Schools are for learning. Students come to learn about the world around them, complete with all its problems and possibilities. They come to learn about people who have gone before them and events that have taken place and why things are the way they are and how things work. They come to discover their passions and gifts and what they can do to promote growth and change in society. They come to learn about who they are, who they are becoming and want to become and where they fit into this great big world. Students come to learn the necessary skills, socially and intellectually, to enable them to experience success in their lifetime.
In order for this learning to take place, schools must be a safe place. In a world that is still divided by race, social stature, beliefs and numerous other differences, schools must be a place that aims to break down these walls. It should be a place that encourages growth, but also a place where students are welcome where they are, as they are, with the freedom to express their personal beliefs and values. It should be a place where we emphasize and celebrate both our similarities and our differences.
To truly foster this sense of community, the school must function as an extended family to the students that walk through the doors. The focus must be on the students and their needs and doing whatever possible to ensure that they are prepared for the next phase of their life, whatever that may be. We must strive to see to it that they are cared about, both academically and personally, and seen as individuals instead of a collective group.
When a student leaves the school, they should be prepared. They should have the knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge to real life situations they encounter. If they are entering college, they should have the confidence and skills to succeed. If they are entering the job force, they should have the necessary skills and confidence to succeed in their chosen profession. If they are entering middle school or high school, they should be confident in their ability to succeed in school.
The student need not be a model citizen necessarily, because no child is perfect, but they should have had numerous opportunities to develop character and compassion. They should have a strong sense of identity and not be swayed by the world or by the ever changing whims of his peers. The student needs to be able to lead when necessary, but also to be able to follow when needed, and the wisdom to be able to differentiate between the two.
The student should be a critical thinker. They should be able to think, and not simply regurgitate information and be a problem solver, instead of reliant on someone else to make things happen. They should be able to look at the world with a critical eye and be a catalyst for change. Ideally, they would have a passion for learning that does not stop once they finishes school, but remains an unquenchable thirst throughout their life.
The teacher must connect with the students. They must be willing to step out from behind their desk and out of their comfort zone in order to engage the students in whatever they are studying. They must be fair and honest. They must be creative and have fun in the classroom and enjoy their students. They must make learning meaningful and connect the material to the lives of the students. They must understand that students learn in a multitude of ways, and vary their teaching styles accordingly. They must strive to encourage and draw out the brilliance and passion in each of their students.
The teacher must be real and willing to be open with their students, in an effort to cultivate relationships. They must seek to know the child as a whole, and not simply as a student in their classroom. They must reach out to the family, knowing that a students’ academic success, in many cases, is strongly related to him home life and the involvement of his parents in the school.
The teacher must be a life long learner and have a passion for learning that extends beyond the classroom. They must be knowledgeable in their content, prepared for class daily and professional in their interactions. They must hold high standards for themselves and expect great things from their students, knowing that students rise or fall to the level of expectation placed upon them.
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