The start of a new year often invites reflection. At the School District of Lancaster, it is also a time to encourage students to think forward, imagine what is possible, and take ownership of their next steps. At Wheatland Middle School, that reflection came to life through a 2026 vision board project led by eighth-grade teacher Tania Turner.
Inside Turner’s classroom, students revisited the year behind them while intentionally looking toward the year ahead. Using Canva, each student created a digital vision board representing their goals, aspirations, and hopes for 2026. The boards captured everything from academic achievement and extracurricular ambitions to friendships, financial goals, and personal well-being.
The project elevated student voice, giving each learner space to define success on their own terms while reflecting on what matters most to them.
For Turner, the activity was designed to help students think beyond the present moment. “I want them to be able to see past today,” she shared. “This is the time to start putting things in motion so they can reach the goals they’re setting for themselves.” As eighth graders preparing to transition to high school, students are standing at an important crossroads, and this project asked them to pause and recognize the significance of that moment.
Across the boards, clear themes emerged. Many students included goals related to grades, expressing a strong desire to earn A’s and B’s as they prepare for the academic expectations of high school. Others focused on extracurricular opportunities, including sports such as cheer and tennis, as well as clubs and activities they hope to pursue. Several students highlighted goals connected to working their first jobs and earning money, reflecting a growing sense of independence and responsibility.
One of the most meaningful patterns Turner noticed was how often students featured photos of their friends. “This class is very close,” she said. “They show up for one another. They advocate for each other, stick together, and hold each other accountable.” The presence of friendships across so many boards spoke to a strong sense of unity and belonging, qualities that are especially important during times of transition.
The project also created space for deeper conversations around mindset and self-belief. A quote displayed on Turner’s own vision board, “You become what you believe,” helped guide those discussions. At a stage in life when negative self-talk can easily take hold, students were encouraged to reflect on how the words they use about themselves shape their confidence and outcomes. Turner emphasized that belief is often the first step toward growth. “If you constantly tell yourself you’re bad at something,” she explained, “you start to believe it. But when you speak positively about yourself, you begin to grow into that belief.”
As students at Wheatland Middle School prepare for the transition from middle school to high school, this vision board project reflects the School District of Lancaster’s commitment to educating the whole child. In imagining their futures at this pivotal moment, students are learning that their goals matter, their voices matter, and that the steps they take today are already shaping who they are becoming.
At Wheatland Middle School, the future is already taking shape.
