When we set out to refresh our logo nearly 30 years after ASSET's inception, we had no idea how deeply it would re-center us in who we are and why we do what we do.

 

It started with a metaphorical concept connected to the Fibonacci Sequence,  a series in which each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, .... and so on, forever.

 

This mathematical pattern is closely connected to what is often referred to as the Golden Spiral. Spirals are found everywhere in nature. From nautilus shells, to hurricanes and waves, to sunflowers and pinecones, and chameleon tails. 

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For us, what resonated most was the idea of exponential, reflective growth. At the center of learning is reflection. It's the starting point to which we return with new knowledge.

 

Just like the segments of a nautilus shell, as humans, we take what we've gained in the past to inform our current growth. Unlike the nautilus, however, humans don't have a natural innate spiral to circle back to our center with set regularity. We have to impose it - and that is not always comfortable or fun. We tend to look at the New Year as our fresh start... or our"return to center."

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Organizationally, we came back to our center in 2023. It led us on a solid path, leaning into an exponential mindset and tackling root causes. 

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But what heartened us most is the recognition that we continue to be who we were from the very start - a responsive organization committed to continous improvement to advance teaching and learning. Yes, that has taken many forms, but the mission remains the same. 

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We are very proud of who we are and all we accomplished throughout the past year. 

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2024 brings a 30th anniversary for ASSET, which will not only be a celebration of what's been done, but also for what's to come.

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None of this work could be possible without the support of our funders, partners, and collaborators. We know that innovation cannot happen in isolation. Thank you to everyone who was part of the journey in 2023.

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