"The future of the world is in my classroom today".

As a teacher I am a long long leaner and I am always researching new things to begin in my classroom. In my classroom our morning routine begins as per below:

1. Roll
2. Expectations.
3. Daily Quote.
4. Weekly Whakatauki
5. Weekly Value.
6. Weekly goal. 

Image credit: Marilyn Price-Mitchell, PhD

As I teach children that are considered middle school and majority of my class a year 4's who will next year be seniors I believe it is very very significant to reinforce values and virtues at this age level so that as they grow they will becomes great citizens on the future who will make a difference to their society and the world around them. 

While researching I came across this image: The compass advantage .  This really took my interest and I wanted to find out further what this entailed. So there are the findings. 

 Empathy is situated at "true north" on the compass because it is the driver of caring and compassionate actions in the world. By developing empathy in children, teachers help them feel valued and understood while impacting social change and innovation for decades to come. Empathy is systemically related to all of the abilities on the compass, particularly to self-awareness at "true south." Research suggests that the more children become aware of themselves, the better they become at understanding others. 

 

The article went onto explaining empathy-building habits of great teachers. For those that know me well, professionally and personally they know that I am a very empathetic person by nature and am always teaching my students the importance of empathy. But, again we teachers are life long learners and I know that I can build habits of empathy much deeper. Here are some ways that I am looking forward to implementing this in my classroom.

1. By creating a meaningful relationship with my students-This can be done by making sure that my students feel heard, being able to voice how they feel, feel seen and understood. "Teachers who know, appreciate, and respect students beyond academics help children feel cared for and increase their ability to care for others."
2. Nurture children;s self efficacy through mentoring- This can be done in my classroom by- Being supportive and encouraging, listening, setting high expectations, showing interest in students as individuals, fostering decision making skills and providing another prospective during problem, solving. 
3. Teaching values associated with good citizenship- This can be done in my class by- Implementing and teaching children values such as caring, cooperation, compassion, kindness. Also role modelling what this looks like. Getting children to do mini skits to show what this looks like and how they feel when someone shows these values to them. 

From elementary through high school, children should evolve through three developmental stages as they take on roles in society:

1. Being responsible citizens
2. Improving their communities
3. Contributing to solve societal problems

Inspire children to be their very best-This can be done in my classroom by being a great role model to the students in my classroom and modelling these values to them so that they are inspired to be their very best. Also, showing a passion and ability to inspire, clear and articulated set of values, commitment to community, selflessness, ability to overcome obstacles in life. 

Expose students to different opinions and world views: When teachers cultivate curiosity about how individuals and groups of people see the world differently, they expand children's intellectual, interpersonal, and emotional boundaries. They help students see and understand differing perspectives

The compass virtues

Curiosity:

Curiosity is the ability to seek and acquire new knowledge, skills, and ways of understanding the world. It is at the heart of what motivates kids to learn and what keeps them learning throughout their lives. Curiosity facilitates engagement, critical thinking, and reasoning.

Sociability:

Sociability is the joyful, cooperative ability to engage with others. It derives from a collection of social-emotional skills that help children understand and express feelings and behaviors in ways that facilitate positive relationships, including active listening, self-regulation, and effective communication.

Resilience:

Resilience is the ability to meet and overcome challenges in ways that maintain or promote well-being. It incorporates attributes like grit, persistence, initiative, and determination.

 Self-Awareness:

Self-awareness is the ability to examine and understand who we are relative to the world around us. It's developed through skills like self-reflection, meaning making, and honing core values and beliefs. It's situated at "true south" on the compass to symbolize that introspection is about looking into ourselves. Self-awareness impacts children's capacity to see themselves as uniquely different from other people.

Integrity:

Integrity is the ability to act consistently with the values, beliefs, and principles that we claim to hold. It's about courage, honesty, and respect in one’s daily interactions -- and doing the right thing even when no one is watching.Integrity is the ability to act consistently with the values, beliefs, and principles that we claim to hold. It's about courage, honesty, and respect in one’s daily interactions -- and doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

Resourcefulness:

Resourcefulness is the ability to find and use available resources to achieve goals, problem solve, and shape the future. It draws on skills like planning, goal setting, strategic thinking, and organizing.

Creativity: 

Creativity is the ability to generate and communicate original ideas and appreciate the nature of beauty. It fosters imagination, innovation, and a sense of aesthetics.

Empathy:

Empathy is the ability to recognize, feel, and respond to the needs and suffering of others. It facilitates the expression of caring, compassion, and kindness. It's situated at "true north" on the compass to symbolize the outward impact of educating young citizens committed to creating a just, sustainable world.

Reference:

PhD, M. (2015). 8 Pathways to Every Student's Success. Edutopia. Retrieved 16 April 2017, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/8-pathways-every-students-success-marilyn-price-mitchell