What do we expect of our students? Do we put limits on what they can achieve?

This is a great TedTalk to share with colleagues. Dr. Tae, a skateboarder, videographer, scientist, and teacher, contrasts his own learning experiences while skateboarding with the current education system. In his TEDx Talk, he provides insights on how we might better educate in the future.

The IB is a mission oriented education: it is all about nurturing students who are internationally minded who will be change makers - to make the world a better and more peaceful place. One way in which we do this is by nurturing people who are open minded.

Washington International School summed this up well: “Educating global citizens means much more than exposure to many nationalities, learning about multiple cultures, or even immersion in other languages.  It requires giving students the outlook and skills that equip them with mental flexibility and a basic respect for perspectives other than their own. A global citizen is one who seeks out a range of views and perspectives when solving problems.  He or she does not “tolerate” or “accept” cultural difference or viewpoints, since these words implicitly place the speaker at the centre of what is acceptable and right.  Global citizens proactively seek out those who have backgrounds that are different from their own, examine ideas that challenge their own and then enjoy the complexity. A global citizen examines and respects differences, and evaluates them critically.  He or she does not passively accept all ideas or philosophies.  Engagement – in thought, in discussion, in active learning – is the basis for global citizenship.” (Washington International School)

Watch the first half of this TED Talk and then use the Harvard Project Zero protocol on stories to explore our diverse perspectives. Find Harvard routine HERE.

When UNESCO publishes a document called "Why the world needs happy schools" that tells us how chronically unhappy many children and youth are in today's world and in the schools today.

Use this framework as an audit for your schools’ wellbeing.

The Pedagogy Postcard Series: All in one place.

A series of short posts about specific elements of teaching practice that are effective.

Here they are all in one place. Click the postcard links for each post.

Click HERE.

LISTEN: Good leaders pay attention to the needs, concerns, and ideas of others.

EMPOWER: Effective leaders empower their team members by providing them with the tools, resources, and autonomy they need to succeed.

AMPLIFY: A great leader amplifies the voices of those around them, particularly those who might be overlooked.

DEVELOP: Leaders are committed to the development of their team members, investing time and resources into training, mentoring, and career growth opportunities.

ENGAGE: Engaging leaders actively involve themselves in the work and lives of their team, creating a dynamic environment where everyone feels connected and motivated.

RESPECT: Respect involves treating all individuals with dignity, valuing their contributions, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and equity.

SUPPORT: Leaders provide unwavering support to their team, offering guidance, assistance, and encouragement.

HELP: Beyond directing, true leaders are willing to roll up their sleeves and help out wherever they’re needed.

INSPIRE: Through their vision, passion, and dedication, leaders inspire those around them to achieve their best.

PROMOTE. A leader promotes a positive culture and champions the successes of their team, both within the organization and externally.

Credit for this acronym to Malik Ghaith.

“Every moment students spend in our rooms, amid the business of the day, the paper pushing and content coverage, amid the set-up and tear-down of projects, they hear everything we say. About ourselves. About the world. About them. They watch how we handle ourselves when we are pressed for time and when we receive gifts and when we screw things up.

So yes, deliver your curriculum. Yes, provide rich, hands-on, authentic learning experiences. Offer rigorous academic challenges. Raise the bar. Coach and guide. Nurture. Push. Advise. But also be: To truly lead is to pay attention to who we are in the downtime, in the margins. To help them become the best people they are capable of becoming, we must first be those people.” (Jennifer Gonzalez)

We can do it in these ways: Click HERE

This excerpt is from the movie Ray, about the life of Ray Charles. It goes to the heart of our relationship with our students – how do we support them in such a way that they grow their own agency.

What do I do if I am asked for help? Do I jump up and make sure that 'it' is arranged out of helpfulness or another intention? And what intention do I have? Or do I do nothing and wait for the other person to solve it themselves? Get up yourself? Or do I leave the problem with the other person? And if so, how do I stay with it? Do I let go completely or am I available? Am I keeping an eye on things?

In an insightful article, Ashley Huckabone, an educator from Connecticut, USA, provides valuable tips for successful parent-teacher conferences. Firstly, she emphasizes that conferences are an occasion to celebrate each child individually. Secondly, they foster a sense of connection between parents, teachers, and the school community. Lastly, conferences recognize that both educators and parents are allies in supporting the child's growth and confidence. To ensure fruitful conferences, Huckabone suggests several do's and don'ts.

Click HERE.

Consider the Kaizen approach.

Kaizen is a Japanese concept meaning "continuous improvement". It encourages a mindset of all in the school constantly seeking ways to improve. It is about implementing small, incremental changes regularly, that can lead to significant improvements over time. It involves continuously monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the implemented changes, and adjusting as needed.