GUIDANCE: Educational leader Richard Parkhouse assists high schools in becoming an optimal learning environment.
By Jacob Ferrall, Staff Writer
Richard Parkhouse, creator of the “World’s Greatest Schools” consultant team, decided to help over 2,000 schools across the country with his philosophy of creating an environment fit for every student, which aims to ensure a positive learning experience. Parkhouse claims the main goal of his endeavors is to “build a culture of significance where everyone matters.” Since he began his charitable journey, he has written three books: “Building the World’s Greatest High School,” “Building the World’s Greatest High School Workbook” and “Building the World’s Greatest High School Student Leader.” These three books intend to define the values a school should embody, improve the potential of students and staff and grow into the “World’s Greatest Me.”
His first book, “Building the World’s Greatest High School,” proposes a roadmap to transform any school into the one of the “World’s Greatest Schools” in one year or less. According to Parkhouse, applying the techniques found in the book will not only aid a school in giving its students opportunity and assistance, but also enhance the future of a community as a whole. The next book, “Building the World’s Greatest High School Workbook,” acts as an extension of the previous book with more methods for development and further insight into the process.
Parkhouse’s most recent book, “Building the World’s Greatest High School Student Leader,” describes a system enabling a student to start living the “good life” today. It is a guide directed towards aspiring students who could potentially have the ability to influence their class. The book offers advice towards taking an active role in school events and making sure everybody has a quality high school life experience as an important figure. Poly Principal Dr. Michael Roe, who has collaborated with Parkhouse on various occasions, claims the book is all about the “culture” a student leader can create. “His focus has been giving students an opportunity to interact with their significance on a daily basis,” Roe said.
A major goal of the “World’s Greatest Schools” team is to assist students in their quest to find their ideal self. This involves engagement in things that “let you build your purpose,” as Roe describes it. A student attending a school with the values described by Parkhouse, should have a sense of direction and a plan for the future. Roe comments that the worst possible scenario is to have a student that graduates high school and thinks, “Now what?” The world’s greatest schools should prepare a student to tackle the world outside of campus and know their strengths. However, that does not mean the high school experience should be disregarded just as a transition stage and nothing more. Parkhouse believes that time in high school should be cherished as a positive experience. Students need to consider the “legacy” they leave behind at their high school and progress forward with a philosophy that works best for them.