For Every Child a Champion: The Role of the Teacher and Others

Thank you to Hannah Simnett for reminding me of Rita Pierson’s wonderful Ted Talk.

This is a major validation of any teacher working in a school who invests in their pupils as full human beings. For one child it might not be the work in your classroom which defines their interests and passions, it might be on the football pitch, or working at home as a carer, or horse riding or making music which defines them.

Know this, ask about it, share in the successes and commiserate with the failures.  This will make you a better and more fulfilled teacher and them a better learner.

Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, “They don’t pay me to like the kids.” Her response: “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.'” A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.

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About educationalist04

I'm convinced we can, as a species, do much better than this if we set our minds to being much more positive and productive towards our fellow humans. The solution is learning - creating independent and autonomous learners who can problem solve, innovate and create a better more equitable and sustainable world. My books, Future Proof Your School and Re-Examining Success together with this blog, explore how better learning outcomes for all can be achieved.

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