Transcend operates with a set of core Theories and Frameworks that underpin all of the work we do, no matter the team you sit on. Understanding these foundational ideas is essential knowledge for all Transcenders.
In this section of onboarding, you'll be introduced to our Theories and Frameworks through a series of videos and processing activities. At the end, you'll be prompted to debrief with a veteran teammate who can help you dig even deeper, talk through questions that are coming up for you, and help you further encode your learning.
This section has a lot of content, but know this is just a first exposure to these ideas and concepts. You'll have a chance to go deeper in future phases of onboarding. And of course, these ideas will soon begin to come to life in your day-to-day work.
Tasks
Watch: the following video to orient you to what you will experience in this section of Onboarding:
Tools
Use this note-catcher to capture reflections, ideas and questions along the way. Feel free to modify as needed.
Everything we do at Transcend directly connects back to our mission and vision. The following series of videos and processing activities will help you build a deeper understanding of this "north star" that drives all of our work.
Tasks:
Watch: the following videos in order:
Our Vision + Mission [08:22]
What do we mean by extraordinary, equitable learning? [06:45]
(Optional) Explore our Graduate Aims Framework and Leaps 1 pager to deepen your understanding
How do we define "community"? [03:55]
Our 10 year aim [07:28]
See a few ways Transcend’s vision and mission (often indirectly) get talked about in these videos: Innovative Models Exchange, Conversations with Kids, About Transcend
Tools
Click here to access the slides that accompany the videos in this section
Our Theory of Change describes what we believe is required for us to achieve our vision and mission. In the videos below, you'll learn about our three-part Theory of Change. Along the way, you should begin to see how our teams and projects across the organization work in service of these beliefs about what is required for change to happen in schools.
Tasks
Watch: the following videos in order:
Our Theory Of Change [9:42]
Zoom in: Communities start + sustain design journeys [19:16]
Explore the Guide to Learning Environment Design to deepen your understanding of design
Explore this overview of the Conditions for Innovation to deepen your understanding of conditions
Explore this resource on community-based process to deepen your understanding of what it can look like to tend to dynamics of power, narratives, and relationships in an R&D process
Explore this RPR goal guidance for each stage of the design journey to deepen your understanding of the arc of a journey
Zoom in: Availability of Innovative Models [11:36]
(Optional) Check out The Innovative Models Exchange to explore the models we currently share on our exchange
Zoom in: Enabling Ecosystem [9:24]
Tools
Click here to access the slides that accompany the videos in this section
Our Theory of Action describes the work that we do support our Theory of Change, and ultimately, drive towards our north star Vision and Mission. The video and processing activity below will give you an initial understanding; you'll deepen this in the following section of Onboarding where you'll learn more about our work in action.
Tasks
Watch: the following videos in order:
The three parts of our Theory of Action [15:57]
(Optional) Review a few examples of projects from the past two years that illustrate our Theory of Action, in action!
Tools
Click here to access the slides that accompany the videos in this section
Whew, that was a lot of learning! Now that you've had a chance to engage and process on your own (with some elevator pitch conversations sprinkled in there), you'll have a chance to debrief with a veteran teammate. In this conversation, you can share back your key takeaways, check for understanding around your new learnings, talk through questions that came up for you, and begin making connections to the projects you are involved in.
Task + Tools
Do: Schedule a 45-60 minute call with the a teammate. If you’re in SDS, this should be with the Program Specialist in your portfolio (if you don’t know who that is, ask your manager and they can point you in the right direction!). If you’re on another team, please schedule time instead with Ross Lescano Lipstein or Kirsten Dargis. Grab time on their calendar and shoot them a slack to let them know to look out for the invite.
Do: Use this starter agenda to guide the conversation. Modify it before your call with specific reflections and questions you want to discuss.
Do: Send the agenda to the teammate you'll be meeting with at least 24 hours before your call so they can see what's on your mind.
As an additional follow up to the content in this section, you will have the opportunity to engage in a New Hire Experience where you explore Transcend's Theory of Action further.
As we continue to lean into perpetual beta we want to ensure you have ample opportunity to share your feedback about your onboarding experience. Please utilize the survey below to share your feedback on this section of onboarding. This is completely optional! You will also have the opportunity to share feedback at the end of each phase.