Acknowledge, acknowledge and acknowledge your learners!

I believe that a good pedagogue is a teacher who can teach learners in such a way that they don't even have to study and still pass their test with a good mark. I had a teacher in high school that gave class in such a way that I hardly ever studies, because there was simply no need for me to figure it out on my own. And the first question I asked myself is: How on earth did she get it right?

She was actively involved in our lives! Thats how! She did not only engaged with us on an academical level but also on a social and emotional level. The fact that she acknowledges the fact that I had a personal life beyond school gates allowed me to reconnect with her in class. And strangely the fact that she acknowledged my personal life made me enjoy her subject even more because there was a better sense of understanding. Not only did she give ear to my personal life and interests, but also my worries I had as a learner. She cared for my well-being as a learner and try to be available and accessible as possible.

This leads me to the Foley YouTube video that also stresses the importance of teachers as the pastoral carer of a classroom. Quite a hectic responsibility, hey? But we as pedagogues can only achieve this well-being of children if we are actively involved. And I don’t mean go and question the parents’ attitudes or way of parenting at home, but look out for learners on the playground, in a test or in class. For example when there are bullied find creative methods to solve a problem in school boundaries or when a learner struggle with a certain topic be helpful and support the learners. This will make them feel “hey, there is someone looking out for me” you know and this create a sense of belonging and being worthy of attention.

So what I am trying to say is, we as pedagogues has the responsibility to support our learners academically, socially and emotionally. Don’t let them only be a person with a name in your classroom, but let them be their own little universe where they can feel save and express themselves. But one must keep in mind that this type of environment can only be created if you has teacher understand your learners and know who and what they are.