What’s Important?

I tossed around a bunch of different ideas about what to write in this week’s blog.  While the focus is supposed to be on “180 days of Learning at Dawson Creek Secondary,” there are a lot of things going on right now that don’t really have much to do with learning.  And, as my principal colleagues and I work away at getting ready for the eventual return of teachers and students, the teachers’ strike continues with no end currently in site.  The lack of hustle and bustle in the building has meant that I have more uninterrupted time and therefore I am able to spend a little more time reflecting. 

What got me thinking tonight were two things: a recent conversation with a colleague who is quite ill, and a picture shared on Facebook of a courageous little girl attending her first day of kindergarten wearing a bandana to cover her bare head.  My thoughts are with both of them tonight as they continue to battle against overwhelming odds.  Their situations have prompted me to reflect less on learning and more on the power of positive relationships. 

Like us, our students are seeking connections with people who care about them.  In our recent reading of Hattie’s “Visible Learning for Teachers,” we were introduced to Mind Frames.  Mind frame 7 states that educators believe it is their role to develop positive relationships in classrooms and staffrooms.  Hattie’s research indicates that teacher student relationships have an effect size of .72, which is quite significant. 

What this all reinforces is that relationships matter.  In the end what is most important to students, parents, teachers and principals too, is the positive relationships they develop with each other.  The positive relationships foster a sense of belonging and connectivity, improved self-concept and confidence. 

At this very difficult time for everyone, despite our positions and despite politics, it is the positive relationships we have with each other that will help us through and leave a lasting positive impact.