A focus on strong healthy learning communities can only be accomplished by beginning with a focus on the Whole Educator. Educators (defined as all adults working in Columbus City Schools) must prioritize and focus on their own regulation, social-emotional health, and wellness to be able to share their knowledge and practices with the students this district serves and the colleagues we serve alongside.

In previous models, school systems have focused educator professional learning on general instructional skill development and particular licensure area specializations, while neglecting an intentional focus on connecting the ways adult attitudes, dispositions, and beliefs impact the attitudes, dispositions and beliefs of students. However, as professional learning time and space are provided for educators to reflect on their own personal educational journeys, their own social emotional wellbeing and the development of updated research on the brain/ emotional connection, each educator must assume the role of Lead Learner, ensuring that each educator is relying upon up-to-date, transformational best practices that disrupt ineffective, outdated, traditional practices.