Nearly 13 years ago, Dr. David Vinson stood before a group of Wylie ISD parents and community leaders with an important question: What values should a Wylie ISD graduate embody? As the newly appointed superintendent, Vinson, who had devoted his career to character education, understood that while academics were crucial, the character development of students and staff was equally important. The insights shared that day laid the foundation for what is now known as “The Wylie Way.”
“Schools belong to the community,” Vinson said. “It was important for me and our board to understand what mattered to this community. At the same time, I wanted to be intentional in our approach to enhancing the hope, well-being, and engagement of our students and staff. There was no better way to increase student achievement and highlight what’s right with students than by asking those who know them best — our parents, staff and community.”
From that meeting, the core ethical values of The Wylie Way were established: Respect and Responsibility, Caring and Giving, Grit and Preparation, and later, Gratitude and Celebration. These values have since become the pillars of the district, forming the foundation of The Wylie Way framework.
The Wylie Way isn’t a program brought into the district; rather, it’s how the district approaches education and teaching the whole person. The framework centers around Martin Seligman's research on positive psychology, which focuses on understanding and fostering what is right with people.
“Starting where people are already strong and building positive relationships along the way is a cornerstone of the Wylie Way,” said Amanda Martin, Director of The Wylie Way.
Concepts of The Wylie Way also include strengths, happiness, hope, and grit, supported by research from Gallup, the VIA Institute of Character, Shawn Achor, Shane Lopez, Charles Snyder, Angela Duckworth, and more. These concepts meet the positive character traits and personal skills requirements set by the Texas Education Agency.
“Dr. Vinson knew these concepts needed to be presented to the students and staff in an easy, meaningful, and compelling way,” Martin said. “That way, everyone involved would have the best chance at wanting to participate, be engaged, and grow in their learning.”
In simple terms, The Wylie Way teaches students to explore their strengths and interests, map their futures, and develop relational skills. The district believes that by focusing on students as whole people and equipping them with what they need to succeed in life, students will graduate as good people who go on to do good things.
“The Wylie Way is who we are,” Vinson said. “It represents our district’s identity and values. The Wylie Way is ingrained in everything we do, from the way we teach to the way we interact with students, staff and our community.”
To make this happen, the district intentionally makes time for relationships to develop.
“All of this is done with the understanding that positive adult and student relationships must exist for any of the learning to take place,” Vinson said.
Recognizing the constraints on teachers' schedules, each element of The Wylie Way is carefully planned and scheduled before the school year begins. Specific days and portions of days throughout the year, on what are called Wylie Way Days, are dedicated to teaching lessons aligned with The Wylie Way framework and core values.
“As educators, we fully recognize and believe in the power of a 'teachable moment' in the classroom,” Martin said. These spontaneous instances have an impact on students' understanding and growth. However, we also believe that character development is too important to rely solely on these moments. We wanted to create a structured, intentional approach to ensure character development is an ongoing and deliberate part of the educational experience."
These lessons are taught to all enrolled students in grades Pre-K through 12. Visiting an elementary or intermediate campus on a Wylie Way Day is a full-blown experience, with PTA and staff-created decorations adorning the walls and staff dressing up in themed clothing to excite students for the day. Students in grades 3-12 also engage in self-reflection activities during the lessons, such as identifying their support system. They record their answers in their Achievement Profile—a dashboard that tracks hope scores, future goals, and more that parents can view.
“Wylie Way Days are entirely focused on character development,” Martin said. “It's a time when regular academic schedules are set aside, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in the activities and lessons designed. Many of these lessons generate natural conversations between teachers and students. Teachers share their own personal experiences, enhancing their connections and trust with students.”
These lessons are crafted months in advance by Wylie Way writing teams comprised of teachers and counselors from the district and relate to the school year’s theme. Every grade level’s lessons are different, ensuring students experience new material as they progress through school. Any activities requiring extra materials are prepared and packaged at Wylie ISD’s central office and delivered to the campuses. Additionally, professional development is provided at the start of each school year to prepare teachers' mindsets on the focus for the upcoming year.
“We want to respect our teachers’ time and handle as much of the preparation as possible,” Martin said. “By taking care of the logistical details and providing ready-to-use materials, we allow our teachers to concentrate on what truly matters—engaging with their students and delivering impactful lessons.”
In addition to Wylie Way Days, the district highlights two core values each nine-week period. Events are scheduled to coincide with these values, such as College Week, which is paired with the values of Grit & Preparation, and the annual canned food drive, which is paired with the values of Caring & Giving. Students in grades 5-12 also complete relationship surveys three times a year to ensure each student has at least one positive relationship with an adult on campus. In Wylie ISD, The Wylie Way is integrated into every aspect of what the district does.
But does The Wylie Way actually make a difference? In the relationship surveys given to students, more than 93% of students responded positively. However, to truly understand its impact, it's best to hear directly from the students and graduates who have experienced it firsthand. Their stories tell how The Wylie Way shapes lives.
In 2022, Vinson and Martin received an unsolicited email from a 2020 Wylie East High School graduate. The subject line read, “Thank you for Wylie Way Days!” Compelled to write after hearing her siblings talk about a recent Wylie Way Day, the graduate shared her appreciation for the lessons and experiences that had left a lasting impression on her.
“Of all the memories from school, the ones that were the most memorable and meaningful in shaping the person I am today and the things I value come from the Wylie Way Days,” the graduate wrote. “I can’t think of many other school districts that care enough about their students’ well-being to set aside secular education for a couple of days to teach students some of the most important things they can learn.“
She continued, “From Wylie Way Days, I learned what it means to work hard, what my strengths are, the importance of having a support system, and why hope and happiness are so important. There is so much craziness in the world right now, and at the end of the day, all that matters is the relationships we have and the values we live. Of all the things I have learned and will ever learn, those are the most important! Thanks so much for caring about us students and taking the time to teach us what really matters at such a young age!”
These testimonials highlight The Wylie Way's profound and lasting impact on students' lives. By prioritizing character education alongside academic excellence, Wylie ISD ensures that its graduates are not only well-prepared for their future careers but are also ready to make positive contributions to society. This holistic approach to education shows the district's commitment to developing well-rounded individuals who can lead happy and meaningful lives. To learn more about The Wylie Way, visit www.thewylieway.com.