Part E. Implications for Schooling

         The key to being a successful school leader in schools is having an open mind and being sensitive to the student’s ideas and interests.  Research has found that teachers should keep an open mind in diverse needs by “designing and implementing culturally sensitive curricula, hiring and promoting staff from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, as well as addressing gender and racial issues in the school” (Therrien).  Teachers should learn how to relate lesson content to the cultural backgrounds of the students.  “This means taking such simple steps as walking around the community, talking to leaders and people to find their needs and habits, and being exposed to the media and issues that are important” (Therrien).  Students should also be given the opportunity to share their personal experiences that relate to the topic at hand.  By doing relating personal experiences, students can connect their personal experiences to the subject area on which they are focusing.  As teachers, we should understand what an educated person is and encourage parents, staff, and the community to actively participate and help students grow in their education.  We believe it is important for teachers to allow their students to set goals and reflect on their progress.  This allows for teachers to monitor the achievement of the students and it gives us a chance to help them improve in any area needed.  We also believe that it is essential for school teachers to work with their staff to plan and implement goals and activities.  This not only allows the students to become more successful in their education but also allows the teachers to see what they need to work on by getting ideas from their colleagues.  As we have stated earlier, it is important to involve the parents in the student’s education.  It is as simple as sending home progress reports or having meetings to talk about their views on their child’s education.  This is a great way to get ideas on how you can better reveal the content for your students, by getting suggestions and help from the parents.  Another method we would use in our classroom to help make our students a more educated person is by implementing group work in the classroom.  Giving our students the chance to work together with their peers on assignments helps them learn how to get along with other people and how work together as a team.  Students must also be encouraged to exercise their independent thinking skills and formulate their own ideas and opinions. Teachers can encourage this type of thinking through creative writing activities and creative thought projects and assignments.

 Therrien, R. (1999). The School Leader as an Educated Person.

learningtolovelearning.co.uk