What Really Matters

What really matters is taking time to get to know our students before we try and teach them, before ever handing out textbooks or assignments. It makes a difference and is anything but a waste of time. Too often, teachers are preoccupied with time and being what is considered ‘productive’. When did teachers become so focused on packing in every teaching moment with content? Why do teachers separate the content they teach from the relationships they develop? Why do primary school teachers know the importance of getting acquainted first with their students and then begin the process of teaching and learning?

These questions come to mind because Think Global School, the first international, mobile, travelling school is doing just the opposite and I can see and feel the difference.

Taking the time to get to know who each of our students are, what is important to them, excites them, and what their hopes are, sets the stage for learning. Developing this initial rapport is critical for relationship building and can happen in several ways, one is by playing. High Schools have lost the art of play as a way of learning. TGS is bringing it back. Playing a pick up game of street hockey, cards, sharing and downloading music provided teachers and students a forum to be themselves, for teachers to observe and students to relax into learning.

While teachers and students were playing, I was fortunate to spend time with each student, affording the possibility for students to share significant stories and moments with me and most importantly, to be engaged with them. Each student had brought along photos about themselves, their communities, and their favorite activities, sharing this in their own unique styles. Some presented a video while others had photos or a power point. Each took pride in sharing who they are. While one student lived in a busy city and had travelled the world, another came from a small rural village in Africa where open spaces and simple pleasures were her norm. What really mattered was how much I learnt about their individual uniqueness. This is the heart of what teaching is all about. How can we guide students to become their best possible selves without knowing who they are?

Two ingredients kindergarten teachers know best we can learn from: Observation and connection. These are powerful ingredients for teaching effectively. We cannot teach students we do not know. TGS launched school with playing and connection: powerful ingredients for learning.What are you doing in your school?