Seth Godin is an absurdly clever guy with a pretty bleak view on the origins of schooling. He wrote about it in 2011 here. It was never about creativity – it was about preparing kids for factory work, for the military and for obedient consumerism.
How could school contribute to these population level goals? Rows of desks, kids in silence, teachers in front doing all the talking. The message to several generations since? Sit still, obey … and don’t think too much.
Fast forward to today, and somewhat disturbingly, those rows are making a fervent comeback. We’ve fallen into a trap of prescriptive instructional methods and lesson plans that often seem more impressed by the cultivation of polished PowerPoint presentations than creating wondrous, inspiring and engaging learning experiences.
More teachers than ever are anchored to the front of the room, performing rather than teaching.
This ‘performative’ teaching approach doesn’t just diminish the profession; it lowers expectations. When we focus singularly on how we teach – on our performance – we risk forgetting that it’s also students who should be actively contributing to lesson success and their own sense of progress.
Effective teaching isn’t about being the star of the show, getting through slide decks or completing lesson plans. It’s about setting high expectations, fostering critical thinking and encouraging deep engagement.
Yes, bring your energy and passion – but the real dance must be in the minds of your students.
Keep fighting that good fight,
P.S. If you’re a long time Home Truths reader and you’re wondering where to start in implementing RP2.0, here are a few ways I reckon we can help:
1. Grab your free copy of my book, Restoring Teaching
It’s the bible for how to work restoratively in a modern school context. And it’s free – you just pay shipping. Get your copy here.
2. Join the Student Behaviour PhD
The biggest challenge teachers face is managing student behaviour, and we can help. Join our online program, and nail this once and for all. Enrol here.
3. Book a School Culture Strategy Session
If you’re a school leader, the most important job you have is to lead the culture of your school. We’re here to help. In 30–45 minutes we’ll help you create a vision for your school culture, make some critical decisions and document your action plan. Book here.
4. Work with us in a School Culture Partnership
This is our bread and butter. It’s what we’re known for. It’s not a program, it’s a true partnership, where we work side by side for three years to transform the culture of your school. Let’s make a time to get to know you and your school, tell you about how we work, and see if it’s a fit. Just send us an email at info@realschools.com.au and say, ‘Let’s chat’.
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