Yesterday when I was walking the dog, I read this sign properly for the first time. I really liked the Whakatauki (proverb) at the bottom.
Tou rourou, toku rourou, ka ora te Iwi
With your contribution, and my contribution, we will thrive
This sums up teaching for me beautifully. The end 'product' of education should be a well-rounded person, who is happily contributing to society. I believe that nobody can achieve this on their own; that to thrive, a student needs support from a variety of sources, including:
- Parents
- Teachers
- Siblings
- Wider family
- School
- Peers
- Other teachers across the school
- Sports coaches
- Music Teachers
- Community group leaders
- Tutors
- Society as a whole
And not to be forgotten: The STUDENT themselves
Although not exhaustive, this list serves to remind us the role we play in a student's upbringing.
Although the role of a teacher is extremely important, we need to remember that we are a cog in a giant wheel. The importance of the teacher's role will change depending on the student's background and the quality of their support network.
What does this mean for me...not only will I need to take into account a student's background, but I also will need to ensure that I keep in close contact with students' families. All students' cultures will be important too, as the support they will be receiving will often be influenced by their background.
No comments:
Post a Comment