The deeper point of this quadrant model (and any other Core Values quadrant model) is not to claim that individuals live permanently in one quadrant. Instead, it provides a map of orientations that people may default to, shift between, or consciously choose depending on factors such as the relationship in question, the setting (formal vs. informal, public vs. private), the stakes (high-pressure vs. low-pressure situations), and any relevant cultural expectations.

Community as a Core Value reflects more than just how well people get along. It speaks to the deeper, structural interdependence of individuals within a group. The concept of "community" is to bind individuals into relationships of shared purpose, shared belonging, and shared responsibility.

Integrity is often described as “doing what’s right when nobody is looking.”  In schools, it means staying true to what we believe is...

Trust as a Core Value is more than the belief that someone will keep a promise. At its foundation, Trust is built on three core...

Responsibility as a Core Value is more than checking off tasks. It is the place where accountability (answering for outcomes) intersects with priorities (deciding what matters most). Two perpendicular dimensions can effectively map that intersection.

Fairness is one of those universal values that almost everyone claims—but few agree on. In the Mullen Bioecological Model, fairness is broken down into two key dimensions, each with two ends. When crossed, they form four distinct interpretations of what fairness actually looks like in practice.

Respect as a Core Value for Who We Are and How We Learn involves perspectives of Authority and Self-Worth influenced by six attributes.

At the end of my last post, Elements of Culture, I wrote how Culture and Values overlap but are still distinct layers with distinct...

How would I describe the culture of a self-directed schooling environment? When I think about “culture”, I often imagine the sound of...