I'm always telling kids "you'd be a great teacher someday." Or I'll joke that I should give them part of my salary for the day because they are doing such a great job teaching their peers :)
Such time and attention to each person, and what makes them tick. These students are lucky to have you. And we can all learn from your careful attention and ideas, thank you for sharing.
I love your philosophy club! When my son was about six years old, we used to talk about the wonders of the universe during our walks to school. He loved nihilism and the existential ideas of Niche, Hindu/Buddhist non-duality, theoretical discussions on white holes, telepathy, etc.
May years later, I was teaching in a new private school in Costa Rica and was criticised for discussing ideas about the formation of planet earth, the collision with Theia and the principle of accretion. The kids were really into it and we were having lots of fun crashing into each other in rolling office chairs, but the founder was convinced that the ideas were too complex. I disagreed at a fundamental level. My experience has been that all concepts can be communicated to young minds if the educator has the skill to break down concepts into simplistic building blocks, and the student is curious.
I feel that very often what holds students back (and not just students) is the belief of educators as to what is possible. As a person who does not limit possibilities in my mind, I've often found myself at odds with systems of belief and industries as education. School should be a place for explorers of ideas, for the playful, and those who seek to bring those ideas into the material world. The rest should get out of the way.
I love how you’ve empowered your students to lead and take ownership of their learning. This is the kind of teaching that stays with kids forever.
Thanks Jo 😊 that means a lot - I love your approach to teaching and learning from what I’ve read of your posts!
Great post as always, Jack! Some really sound advice too, it really shows the power of relationships!
Excellent advice.
I'm always telling kids "you'd be a great teacher someday." Or I'll joke that I should give them part of my salary for the day because they are doing such a great job teaching their peers :)
Such time and attention to each person, and what makes them tick. These students are lucky to have you. And we can all learn from your careful attention and ideas, thank you for sharing.
That’s really kind of you to say, thank you. I could never grow tired of this aspect of teaching.
What a terrific post Jack! Just wonderful to see the impact of your approach on your pupils
I got so excited reading this comment Mary 😂 thank you so much, what a compliment!
I love your philosophy club! When my son was about six years old, we used to talk about the wonders of the universe during our walks to school. He loved nihilism and the existential ideas of Niche, Hindu/Buddhist non-duality, theoretical discussions on white holes, telepathy, etc.
May years later, I was teaching in a new private school in Costa Rica and was criticised for discussing ideas about the formation of planet earth, the collision with Theia and the principle of accretion. The kids were really into it and we were having lots of fun crashing into each other in rolling office chairs, but the founder was convinced that the ideas were too complex. I disagreed at a fundamental level. My experience has been that all concepts can be communicated to young minds if the educator has the skill to break down concepts into simplistic building blocks, and the student is curious.
I feel that very often what holds students back (and not just students) is the belief of educators as to what is possible. As a person who does not limit possibilities in my mind, I've often found myself at odds with systems of belief and industries as education. School should be a place for explorers of ideas, for the playful, and those who seek to bring those ideas into the material world. The rest should get out of the way.