That question typically brings educators from multiple view points together as most people in schools want to do what's best for students.
Yet sometimes there is disagreement about that. Some may believe one idea is better than another, and then debate occurs. If handled well, that debate can result in an even better solution, however if handled poorly that debate can take people away from the central question, "What's best for students?"
As I contemplate a current challenge, I'm thinking about students--what is best for them. In the best cases, students experience a program with these attributes:
- a robust, engaging, empowering program
- a welcoming, inclusive, culturally proficient program
- a responsive, sensitive, child-centered program
There are few that would disagree with this, however, some may not want to reach or work as hard to make a program like this happen, and others may be ill-directed in this regard. That's why teamwork is so important and effective when it comes to building top-notch programs for children. When many dedicated educators work together to craft, plan, and carry out meaningful programming, that programming generally succeeds.
As I face a current challenge, I'll pose the following questions to myself and others:
- What are the facts? Let's steer clear of conjecture, hearsay, and exaggeration.
- What are the specific challenges--the problem details?
- Why are those details problematic--what do those problems look like, act like, create?
- What do we really want to do? What's truly important in this matter and why?
Typically I put students, teaching, and learning first in the school house. I'm looking forward to better understanding the current situation and then making a path forward. Onward.