It's been an interesting week beginning with a PD a week ago. It was a really windy morning but I managed to get to the beach and not be blown away, before I turned up at the venue.
Last week I had the opportunity to attend a PD "Play Is The Way" and if you haven't already, I would encourage you to do it. It was well presented, inspirational and practical. In a nutshell, it helps those in education use Play is the Way games to help students learn how they can master their own behaviour. It was so good to see how the games are critical in the areas of mental health and wellbeing as well as social and emotional learning.
Earlier this week I watched a Four Corners Episode about "The Kids Who Can't" [go to school] which is often labelled as school refusal. In some states of Australia, parents are threatened with fines if their child doesn't attend school which just adds to the pressure at home and many families are resorting to home schooling. One mum said, "I dropped him off to school one day and he just broke."
One of the questions asked were, "Why would kids bother coming to your school?" I love that question and feel that all schools and staff should evaluate their school using that question. Ask the students, ask the parents, ask the staff, ask the community. It might be confronting but it opens up an opportunity to ensure the school creates an environment of emotional and physical safety.
The program also reminded us that teachers are leaving because, "You can't help the student who is in front of you" or "You've failed students because you haven't had an understanding of the full issue."
There are solutions and as one parent pointed out, "It is costly but in the long term it costs less than the alternative for students who can't go to school."
I went and read a Facebook page where teachers were asking "How?" "How do I reach those kids?" "How do I make sure all of my students are thriving in their learning and reaching their full potential?" Many teachers were crying out for help so that they themselves don't burn out, yet many of them felt they were on the verge of being broken.
Teachers are leaving the profession sooner many of them not lasting beyond 5 years, so when we put new, enthusiastic teachers in front of their classrooms, we need to be able to give them the tools they need to thrive and grow. They need to be supported and reminded that they are valued. When it gets tough, they need to know that they will get through this.
It breaks my heart when I hear of teachers who have lost their passion for teaching because they felt ill-equipped to handle the class or they didn't feel supported. When I walk in to my classroom, I look at the faces in front of me and I want them to enjoy learning. I want my students to be doing their best and I pull out my teaching toolbox (figuratively speaking) and I find the most effective ones for that context and situation.
I also make it a priority to continue to check the tools I have, polish up some of the ones that I'd forgotten, shove a few further down for another time and then read, watch useful programs, listen to podcasts and attend PDs so that I can continue to build on the tools I already have. I've taught for over 30 years and have seen a lot of changes in the classroom dynamics, pedagogy, curriculum, documentation etc and I am thankful for the opportunities and the classes I have had in my career.
So, if you are a teacher my question to you is this: If you had just one wish to help you thrive as a teacher, what would it be?
