March Edblog Challenge

So this is your chance to, "dream big New Zealand" (sorry), and blog about what your dream school would look like, function like, be like. What would be its purpose, its vision?
You might like to consider how you present your ideas. You could consider: writing, drawing, mind mapping, videoing, audio recording, interviewing students/colleagues etc. 

I need to admit that this one threw me a tad.  If I write down my "big dreams" am I showing dissatisfaction with my current status?  I don't want to put myself into a hugely dissatisfied state - but yet, if no one every dreams, nothing every changes either.   I decided to talk to a student and get their perspective.

The conversation with Student X ... "I want to know that every teacher is purely there to help the students create and learn.  Every student wants to learn and grow as an individual and to better themselves and others lives.  From a young age instead of teaching us functionalities (like rules and the majorities perspective) we could be taught to go with it, but going with it wouldn't  be like most people interpret it now.  We would follow out passions, rather than being told to do a certain amount subjects, you'd be learning what you want to succeed at that thing and be able to help others.  In primary school you'd need to learn reading and writing, but instead of being taught these with punishment you would use positivity.  Because the teachers would be trained this way it would just work. " (Dictated to me from Student X in secondary school; with permission)

(( Student X kept on talking "can we add in some stuff about decile numbers and stuff.  We wouldn't have really really rich and really poor - if we did school like this and governments like this we could even things out and school would become a better place to learn and kids would develop more.  We would end up having a better economy and country. "  I think this would be an awesome writing topic for my seniors!!! ))

What I took out of her comments ( and our subsequent discussion as said student was on fire) was that for this student:

• There needs to be space for students to be able to follow passions.  
• Students have a desire to be able to support fellow students in learning and life.
• There is a perception by students that not all teachers have remained passionate about not only their subject, but their learners lives & hauora - something this student feels needs to be really clear and obvious.
• There is a want for equality, some extra trips and courses cost - and those who need them the most may find it difficult to ask for help; if they even know where to ask.
• There is a need for students to have continual positive reinforcement surrounding them.
• A happiness from this student that they are not invisible for the most past which means they know their Hauora is cared for by most teachers.

My wants for a dream school:

• A want to be able to personalise the learning.
• Having strong supports in place so that teachers are able to remain passionate about their subject & sustain  passion and interest in and for learner's lives and hauora.  We are human to - and need to look out for and support each other so burn out does not happen.
• Money not to be an issue (hm.  Not sure how this would play out.)  I remember being that student in Y13 who had the home-made blouse rather than the expensive uniform one - at 17, I struggled with this.  In hindsight, I know my mum did the best she could, but for a teen, it was hard.  

Right - enough to be ruminating on for now.