One Degree Makes A Significant Difference

In beginning a new year we are able to begin a new set of goals for ourselves
personally and professionally. It is as though a new season is upon us and

with this new season new possibilities are given.
In my previous post One Degree Makes a Significant Difference I stated,

“The bottom line is we get to decide what success is for each of us. In doing
so we can align our thought patterns and actions towards achieving this goal
ensuring it is congruent with our purpose and values.
Our values define what is the most important to us and give us purpose and
direction. To be living out our purpose we need an existence that is in
accordance with our values. Purpose calls forth passion, which is the driving
force behind accomplishment.”
Throughout my professional life I have seen many people inside and outside
of education climbing the ladder of success come to a point where they
discover their ladder was leaning up against the wrong wall. They discover
that much of their time and energy has been diminished because their goals
were not in alignment with their values and purpose. They had been
sabotaged by what was thought to be success but in reality was costing them
the things that really mattered.
To be an educator that impacts the lives of many students in positive ways

they must be willing to be vulnerable and willing to grow, increasing their
capacity. Their burning desire to do the best for the student is in the centre of
their vision and they realise by doing a great job with the small things, great
things happen.
In societies quest for instant gratification, patience is sometimes something

we as educators essentially need to humour ourselves with. It is a key
element to in being able to reflect on the progress being made, identifying
potential trends and begin to strategically plan for the future. It opens the
door to a long-term vision of what something could look like.
In my long-term vision for education I hope to help the students learn how to
combat the negative feelings and stereotypes that plague our society. Rather,
empowering them to see that they have the ability to be a great
generation. My responsibility in their lives is to ensure that my students are
getting the best education I can provide tapping into the resources of my
school, parents and the broader community so that they can succeed in
whatever area they choose.
This is my vision for education, my desire for students, my one-degree that

makes a difference:
1. Teachers will know their students – As the teacher understands what

motivates and engages their students they are able to see each as an
individual unique learner whose style of learning can be utilised and
catered for to create richer learning experiences for all.
2. Students will be inquirers - The way students learn to interpret is to

question. Through questioning, students learn to create their own
interpretations, thus making the information their own. This allows
student directed knowledge building and interpretation.
3. Students will be knowledgeable – Students come to school with different

forms of social and cultural capital that when utilised within the
classroom context enriches the learning environment for themselves and
those around them.
4. Students will be thinkers – Students will be encouraged to form links

between various interpretations of information to their own lives. If
students can read, understand, interpret and link a story to their life, then
that student can understand more of the world around them.
5. Students will be communicators – This includes both written and oral

communication. Students learn how to write; develop oral
communication through question and answer time and presentations and
read in many contexts. All this prepares students to effectively be rational
thinkers, able to take ideas and either make them their own, or discard
them.
6. Students will be principled – Understanding the moral obligations we

have as humans, being able to know right from wrong and appreciate
actions create consequences.
7. Students will be open-minded critical thinkers - Two important aspects of

critical thinking are questioning and interpreting. When a student can do
these things with freedom, they can critically think through and analyse
anything.
8. Students will be compassionate – By encouraging students to look out for
each other, others in our community and the world around them
establishes principles of service and custodianship.
9. Students will be risk takers – Establishing a safe and challenging

classroom climate is essential for students to feel able to freely think and
express their ideas. Making a mistake is not a problem as students are
aware that they are perfectly imperfect and learning from this mistake
that is important. Problem solving, it’s about life skills that our students
need to have. The ability to think ‘out of the box’ and not simply do
what has been done before because it is the common thing to do.
10. Students will be balanced – A student with balance will be able to

understand the highs and lows of emotions and situations and be able to
assess their importance and relevance.
11. Students will be reflective – When students are aware of the

connections they are making between learning class tasks and their own
knowledge and experiences, they take ownership of this and consider on
how it can be utilised in a real world experience.
Professional development is often an under utilized resource we have as

educators in supporting our students and our goals. Any time that a teacher
can learn about new educational theories and practices, they are able to
become a more effective teacher. The world of education is ever changing
and our interconnectedness is ever increasing. New theories and practices
come and go. Without learning of these changes, we cannot discover those
that may be superior. In order to become a more effective teacher, it is
essential that we determine for ourselves how those superior theories and
practices can be used to advantage our students become the future leaders of
our society.
Now this is my vision for education, my desire for students and my one-
degree that makes a difference, my challenge to you is to document what is
yours?

One Degree Makes A Significant Difference

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In beginning a new year we are able to begin a new set of goals for ourselves

personally and professionally. It is as though a new season is upon us and

In my previous post One Degree Makes a Significant Difference I stated,

To be an educator that impacts the lives of many students in positive ways

In societies quest for instant gratification, patience is sometimes something

This is my vision for education, my desire for students, my one-degree that

1. Teachers will know their students – As the teacher understands what

2. Students will be inquirers - The way students learn to interpret is to

3. Students will be knowledgeable – Students come to school with different

4. Students will be thinkers – Students will be encouraged to form links

5. Students will be communicators – This includes both written and oral

6. Students will be principled – Understanding the moral obligations we

7. Students will be open-minded critical thinkers - Two important aspects of

9. Students will be risk takers – Establishing a safe and challenging

10. Students will be balanced – A student with balance will be able to

11. Students will be reflective – When students are aware of the

Professional development is often an under utilized resource we have as

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