Today I was beyond excited when I found out that Alex Beekman was presenting and the admin meeting! <insert "fan girl" gif> He definitely didn't disappoint! He started his presentation with this slide. Take a look and then I want you to pay close attention to the names of kids who may pop into your mind. This quote made me think about those kids who seem to be causing issues and events for others on a daily basis. But, then if made me start to think about why they may not feel "embraced by the village". As an adim team we were then able to hear some quotes from our very own middle school and high school students from all Hilliard six buildings. It was amazing to hear about what school is like from the perspective of kids who may be in trouble often, failing classes or having serious attendance issues.
In my small group we discussed how the SYSTEM of school may be setting some kids up to feel like they are not embraced by the village. But, then, I challenged my group to not use the SYSTEM as an excuse and to think about the small interactions with have with kids or the slight changes we CAN make in the system to help them feel like they belong here. Our team started talking about what our process is when kids are tardy, we discussed that they (or their parents) are asked "Why are you late?" We talked about the implications of this being the very first words spoken to a child as he or she enters school. We then realized that a simple shift could be that we instead greet the child with a happy "Hi! I'm so glad you're here!" What a different way to start the day! Our conversations that branched into other parts of the day that simple shifts in our own language or expectations could positive impact children. I challenge you to reflect on times that you may be causing a child to feel that he or she is not embraced by the village. What can you do to help with this? Is it simply changing they way you approach a seemingly negative situation? Is it pulling a small group of some of your kids who are "burning the village" and asking them what you can do to help; how they feel about school or just simply having a positive conversation with them? How many of our kids have only negative interactions with adults at school? This question is a hard one to ask ourselves, but it is crucial. Today's admin meeting came at the perfect time for me. It aligns with the thinking we are doing as we read Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain and it connects with the thinking we will be doing at our Friday staff meeting. I'm excited to continue the journey of Culturally Responsive Teaching with all of your and continue to live our motto LOVE IS AN INTERVENTION.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
May 2023
Categories |