Shajen Joy Aziz Teachers hold tremendous power in our society, and through them, we can truly empower the lives of all children. The current state of education must address the varying needs of our children, and if every teacher were to address every student with empowerment and compassion, all children would have the experience of being heard, which will give them hope and possibility. Our very growth as a society is based on our ability to relate to others, no matter the setting or device, we are about relationships, so let us make sure we create positive ones in our schools and with "Our Children" the future of "Our Society." All teachers are influential one way or another. Our schools are the places that have immediate long-term access and effects on how students, the children, see themselves and their place in the community and the world. Teachers spend most of their time with our leaders of tomorrow, and it is the teachers who have a direct and lasting impact on their sense of self, belonging, and self-esteem, along with their hopefulness or hopelessness about the future. Great teachers have an innate sense of self and reflect on themselves and their teaching practices and their effect on the children continuously. These educators are compassionate, motivated, and educated in psychology and learning. In my opinion, what is missing in many of our schools is support for the teachers. I have encountered well-intentioned administrators well-versed in best practices, challenging academics, and supporting holistic education's overall creation - body, mind, heart, and spirit. I have also encountered power-hungry administrators, angry and filled with resentment toward the system and those within it. This type of behavior from leaders is where the problem lies. Taking care of how we feel about ourselves and how we perceive that world and whether or not that world accepts us is the pulse of who we are and how teachers help children become themselves. I have witnessed excellent teachers create unique classrooms filled with excited and energized learners. I have also seen caring teachers who lack support and resources and cannot reflect on themselves and their practices; they create uncomfortable, angry environments where children are afraid to ask for help and, even worse, afraid to get noticed. Schools must be places where all feel and know that success is possible. Schools need to be places where every member of the community feels valued as a contributing member. We can change how our schools operate on every level. Now is the time. A new paradigm is upon us, and we have the power to create positive and transformative educational environments with dignity and equity for all. Shajen Joy Aziz, M.Ed., M.A. |
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