Over the Christmas/New year break, I acquainted myself with a film that, to me is the true classic of the school-teacher genre:
Released in 1967, this still resonates with me and, having first viewed it as an adolescent (it was an English text at my school) it probably played a significant role in my decision to pursue a career in education and most definitely colored my ideas of what a teacher should do and be.
My recent re-viewing of this film convinced me that, despite being over fifty years old (and the novel is even older), in a rapidly changing educational world, some essentials do not change.
The lessons I picked up in the film still resonate at a future-focussed school like St Columba. These include:
View:To Sir, With Love (1967) – The ending:
(Note: Interesting how some of the fashions of East London fifty years ago have been regenerated over the last few years!).
What has changed is the context in which these skills are used by highly professional educators.
For a 21st century view of what we look for in teachers, try this little piece of video:
By definition a teacher is:
TEACHER: a person who teaches, especially in a school.
educator, tutor, instructor, pedagogue, schoolteacher, schoolmaster, schoolmistress, master, mistress, governess, educationalist, educationist;
supply teacher;
coach, trainer;
lecturer, professor, don, fellow, reader, academic;
guide, mentor, guru, counsellor;
sophist;
dominie;
pandit;
Derogatory: schoolmarm;
Informal: teach;
Informal: beak;
Informal: chalkie, schoolie;
Archaic: doctor, schoolman, usher;
Rare: preceptor
In the 2019 context, the teacher is much more than a “chalk and talk” provider of knowledge and assessor of pass and failure.
The world has changed and so has education.
Anyone who is still teaching exactly the same way he/she did twenty or even ten years ago is unlikely to find a comfortable professional home at a school like St Columba.
Those who stand outside the classroom may not realise the requirements of a current teacher. In our current world, teachers’ responsibilities as educators have escalated far beyond what most people would understand.
The following list provides a brief illustrative overview of the knowledge, skills, work habits, and character traits commonly associated with 21st century skills:
St Columba has teachers who have responded to the challenges confronting today’s schools with alacrity, imagination and, through sheer hard work, made themselves ready to offer our students an education that can be compared to the very best in Australia and overseas.
My job, and that of our School Council Executive and educational leaders, is to make sure that these talented, innovative and caring professionals have the facilities, support and opportunities to use their skills to their capacity.
What a privilege!
Mr Terry Muldoon Principal, St Columba Anglican School |
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