discussion, Out of Classroom Learning, Communication and Resources and External Engagement.
Group Page
Tool Details Page
Tool Usage Guide
Project Timeline
March 2023 - May 2023
Product Team
Kiran Raj
Xinyi Ma
Xiao Huang
Zebayesh Lamak
Affiliated Organisation
Savannah College of Art and Design