Resolutions for 2021: Mine’s about relationships – what’s yours?

This time of year, as one closes and another is on the horizon, we start to look forward as well as back. Part of this process is to reflect and also declare resolutions for the coming year.

Certainly 2020 has made its mark and there may not be a lot to look back on but it has not all been doom and gloom. There have been some spectacular events, achievements, happenings, and many challenges overcome. In the midst of this upheaval to our everyday lives has been learning and teaching. Schools have gone online or been open throughout the pandemic and their much broader  role of supporting children and their families has been highlighted in many ways. Teachers and schools have certainly faced significant challenges but in seeking solutions some interesting doors have opened and things in the classroom may never be the same again. 

Reflecting and the three R’s

I have a feeling though that one of the key components in learning and teaching will always be front and centre, be it online or face to face, and that is relationships. Building and maintaining learning relationships is for me what teaching is all about. The three R’s if you like – Relationships, Relationships, Relationships.

Resolutions and developing and sharing a learning narrative

My challenge this year has been the forming of a narrative that I can share and that described the importance of building effective learning relationships in learning and teaching. 2020 certainly afforded me the time to do it but it has been great to reflect and write,  even if I was unable to present at the wonderful Festival of Education again this year. 

My aim was to write something along the lines of a learning journal for teachers with the honest aim of helping those who want to become a better teacher. There is no arrogance in my aim, I certainly don’t hold all the answers, but I do understand how much of what teachers do depends on building effective learning relationships with their pupil or students.  I also recognise and understand how the four key elements that help form those relationships (power, belonging, choice and fun) work in the learning environment.

As the year ends I can tell you that the narrative I developed now has a title, several chapters and a publisher and will be available in February next year.  In this blog I will be looking back on the process and the challenges in putting the narrative together as well as sharing some of the things from the book.  In the new year you will also be able to find support materials from the book on my website (www.ace-d.co.uk)  So in 2021 look out for ‘If you can’t reach them you can’t teach them’ published by Critical Publishing and follow the blog where I will explain how this important text came about and my hopes for it in the world of education.

You can find the next article here explaining how the narrative developed.

https://www.criticalpublishing.com/if-you-cant-reach-them-you-cant-teach-them

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